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Category Archives: Beaches

Four State Park Beaches Closed Over High Bacteria Levels

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By Austin Robertson

CREATED 3:04 AM

Edited news release from Missouri Department of Natural Resources:

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. Four state park swimming beaches have been temporarily closed for water quality issues, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The state park beaches at Finger Lakes located in Columbia, Harry S Truman located in Warsaw and Wakonda located in La Grange are closed following results of water samples taken Tuesday that indicated bacteria levels higher than those recommended for waters used for swimming. Earlier this week, the state park beach at Thousand Hills located in Kirksville closed due to flooding. The beach remains closed due to flooding as well as high bacteria levels.

The campground beach at Harry S Truman State Park remains open. Visitors to Harry S Truman State Park may stop by the office or fee booth to obtain a pass free of charge to swim at the campground beach. Once tests from the four state park beaches indicate the bacteria levels are within the standard suitable for swimming, the beaches will reopen.

The department collects water samples from all designated beaches in the state park system weekly during the recreational season to determine suitability for swimming. Beaches will be closed for high bacteria when a single E. coli sample exceeds 235 cfu/100ml or when the geometric mean a 30-day rolling average exceeds 126 cfu/100 ml. The sample test results indicate a snap shot of the water quality taken at the beaches at a specific time; however, a single sample does not provide an overall sense of the water quality in the lake where the beach is located.

The department will post the information about the beach status on the website as well as mostateparks.com. Visitors to Missouri State Parks are able to sign up to receive free electronic notices about the status of state park beaches while visiting the departments beach status website.

Missouri's state parks and historic sites offer something to suit everyone's taste - outdoor adventure, great scenery and a bit of history. With Missouri's 87 state parks and historic sites, the possibilities are boundless. For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites and swimming beaches, click here.

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Four State Park Beaches Closed Over High Bacteria Levels

3 PH beaches in CNN's 100 best beaches

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by Pia Ranada Posted on 05/31/2013 12:00 PM |Updated 05/31/2013 8:38 PM

PALAUI ISLAND. This raw paradise made it to CNN's list of 100 best beaches in the world. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike. 3.0 Supermanlash, 2012

MANILA, Philippines - Three beaches in the Philippines landed on CNN's 100 Best Beaches list published on their website on May 30. These are Palaui Island in Cagayan Valley, El Nido in Palawan and Puka Beach in Boracay.

Palaui Island earns the 10th spot with CNN praising its "raw beauty." Visitors must trek through thorny grass and a mangrove forest to reach its "glorious white sands," coral gardens and marine reserves.

The absence of hotels and resorts means that visitors must be prepared to "camp under the stars" or ask to stay in a resident's home.

EL NIDO, PALAWAN. Majestic limestone formations make El Nido one of the best beaches in the Philippines, and according to CNN, the world.

14th place goes to El Nido in Palawan, already a famous honeymoon spot among Filipinos. CNN cited its "karst limestone formations, empty lagoons, marble cliffs, prehistoric caves and waterfalls."

Diverse marine life can be observed in this "last frontier" including whale sharks, manta rays and dolphins.

PUKA BEACH, BORACAY. It gets its name from the Puka shells found all over its shore.

Sliding into 84th place is Puka Beach in Boracay, the second-longest beach in Boracay named for the Puka shells that dot its white sand shore. Puka Beach is different from the more famous White Beach in Boracay, more frequently visited destination because of its many restaurants and vibrant night life.

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3 PH beaches in CNN's 100 best beaches

Army Corps will use hundreds of millions to restore beaches in South Jersey

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PLEASANTVILLE, N.J. Wider beaches and protective dunes are closer to reality for those South Jersey beach towns that have not previously had projects built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

In its second report to Congress detailing how it will spend its roughly $5 billion allotment of Hurricane Sandy disaster aid, the Army Corps said it plans to use hundreds of millions of dollars to restore beaches for the first time in Ship Bottom, Beach Haven and Long Beach Township, other than Brant Beach. Margate, Longport, the south end of Ocean City, Strathmere and Sea Isle City also are included.

There is no timeline for how and when the projects will be built because there still are numerous decisions that have to be finalized, said Ed Voigt, spokesman for the Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District.

Projects on the list also include constructing a seawall along Absecon Inlet in Atlantic City, Voigt said. From an engineers standpoint, that project is really ready to go.

The projects in south Ocean City, Strathmere and Sea Isle City had been designed in the 1990s and did not include dunes, but Voigt said corps policy now requires dunes and wider beaches.

