Beaches

Beach rules

Please observe and follow all beach rules to ensure everyone has a safe, enjoyable time:

• Be respectful to staff
• Properly dispose of any garbage
• Barbecuing is not permitted at public beaches or parks unless there are City-constructed permanent structures in place
• Smoking and vaping is not permitted on public beaches
• Alcohol is not permitted on public beaches
• Respect wildlife signage and do not feed geese, seagulls or ducks
• Visitors may be subject to search on entry
• Public performances are not permitted at beaches and parks without City approval
• Amplified music is not permitted. Small, portable speakers are allowed. 
• Events over 150 people are not permitted without City approval.
• Events over 150 people are permitted if granted approval by the City. 

Lakeside Park Beach

Located at 1 Lakeport Rd., St. Catharines, ON L2N 4P6 on the south shore of Lake Ontario, the picturesque Lakeside Park Beach offers stunning views of the Port Dalhousie harbour, lighthouse and north shore of Lake Ontario.

Amenities

• On-site paid parking with a capacity of 80 vehicles and five accessible spaces
• Two off-site, free long-term parking areas
• Public washrooms
• Playground
• Carousel
• Picnic area
• Snack bar
• Volleyball courts
• Great Lakes Waterfront Trail

Sunset Beach

Located at 1 Lombardy Ave., St. Catharines, ON L2M 1H8, Sunset Beach sits along the shores of Lake Ontario with 365 metres (or 1,200 feet) of sandy beach to enjoy.

Amenities

• On-site paid parking with a capacity of 150 vehicles
• Three off-site, free long-term parking areas
• Public washrooms
• Playground
• Picnic area
• Public boat launch ramp, used for small and personal watercraft during the daylight hours of boating season
• Ten boat launch paid-parking spaces

Jones Beach

Located at 142 Broadway St., St. Catharines, ON L2M 1P3, the quiet and peaceful Jones Beach is located in a protected bay on Lake Ontario, with a picturesque view of the lake and small lighthouse beacon.

Amenities

• Free on-site parking lot
• Welland Canals Trail

Beach maintenance and water quality

The City maintains all public beaches in St. Catharines. Please contact us at 905.688.5600 if you have any questions about beach maintenance.

Water quality

Niagara Region's Public Health Department is responsible for water sampling at Lakeside Park Beach and Sunset Beach, between the Victoria Day weekend in May until the Labour Day weekend in September, to determine if they are safe for swimming.

Check the beach water sampling results online before swimming and learn more about potential unsafe conditions, bacteria counts and E. coli levels.

Beach Strategy

We are currently developing a Beach Strategy, which examines the ways we can manage crowds at busy beaches; reduce instances of littering, inappropriate behaviour and illegal parking; and create safe, enjoyable beach spaces for years to come.

As part of the strategy, we are introducing beach monitoring staff, increased cleaning, investments in amenities, paid parking and parking time limits. Please subscribe to this page for updates on the strategy.