There are important variants in salt water that are not encountered by fresh water swimmers. Salt water has a bactericidal effect which causes a rapid diminution in the densities of coliform and other introduced bacteria. Because of salinity, there is also less inclination to take water into the mouth and therefore less likelihood of infection by enteric pathogens that might be present. The objectives of the present study were to: Determine the bacterial quality of coastal waters at the bathing areas; Investigate the physical factors which influence bathing water quality; Collect epidemiological data on diseases, minor illnesses, and irritations which might be attributable to bathing, and correlate them with water quality.