News
Parking fees have been significantly increased. Basically it will now cost $40 per 8 hour day to park nearby. This includes parking in residential streets east of the Beach. More on Parking in Cobourg here. Be careful - be sure to read the signs.
Beach Swimming Safety
The Town has a page which gives e-coli measurements at the Beach and therefore whether swimming is safe. Go here. Since this varies from day to day, please check the page at the link regularly. Testing for 2024 is from the beginning of June to the end of August so is no longer happening.
Cobourg Beaches
Cobourg is known for its beach - although there are really two beaches. There is the popular, groomed Beach adjacent to Victoria Park that’s called “Victoria Beach” and the West beach that’s been left natural. This page is about Victoria Beach. That’s where all the visitors go and where everything happens. On some weekends there are Volleyball matches; on the first or second weekend in August there used to be a sandcastle competition - although it did not happen in 2024. But on every hot weekend you can be sure of a crowd.
Note about Lake levels
In 2017 and 2019, the level of Lake Ontario was much higher than usual resulting in the beach being flooded at times and therefore restricted in its area. But because of a lot of dredging in the harbour, an extra foot or so of sand was added to the beach so by the high season (mid June), the full beach was in use and available. It's expected that levels may be high again in future years and although that's an issue for property owners with lakefronts, it will not be a problem for the beach.
Lifeguards
There were no lifeguards in 2021 but they returned in 2022. There were NO Lifeguards in 2023 or 2024. It's expected there will be none in 2025.
Features
The beach is quite wide and the water shallow; there is currently a very popular trailer park adjacent to the beach; there are washrooms (open 8:00 am to 8:00 pm); the canteen has been closed - instead food trucks will be permitted; there is a water park for kids and a playground for kids. There is a mat that is laid out to provide wheelchair access to the water. There are free kids movies in the park behind the beach on three summer Saturdays. Parking is not free and you may have to walk a bit on a busy day. The slide show at right gives you an idea of what it's like.
The beach is crowded on event days and long weekends and on some days there are Beach Volleyball competitions
Beach Rules
Council has passed bylaws that prohibit a number of things on the beach. As well as no alcohol, there are bylaws that say:
- No smoking on the beach (probably not enforced if no-one complains)
- No Barbecues, cooking devices or bonfires on the beach
- No dogs, cats or other domestic animals.
- No Tents with sides
- Must not operate loud speakers or sound amplifying equipment (special events like volleyball competitions get an exemption)
- No-one allowed between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am - (not enforced if no-one complains)
The restrictions are officially described in By-Law 022-2016. Download here.
Safe for Swimming?
Beach water quality is measured by the the Local Health Unit and reported by the Town. Go here for the latest. (In 2024, results were posted starting 3 June).
History of West Beach
The beach on the west side of Cobourg is natural and much less crowded. There is an article here on its history.