Eighteen beaches along the Kent coast in Thanet are closed after significant deposits of oil washed up on the shoreline. The closures run from Minnis Bay in Birchington to Ramsgate Main Sands, and include the popular tourist beaches of Margate and Broadstairs. The source of the oil has not been identified, the Environment Agency is investigating, and Thanet District Council says the clean-up will take "many days". Members of the public are strongly advised to stay off the beaches until further notice, and the Environment Agency has advised against swimming at the affected locations.

The deposits were found along Thanet's coastline on Wednesday 11 November 2026. The council reported the incident to the Environment Agency on Wednesday evening, and its Coastal Engineering team is working with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and contractors to remove the oily deposits from every affected beach. Samples are being collected and analysed to try to identify where the oil came from. This explainer gives the full list of closed beaches, explains what is known about the cause, and sets out what residents and visitors should do.

Which beaches are closed?

All 18 beaches listed below are closed, with signs in place warning the public and access routes shut. The closures cover the whole Thanet coastline, from Birchington in the west to Ramsgate in the east. Mike Humber, the council's director for the environment, told BBC South East: "We never want to be saying to the public to not go on the beaches, but we have taken that decision to protect the public." He added: "It looks like it's covering all of the beaches in Thanet. We need to think about public safety."

The list is published by Thanet District Council, which confirmed on Wednesday 11 November that oil deposits were present at Minnis Bay, Grenham Bay and Epple Bay in Birchington and at West Bay in Westgate-on-Sea, before the list grew to cover all 18 beaches. The council's update at 12.05pm on Thursday 12 November confirmed that significant deposits had been found along the whole coastline and that access to the beaches was not permitted.

What happened?

Significant deposits of oil were found along Thanet's coastline on Wednesday 11 November. The council's Coastal Engineering team began working with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and contractors to remove the deposits, and officers inspected the coastline. Coastguard aircraft flew over the affected area as part of the search for the source. Signs were put in place at the relevant locations to warn the public that access to the beach was not permitted.

The council said the decision to close the beaches "had not been taken lightly". The deposits include small black pellets and beads of oil on the sand and along the waterline, which were photographed by the BBC on the Thanet shore. Local residents told the BBC that conditions on Wednesday and Thursday were particularly windy, which may have helped bring the oil ashore.

What caused the oil spill?

The source of the oil is unknown, and that remains the position as of Thursday 12 November. Thanet District Council says it is trying to determine the source, the Environment Agency is investigating, and samples of the oil will be collected and analysed. Until those results come back, no cause can be confirmed, and no ship, company or wreck has been blamed by any authority.

Early theories have been reported, but they are only theories. The BBC reported that they include a ship having washed out its engine, or the oil having come from a wreck which has broken up. John Nichols, former chairman of the Thanet Fishermen's Association, told the BBC he thought the oil had "most likely come from a wartime wreck and engine fuel", adding: "The oil looks old and breaks down easier. It won't take the coast guard long to discover where the oil has come from." He said the reason it was ashore was "because of the wind direction and the high tides". None of this has been confirmed by the council or the Environment Agency, and it should not be treated as an established cause.

Polly Billington, the MP for East Thanet, said the "source of this spill is unclear", adding that she was being kept up to date with developments and was "hoping to see our beautiful beaches reopened as quickly as possible".

Is it safe to swim, or to walk a dog on the beach?

No. The Environment Agency said: "As a precaution, we've advised against swimming at affected locations while investigations continue." Thanet District Council says members of the public are "strongly advised to stay off Thanet beaches until further notice and to stay away from any deposits of oil". A council spokesperson urged people, particularly dog walkers, to avoid the affected areas.

That advice matters for dog owners in particular. Fiona McWilliams, who walks her dog at Botany Bay every day, told the BBC: "I feel angry about not being able to go on the beach. I want someone to take some action and whoever is responsible to be held accountable." Environmental campaigner Nik Mitchell said: "This is a serious hazard and dangerous for our wildlife and our pets. I feel disappointed and concerned about how much worse it could get." No injuries to people or wildlife have been reported by the authorities, and no health assessment of the oil has been published; the advice from the council and the Environment Agency is to stay off the beaches and away from the deposits.

If you see oil deposits on a beach, the council asks that you report them to Thanet District Council on 01843 577000, so that clean-up teams can be directed to them.

How long will the clean-up take, and when will the beaches reopen?

The clean-up will take "many days", according to Mike Humber, the council's director for the environment. He told BBC South East: "We want to clean up as quickly as we can. I think it will be many days, but it's difficult to be sure on that kind of timescale." No reopening date has been given for any of the 18 beaches, and the council has said access is not permitted until further notice.

The work involves the council's Coastal Engineering team, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and contractors removing oily deposits from the sand. The Environment Agency is investigating the source of the pollution, assessing any environmental impacts and taking action to reduce its impact. The council will update its advice when the beaches are safe to reopen, and the closures will stay in place until then.

Frequently asked questions

Which Kent beaches are closed by the oil spill? Eighteen beaches in Thanet: Minnis Bay, Grenham Bay, Epple Bay, West Bay, St Mildred's Bay, Westbrook Bay, Margate Main Sands, Walpole Bay, Palm Bay, Botany Bay, Kingsgate Bay, Joss Bay, Stone Bay, Viking Bay, Louisa Bay, Dumpton Gap, Ramsgate East Cliff and Ramsgate Main Sands.

Can I swim at Margate or Ramsgate? No. The Environment Agency has advised against swimming at the affected locations as a precaution while investigations continue, and the council says the public should stay off the beaches until further notice.

When will the beaches reopen? No date has been given. The council says the clean-up will take "many days" and that it is difficult to be sure of the timescale. The beaches stay closed until the council says otherwise.

What caused the spill? The source is unknown. Samples are being collected and analysed. Theories reported by the BBC include a ship washing out its engine or oil from a wreck that has broken up, but none of these has been confirmed.

What should I do if I see oil on a beach? Stay away from the deposits and report the sighting to Thanet District Council on 01843 577000.

Can I walk my dog on the beach? The council has urged people, particularly dog walkers, to avoid the affected areas. Keep dogs off the closed beaches and away from any oil deposits.

Sources: Thanet District Council, Hello Rayo, The Sun.