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Halifax supervised beaches, water advisories and facilities
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Compare all 18 beaches on Halifax’s supervised-beach list. The 2026 supervision season has ended; use live city notices before any future swim.
Key information
Compare all 18 beaches on Halifax’s supervised-beach list. The 2026 supervision season has ended; use live city notices before any future swim.
On this page
At a glance
- The 2026 season and live closure information
This guide covers the 18 beaches in the municipality’s supervised-beach table, including Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville and Eastern Shore locations.
- What a water advisory or algae closure means
The city tests supervised beaches for bacteria and monitors suspected blue-green algae.
- Washrooms, change rooms and swimming lessons
Permanent washroom or change-room facilities are listed at Albro Lake and Chocolate Lake, 9 a.m.
Sources: Supervised beaches
The 2026 season and live closure information
This guide covers the 18 beaches in the municipality’s supervised-beach table, including Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville and Eastern Shore locations. It is not a list of every beach in Nova Scotia. The source now marks supervision ended for every listed beach.
The page’s general introduction says July 1 to August 31, while individual rows extend some beaches to September 1. The table below preserves the individual 2026 windows. Do not carry these dates forward as a confirmed 2027 schedule. During the season, the city aims to post status by 8 a.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. on weekends. Algae closures can happen at any time.
Sources: Supervised beaches
What a water advisory or algae closure means
The city tests supervised beaches for bacteria and monitors suspected blue-green algae. A bacterial advisory means swimming and other close-contact water activities are not recommended. Lifeguards may remain to warn visitors, while swimming lessons are cancelled.
A suspected blue-green algae bloom triggers an immediate beach closure while samples are checked. Reopening depends on results meeting the applicable guidelines. An old open label, a lifeguard on site or a clear-looking shoreline is not proof that the water is suitable for swimming today.
Sources: Supervised beaches
Washrooms, change rooms and swimming lessons
Permanent washroom or change-room facilities are listed at Albro Lake and Chocolate Lake, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Birch Cove and Penhorn, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Their stated season runs from the May long weekend to the end of September. The city says portable toilets serve the other supervised beaches. These are seasonal arrangements, not year-round guarantees.
Swimming lessons must be booked in advance through the municipal registration service. The 2026 registration opening was June 16 at 10 a.m. For registration help call 902-490-6666. The summer aquatics closure information line is 902-490-5458.
Sources: Supervised beaches
All 18 supervised beaches: 2026 source windows
| Beach | Waterbody and community | 2026 supervision window | Water type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albro Lake Beach | Albro Lake, Dartmouth | July 1 - August 31 | Fresh water |
| Birch Cove Beach | Lake Banook, Dartmouth | July 1 - September 1 | Fresh water |
| Campbell Point Beach | Hatchet Lake, Halifax | July 1 - September 1 | Fresh water |
| Chocolate Lake Beach | Chocolate Lake, Halifax | July 1 - September 1 | Fresh water |
| Cunard Pond Beach | Williams Lake, Halifax | July 1 - September 1 | Fresh water |
| Kearney Lake Beach | Kearney Lake, Halifax | July 1 - September 1 | Fresh water |
| Kidston Lake Beach | Kidston Lake, Halifax | July 1 - August 31 | Fresh water |
| Kinap Beach | Porters Lake | July 1 - August 31 | Salt water (brackish) |
| Lake Echo Beach | Lake Echo | July 1 - August 31 | Fresh water |
| Long Pond Beach | Long Pond, Halifax | July 1 - August 31 | Fresh water |
| Oakfield Park Beach | Shubenacadie Grand Lake, Oakfield | July 1 - September 1 | Fresh water |
| Penhorn Lake Beach | Penhorn Lake, Dartmouth | July 1 - September 1 | Fresh water |
| Pleasant Drive Beach | Petpeswick Lake, Eastern Shore | July 1 - September 1 | Fresh water |
| Sandy Lake Beach | Sandy Lake, Bedford | July 1 - September 1 | Fresh water |
| Saunders Beach | Paper Mill Lake (dam side) , Bedford | July 1 - September 1 | Fresh water |
| Shubie Park Beach | Lake Charles, Shubie Park, Dartmouth | July 1 - September 1 | Fresh water |
| Springfield Beach | Springfield Lake, Sackville | July 1 - August 31 | Fresh water |
| Taylor Head Beach | Atlantic Ocean | July 1 - August 31 | Salt water |
Sources: Supervised beaches
Beach location sections
Albro Lake Beach
Albro Lake, Dartmouth, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Albro Lake Beach is the supervised destination listed for Albro Lake, Dartmouth. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - August 31; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Fresh water
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Birch Cove Beach
Lake Banook, Dartmouth, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Birch Cove Beach is the supervised destination listed for Lake Banook, Dartmouth. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - September 1; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Fresh water
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Campbell Point Beach
Hatchet Lake, Halifax, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Campbell Point Beach is the supervised destination listed for Hatchet Lake, Halifax. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - September 1; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Fresh water
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Chocolate Lake Beach
Chocolate Lake, Halifax, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Chocolate Lake Beach is the supervised destination listed for Chocolate Lake, Halifax. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - September 1; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Fresh water
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Cunard Pond Beach
Williams Lake, Halifax, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Cunard Pond Beach is the supervised destination listed for Williams Lake, Halifax. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - September 1; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Fresh water
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Kearney Lake Beach
Kearney Lake, Halifax, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Kearney Lake Beach is the supervised destination listed for Kearney Lake, Halifax. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - September 1; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Fresh water
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Kidston Lake Beach
