Tourist beach in Ibiza shut down after repulsive discovery

The party’s over at one Ibiza beach where high levels of fecal matter were found in the water.

Playa Pinet beach on Spain’s famed island was closed by the local city council this week after tests of the cove’s water showed levels of fecal matter that “exceeded” safety limits, local news outlet Diario de Ibiza reported.

The contaminated water increases risk of E. coli and intestinal enterococcus bacteria infection.

E. coli can lead to severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, according to the Mayo Clinic. An intestinal enterococcus bacteria infection — also called E. faecalis — can cause fatigue, nausea, fever and chills, per Healthline.

“This decision has been taken as a temporary solution and the Department of the Environment is investigating the causes of the contamination,” Sant Josep City Council said in a statement, according to translation provided by local media.


Panoramic views of the island of Es Vedra and Vedranell, located on the coast of the island of Ibiza. In front of the Cala d'Hort beach, one of the most visited by tourists.
Playa Pinet beach on Spain’s famed island was closed by the local city council this week after tests of the cove’s water showed levels of fecal matter that “exceeded” safety limits.
Getty Images/iStockphoto

The beach remains closed pending results of another test.

The Playa Pinet water is tested weekly to monitor health risks and potential contamination, the city council said.

For now, red flags have been posted at the beach to keep visitors away from the water.

Meanwhile, in New York, a recent report by Environment America found more than half of the state’s beaches are contaminated by poop and sewage.