How long after rain can you go to beach?

Do not swim in the ocean during or immediately following rainfall. To further reduce risk of illness, wait at least 12 hours after a heavy rain to resume swimming. It is safe to wade in at any time (except during a thunderstorm!). Heavy rain can wash bacteria and possibly harmful pathogens into the surf.



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Do not swim in the ocean during or immediately following rainfall. To further reduce risk of illness, wait at least 12 hours after a heavy rain to resume swimming. It is safe to wade in at any time (except during a thunderstorm!). Heavy rain can wash bacteria and possibly harmful pathogens into the surf.

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Near areas with high coastal population, it is generally recommended to wait 72 hours after heavy rain before swimming. This is because runoff from land can carry lots of nasty germs into the ocean. After 72 hours, most of those germs are either dead or have diffused enough to not be an issue.

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Common culprits leading to beach closures and advisories include excessive rainwater that carries pollution from storm drains (like motor oil, pet waste, pesticides, trash, and pathogens) to recreational waters; “red tides” and other harmful algal blooms; and sewage and chemical spills from known sources.

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How to make the most of a rainy beach vacation
  1. Have a spa day. If you can't get your relaxation time at the beach, there's no better spot than a spa. ...
  2. Explore top attractions in the area. ...
  3. Catch a movie. ...
  4. Take a self-guided food tour. ...
  5. Bust out the games. ...
  6. Keep cozy in bed. ...
  7. Embrace the rain.


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The loss of sand causes the beach to become narrower and lower in elevation (Figure 1). Storm waves carry the sand offshore, depositing and storing the sediment in large sandbars. In weeks and months following the storm, the sand is returned to the beach by calm-weather waves.

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Thunderstorms affect relatively small areas when compared with hurricanes and winter storms. The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes. Nearly 1,800 thunderstorms are occurring at any moment around the world. That's 16 million a year!

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