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Ottawa's four supervised beaches — Britannia, Westboro, Mooney's Bay and Petrie Island — with parking, washrooms, food and the 2026 lifeguard season, plus how water testing works now.
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Ottawa's four supervised beaches open for the season on Saturday 20 June 2026, with lifeguards on duty daily from noon to 7 pm until 30 August. Two beaches sit on the Ottawa River, two on the Rideau — here's what each one is like, where to park, and how water testing works now.
Lifeguard season: 20 June to 30 August 2026
Water testing changed in 2025 — no more daily advisories
Ottawa's biggest sandy beach, on the Ottawa River at Britannia Bay in the west end. Long shallow entry, big park behind it, and sunsets over the water — the classic full-day beach.
A small, central Ottawa River beach below the Kichi Zibi Mikan, fully rebuilt and reopened in June 2025 after a $21-million overhaul — new pavilion, lookout and accessible paths. Easiest to reach by bike along the river pathway.
NCC property with City of Ottawa lifeguards — rules and upkeep are shared between the two.
The city's busiest beach, on the Rideau River at 2926 Riverside Drive — wide sand, a huge park with one of Canada's largest playgrounds next door, and Hog's Back Falls a short walk upstream.
Sandy Ottawa River beaches on an island of wetlands and turtle habitat at the east end (727 Tweddle Road, Orléans), with flat nature trails behind the sand — the quietest of the four on weekdays.
4 beaches
Water testing changed in 2025 — no more daily advisories
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