Our beaches
There are currently 21 designated bathing waters sampled for water quality during the summer months (15 May to 30 September) by the Environment Agency.
Throughout the summer the Environment Agency tests the quality of seawater at beaches along the Jurassic Coast, and East coast of Dorset.
The beaches currently tested are:
- Charmouth West, West Dorset
- Eypemouth, West Dorset
- Lyme Regis Front beach, West Dorset
- Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach, West Dorset
- Portland (Church Ope Cove)
- Portland Harbour (Castle Cove)
- Portland Harbour (Sandsfoot Castle)
- Purbeck (Durdle Door East)
- Purbeck (Durdle Door West)
- Purbeck (Kimmeridge Bay)
- Purbeck (Lulworth Cove)
- Purbeck (Studland (Shell Bay North)
- Purbeck (Studland Knowle House)
- Purbeck (Swanage)
- Ringstead Bay, West Dorset
- Seatown, West Dorset
- West Bay, West Dorset
- Weymouth (Bowleaze Cove)
- Weymouth (Central)
- Weymouth (Lodmoor)
- East Beach, West Bay
Bournemouth Beaches are managed under this regime by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council Bathing water quality | BCP
Information is made publicly available by site classification following 3 years of annual sampling data at the closest possible site to the sampling point. Each site also has a QR code and further information.
Inland waterways
There are no designated river bathing sites in Dorset and no routine water quality monitoring. If you choose to swim in rivers, take precautions to protect yourself and others, particularly those who are more vulnerable to illness.
To reduce the risk of illness you should:
- avoid drinking the water, and reduce the possibility of doing so
- handwash after contact with animals or exposure to water that might be contaminated with animal urine
- clean wounds as soon as possible after exposure
- wash hands prior to eating, drinking or bringing anything to the mouth area
- shower (body and hair) as soon as possible after exposure
- wear water sports clothing when appropriate, such as wet suits or sunsuits
- cover cuts and grazes with waterproof plasters prior to immersion
- avoid swimming and water sports in areas where contamination levels are likely to be high and particularly after heavy rainfall or flooding
If handwashing is not available use anti-bacterial cleanser as an immediate precaution followed by hot water and soap as soon as practicably possible.
The above list aims to advise not just against bacterial but also parasitic infection.
What to do if you become ill
Contact NHS 111 for advice if you develop any of these symptoms after bathing:
- stomach cramps
- headache
- vomiting
- diarrhoea (especially with blood)
- fever
- muscle aches
- eye infections
- jaundice