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

Parking

We offer on-site, paid parking at Lakeside Park Beach and Sunset Beach for residents and visitors. St. Catharines residents may also apply for a free Resident Beach Parking Pass, offering seasonal parking for the year at each lot. Free parking is available on-site at Jones Beach. Please be aware of increased parking fines and enforcement in nearby special provision areas.

There are also a number of nearby off-site free parking areas available at Lakeside Park Beach and Sunset Beach. View our interactive maps below for their locations.

Parking maps

Check out the maps below for the free parking at off-site locations nearby both Sunset Beach and Lakeside Park.

Sunset Beach off-site parking map

Lakeside Park off-site parking map

Visitor parking

Paid visitor parking, for non-Resident Beach Parking Pass holders, is in effect at Lakeside Park Beach and Sunset Beach from May 1 to Sept. 30, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. The fee for each parking space is $3 per hour, with a three-hour time limit.

Resident Beach Parking Passes

St. Catharines residents may apply online for a Resident Beach Parking Pass. The pass allows for free parking with no time limits between May 1 and Sept. 30, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day at the Lakeside Park Beach and Sunset Beach parking lots. A Resident Beach Parking Pass does not guarantee you a parking spot.

Pass requirements

• Passes are available to St. Catharines residents only.
• Passes can be registered for up to two licence plates.
• Passes are limited to one per household.
• Applicants are required to submit a copy of vehicle registration(s), showing the vehicle(s) is/are registered to a St. Catharines address.
• St. Catharines residents whose vehicles are registered to a non-St. Catharines address can provide a recent utility bill or lease agreement as proof of residency alongside their vehicle registration. Vehicle ownership is still required to be submitted.

Sunset Beach boat launch parking

Our Sunset Beach boat launch parking is open to Resident Beach Parking Pass holders and Non-resident Boat Launch Parking Pass holders.

Apply for a Non-resident Boat Launch Parking Pass

You can apply online for a Non-resident Boat Launch Parking Pass. The number of passes is limited each year, available on a first come, first served basis, and limited to one per household, with two trailers available to be registered on each pass.

The fee for each pass is $100 and applicants are required to provide a copy/copies of the registration for the trailer(s) they wish to register. Passes are valid from May 1 to Sept. 30.

Boat launch parking requirements

• A Resident Beach Parking Pass and Non-resident Boat Launch Parking Pass does not guarantee you a space.
• Boat launch parking is permitted for vehicles with boat trailers only.

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 (free for St. Catharines residents with a Resident Beach Parking Pass) 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 (free for St. Catharines residents with a Resident Beach Parking Pass) 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.