Thanet’s beaches are ranked among the best in the UK!

During the Summer Season (15 May – 30 September) the Environment Agency undertakes water sample tests at ‘bathing water’ beaches. These are beaches which are popular for people to swim or paddle, so weekly water quality tests take place.

These tests rank the beaches from Excellent to ‘Poor’ - more detailed information on Thanet’s 2017 results is published by the Environment Agency.

These bathing water beaches are also more likely to have facilities like lifeguards, toilets and beach cafes or shops.

Lots of different things can affect the water quality on our beaches, but you can help keep the water at Thanet’s beaches clean, by:

• Taking your litter away with you – including cigarette buts
• Adhering to the by-laws which prevent dogs on our beaches during the summer season
• Ensuring you don’t feed the birds as attracting them to our beaches means they can poo over the sea
• Not pouring liquids down the drain as these can lead straight to the sea

Information about the water quality of Thanet beaches is available here 2017 results and is provided by the Environment Agency.

Details on the revised bathing water directive which started in 2015

Our bays are also recognised by national awards such as the Blue Flag Awards and the Seaside Awards.