Is Imperial Beach open?

The sand is open, but the water has been closed to swimming for most of the past several years because of sewage from the Tijuana River. Check the county's current status before going in.

Can you swim at Imperial Beach?

Not while the county has the water closed. Closures mean sewage-contaminated water is known to be present. Swimming can cause stomach illness, rashes, and ear, eye, and skin infections.

Why is the water contaminated?

Sewage leaks into the Tijuana River in Tijuana and crosses the border, especially when it rains, and untreated sewage discharged at Punta Bandera in Mexico drifts north along the coast. The map explains both.

Is it safe to walk on the beach?

Closures apply to the water. Walking on dry sand is generally allowed, but stay out of the water, wet sand at the waterline, and the river mouth, and follow posted signs.

Is it safe today?

Is Imperial Beach safe today? Water quality, closures, and air

What the current beach and air status means, the warning signs to watch for, and how to protect yourself. The official status always comes from San Diego County.

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Last updated September 23, 2026Reviewed by Stacy WillisSummarized from public sources with the help of AIHow this site is made

Two yellow San Diego County signs staked in the sand at Imperial Beach. The nearer one reads KEEP OUT, SEWAGE CONTAMINATED WATER, EXPOSURE MAY CAUSE ILLNESS; the other reads OCEAN WATER CLOSED TO CONTACT, CITATIONS ISSUED. The pier runs out to sea behind them. — County closure signage on the sand at Imperial Beach, with the pier behind. Photo: Greg Bulla / iStock

Right now

The latest readings, straight from the agencies

Beach water
Checking the latest status…
From San Diego County.
Check the County’s beach map
Air quality
Checking the latest status…
From San Diego County Air Pollution Control District.
See the district’s monitors
River at the border
Checking the latest status…
From International Boundary and Water Commission.
See the gauge
Rain in the last 72 hours
Checking the latest status…
From National Weather Service.
See the forecast office

Reading the status

What the status means

The County uses these levels for beach water, and the signs on the sand use the same words — except rain advisories, which are not posted on the beach at all. These are our plain-language versions of the County’s own definitions; the County is the authority.

Closure: Sewage-contaminated water is present. Stay out of the water entirely, including surfing, swimming and wading.
Warning: The water may be affected by sewage, and contact with it may make you sick.
Advisory: Bacteria levels are above state health standards. Contact with the water may make you sick.
Rain advisory: Issued for the whole county after significant rain, about a fifth of an inch. Runoff raises bacteria levels, so avoid all ocean and bay water for 72 hours after the rain stops. No signs are posted for a rain advisory.

Warning signs

Warning signs of polluted water and air

Official testing takes time, so these are signs to stay away even before a closure is posted.

Brown or murky water

Especially near the river mouth or after storms, when the river is flowing into the ocean.

Foam and scum

Thick, dirty foam along the shoreline or in the river channel.

A sewage or rotten-egg smell

Rotten-egg odor is hydrogen sulfide, a gas released from sewage. It can cause headaches, nausea, and eye irritation.

Trash lines after rain

Lines of plastic and debris on the sand mean storm flows have reached the beach.

Posted closure signs

Signs on the sand reflect county testing. Follow them even if the water looks clean.

The river is flowing

When the Tijuana River is running into the ocean, contamination nearby is likely.

Timing

When it's most likely unsafe

The rainy season, November through April, brings the biggest river flows. In dry months, sewage from Punta Bandera can still drift north on ocean currents. See the seasons on the map

Typical monthly rainfall in San Diego, approximate

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Rainy season: highest river flows

Protect yourself

How to protect yourself and your family

Check the county status before any water contact, and stay out of the water for 72 hours after the rain stops.
Keep dogs out of the water and away from the river mouth.
If you do get wet, rinse off with clean water as soon as you can.
On high hydrogen sulfide days, stay indoors with windows closed. Households in eligible South Bay neighborhoods, including all of Imperial Beach, can get up to three free air purifiers through the county air district's AIRE program.
If you feel sick after contact with the water or during bad odor events, talk to a doctor and mention the exposure.

Common questions

Questions people ask

Is Imperial Beach open?: The sand is open, but the water has been closed to swimming for most of the past several years because of sewage from the Tijuana River. Check the county's current status before going in.
Can you swim at Imperial Beach?: Not while the county has the water closed. Closures mean sewage-contaminated water is known to be present. Swimming can cause stomach illness, rashes, and ear, eye, and skin infections.
Why is the water contaminated?: Sewage leaks into the Tijuana River in Tijuana and crosses the border, especially when it rains, and untreated sewage discharged at Punta Bandera in Mexico drifts north along the coast. The map explains both.
Is it safe to walk on the beach?: Closures apply to the water. Walking on dry sand is generally allowed, but stay out of the water, wet sand at the waterline, and the river mouth, and follow posted signs.

Sources

This page explains the official status. It isn't medical advice, and county sources are the authority on closures.