When we build south Ocean City, Strathmere and Sea Isle City, that project will include a dune, Voigt said.

The report lists 18 projects that have been designed and approved, but have not been built. It estimates the total cost of building the projects in Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Virginia to be more than $2.1 billion. Projects for South Jersey are estimated to cost about $180 million. Voigt said the estimates may change significantly, either up or down, as construction costs become more clear.

This is important news for our region, for our tourism-based economy and for the countless businesses and jobs that depend on the beaches of the Jersey Shore for their livelihood, U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2 said in a news release.

Earlier this year, the Army Corps began putting sand back on numerous beaches in South Jersey to repair damage to the beach width and dunes that happened during Sandy and Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. Work has been nearly completed in Stone Harbor, while work was completed earlier this year in Avalon and Brigantine and on Tuesday in Ocean Citys north end. Work is expected to begin in the coming weeks for Brant Beach and Harvey Cedars on Long Beach Island, Atlantic City and Ventnor and work will begin in the fall in Cape May.

We knew this was going to come, we just hoped it would have come a month earlier, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian said about the latest Army Corps plans during the City Councils meeting Thursday night.

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Army Corps will use hundreds of millions to restore beaches in South Jersey

Best beaches in North Africa

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I've never really wanted to go to Japan. Simply because I dont like eating fish. And I know that's very popular out there in Africa. That's what Britney Spears said in an interview once... But fear not, Africa has some great beaches too.

Tunisia

Although the birthplace of the Arab Spring, Tunisia is quickly getting back on its feet and doing what it does best show off some of the worlds most beautiful beaches tailored specifically for independent travellers. Tunisian beaches are among the very best beaches in the Mediterranean, no doubt. The Tunisian coastline makes up 810 km of snowy white sand and pristine waters and its no suprise millions of tourists flock the place all year round.

Menzel Tmim & El Hawaria

Ask any local and they will tell you this is the place to go for the cleanest most azure waters. While the majority of tourists flock to Sousse and Hammamet, the locals will go to Manzil Tmim and El Hawaria for some peace, quiet and crystalline waters. Perhaps the only issue with these places is accommodation there is no amazing quality accommodation. Manzil Tmim is itself a small town well off the beaten tourist track located on Cape Bon, a peninsula in far northeastern Tunisia. Theres not much to do, but if you want to get away from the tourists and swim in beautiful warm water - this is the very place to go.

The Island of Djerba

South from Cape Bon is North Africas largest island Djerba. Its has a small population of 65,000 but thousands of French, German and Italian tourists come here every year to enjoy the beautiful beaches and dramatic sunsets. The north eastern point of the island is where you will find the beach hotels but there are plenty of opportunities to do other-less hotel orientated activities like camel trekking and 4-wheel driving. Dont miss out on the sightseeing and make sure you enjoy the nightlife.

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Best beaches in North Africa

Three Malaysian Beaches Make It To CNN's 'Top 100 Beaches In The World'

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Tioman's Juara Beach is number 21 on the list of Top 100 Best Beaches In The World. Filepic: lukewood.co.ukKUALA LUMPUR: A survey conducted by renowned news network CNN on the top 100 best beaches in the world saw Malaysia claiming three spots.

At number 49 on the list, sits Tanjung Rhu beach in Pulau Langkawi.

CNN described the beach as having an earthy beauty that is coupled with a serene atmosphere.

Meanwhile, coming in at number 21 is Juara Beach in Pulau Tioman.

Calling it a non-nightlife beach, the attraction of Juara Beach is in its less developed and less polished ambience compared to those in Thailand.

Tanjung Rhu, LangkawiFurther up on the list at number 13, which translates to Malaysia's number 1 best beach is Pulau Perhentian Kecil in Terengganu.

According to the list, once anyone has had the pleasure of experiencing Perhentian Kecil, nothing else quite matches up, adding that the blue waters off its shores contain turtles and small sharks.

In an article published today on edition.cnn.com, cheerily dubbed their top 100 ranking as possibly the greatest list of beaches ever produced.

Also running simultaneously is CNN's Facebook poll where netizens are invited to vote on the World's Best Beaches.

Taking the top spot as the world's best beach is Grande Anse on La Digue Island in Seychelles.

