Water safety

The park islands are accessible by boat only.

Nautical charts and maps of the area are recommended. Before venturing out onto Georgian Bay visitors and boaters should know the weather forecast and familiarize themselves with the navigational channels, islands, and hazards such as shoals.

Weather conditions on Georgian Bay can change rapidly. Visitors are encouraged to be aware of changing water conditions, such as wind direction, and the possibility of large waves on open water.

Swimming

Notice on water quality — Please be advised that water quality is not monitored at Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay Islands National Park. Visitors enter and use the water at their own risk. For your safety, avoid swimming or entering the water if it appears cloudy, discoloured, has an unusual odour, or after a heavy rainfall.

There are no lifeguards on duty at any of the park's beaches. Never swim alone and expect changing wind and wave conditions on Georgian Bay. The bay can become rough very rapidly.

Water Testing and Risks

• To ensure that the water at public beaches is safe for swimming, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit monitors public beaches on a weekly basis throughout the summer and provides beach count for Northwest Beach at Point Pelee.
• Call the Beach Hotline at 519-258-2146 ext. 426 or check the beach count online for updates on Lake Erie water quality results.
• Once the E.coli bacteria count exceeds 100 (E.coli/100 ml) swimming is not recommended.
• If the E. coli count is higher than 1000, it is NOT SAFE for swimming and the beach is CLOSED. 

Weather:

The weather on Georgian Bay can be variable and unpredictable. Adverse condition such as storms, high winds, or rain may be encountered at any time.

Boaters are encouraged to monitor Marine and Weather Forecasts.

Environment Canada weather forecast
Environment Canada marine forecast for Georgian Bay