Margate The Bay water quality history

Explore historical Environment Agency samples and annual bathing water classifications for Margate The Bay in Thanet.

The bathing water is a resort beach on the north Kent coast adjacent to Margate town centre. It is a gently shelving sandy beach with a harbour wall at the eastern end and a rock formation that is exposed at low water at the western end. A promenade sits above the beach and there is a saltwater pool on the beach below the high water mark.

Available sample history
1988 to 2026
Samples
781
Latest official classification
Good (2025)

Explore charts and download data · How this analysis works

Interactive charts are loading. The classification history is available below.

Annual classification history

Official assessments and historical estimates are labelled separately. Missing years are not filled in.

Available annual results, newest first
YearClassificationAssessment source
2025GoodOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2024ExcellentOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2023GoodOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2022ExcellentOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2021ExcellentOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2019ExcellentOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2018ExcellentOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2017ExcellentOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2016GoodOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2015GoodOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2014GoodOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2013GoodOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2012ExcellentOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2011GoodOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2010GoodOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2009SufficientHistorical estimate
2008SufficientHistorical estimate
2007SufficientHistorical estimate
2006SufficientHistorical estimate
2005SufficientHistorical estimate
2004SufficientHistorical estimate
2003SufficientHistorical estimate
2002SufficientHistorical estimate
2001SufficientHistorical estimate
2000SufficientHistorical estimate
1999SufficientHistorical estimate
1998SufficientHistorical estimate
1997SufficientHistorical estimate
1996SufficientHistorical estimate
1995SufficientHistorical estimate
1994SufficientHistorical estimate
1993SufficientHistorical estimate
1992SufficientHistorical estimate
1991SufficientHistorical estimate
1990SufficientHistorical estimate
1989Not assessedHistorical estimate
1988Not assessedHistorical estimate

Source: Environment Agency / Swimfo. Data retrieved 16 October 2026. Historical trends do not describe conditions today; check Swimfo and local notices for current advice.

Nearby bathing waters