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Three Malaysian Beaches Make It To CNN's 'Top 100 Beaches In The World'

Sandy beaches, concerts, walks through the Southern past: 5 free things in Myrtle Beach, SC

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MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Myrtle Beach, this year celebrating the 75th anniversary of its incorporation, is the heart of South Carolina's $16.5 billion tourism industry. Myrtle Beach is in the centre of a 60-mile (100-kilometre) reach of beaches that attracts more than 14 million visitors a year to dozens of golf courses, hundreds of restaurants and tens of thousands of hotel, motel and other rental units. There's shopping at hundreds of stores and nine live entertainment theatres with almost 12,000 seats. But there's a lot to do for free. Here are five suggestions:

THE BEACH

This is the reason people come to Myrtle Beach. In South Carolina, the beaches are public and there are regular beach access points. Some areas have lifeguards and some have umbrellas and chairs for rent, but all you really need is a beach blanket and a cool drink. There's a beach for most every taste. Pawleys Island, to the south, is considered one of the oldest beach resorts on the East Coast with homes dating to the 1700s. The quiet beach is lined with weathered bungalows and proudly calls itself "arrogantly shabby." In Myrtle Beach, the shore is lined with high-rise hotels and condominiums and it's just a short walk to grab a burger along busy Ocean Boulevard. If you bring a pet, check local regulations for hours when dogs can be on the beach.

THE BOARDWALK

The boardwalk runs along Myrtle Beach's oceanfront business district. Just over a mile (1.6 kilometres) in length, it was completed three years ago at a cost of more than $6 million. It's a great place to wander along the shore without getting your feet sandy or to just to sit and watch people enjoy their summer escape. At sunset you can watch the oceanfront SkyWheel, the tallest Ferris wheel in the eastern United States, spin lazily, illuminated by a million LED lights. The boardwalk is being extended another block and Mayor John Rhodes has said he would like the city to eventually build the world's longest, running 4.6 miles (7.4 kilometres) along the shore.

FREE CONCERTS, KIDS STUFF

Summer means a lot of free entertainment. In Plyler Park, just off the boardwalk, the Hot Summer Nights series of free concerts and other events runs this year from June 3 to Aug. 31. On Mondays there are free kids carnivals, with concerts from reggae to rock and country to Dixieland other nights of the week. Every Wednesday there are fireworks over the ocean. Across town, at the Broadway at the Beach entertainment complex, there are free fireworks every Tuesday and most Fridays during the summer. North Myrtle Beach holds four free concerts on Friday evenings during the season in McLean Park while there are other concerts by the lake at Myrtle Beach's Grand Park. As part of the Myrtle Beach birthday celebration, an oceanfront air show is set for June 28th through 30th.

ART MUSEUM

If you want to get out of the sun for a bit, stop by the Franklin Burroughs-Simeon Chapin Art Museum. Admission is free, but donations are always accepted. Located on the south end of Myrtle Beach, part of the structure is an almost 90-year-old beach house moved to its present location about 30 years ago. The museum has 10 galleries and an art studio for workshops. Beginning June 6, the museum hosts "Animation B.C. (Before Computers)," an exhibit focusing on the development of animation in the 20th Century. It features original production art including Mickey Mouse and Dora the Explorer. Also this summer, the museum features an exhibit with 45 works of golf art more than appropriate in an area with 102 golf courses.

CONWAY AND THE RIVERWALK

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Sandy beaches, concerts, walks through the Southern past: 5 free things in Myrtle Beach, SC

Our Malibu Beaches App Makes Those Beaches Public Again

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ABC News' Connor Burton reports:

For beachgoers in Malibu, Calif., finding a place on the beach can be a constant and frustrating prospect.

Malibu's oceanfront properties are home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and surprisingly, the beaches are all open to the public.

But certain tactics by a few Malibu homeowners might make beachgoers believe otherwise, said Jenny Price, an environmental writer.

"Signage is a big problem," she said. "There are also orange cones that are used to block access points. There are even some properties that put out fake garage doors that aren't actually connected to anything. They are just there to block access points and parking spots."

But, yes, there's now an app for finding that perfect stretch of sand. Our Malibu Beaches, developed by Escape Apps in partnership with Price, helps beach lovers locate access points, parking and the perfect space to set up on the beach. Price said that they want to expand it from just iPhones to Androids as well.

"It gives you all the information you actually need to find these beaches and go on them comfortably," said Price.

Price said the partners hoped to offer the app, which comes out next week, free for download throughout the summer. If their Kickstarter campaign succeeds, they can offer the app free for longer.

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Our Malibu Beaches App Makes Those Beaches Public Again


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