3 more popular beaches deemed unfit for swimming in Greater Victoria

This week, three more popular beaches were deemed unfit for swimming by Island Health due to “unsatisfactory bacteriological water results.”

On Monday, July 27th, Island Health issued beach advisories for Cadboro Gyro Beach Park and Gonzales Bay Beach. 

Beach sampling has revealed that both beaches have tested high for enterococci. 

Enterococci is a bacteria that inhabits the human gastrointestinal and female genital tracts. 

While this bacteria can be harmless in the gut, it can cause serious infections in the urinary tract, bloodstream or surgical wounds and is highly resistant to antibiotics.

The latest advisory was issued on Thursday, July 30th for Langford Lake’s Leigh Road beach access. 

According to Island Health beach sampling, this beach has tested high for E. coli.

E. coli exposure can pose health risks that include gastrointestinal illness, severe diarrhea and infections of the ears, eyes, nose, throat or skin. This bacteria can indicate fecal contamination from humans or animals in the water.

In addition to these three beach advisories, there are five other beaches in Greater Victoria that have been deemed unfair for swimming by Island Health. 

In mid-July, the health authority issued an advisory for Prior Lake due to a blue-green algae bloom. 

Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, can produce harmful toxins called cyanotoxins. 

Visitors to the lakes are advised to avoid any contact with the algae and to keep pets on a leash to prevent them from drinking or swimming in the affected waters until the advisory is lifted.

The algae often produce a noticeable blue-green sheen, creating surface scum on the water; however, not all blooms are easy to see, and toxins can be present even if there is no visible sign of algae.

Toxins released by blue-green algae blooms are known to cause a range of health issues in humans, such as headaches and abdominal pain, and can result in lethal liver damage in dogs if ingested.

In late June, Island Health also issued an advisory for Thetis Lake due to a blue-green aglae bloom. 

While those five current beach advisories were all issued in 2026, there are three that are still in place from years past. 

In 2024, Ross Bay Beach had an advisory issued for unsatisfactory bacteriological water results that is still in place today. 

In October 2023, a blue-green algae bloom was discovered at Beaver Lake which remains present. 

Art Mann Park has had a beach advisory in place since January 2015 due to “unsatisfactory bacteriological water results.”

All of these beaches continue to be monitored and tested by Island Health. Signs are in place at the impacted sites to warn beachgoers of the dangers of swimming under the current conditions. 

To see Island Health’s active beach advisories, click here.