Summertime...and the livin' is easy.... and in the lazy, hazy days of summer, Ottawa's citizens flock to the Ottawa beaches.

Ready for some sun and sand?
Ottawa has four "official" and supervised beaches, and they open each year sometime in June which is when the water's warm enough (usually) for swimming.

Here are details.

Britannia Beach:
Located on the Ottawa River at Britannia Bay, 2805 Carling Ave. in Ottawa's west end, Britannia beach is great for swimming, picnics or just watching the boats go by on a beautiful, Ottawa summers day.
Britannia Beach offers visitors the following amenities:

Washrooms & change rooms
Lots of free parking
Snack bar
Outdoor showers
Picnic tables / BBQ pits
Play areas

Westboro Beach:
Westboro Beach is small, and intimate with a park situated on NCC property at Kitchissippi Lookout. It's accessible from the Ottawa River Parkway at 745 Ottawa River Parkway.
Westboro Beach offers visitors the following amenities:

Washrooms & change rooms
Lots of free parking
Snack bar with tables

Mooney's Bay Beach:
Mooney's Bay Beach is a popular summer destination for swimmers, rowers, and volleyball enthusiasts. The beach is located on the east shore of the Rideau River just south of Carleton University, at 2926 Riverside Drive.
Mooney's Bay Beach offers visitors the following amenities:

Washrooms & change rooms
Pay Parking - 7am until 6pm
Snack bar
Picnic tables / BBQ pits
Play areas, park, tennis courts

Petrie Island Beach:
Ottawa's newest beach offers a wonderful expanse of sand and spectacular views across the Ottawa River on Petrie Island, located at 727 Trim Road.
Being new, Petrie Island Beach offers visitors limited amenities:

Temporary toilets
Pay Parking - 7am until 6pm
Picnic tables
Given that Ottawa Beaches are run by the city, during summer months the City of Ottawa supervises and tests the water quality. If a problem occurs, the beaches will be posted telling users and advising caution.

The "official" Ottawa beach season ends mid-to-end August. Cooler nights tend to drop the water temperature, and marks the end of another Ottawa beach season.

For more information, please call the Area Recreation Supervisor 613-580-2424 during normal business hours.