
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.
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 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 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 |