Green means the beach’s most recent test results met relevant water quality standards.
Red means the beach’s most recent test results failed to meet water quality standards.
Grey means water quality information for the beach is too old (more than 7 days old) to be considered current, or that info is unavailable, or unreliable.
Historical Status
When swimming season is over or when a beach's water quality data has not been updated frequently enough (weekly) it goes into historical status. This means that rather than displaying current data it displays the beach's average water quality for that year.
Green means the beach passed water quality tests 95% of the time or more.
Yellow means the beach passed water quality tests 60-95% of the time.
Red means the beach failed water quality tests 40% of the time or more.
Special Status
We may manually set the status for a specific beach if we have concerns about the sampling protocol, if there is an emergency, if monitoring practices don't exist or have recently changed, or other reasons that render this site "special."
This means that this site has been issued a Blue Flag status for the current swimming season. This status does not indicate current water quality.
Red means the water at the site has water quality issues or there is an emergency.
Grey means there is no current water quality information, the beach is under construction, there has been an event that has rendered water quality information unreliable or unavailable.
See the beach description for more information regarding their special status.
For the 2017 August Long Weekend, Swim Guide has put together a list of the most popular beaches in New Brunswick listed in our program. The province lists 60 official beaches used by locals and tourists for swimming and recreation. On the August long weekend many people will head to their local beach to spend some quality time in the sun and water.
Keep in mind that only two beaches in New Brunswick have data available to the public on recreational water quality for the summer of 2017. They are Parlee Beach and Murray Beach listed below. Both these beaches fall below Swim Guides 95% pass rate. The other beaches listed do not have recreational water quality data available, so be aware of posted signs on beaches during the August Long Weekend.
Passed water quality testing 87% of the time for 2017 This beach is home to the warmest salt waters in Canada, is one of New Brunswick’s most popular recreational areas. The beach is a part of Parlee Provincial Park, which was named in honour of T. Babbitt Parlee, the former Minister of Municipal Affairs, who died in an airplane crash in 1957. The popular beach features a supervised swimming area, restaurant, canteen, picnic area, change houses, showers, washrooms, and a playground. Throughout the summer months, there is a variety of activities that take place at Parlee Beach including volleyball, football, ultimate Frisbee, and sand sculpture competitions.
Not Monitored Aboiteau Beach is a 5 km sandy beach located in l’Aboiteau Park, at the edge of the Atlantic Sea. Near the beach, you will have access to several amenities such as showers, toilets, parking, volleyball nets, a licensed restaurant, boardwalk, cottage rentals and souvenir shop. Visitors are encouraged to explore the marshes, sand dunes and lookout tower. On clear days you can see Prince Edward Island from the lookout tower located on the beach. Events and different activities are organized during the summer. 780 views
Not Monitored The seaside town of Alma resides within the Fundy National Park. The marine waters of the Bay of Fundy border the rocky Alma beach. The tides of the bay have been found to be the highest in the world. At low tide visitors will be able to walk along the ocean floor, see some stranded fishing boats, and find interesting shells and fossils (these should not be removed). To explore more of the bay, visitors can rent kayaks and boats in town. There are also plenty of hiking trails in and around the national park and guided tours are offered by Parks Canada. The town of Alma depends on its fishing and tourism; don’t forget to pick up some fresh local seafood. 585 views
Not Monitored Chaleur beach is a mile long beach dividing the fresh water of Eel river from the salty water of the bay. This sandy beach is unsupervised and is open between 10am to 10pm. Public change rooms and washrooms are available on the grounds. Visitors can enjoy a beach free of charge as well as local seafood takeout. Chaleur beach is known for their whale watching excursions. The beach is off of 124 Chaleur St., where parking is available. 449 views
Not Monitored Shippagan beach is open to the public and is located near Shippagan campground on the Atlantic coast. On site you can find changing rooms, toilets, picnic areas, boardwalk, aquatic center with whirlpool and fountains and playground. You can also rent bicycles and pedal boats. Fishing is considered to be part of the experience and visitors are encouraged to inquire about deep sea fishing excursions in town. The name of Shippigan comes from the Micmac language SEPAGUN CHICHE-which means “crossing of the ducks”. 426 views
Not Monitored This warm saltwater beach has shallow waters for a long distance, so is great for families with small children. Children also enjoy the miniature lighthouse on the site. This beach is located at the edge of the Bay of Chaleur in Bas-Caraquet city, Gloucester County, NB. The Bas-Caraquet Beach is open from 9 am to 7 pm, during the week, and from 9 am to 9 pm, during weekends and holidays. Admission is $3 for adults with a season pass available for $ 25 and free for children under 6 years. Amenities include: washrooms, showers, sheltered picnic tables, barbecues, aquatic park, playground, free parking and licensed restaurant. Sun beds, beach umbrellas and cottage rentals are available. Caraque translates to Carrack. These massive sailing ships were developed in the 15th century by the Portuguese for use in the Atlantic Ocean. Christopher Columbus sailed to the Americas on the Santa Maria, possibly the most famous Carrack. This beach is unsupervised. 414 views
Not Monitored Herring Cove beach is located within the Bay of Fundy National Park. It is a saltwater beach and it is unsupervised. The beach has public washrooms and a picnic area. Plenty of hiking trails exist in and around the national park and guided tours are offered by Parks Canada. There is a charge applied by Parks Canada to enter the National Park of Fundy. 404 views
Passed water quality testing 81% of the time for 2017 Murray Beach is a sandy coastal beach. It is part of Murray Beach Provincial Park located along the beautiful Northumberland Strait coastline. Murray Beach provides views of world-famous Confederation Bridge. This beach is unsupervised. Amenities include: change houses, washrooms, a playground and picnic areas. Activities at the beach and nearby include sea kayaking, lighthouse and historic site visits, farmers markets, and festivals. While leashed pets are welcome in the park, they are not allowed on the beach. 398 views
Not Monitored Point Wolfe beach is located within the Bay of Fundy National Park. It is a saltwater beach and it is unsupervised. The beach offers access to public washrooms and a picnic area. There are also plenty of hiking trails in and around the national parc and guided tours are offered by Parks Canada. There is a charge applied by Parks Canada to enter the National Park of Fundy. 384 views
Not Monitored Cannontown beach is located within the Bay of Fundy National Park. It is a saltwater beach and it is unsupervised. The beach offers access to public washrooms and a picnic area. Swimmers can also enjoy a heated pool, which is free to use. There are also plenty of hiking trails in and around the national parc and guided tours are offered by Parks Canada. There is a charge applied by Parks Canada to enter the National Park of Fundy. 383 views
Swim Guide shares the best information we have at the moment you ask for it. Always obey signs at the beach or advisories from official government agencies. Stay alert and check for other swimming hazards such as dangerous currents and tides. Please report your pollution concerns so Affiliates can help keep other beach-goers safe.
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