Blue Flags awarded to 22 beaches and 10 marinas in Canada for 2022, announces Swim Drink Fish

May 30

May 30, 2022 –

Toronto, ON -- 22 beaches and 10 marinas have earned the prestigious Blue Flag Canada award this year. Blue Flag is an international award given to beaches and marinas that meet high environmental, safety, and cleanliness standards. Swim Drink Fish became the National Operator of the Blue Flag program in Canada in 2020.

The Blue Flag will be an important symbol for Canadians looking for memorable beach and marina experiences this summer. Last year a record number of Canadians visited Blue Flag destinations where they were able to explore local sites and waters.

This is no better representation of this than at Bluffers Beach in Toronto. Laying below the Scarborough Bluffs, Toronto’s most popular beach has been awarded the Blue Flag designation for the 11th consecutive year. This urban swimming hole is a great success story of connection leading to protection.

“Being a Blue Flag was so helpful in Swim Drink Fish’s work in reconnecting Torontonians, and visitors, to Bluffers Beach. Before 2006, Bluffers suffered from some of the worst water quality in all of Toronto. Now, it's the number one swimming destination in Canada’s most populated city, with regular passing of water quality above 90% on Swim Guide. Bluffers is the example of what happens when you connect a community to its waterfront again.”

-Mark Mattson, Swim Drink Fish President and CEO

Celebrating 35-years

This year, the Blue Flag programme is celebrating its 35th anniversary. Sites all over the world are celebrating the programme’s work to continuously evolve and increase efforts to provide environmental education, to ensure the protection of the marine environment and human health, to improve accessibility, and to implement safety worldwide.

Make sure to share your adventures this summer at Blue Flags beaches and marinas on social media and take part in the celebrations with the hashtag #BlueFlag35th, and tag @swimdrinkfish.

2022 Blue Flag Canada beaches and marinas

Halifax Waterfront Marina

Aboiteau Beach

Parlee Beach (Provincial Park)

Shediac Bay Yacht Club

Royal Canadian Yacht Club

Centre Island Beach

Gibraltar Point

Port Burwell Municipal East Beach

Port Stanley Main Beach

City of Barrie Marina

Quick facts

Swim Drink Fish became the National Operator for Blue Flag Canada in early 2020.
Swim Drink Fish is a registered charity that uses community science and communications technology to inspire people to know and safeguard their local waters. Learn more at www.swimdrinkfish.ca.
Swim Drink Fish is one of 47 National Operators in the Blue Flag International network.
A single Blue Flag beach can attract more than $2-million in revenue for the surrounding neighbourhood each year. (Source: Determining the Economic Impact of Beaches - Lake Huron Shoreline from Sarnia to Tobermory)
Beach water quality is like weather. It changes every day. Beach monitoring seasons and start dates vary across Canada. Check Swim Guide for the latest updates.
Swim Drink Fish is working with each Blue Flag Canada site operator to keep communities informed about health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. People should consult their local health unit before swimming, paddling, or boating.
Anyone interested in applying for Blue Flag Canada certification for 2023 can learn more here.