[CREDIT: RIDOH] The RI Department of Health and DEM have shut Oakland Beach (red point, right) and Briar Point Beach (red point, left) to swimmers due to high bacteria counts

[CREDIT: RIDOH] The RI Department of Health and DEM have shut Oakland Beach (red point, right) and Briar Point Beach (red point, left) to swimmers due to high bacteria counts[CREDIT: RIDOH] The RI Department of Health and DEM have shut Oakland Beach (red point, right) and Briar Point Beach (red point, left) to swimmers due to high bacteria countsWARWICK, RI — The RI Department of Health has advised closing Oakland Beach for high bacteria counts found in recent testing at the beach.

The department announced the closure June 16, citing high levels of Enterocci bacteria.  The swimming areas at  Briar Point Beach in Coventry Easton’s Beach in Newport  were also recommended for closure.

To check the status of beaches, use the Beach Viewer map. This map also reflects the most up-to-date information on water quality status at licensed beaches in Rhode Island.

RIDOH will continue to monitor and review beach water quality through Labor Day. The status of a beach may change as new data becomes available. The most up-to-date beach information is available through a recorded message on RIDOH’s beaches telephone line 401-222-2751. A list of closed beaches can also be accessed at health.ri.gov/beaches.

Report: RI Beach Bacteria Requires Sewer Updates to Fix

In 2024, 25 state beaches were potentially unsafe for swimming on more than one-quarter of days tested, according to Safe for Swimming?, Environment Rhode Island Research & Policy Center’s latest analysis of bacteria testing.