Black Rock Beach

Managed by Re-imagining Atlantic Harbours in 2050

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Located in Point Pleasant Park, Black Rock Beach is more than just a spot to swim on a warm summer day, it is haunted. The site of the public gallows in the 1700s, Black Rock is said to be haunted by Patrick Tulligan, a young man who was falsely accused of pirating and hung at the beach many years ago. The park is home to Shakespeare by the Sea, a theatre company who performs plays by the water during summer months. The beach is ideal for scuba diving because of the breakwater from the nearby Halifax Pier and eelgrass beds. The park has lifeguards, parking and public washrooms.

The beach is vulnerable to contamination from partially treated sewage when heavy precipitation
causes an overflow at the wastewater treatment facility. Always avoid water contact 3 days after heavy rains.

Get directions to this beach

COVID-19

Keep your distance from other people.

Practicing social distancing is essential right now. Follow the advice of the health experts. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. Heading to the beach should only be considered an option if social distancing practices can be followed. Spending a day in any crowded place is the worst thing we can do for our most vulnerable right now and will counter the efforts to curb the virus’ spread.

For more information, please visit the World Health Organization public resource on COVID-19.

Water Quality

No data available
Special Status
This means the affiliate organization managing a beach has set the beach status based on special local knowledge or information. Check the beach description and the Sources section for details.

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Current Weather

24°C

Clear and sunny

Report Pollution

Monitoring Frequency

Source Information

Halifax Regional Municipality staff monitor Halifax beaches and collects samples at designated beaches weekly from July 1st to August 31st. All designated beaches are tested for E. coli and some saltwater beaches are tested for Enterococci. When bacteria counts exceed the provincial standard, the beach is considered to be unsafe for swimming and warning signs are posted at the beach. When bacteria counts exceed the provincial standard, the municipality also publishes Public Service Announcements on its website and announces the beach closure through social media channels.

Swim Guide checks the Halifax Regional Municipality website daily for updates during the swimming season.

A beach is marked Green when when the geometric mean of 5 samples collected within a 30-day period is below 200 E. coli / 100 ml of water.

A beach is marked Red when the geometric mean of 5 samples collected within a 30-day period exceeds 200 E. coli / 100 ml of water or when a single sample exceeds 400 E. coli / 100 ml of water. Officials will also close a beach if the Enterococci level reaches 70 counts per 100 ml of water.

Beaches may be retested when counts exceed 200 E.Coli per 100 ml of water. When counts exceed 35 Enterococci per 100 ml beaches are retested every 24-48 hours until levels drop below the accepted levels and closure is considered.

A beach is marked Grey when reliable or up-to-date information is not available.

****Swimming lessons are offered at all supervised beaches. In 2014, these lessons were offered at no cost.******

Water Quality Graph