Splashpads, Beaches, and Water Testing
Lifeguard supervision and water quality testing takes place between July 1 and August 31 each year.
Unsupervised Beaches
The unsupervised beaches are Malay Falls, Dingle beach, Blackrock Beach, Kinsmen beach and Government Wharf.
Water testing
Municipal staff regularly test the water quality for bacteria levels at all supervised municipal beaches, as well as one unsupervised beach, 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.
Click here for information on Algae Blooms
Malay Falls will continue to be tested, even though unsupervised.
The four other unsupervised beaches (Dingle beach, Blackrock beach, Kinsmen beach and Government Wharf) will not have water quality testing this summer.
Read more for information on water testing by helicopter on March 31, 2021.
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.
- 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.
| Beach Name | Location | Beach Status | Lifeguard Supervision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albro Lake Beach | Albro Lake, Dartmouth | Open | Yes |
| Birch Cove Beach | Banook Lake, Dartmouth | Open | Yes |
| Campbell Point Beach | Hatchet Lake, Halifax | Open | Yes |
| Chocolate Lake Beach | Chocolate Lake, Halifax | Open | Yes |
| Cunard Lake Beach | William's Lake, Halifax | Open | Yes |
| Kearney Lake Beach | Kearney Lake, Halifax | Open | Yes |
| Kidston Lake Beach | Kidston Lake, Halifax | Open | Yes |
| Kinap Beach | Porters Lake | Closed due to high bacteria levels | YES (Mon-Fri only) |
| Lake Echo Beach | Lake Echo | Closed due to high bacteria levels, | Yes |
| Long Pond Beach | Long Pond, Halifax | Open | Yes |
| Malay Falls | Sheet Harbour, Eastern Shore | Open | No |
| Oakfield Park Beach | Shubenacadie Grand Lake, Oakfield | Water advisory for Shubenacadie Grand Lake | No |
| Penhorn Lake Beach | Penhorn Lake, Dartmouth | Water Advisory for Penhorn Lake Beach | Yes |
| Pleasant Drive Beach | Petpeswick Lake, Eastern Shore | Open | Yes |
| Sandy Lake Beach | Sandy Lake, Bedford | Open | Yes |
| Saunders Beach | Paper Mill Lake, Bedford | Open | Yes |
| Shubie Park Beach | Lake Charles, Shubie Park, Dartmouth | Open | Yes |
| Springfield Beach | Springfield Lake, Sackville | Open | Yes |
| Webber's Beach | Lake Charlotte, Eastern Shore | Open | YES (Mon-Fri only) |
| Papermill Lake Beach Park | Papermill Lake, Bedford | Open | Yes |
| Outdoor Pool Name | Location | Status | Lifeguard Supervision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford Outdoor Pool | Shore Drive, Bedford | Open | Yes |
| Commons Outdoor Pool | Central Commons, Halifax | TBA | TBA |
| Cole Harbour Outdoor Pool | 609 Colby Drive, Cole Harbour | Open | Yes |
| Splash Pad Name | Location | Hours of Operation | Lifeguard Supervision | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayers WestWood Splash Pad | 3315 Romans Avenue, Halifax | 11 a.m-6:30 p.m. | No | Open |
| Halifax Common Splash Pad | Central Commons, Halifax | 11a.m-6:00 p.m. | Yes | Open July 1 |
| George Dixon Centre | Gottingen St., Halifax | 11 a.m-6:30 p.m. | No | Open |
| Isleville St Playground | Sebastian St., Halifax | 11 a.m-6:30 p.m. | No | Open |
| Sackville Splash Pad | First Lake Drive, Lower Sackville | 11 a.m-6:30 p.m. | No | Open |
| Westmount School | Edward Arab Ave. | 11 a.m-6:30 p.m. | No | Open |