Acadia: Swimming Advisory Posted for Sand Beach Lagoon

If you're planning a trip to Acadia, here's one thing to note before you pack. Park officials have found bacteria levels above public health standards in Sand Beach Lagoon, the freshwater pond tucked behind the beach. An official health advisory is now posted there, and swimming is discouraged until levels come back down to safe.

Here's an important point to clear up any confusion. The advisory covers the lagoon, not Sand Beach itself. You can still enjoy the sand and the ocean, but we'd ask you to stay out of the water behind the sandbar as long as the advisory stands.

So what should you actually do out there? Look for the information signs posted at the beach entrance. They show the current status, which can change from one day to the next. Bacteria levels rise and fall with the weather, the tides, and the crowds, so a clean test can lift the restriction without warning. In the meantime, keep your swimming to the ocean and don't let kids wade in the lagoon.

This kind of snag is easy to work around once you know the area's alternatives. Acadia has no shortage of swimming spots and coastal trails, and a little flexibility in your plans is enough to turn the day around. To plan your stay and find the other sites open during this stretch, lean on the Acadia park guide, which pulls together our practical picks.

Here's one last good habit. Check the day's posting before you commit, since this advisory is temporary by nature. Nothing beats up-to-date information on the ground, especially when it's a matter of health and safety. Follow this one simple precaution and you'll keep your visit easy, with no bad surprise waiting when you get home.