Unsafe levels of bacteria in the waters off Kitsilano and Sunset beaches have prompted a warning from Vancouver Coastal Health for swimmers to stay out of the water.

Due to unsafe levels of bacteria in the water, Kitsilano Beach including Kits Point & Sunset Beach in Vancouver are closed to swimming/wading. More info at <a href="https://t.co/xPbKOoppzE">https://t.co/xPbKOoppzE</a>. <a href="https://t.co/UHbXVn2flw">pic.twitter.com/UHbXVn2flw</a> —@VCHhealthcare

High levels of E. coli bacteria in the water increase risk of gastro-intestinal illness for swimmers. The closures include Kitsilano Point.

The E. coli advisory also applies to Sunset Beach. (Christer Waara/CBC)

The health authority is monitoring the water quality and says it will remove the swimming advisory once levels decrease.

It does not have an estimate of when that might happen.

Fireworks beach party

The warning comes as thousands of people are expected to line the beaches along English Bay to watch the opening night of the 2018 Honda Celebration of Light.

E. coli counts for the Vancouver-area beaches are updated every Friday and listed here.

However, the authority says the latest reports — which the closures are based on — have not yet been posted.