Ottawa-Gatineau has multiple new urban swimming spots as region becomes a leader in swimmable cities
Six ranked swim locations—from NCC River House to Westboro Beach to The Pond in Rockcliffe—make open-water swimming accessible by bike or transit.
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Ottawa-Gatineau has emerged as a leader in the global movement toward swimmable cities, with a mix of new and long-established water-access points now accessible by bike or public transit.
The National Capital Commission has been the driving force, opening a swim dock at Dow's Lake last year and two more this summer on the Ottawa River—one called the East Wharf, east of the Rideau Canal, and another behind the Canadian Museum of History on the Quebec side. Recent investments have also upgraded swimming infrastructure at River House and Westboro Beach.
The region's ranked swim spots are: NCC River House (best for strong swimmers; lifeguards on duty 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily); Westboro Beach (sandy, kid-friendly, with a zero-carbon cafe and kayak rentals after a multi-million-dollar 2025 redesign); The Pond in Rockcliffe Park (an old quarry open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, unsupervised); Britannia and Mooney's Bay (long-established spots); and the new docks.
Water quality is tested weekly for E. coli and blue-green algae. Results are posted online at ottawapublichealth.ca and tracked by the Ottawa Riverkeeper. Quality typically declines after heavy rain. Next summer, Ottawa will host the 2027 Swimmable Cities Summit, aimed at accelerating investment in clean, swimmable urban waterways.
The facts
How many ranked swim locations does Ottawa-Gatineau have?
Six ranked swim locations: NCC River House, Westboro Beach, The Pond in Rockcliffe Park, Britannia, Mooney's Bay, and the new docks on the Ottawa River.
When did the National Capital Commission open swim docks on the Ottawa River?
The National Capital Commission opened two swim docks on the Ottawa River in summer 2026: the East Wharf east of the Rideau Canal and another dock behind the Canadian Museum of History on the Quebec side.
How often is water quality tested at Ottawa-Gatineau swim spots?
Water quality is tested weekly for E. coli and blue-green algae at Ottawa-Gatineau swim spots. Results are posted online at ottawapublichealth.ca and tracked by the Ottawa Riverkeeper.
When will Ottawa host the Swimmable Cities Summit?
Ottawa will host the 2027 Swimmable Cities Summit next summer, aimed at accelerating investment in clean, swimmable urban waterways.
