St Mary's Bay (Kent) water quality history

Explore historical Environment Agency samples and annual bathing water classifications for St Mary's Bay (Kent) in Folkestone and Hythe.

St. Mary's Bay is a resort beach situated along a 20 kilometre (km) stretch of beach in Hythe Bay, Kent. Hythe Bay stretches from Folkestone down to the headland of Dungeness. The beach is predominantly shingle with wide shallow sand flats exposed at low water. Fine sediments suspended in the water column leave the water cloudy at times. There is a slipway just south of the bathing water sampling point.

Available sample history
1988 to 2026
Samples
782
Latest official classification
Sufficient (2025)

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Annual classification history

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

Available annual results, newest first
YearClassificationAssessment source
2025SufficientOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2024SufficientOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2023PoorOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2022PoorOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2021SufficientOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2019SufficientOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2018GoodOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2017GoodOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2016GoodOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2015GoodOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2014GoodOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2013GoodOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2012GoodOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2011GoodOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2010GoodOfficial Environment Agency assessment
2009ExcellentHistorical estimate
2008GoodHistorical estimate
2007GoodHistorical estimate
2006GoodHistorical estimate
2005GoodHistorical estimate
2004GoodHistorical estimate
2003SufficientHistorical estimate
2002SufficientHistorical estimate
2001SufficientHistorical estimate
2000SufficientHistorical estimate
1999SufficientHistorical estimate
1998SufficientHistorical estimate
1997SufficientHistorical estimate
1996SufficientHistorical estimate
1995PoorHistorical estimate
1994PoorHistorical estimate
1993PoorHistorical estimate
1992PoorHistorical estimate
1991PoorHistorical estimate
1990PoorHistorical 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