Beaches, outdoor pools, and splash pads

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

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.

Page links:

Click on a link below to be taken to that section of this page.

• Supervised beaches & status updates
• Water testing at supervised beaches
• Beach washroom or change room facilities
• Swimming lessons
• Outdoor pools
• Splash pads

Supervised beaches

Beach status is updated weekdays by 8 a.m. and by 9 a.m. on weekends (between July 1 and August 31). Please note that beach closures due to suspected blue-green algae can happen at any time. This page will be updated as needed regarding blue-green algae-related closures.

Water sample results are provided when they exceed Health Canada Guidelines for Recreational Water Quality. More information on testing processes and Health Canada guidelines are available in the Water Testing at Supervised Beaches section on this page.

Water testing at supervised beaches

Municipal staff regularly test the water quality for bacteria (E. coli) levels, blue-green algae, and other waterborne contaminants at all supervised municipal beaches from July 1 to August 31. 

Bacteria testing

When water samples show an exceedance of the guideline, measured E. coli bacteria concentrations will be posted with beach advisories in public service announcements and on the halifax.ca website.

While a swimming advisory is in effect, use of the beach area will be at the user’s own risk, lifeguards will be present on site to advise against swimming, and swimming lessons will be cancelled.

In 2024, Halifax Regional Municipality has adopted Health Canada’s updated Guidelines for Recreational Water Quality. The acceptable levels of bacteria in recreational water are shown above.

Swimming and other primary contact activities are not recommended when a water quality advisory is in effect. More information about how concentrations are measured, analyzed, and use to determine a beach’s water quality status can be found in the municipality’s 2024 Supervised Beach Water Quality Monitoring Protocol.

Blue-green algae monitoring & testing

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 supervised beach will re-open once water sample results are within Health Canada guidelines. 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 within Health Canada guidelines.

View more information on algae blooms here. 

Blue-green algae decision tree

Below is a flow chart showing the decision-making process used when opening or closing beaches following the observation of a potential blue-green algae bloom or mat near a municipally supervised beach.

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.

Swimming lessons

To register for swimming lessons for summer 2024 visit our website in late spring to view registration dates. At that time, you can also call our registration line at 902. 490.6666.  All lessons must be pre-booked.

Outdoor pools

Outdoor pool memberships now on sale: 

Bedford Outdoor Pool memberships can be purchased in-person at Lebrun Recreation Centre (36 Holland Ave. Bedford)

Cole Harbour Outdoor Pool memberships can be purchased in-person at Cole Harbour Recreation Centre (1216 Cole Harbour Rd.)

Outdoor Pools will no longer be offering paid private pool rentals on weekends, allowing for more open swims for the public.  Groups are welcome to attend public swims. You are asked to come early to secure your spots as swims fill quickly!

Please Note Pool Ratios: 1 adult for every 3 children under the age of 8.

Payment for open swims and lane swims will be taken directly at the pools via cash, credit, or debit.  There is no requirement to pre-book swims.

Swim Fees: $2 (tax included) per person per swim.

 * Swimming at the Halifax Commons Outdoor Pool is FREE

Splash pads

Splash pads across the municipality are now open.