Miami-Dade County · Miami Beach Area · Atlantic Coast
Is it safe to swim at Virginia Key Beach today?
Latest DOH sample is GOOD
The latest Florida DOH sample at Virginia Key Beach measured 4 CFU/100mL, which is in the good range. That is a positive sign, but it is still a sample from Tuesday, May 12, 2026 rather than a live reading.
Latest sample on page
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
This is the latest DOH beach-water sample we found for Virginia Key Beach.
Bacteria reading
4 CFU/100mL
The EPA beach action value is 70.5 CFU/100mL. Lower is better.
12-month risk context
0% poor results
Use the current sample first, then use the 12-month track record as context.
This page helps you make a better beach decision, not just read a badge. If it has rained heavily since Tuesday, May 12, 2026, lean conservative even if the latest sample looks fine.
Start with the sample date
The number on this page is only as fresh as the last sample. If the date feels old for your trip, be more skeptical.
Use history as a tie-breaker
Two beaches can both look good today, but the one with fewer past spikes is usually the safer bet on an uncertain weather day.
Rain beats the badge
Stormwater runoff can change conditions faster than Florida's routine testing schedule, especially near inlets, canals, and urban drains.
Virginia Key Beach beach conditions and water quality today
If you searched for Virginia Key Beach water quality or beach conditions today, the latest Florida DOH sample shown on this page is 4 CFU/100mL from Tuesday, May 12, 2026. This site currently classifies that sample as GOOD.
Latest sample on this page: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
This sample is aligned with the freshest updates currently on this site.
How Virginia Key Beach compares nearby today
Virginia Key Beach currently ranks as the strongest monitored option among 4 nearby beaches on this page based on current status, 12-month risk, and sample freshness.
If you still want a backup, compare Haulover Beach next.
Compare Virginia Key Beach with Haulover BeachYour best next step from this page
Compare Haulover Beach next
Haulover Beach is the clearest backup if you still want a second option before you drive.
Use Miami-Dade County as your local backup map
This beach currently leads the county, so the county page is the fastest way to find second-choice backups.
Plan from Miami
If you are deciding from a city trip, the city guide makes it easier to compare distance, current status, and fallback options together.
Use the right page for the decision you're making
These deeper views help when you need more than the same-day badge.
Track record
Open Virginia Key Beach history
Use this when today's badge looks okay but you want to confirm that Virginia Key Beach is usually one of the steadier options.
Backup plan
Compare Haulover Beach and other backups
Use this first if Virginia Key Beach gives you pause and you want the strongest nearby alternative ranked by current status, risk history, and distance.
Weather risk
Use the after-rain view for Virginia Key Beach
Use this when storms, runoff, canals, or brown water make the normal badge harder to trust.
Warning signs
Check recent spikes before you go
Use this when you want to confirm whether Virginia Key Beach has shown any recent non-good readings, not just the current badge.
Historically one of the steadier options
Virginia Key Beach has a strong 12-month track record in this dataset. That makes a dry-weather good sample more reassuring, but it still does not override recent rain, runoff, or brown water.
Most recent poor sample shown here: No poor samples are shown in the last 12 months on this page.
Freshest sample anywhere on this site: May 13, 2026
Sample source details
- Source station
- DOG BEACH (Virginia Key Beach South side)
- Station ID
- 40966
- Data source
- Florida DOH Healthy Beaches Program via Water Atlas API
Monitoring station names can differ from beach signs or local nicknames. Use this source detail when you want to match the page back to the underlying Florida DOH sample record.
Water Quality History — Last 12 Months
Values in CFU/100mL. Green = Good (≤35.4), Yellow = Moderate (35.5–70.4), Red = Poor (≥70.5)
If it rained recently, treat this page as stale faster
Florida DOH testing is routine, not continuous. Heavy rain can push bacteria higher through runoff before the next posted sample catches it. For Virginia Key Beach, wait at least 72 hours after heavy rain and be extra careful around inlets, canals, storm drains, or brown water. Read the rain guide.
About Virginia Key Beach
A historic beach park on Virginia Key near downtown Miami, offering a quieter alternative to the busy South Beach scene.
Where Virginia Key Beach sits in Miami-Dade County
Virginia Key Beach currently ranks as the strongest monitored beach in Miami-Dade County by current status, 12-month risk, and sample freshness.
Compare with Matheson Hammock BeachWhere Virginia Key Beach sits in Miami Beach Area
Virginia Key Beach currently ranks as the strongest monitored beach in the Miami Beach Area group by current status, 12-month risk, and sample freshness.
Compare with Matheson Hammock BeachKeep Exploring This Coastline
Use the county, regional, and city guide pages to compare more beaches before you commit to one stop.
Compare Nearby Beaches Before You Go
These nearby beaches are sorted by current status, historical spike rate, and sample recency so you can compare backup options before you drive.
Read Before You Go
Is It Safe to Swim After Rain?
Wait times, runoff risk, and when to skip the water
Understanding Advisories
What the badges, thresholds, and warnings really mean
Cleanest Beaches in Florida
Compare the strongest historical track records
How Bacteria Testing Works
How sampling works and why “latest” is not the same as live
Disclaimer: Water quality data is sourced from the Florida Department of Health Healthy Beaches Program. Conditions can change rapidly. This website provides informational guidance only — always check with Florida DOH for official beach conditions. Safe to Swim Florida is an independent project and is not affiliated with any government agency.