Is it safe to swim in Blackpool?

If you’re heading to Blackpool and would like to enjoy the water, you can with some areas being available to swim in. The Blackpool council website explains that four stretches of Blackpool’s coast are available for those who want to swim. There are eight designated spots across the Fylde coast. Measures are put in place to make sure the water is safe to swim in so it’s vital that you follow all the rules when going to a beach. These sites must meet European guidelines of water quality, with the aim of protecting the health of people who may want to swim, paddle or even just splash and play there. You can keep up to date with any pollution warnings at Bispham, Blackpool Central, Blackpool North and Blackpool South via the website. During the bathing season every year, the Environment Agency monitors every site and takes 20 samples from each. You can see the annual water quality and pollution update for Blackpool beaches via the council’s website.

Please be advised to not swim or bathe in the water at Blackpool Central, Bispham, North and South beaches until further notice. This also extends to Fleetwood and Cleveleys beach, St Anne’s and St Anne’s North beaches until further notice. United Utilities have announced that during last night’s storm untreated sewage, mixed with rainwater, was released into the sea. The South Pier is a brilliant attraction for families, particularly for the Blue Flag beach opposite Blackpool Pleasure Beach. This latest accolade marks the excellent sea quality, and makes this the perfect location for paddling in the waves or having a seaside picnic.

No water quality samples have yet been collected at this newly-designated bathing water. See the help page for additional information on interpreting these charts. Intestinal Enterococci (IE) Escherichia coli (EC) Bathing water sampling location Surface water catchment boundary Catchment description Pollution risk forecasts Investigations statement Visible pollution Pollution management Streams and rivers Working with water companies History Sewage treatment works outfalls Emergency or storm overflows Working with local authorities Misconnections Working with the farming community Working with industry Working with private landowners Working with partners Other sources of pollution Algae Seaweed (macroalgae) Phytoplankton (microscopic algae)

Don't go too deep into the water as open water can be hazardous and unpredictable. Understand the risk of sandbars. Beach goers often underestimate the depth of the water and incoming tides can cut people off. Remember that the tide can come in very quickly. Making yourself aware of the tide times is not only beneficial for social distancing out of the water, but for your physical safety in the water too. Be aware that Blackpool is a tidal resort. We have beach patrol officers on duty every day, but we need you to look out for your own safety. Protect yourself and our emergency services and do not put yourself or them at risk.

Four out the ten beaches in Lancashire and Blackpool were classified as having good water quality in 2024. There were four beaches in the Lancashire-14 area classified as having only sufficient water quality in 2024. There were two beaches, St. Annes North and Blackpool North, in the Lancashire-14 area classified as having poor water quality in 2024. None of the beaches in Lancashire was classified as excellent, four were classified as good, four only reached the 'sufficient' standard, while the beaches at St Annes North and Blackpool North remained at the 'poor' standard. St Annes North and Blackpool North were the only beaches in the North West to be classed as poor and were two out of only 22 in the whole of England.