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, October 13, 2026 rather than a live reading.
Keep it handy on this device for your next conditions check.
Latest sample on page
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
This is the latest DOH beach-water sample we found for Virginia Key Beach.
Bacteria reading
4 CFU/100mL
Florida DOH classifies results above 70 CFU/100mL as poor. Lower is better.
Recent-sample context
25% poor results
Use the current sample first, then use up to 12 latest displayed samples as context.
This page helps you make a better beach decision, not just read a badge. If it has rained heavily since Tuesday, October 13, 2026, lean conservative even though the latest sample is in the good range.
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, October 13, 2026. This site currently classifies that sample as GOOD.
Latest sample on this page: Tuesday, October 13, 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 #3 of 4 monitored nearby beaches on this page based on current status, recent poor-sample rate, and sample freshness.
If you want the stronger backup right now, compare Haulover Beach first.
Compare Virginia Key Beach with Haulover BeachYour best next step from this page
Compare Haulover Beach next
Haulover Beach currently looks like the stronger nearby alternative on this page.
Use Miami-Dade County as your local backup map
Virginia Key Beach currently ranks #5 of 6 monitored page results in Miami-Dade County by current status, recent poor-sample rate, and sample freshness. Use the county page to compare the rest of the local beaches in one place.
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 you want the deeper story behind Virginia Key Beach. The displayed history shows 25% poor samples, so the trend matters here.
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 to see how recent the warning signs are. The displayed history still includes a poor sample on September 23.
Usually fine in dry weather, but context matters
Virginia Key Beach often looks okay on routine samples, but temporary bacteria spikes show up often enough that recent rain or runoff should change your plan.
Most recent poor sample shown here: September 23, 2026 (300 CFU/100mL)
Freshest sample anywhere on this site: October 14, 2026
Sample source details
- Source station
- DOG BEACH (Virginia Key Beach South side)
- Station ID
- 71
- Distance from beach point
- About 2.0 miles
- Match method
- Name and location match
- 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 — Latest Samples
Sample source: Virginia Key Beach
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 #5 of 6 monitored page results in Miami-Dade County by current status, recent poor-sample rate, and sample freshness.
Compare with Sunny Isles BeachWhere Virginia Key Beach sits in Miami Beach Area
Virginia Key Beach currently ranks #5 of 6 monitored page results in the Miami Beach Area group by current status, recent poor-sample rate, and sample freshness.
Compare with Sunny Isles 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
If this page gives you pause, compare these nearby beaches first. They are sorted by current status, historical spike rate, and sample recency rather than a random list order.
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 lowest poor-sample shares in the displayed history
How Bacteria Testing Works
How sampling works and why “latest” is not the same as live
Flesh-Eating Bacteria & Vibrio
Why this enterococcus badge does not test for Vibrio
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, not official real-time clearance — 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.