Kidston Lake, Halifax, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Kidston Lake Beach is the supervised destination listed for Kidston Lake, Halifax. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - August 31; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Fresh water
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Kinap Beach
Porters Lake, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Kinap Beach is the supervised destination listed for Porters Lake. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - August 31; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Salt water (brackish)
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Lake Echo Beach
Lake Echo, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Lake Echo Beach is the supervised destination listed for Lake Echo. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - August 31; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Fresh water
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Long Pond Beach
Long Pond, Halifax, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Long Pond Beach is the supervised destination listed for Long Pond, Halifax. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - August 31; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Fresh water
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Oakfield Park Beach
Shubenacadie Grand Lake, Oakfield, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Oakfield Park Beach is the supervised destination listed for Shubenacadie Grand Lake, Oakfield. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - September 1; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Fresh water
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Penhorn Lake Beach
Penhorn Lake, Dartmouth, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Penhorn Lake Beach is the supervised destination listed for Penhorn Lake, Dartmouth. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - September 1; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Fresh water
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Pleasant Drive Beach
Petpeswick Lake, Eastern Shore, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Pleasant Drive Beach is the supervised destination listed for Petpeswick Lake, Eastern Shore. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - September 1; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Fresh water
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Sandy Lake Beach
Sandy Lake, Bedford, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Sandy Lake Beach is the supervised destination listed for Sandy Lake, Bedford. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - September 1; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Fresh water
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Saunders Beach
Paper Mill Lake (dam side) , Bedford, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Saunders Beach is the supervised destination listed for Paper Mill Lake (dam side) , Bedford. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - September 1; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Fresh water
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Shubie Park Beach
Lake Charles, Shubie Park, Dartmouth, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Shubie Park Beach is the supervised destination listed for Lake Charles, Shubie Park, Dartmouth. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - September 1; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Fresh water
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Springfield Beach
Springfield Lake, Sackville, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Springfield Beach is the supervised destination listed for Springfield Lake, Sackville. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - August 31; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Fresh water
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Taylor Head Beach
Atlantic Ocean, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Taylor Head Beach is the supervised destination listed for Atlantic Ocean. Its 2026 supervision window was July 1 - August 31; supervision has now ended.
- Water type
- Salt water
- Location precision
- Named beach and waterbody, not a verified entrance address
Sources: Supervised beaches
Map searches use the official beach name and waterbody. The source table does not provide street entrances. Check access details before travelling.
Sources: Supervised beaches
Permanent beach washroom or change-room facilities
| Beach | Listed daily hours | Facility season |
|---|---|---|
| Albro Lake | 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. | May long weekend to end of September |
| Chocolate Lake | 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. | May long weekend to end of September |
| Birch Cove | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | May long weekend to end of September |
| Penhorn | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | May long weekend to end of September |
Sources: Supervised beaches
Questions and answers
How many beaches are in this guide?
All 18 beaches in the city’s supervised-beach status table. It does not include every unsupervised beach in the region.
Source: Supervised beaches
Are lifeguards still on duty in October?
The current 2026 table says supervision has ended for all listed beaches.
Source: Supervised beaches
When were beach status updates posted during the season?
The city aimed for 8 a.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. on weekends, with algae updates when needed.
Source: Supervised beaches
What does a bacterial advisory mean?
Swimming and similar close-contact water activities are not recommended. Lifeguards can remain to advise visitors and lessons are cancelled.
Source: Supervised beaches
What happens after suspected blue-green algae is seen?
The supervised beach closes immediately while water samples are tested. It reopens when results meet the guidelines.
Source: Supervised beaches
Does every beach have a permanent washroom?
No. Four named beaches have washroom or change-room facilities. The city lists portable toilets at the others.
Source: Supervised beaches
Which permanent facilities have the longer daily hours?
Albro Lake and Chocolate Lake are listed for 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the facility season.
Source: Supervised beaches
Can I arrive without booking for a swimming lesson?
No. All lessons must be booked in advance.
Source: Supervised beaches
Which beach is listed as brackish water?
Kinap Beach at Porters Lake. Taylor Head is listed as salt water; the other listed beaches are fresh water.
Source: Supervised beaches
Who can help with beach closures or lesson registration?
Call the summer aquatics line at 902-490-5458 for closure information or 902-490-6666 for registration help.
Source: Supervised beaches
Official sources and next steps
Sources: Supervised beaches