Beaches

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Get ready to make a splash! The City’s four beautiful beaches are open with lifeguard supervision daily from noon to 7 pm, starting June 21 until August 24.

Swimming is recommended only at these supervised beaches:

  • Mooney’s Bay Beach
  • Britannia Beach
  • Westboro Beach
  • Petrie Island Beach

Washrooms will close on September 1, and if lifeguards are available, swimming will be extended to the end of that day.

Please 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, recycling, or garbage bins.

Water health and safety

Have fun at the beaches and play safe by following water safety guidelines. For additional information please visit the City of Ottawa’s Safety and supervisory standards in City pools and beaches.

A few new safety features are coming to City beaches this summer. Look for new signs about emergency phones, first aid, and water safety. Read more below about the new beach flag system and life jackets you can borrow.   

Water testing

Ottawa Public Health conducts weekly water quality testing. Learn more about water quality and risks at ottawapublichealth.ca/beaches

Lifejacket loaner program  

Lifejackets are now available to borrow during supervised beach hours, from noon to 7 pm, in child, youth, and adult sizes.  

Beach flag system

To improve swimmer safety and communication, the City of Ottawa is introducing a new beach flag system in 2025.

  • Red over yellow: Lifeguards are present; designated swim zone.
  • Green flag: Lifeguards are actively supervising.
  • Red flag: Lifeguards not on duty (replaces “no-swim advisory”).

Rescue equipment 

All beaches have self-rescue equipment, including ring buoys, throw ropes, and reaching poles (available May through October). 

Britannia Beach safety and infrastructure updates 

Several changes have been made to address the river bottom variations and sandbars in proximity to the Britannia Beach swimming area. 

Major changes to swim area layout: 

  • New buoy lines set 300 mm from dredged zones. 
  • Sloped riverbed areas are marked with a lane rope. 

Locations, parking and contacts

Central

Westboro Beach
745 Kichi Zibi Mikan Parkway
613-792-3832

This is a National Capital Commission property, supervised by City of Ottawa lifeguards.  

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, Petrie Island and Westboro Beach.  

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

Play Free - Swimming

Free drop-ins on Saturdays! Applies to children and youth (aged 17 and under), and accompanying adults. Wave swim not included.

Find a pool.