Houston, Texas, offers a lively and diverse experience with plenty of things to see and do. Yet, not all its beaches are safe and clean for visitors. Some have pollution issues with harmful bacteria, trash, and debris, which can be risky for your health. Here are five of Houston’s beaches to steer clear of at all times due to these concerns.
Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach, situated north of the Freeport Harbor Channel jetties, features a lengthy shoreline and abundant wildlife. Nonetheless, it has gained a reputation for being one of the most polluted beaches in Texas, as reported by BeachCatcher.
The water in this area contains elevated levels of enterococcus (fecal) bacteria, which can lead to health issues such as ear infections, dysentery, typhoid fever, and hepatitis A.
Texas Beach Watch has issued a warning indicating that the bacteria counts here exceed 104 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters, signifying that swimming here poses significant health risks.
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Jetty Park Beach
Jetty Park Beach, located near the Freeport Harbor Channel jetties, unfortunately, has subpar water quality. In 2019, it met quality standards only 40-60% of the time, as reported by SwimGuide.org.
Additionally, the beach tends to accumulate a significant amount of litter and debris, posing risks to swimmers and the marine environment. Therefore, Jetty Park Beach may not be the ideal spot for a day out.
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Quintana Beach County Park
Quintana Beach County Park is a well-liked spot for camping, fishing, and birdwatching. Sadly, it’s labeled as one of the most polluted beaches in Texas by BeachCatcher.
The water here contains elevated levels of enterococcus (fecal) bacteria, which can lead to severe illnesses and infections. Texas Beach Watch cautions that the bacteria counts range from 35 to 104cfu/100ml, making swimming here not recommended.
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Sylvan Beach Park
Sylvan Beach Park may seem like a nice spot for families with its playground, fishing pier, and skate park. However, it’s important to be cautious.
According to SmarterTravel, it’s considered one of the riskier beaches in Houston. The water can be contaminated with industrial waste, sewage, and runoff from nearby factories. Additionally, there have been instances of shark attacks, drownings, and jellyfish stings in the past. It might be best to consider other options for a family day out.
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Texas City Dike Beach
Texas City Dike Beach is a narrow stretch of beach that reaches into Galveston Bay. It’s well-liked for fishing, boating, and kite surfing. Sadly, it’s known to be one of the most polluted beaches in Texas, according to BeachCatcher.
The water at this beach has elevated levels of enterococcus bacteria, which comes from feces and can lead to stomach issues and skin infections. Both Texas Beach Watch and SwimGuide.org have issued alerts about the subpar water quality here. Texas City Dike Beach isn’t recommended for swimming or surfing.
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Conclusion
Here are the five most dangerous beaches in Houston that it’s best to steer clear of for your health and safety. Rather than taking chances at these potentially harmful spots, consider heading to cleaner and safer options like Galveston Island State Park Beach or Stewart Beach Park.
These beaches provide superior water quality, additional amenities, and a wider range of enjoyable activities. Keep in mind, when picking a beach in Houston, it’s wise to do your homework and exercise caution.
