Formby Shines in 2025 Water Quality Results as Sefton Coast Ratings Revealed

The latest official bathing water results for England have been released — and here’s how our Sefton coastline performed this year.

Formby – Rated Excellent

Formby continues to lead the way with the highest possible rating for the fourth year running.

• Classification: Excellent

• Pollution incidents: None reported

• Consistently high-quality water samples from 2022–2025

  
  

  This makes Formby one of the cleanest and safest beaches in the North West for swimming and paddling.

Ainsdale – Rated Sufficient

Ainsdale has been given a Sufficient rating this year, the minimum required safety standard.

• Classification: Sufficient

• Pollution incidents: None reported

• Rating has remained Sufficient since 2023

  
  

  Ainsdale’s water remains safe to enjoy, but improvements would be needed to reach Good or Excellent again (as it did in 2022).

Southport – Rated Sufficient

Southport also holds a Sufficient rating.

• Classification: Sufficient

• Pollution incidents: None reported

• Consistent Sufficient rating for the last four years

  
  

  The beach remains safe for bathing, with its water quality holding steady across multiple seasons.

What about Crosby?

Crosby is not an officially designated bathing water site, so it does not receive a rating.

However, the nearest monitored beaches show the following results:

• Formby: Excellent

• Ainsdale: Sufficient

• Wallasey: Good

• Moreton: Good

• Meols: Good

These nearby results give an indication of the general water quality around Liverpool Bay.

Summary for Sefton

✔ Formby – Excellent

✔ Ainsdale – Sufficient

✔ Southport – Sufficient

✖ Crosby – Not monitored, but nearby sites show Good to Excellent ratings

All three monitored Sefton beaches reported no pollution incidents during the 2025 season.

Sefton Bubble will continue to keep the community updated with coastal safety, environmental information and bathing water alerts throughout the year.