Beaches, outdoor pools, and splash pads

Supervised beaches, outdoor pools, and splash pads

Splashpads, Beaches, and Water Testing

Lifeguard supervision and water quality testing takes place between July 1 and August 31 each year. 

Extended Beach Season

The following beaches will have supervision dates extended in 2023 and will be open September 2,3 & 4.

  • Chocolate Lake, Kearney Lake and Penhorn lake

Unsupervised Beaches

The following beaches will be unsupervised this summer: 

Swimming Lessons

  • Registration for swimming lessons (Sessions 1 & 2) at municipal beach locations begins on Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
  • To register for swimming lessons visit our website or call our registration line at 902. 490.6666.  All lessons must be pre-booked
  • The summer 2023 Aquatics PDF has been removed from the website due to inconsistencies in the course information. For the most current details, log into MyRec and filter by beach location and then by keyword level. For example, Chocolate Lake, keyword Swimmer 1. Check out our Quick Reference Guide for help searching this way

Water Testing

Municipal staff regularly test the water quality for bacteria levels at all supervised municipal beaches, as well as two unsupervised beaches, during the summer months (July 1 - August 31). Know your swimming limitations if you choose to swim in unsupervised bodies of water. Always swim with a buddy in supervised areas and adults should never leave children unsupervised in the water.

The municipality monitors our supervised beaches for fecal bacteria, blue-green algae, and other waterborne contaminants between July 1 – August 31 annually. If a suspected blue-green bloom is observed at one of our supervised beaches, the beach is closed immediately and water samples are analyzed for toxins. The beach is not reopened until analysis confirms toxin levels are within safe limits for recreation. When a bloom is reported to the province in a lake where the municipality supervises a beach, municipal staff conduct follow-up monitoring to ensure water quality is safe for recreational use.

Click here for information on Algae Blooms

Beach Washroom or Change Room Facilities

Washrooms and change rooms are available at the following beaches at the hours listed. These facilities open on the long weekend in May and close at the end of September each year. Portable bathrooms are available at all other supervised beaches.

  • Albro Lake Beach: 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
  • Chocolate Lake Beach: 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
  • Birch Cove Beach: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Penhorn Beach: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

For information on beach closures, call our summer aquatics line at 902.490.5458.

Supervised Beach Locations

Beach status is updated weekdays by 8:00 a.m. and by 9:00 a.m. on weekends (between July 1-Aug 31). Click on the beach name for more information.
Beach Name Location Beach Status Lifeguard Supervision
Beach Name Location Beach Status Lifeguard Supervision
Albro Lake Beach Albro Lake, Dartmouth Closed July 1-August 31st, 2023
Birch Cove Beach Lake Banook, Dartmouth Closed July 1-August 31st, 2023
Campbell Point Beach Hatchet Lake, Halifax Closed July 1-August 31st, 2023
Chocolate Lake Beach Chocolate Lake, Halifax Closed July 1- September 4, 2023
Cunard Lake Beach Williams Lake, Halifax Closed July 1-August 31st, 2023
Kearney Lake Beach Kearney Lake, Halifax Closed July 1- September 4, 2023
Kidston Lake Beach Kidston Lake, Halifax Closed July 1-August 31st, 2023
Kinap Beach Porters Lake Closed July 1-August 31st, 2023
Lake Echo Beach Lake Echo Closed July 1-August 31st, 2023
Long Pond Beach Long Pond, Halifax Closed July 1-August 31st, 2023
Malay Falls Sheet Harbour, Eastern Shore Closed July 1-August 31st, 2023
Oakfield Park Beach Shubenacadie Grand Lake, Oakfield Closed July 1-August 31st, 2023
Penhorn Lake Beach Penhorn Lake, Dartmouth Closed July 1- September 4, 2023
Pleasant Drive Beach Petpeswick Lake, Eastern Shore Closed July 1-August 31st, 2023
Sandy Lake Beach Sandy Lake, Bedford Closed July 1-August 31st, 2023
Saunders Beach Paper Mill Lake, Bedford Closed July 1-August 31st, 2023
Shubie Park Beach Lake Charles, Shubie Park, Dartmouth Closed July 1-August 31st, 2023
Springfield Beach Springfield Lake, Sackville Closed July 1-August 31st, 2023
Webber's Beach Lake Charlotte, Eastern Shore Closed July 1-August 31st, 2023
Papermill Lake Beach Park Papermill Lake, Bedford Closed No

Outdoor Pools

Outdoor Pool Name Location Status Lifeguard Supervision
Outdoor Pool Name Location Status Lifeguard Supervision
Bedford Outdoor Pool Shore Drive, Bedford Opening July 1, 2023 Yes
Halifax Commons Pool Central Commons, Halifax Opening July 1, 2023 yes
Cole Harbour Outdoor Pool 609 Colby Drive, Cole Harbour Opening July 1, 2023 Yes

Splash Pads

All splash pads will open June 17, 2023 (except for the Halifax Commons, DATE TBA), see below for specific times when they can be used.

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Splash Pads

Splash Pad Name Location June 17-30, 2023 July 1-September 4, 2023 September 5-10, 2023 Supervision Status
Splash Pad Name Location June 17-30, 2023 July 1-September 4, 2023 September 5-10, 2023 Supervision Status
Bayers WestWood Splash Pad 3315 Romans Avenue, Halifax M-F 3:30pm-8pm & S/S 10:30am-8pm Daily 10:30am-8pm Daily 3:30-6:30pm No Closed
Cole Harbour Splash Pad 609 Colby Drive, Cole Harbour M-F 3:30pm-8pm & S/S 10:30am-8pm Daily 10:30am-8pm Daily 3:30-6:30pm No Closed
Halifax Common Splash Pad Central Commons, Halifax TBA TBA TBA no Closed
George Dixon Centre Gottingen St., Halifax M-F 3:30pm-8pm & S/S 10:30am-8pm Daily 10:30am-8pm Daily 3:30-6:30pm No Closed
Isleville St Playground Sebastian St., Halifax M-F 3:30pm-8pm & S/S 10:30am-8pm Daily 10:30am-8pm Daily 3:30-6:30pm No Closed
Sackville Splash Pad First Lake Drive, Lower Sackville Daily 11am-7pm Daily 11am-7pm Daily 11am-7pm No Closed
Westmount School Edward Arab Ave. M-F 3:30pm-8pm & S/S 10:30am-8pm Daily 10:30am-8pm Daily 3:30-6:30pm No Closed
Shirley's Splash pad Dartmouth Commons M-F 3:30pm-8pm & S/S 10:30am-8pm Daily 9am-7pm Daily 3:30-6:30pm No Closed