4 Greater Victoria beaches declared unfit for swimming so far this year

There are currently seven beaches in the capital region that have been declared unfit for swimming by Island Health—four of which have been added to the list recently. 

On July 14th, an advisory was issued against swimming at Prior Lake, which is currently suffering 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.

Aside from Prior Lake, on June 23rd, Island Health also issued an advisory against swimming in Thetis Lake Beach due to a blue-green algae bloom being present. That advisory is still in effect. 

Two other beaches that have been deemed unfit for swimming this year are Gonzales Bay Beach and Esquimalt Gorge Kinsmen Beach. 

Both of these beaches have tested high for enterococci, a bacteria that inhabits the human gastrointestinal and female genital tracts. 

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

Prior to 2026, there are three additional beaches in Greater Victoria with advisories against swimming. 

Ross Bay Beach was declared unfit for swimming in June 2024 due to high levels of enterococci. 

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.