San Antonio, Texas, is an exciting city with plenty to see and do for both residents and visitors. However, not all its beaches are safe for swimming or leisure activities.
Certain beaches may have elevated levels of bacteria, pollution, or crime, which can be harmful to your health and safety. Here are five of the riskier beaches in San Antonio that it’s best to steer clear of or approach with caution.
Ropes Park
Ropes Park is a small beach on the southeast side of Corpus Christi Bay. It’s well-liked by kite surfers and fishermen, but not recommended for swimming. This is because the water quality here is often not good, which can lead to stomach issues, skin problems, or ear infections due to high levels of harmful bacteria.
In 2022, ksat.com reported that Ropes Park was possibly not safe for swimming for 24 out of 31 days that were tested. The contamination probably comes from rainwater, sewage spills, or animal waste.
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Poenisch Park
Poenisch Park, a beach on Corpus Christi Bay, often has water quality issues. It’s close to Ropes Park and faces similar pollution problems. According to Environment Texas, in 2022, it was deemed possibly unsafe for swimming on 23 out of 31 testing days.
Additionally, there have been shark attacks at this beach, resulting in two fatalities in 1962 and 2005. The sharks are drawn to the fish and bait in the water, so it’s important for swimmers to avoid entering near fishing spots.
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Corpus Christi Marina
Corpus Christi Marina is a big harbor where lots of boats and yachts are kept. It’s found in downtown Corpus Christi and gives a nice view of the city’s skyline. However, it’s not suitable for swimming or beach activities.
The water in the marina isn’t very clean. There are high levels of bacteria that can make people sick. In 2022, it was only safe for swimming on 9 out of 31 days. The pollution mostly comes from things like boat waste, sewage leaks, and industrial runoff.
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Texas City Dike
The Texas City Dike is a lengthy pier stretching into Galveston Bay. It’s well-liked for fishing and is a fun spot for boaters and jet ski enthusiasts. However, it’s not safe for swimming or beach relaxation. The water quality there is frequently low, often containing high levels of bacteria that can cause illness.
According to Environment Texas, in 2022, out of 31 days tested, the Texas City Dike was deemed potentially hazardous for swimming on 18 days. This pollution arises from city runoff, pet waste, and wildlife droppings.
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Seawall Boulevard
Seawall Boulevard in Galveston is a well-known beach area along the Gulf of Mexico in Texas. It’s a hotspot for tourists, drawing in millions of visitors annually. Unfortunately, it’s also considered one of the riskier beaches in San Antonio due to its elevated crime levels.
As stated on CrimeGrade.org, Seawall Boulevard has a crime rate of 37.02 incidents per 1,000 residents, a staggering 465 percent above the national average.
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Conclusion
You should know that these are some of the most hazardous beaches in San Antonio. While these might be fun to visit and participate in on occasion, the risks to your health and safety much outweigh the benefits.
You should adhere to the safety precautions and standards set forth by local authorities and organizations if you want to visit them. You might, alternatively, choose to go to one of the San Antonio beaches with higher water quality and lower crime rates.
