# Water quality and swimming restrictions in Polish Baltic

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/water-quality-and-swimming-restrictions-in-polish-baltic
> Updated: 2026-08-24T11:11:00.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 4.

In early August 2026, swimming bans were implemented at five beaches within Poland’s West Pomeranian Voivodeship, including locations in Lubczyna, Stepnica, Jarosławiec, and Kołobrzeg, due to microbiological water parameters and sea conditions.

By mid-August, most Baltic Sea bathing sites in the Pomeranian and West Pomeranian voivodeships remained open, indicated by the display of white flags. Restrictions became more localized, specifically affecting Stepnica on the Szczecin Lagoon due to cyanobacteria blooms and Chmielno in the Pomeranian Voivodeship. The European Environment Agency noted that many Polish sites remain unclassified because they require several years of monitoring data to meet European standards.

By August 20, several bathing areas across the West Pomeranian and Pomeranian voivodeships faced new restrictions, with red flags deployed in Kołobrzeg, Ustronie Morskie, Mielno, Dąbki, Wiciu, Bobolina, and Jarosławiec. These bans were primarily driven by hazardous weather, including strong rip currents and high waves exceeding 0.7 meters. While conditions improved in Dziwnów and Mrzeżyn, other areas remained dangerous. In Jastarnia, significant bacterial contamination was reported at Jastarnia Nadmorska-Plażowa and Jastarnia Zdrojowa, where Escherichia coli levels were more than twice the permissible limit.

By August 24, severe weather conditions and high waves led to widespread swimming bans across the Polish Baltic coast. Red flags were issued in West Pomerania at Świnoujście, Międzyzdroje, and Kołobrzeg, and in the Pomeranian region at Chłapowo, Władysławowo, Jastarnia, Jurata, and parts of Gdańsk. The Main Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS) attributed these bans to waves exceeding 0.7 meters and dangerous currents. Additionally, the bathing area in Darłówko Wschodnie was closed due to Escherichia coli levels exceeding safety norms.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: Baltic Sea storm triggers widespread swimming bans in Poland

Storms and high waves have triggered widespread swimming bans and red flags at many Baltic Sea resorts in Poland, including Świnoujście and Kołobrzeg, due to dangerous sea conditions and bacterial contamination

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/baltic-sea-swimming-bans-issued-at-polish-seaside-resorts

### 2026-08-20: Baltic Sea beaches in Poland face swimming bans

Swimming bans are in effect at several Baltic Sea beaches in Poland due to high waves, strong currents, and E. coli contamination in Jastarnia.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/baltic-sea-beaches-in-poland-face-swimming-bans

### 2026-08-14: Baltic Sea bathing sites in Poland remain mostly open

Most Baltic Sea bathing sites in Poland are open, with restrictions limited to specific inland areas due to cyanobacteria. Water quality classifications are also influenced by monitoring requirements.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/baltic-sea-bathing-sites-in-poland-remain-mostly-open

### 2026-08-10: Swimming bans issued at five beaches in West Pomeranian Voivodeship

Five beaches in Poland's West Pomeranian Voivodeship, including locations in Kołobrzeg and Jarosławiec, are under swimming bans due to water quality concerns and sea conditions.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/swimming-bans-issued-at-five-beaches-in-west-pomeranian-voivodeship

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Cite as: Water quality and swimming restrictions in Polish Baltic. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/water-quality-and-swimming-restrictions-in-polish-baltic