Our snazzy new Swim Guide lets you locate beaches near you, figure out which ones are safe for swimming (the green ones!), and plan your next trip to the beach. It’s free, and it’s fun, and it’s available now online, iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch and Android devices.

Wicklow: Wicklow Beach provides relatively secluded access to Lake Ontario. Right across the road is the Haldimand Conservation Area, a popular destination for bird watchers. The beach here is a mix of sand and gravel and is about 1,000 metres long.

Victoria: Also called “Cobourg Beach” by locals, this is one of Lake Ontario’s most popular swimming destinations. Enjoy 1,000 metres of white sandy waterfront. There is an annual sand castle competition.

Little Lake Public Beach: Little Lake is one of two beaches in the Lake Ontario watershed by that name. This Little Lake is halfway between Colborne and Brighton, and you can almost see it from the 401. The beach here is sandy. There is a boat launch, too.

Harwood: Harwood Beach is on the shore of Rice Lake. This shallow lake may look “weedy” to newcomers, but all those underwater plants make Rice Lake a great place for fish and a warm place to swim. It was once an important source of wild rice for the area’s Aboriginal community. Rice Lake is the largest of the Kawartha Lakes. The Trent River carries its waters out to Lake Ontario.

Gores Landing: Gores Landing Beach is not monitored, but it is a popular swimming spot on Rice Lake. Local officials have said that the waters here are usually clean and great for swimming, but no data is available to confirm this.

Port Hope East: Port Hope offers two beaches, east and west of the Harbour. Both are sandy and provide access to Lake Ontario. These beaches are steps away from historic downtown Port Hope. Like all beaches, the “open” or “posted” indicators refer to the amount of bacteria in the water. Beaches are not regularly tested for other contaminants. From time to time, cleanup of low-level radioactive waste or harbour dredging activities may make Port Hope beaches inaccessible.

Port Hope West: Port Hope offers two beaches, east and west of the Harbour. Both are sandy and provide access to Lake Ontario. These beaches are steps away from historic downtown Port Hope. Like all beaches, the “open” or “posted” indicators refer to the amount of bacteria in the water. Beaches are not regularly tested for other contaminants. From time to time, cleanup of low-level radioactive waste or harbour dredging activities may make Port Hope beaches inaccessible.

Cedardale: Cedardale Beach offers a sandy stretch of waterfront near Brighton, Ontario.

Bewdley: Bewdley Beach offers 20 metres of sandy beach access on the shore of Rice Lake. This shallow lake may look “weedy” to newcomers, but all those underwater plants make Rice Lake a great place for fish and a warm place to swim. It was once an important source of wild rice for the area’s Aboriginal community. Rice Lake is the largest of the Kawartha Lakes. The Trent River carries its waters out to Lake Ontario.

Crowe Bay: As of summer 2011, this beach is no longer monitored. Crowe Bay is formed at the place where the Trent and Crowe Rivers meet. From here, they flow together as the Trent River and out to Lake Ontario. There are about 20 metres of river access here. It’s a rocky shoreline.

Crowe Bay Fun Park: Crowe Bridge beach is near the Crowe Bridge Park. The weir here that controls water levels makes for a unique swimming experience. You can splash around in the shallower waters and enjoy the shade of the park on a hot summer day. Area residents and government have been working to improve recreation facilities in the last few years, so this park is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area this summer!

Hastings North & South: The Village of Hastings offers a north beach and a south beach on the Trent where it flows from Rice Lake. The Hastings tourism folks invite you to watch for Great Blue Herons, muskrats and beaver while you swim! The beach here is sampled in two locations: if sample results differ, you will see two colour-coded beach icons on your map.

Lions Park: Lions Park and Beach are managed by the local Lions Club. You can take a dip in the Trent Canal or attend any number of seasonal events in the Park. The Lions Club appreciates all donations for park use.

Sandy Bay: Sandy Bay offers access to Rice Lake. This shallow lake may look “weedy” to newcomers, but all those underwater plants make Rice Lake a great place for fish and a warm place to swim. It was once an important source of wild rice for the area’s Aboriginal community. Rice Lake is the largest of the Kawartha Lakes. The Trent River carries its waters out to Lake Ontario.

Seymour: Seymour Conservation Area includes several kilometres of hiking trails and protected woodland. It is the site of an old quarry.