Beaches

On this page

About

The City’s beaches Mooney’s Bay, Britannia, Westboro and Petrie Island will be open for supervised swimming from noon to 7 pm starting June 21 until August 24, 2025, inclusively. Washrooms will be open for the season starting May 17 until September 1, 2025 inclusively.

Supervised swimming may extend until Monday September 1, inclusively, based on lifeguard availability.

The City recommends swimming at supervised beaches only.

Locations and contact

Put your toes in the sand and have fun at any of the City’s public beaches.

Keep our beaches and parks clean by not littering. Dispose of your waste in bins or bring it home to dispose of in your green bin or your recycling and garbage bins.

Locations

Central

Westboro Beach
745 Kichi Zibi Mikan Parkway
613-792-387

East 

Petrie Island Beach 
727 Tweddle Road 
613-824-5704 

West

Britannia Beach 
2805 Carling Avenue 
613-820-1211 

South

Mooney’s Bay Beach 
2926 Riverside Drive 
613-248-0863 

Parking 

There is a fee for parking at Mooney’s Bay and Petrie Island. 

Check octranspo.com to help plan your transit route to parks and beaches. 

Amenities

Petrie Island Beach 

A wonderful sandy beach with spectacular views across the Ottawa River. Great for picnics, a stroll, a swim, a game of volleyball or watching the boats go by. 

  • From May 17 to September 1, 2025, paid parking from 7 am to 6 pm 
    • seasonal passes available 
  • Canteen
  • Picnic tables
  • Play structure
  • Accessible washroom
  • Volleyball net rental
  • Stand-up Paddleboard Rental (16+ years of age)
  • Lifeguards 

Britannia Beach 

  • Free parking 
  • Canteen 
  • Picnic tables 
  • BBQ pits in the park 
  • Play structures 
  • Accessible washroom 
  • Volley-ball net rental 
  • Stand-up Paddleboard Rental (16+ years of age) 
  • Lifeguards 

Mooney’s Bay Beach 

A popular summer destination for swimmers, rowers, and special events, including Dragon Boat Races and HOPE Volleyball. 

  • From May 17 to September 1, 2025, paid parking from 7 am to 6 pm
  • Canteen
  • Picnic tables
  • BBQ pits in the park
  • Play structures
  • Volley-ball net rental
  • Stand-up Paddleboard Rental (16+ years of age)
  • Lifeguards

Westboro Beach 

Newly refurbished building with new amenities. A popular area for families to come and enjoy some swimming and watch the sunset.

This beach is located on National Capital Commission property at Kitchissippi Lookout on the Ottawa River.

  • Parking lot
  • Canteen
  • Picnic tables
  • Accessible washroom
  • Lifeguards

Beach-accessible wheelchairs

Beach-accessible wheelchairs are available for use at Mooney’s Bay Beach, Britannia Beach, Westboro Beach and Petrie Island Beach.

The chairs are submersible, sitting on large inflatable tires that enable the chair to cross the sand and enter the water. They are also equipped with adjustable armrests and a quick-release seatbelt for the user’s comfort and security.

Users are required to have their own attendant with them to push the chair and assist with the transfer in and out of the chair. There is no lift on site. At Mooney's Bay there is a beach mat that allows people using mobility devices to access the shoreline. This is also free of charge.

Image of a youth in a beach wheelchair on the shoreline.

Water wheelchairs can be reserved for half-hour periods from noon to 6:30 pm daily during the supervised swimming season. You must check availability and make a reservation by contacting

  • Mooney’s Bay, 613-248-0863 
  • Petrie Island, 613-824-5704 
  • Britannia Beach, 613-820-1211 
  • Westboro, 613-792-3875 
  • or beaches@ottawa.ca 

Beach volleyball rental

Reservations are not required, walk in requests are encouraged. Weather permitting and pending special events.

For all inquiries please e-mail beaches@ottawa.ca.

Availability 

May 17 to September 1, 2025, inclusively.

  • Monday to Thursday, 11 am to 7:30 pm 
  • Friday to Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm  

Cost (includes tax) 

Payment can be made on site at the lifeguard office. Card or cash accepted at Mooneys Bay and Britannia. Petrie Island is a cash only operation.

  • Daily $63 
  • Hourly $21

Stand-up paddleboard rental

Reservations are not required, walk in requests are encouraged. Weather permitting and pending special events.

For all inquiries please e-mail beaches@ottawa.ca.

Availability 

  • June 21 to August 24, 2025, inclusively 
    • Daily, noon to 6 pm

Cost (includes tax) 

Payment can be made on site at the lifeguard office. Card or cash accepted at Mooneys Bay and Britannia. Petrie Island is cash only.

  • Hourly $25