TORONTO – Starting this weekend, City of Toronto lifeguards will once again be stationed across ten supervised beaches, marking the official start of Toronto’s summer swim season. Lifeguards will be on duty daily until September 1, helping ensure safety along the city’s waterfront.
The supervised beaches include:
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Bluffer’s Beach
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Centre Island Beach
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Cherry/Clarke Beach
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Gibraltar Point Beach
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Hanlan’s Point Beach
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Kew-Balmy Beach
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Marie Curtis Park East Beach
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Sunnyside Beach
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Ward’s Island Beach
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Woodbine Beach
Lifeguards will be identifiable by their red and yellow uniforms and will be positioned either onshore at stands marked “Lifeguard on Duty” or patrolling the water in white rowboats. Swim zones are clearly marked with red-over-yellow flags for public visibility.
Flag System: What to Know
Toronto beaches follow an international flag system to signal swim conditions:
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🟢 Green: Safe swimming conditions
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🟡 Yellow: Swim with caution
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🔴 Red: High-risk—do not swim
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⚪ No Flag: Lifeguards not on duty; swimming not advised
In emergencies, lifesaving stations are equipped with ring buoys, reaching poles, and marked Parks Locate Points to assist first responders. Missing or damaged equipment should be reported via 311.
Sun Safety Returns with Expanded #BeSunSafe Program
In partnership with the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund and Douglas Wright Foundation, the City is again rolling out its #BeSunSafe campaign. This year, free sunscreen dispensers will not only be available at select parks and beaches but also at all municipal golf courses.
Each dispenser offers SPF 30, broad-spectrum, scent-free, and mineral-based sunscreen. Residents are reminded to reapply every two hours and after swimming, and to pair sunscreen with other protective measures like shade, clothing, and sunglasses.
Marine Safety and Water Quality Monitoring
The Toronto Police Service Marine Unit reminds residents that watercrafts are prohibited from swimming zones. Alcohol or drug use while boating remains illegal, with provincial laws tying boating offences to driver’s licences.
Water quality at all beaches is monitored daily between June and September by Toronto Public Health and City staff. Updates and beach-specific conditions can be found on the City’s Beach Water Quality page.
Quote from the Mayor
“With summer only a few weeks away, we are excited to share that starting this weekend lifeguards are returning to ten beaches,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “Lifeguards create safer beaches, allowing for all Torontonians to relax and enjoy the refreshing waters of Lake Ontario.”
For more information about lifeguard schedules, water safety tips, and beach conditions, visit: toronto.ca/beaches
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