The Coastal Health District of Georgia serves the counties of Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long & McIntosh

The information on this page was current as of the posting date, and is being provided here for archive purposes.

News & Events


Beach Water Advisories Lifted in Chatham, Glynn Counties

Updated July 22, 2021

The Chatham and Glynn County Health Departments have lifted the beach water advisories on Tybee, St. Simons, and Jekyll Island.

The advisories were issued on July 20, 2021 after routine water quality tests showed a high level of enterococci bacteria which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers.

Subsequent water samples showed the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisories have been lifted.


July 20, 2012

The Chatham County Health Department and Glynn County Health Department have issued beach water advisories for locations on Tybee, St. Simons, and Jekyll Islands.

Tybee Island

  • Polk Street Beach – from the north end of the island to the jetty
  • Tybee Strand Beach at the Pier – Eleventh St. to Eighteenth St.

St. Simons Island

  • North Beach at Goulds Inlet – Fifteenth St. to Tenth St.
  • East Beach Old Coast Guard Station – Tenth St. to Driftwood Dr.
  • Fifth Street Crossover Beach – Cedar St. to Ninth St.

Jekyll Island

  • North Beach at Dexter Lane – Tallu Fish Ln. to Brice Ln.
  • Capt. Wylly Rd Crossover Beach – Brice Ln. to Beach Pavilion
graphic showing the beach water advisory signs

The Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Resources Division tests water samples on Georgia beaches throughout the year. The tests screen for enterococcus (pronounced: en·ter·o·coc·cus) bacteria, which are found in humans and some wildlife. The testing program is not related to the capsized motor vehicle carrier in St. Simons Sound.

When a beach is under advisory, it means the level of bacteria found in the water is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended standards. This does NOT mean the beach is closed.

The beach water advisory alerts the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact in the advisory area. The Health Department recommends you do not swim or wade in the water in the area under advisory. Fish and other seafood caught from this area should be thoroughly washed with fresh water and thoroughly cooked before eating, as should fish or seafood caught from any waters.

The area will be re-tested this week, and the advisory will be lifted when the bacteria levels meet the EPA’s recommended standards. For more information, visit our Beach Water Testing page.

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