Water and Pools

Through the City of Ottawa's Play Free program, drop-in public swims on Saturdays are free for children and youth aged 17 and under and the adults who come with them. The fall 2026 schedule (to December 20) lists the Play Free public swim on Saturdays from 2 to 4 pm at this downtown pool near Elgin Street. Schedules can change, so check the pool page before you go.

Through the City of Ottawa's Play Free program, drop-in public swims on Saturdays are free for children and youth aged 17 and under and the adults who come with them. The fall 2026 schedule (to December 20) lists Play Free swims on Saturdays from noon to 2:55 pm in the therapeutic pool and from 1 to 2:55 pm in the 25 metre pool. Schedules can change, so check the pool page before you go.

Through the City of Ottawa's Play Free program, drop-in public swims on Saturdays are free for children and youth aged 17 and under and the adults who come with them. The fall 2026 schedule (to December 20) lists the Play Free public swim on Saturdays from 1 to 3 pm at this neighbourhood pool on Kitchener Avenue. Schedules can change, so check the pool page before you go.

Through the City of Ottawa's Play Free program, drop-in public swims on Saturdays are free for children and youth aged 17 and under and the adults who come with them. The fall 2026 schedule (to December 20) lists the Play Free public swim with the slide on Saturdays from 1:30 to 4 pm. Schedules can change, so check the pool page before you go.

Through the City of Ottawa's Play Free program, drop-in public swims on Saturdays are free for children and youth aged 17 and under and the adults who come with them. The fall 2026 schedule lists the Play Free leisure swim on Saturdays from noon to 3 pm at the Canterbury Recreation Complex in Alta Vista. Schedules can change, so check the pool page before you go.

Through the City of Ottawa's Play Free program, drop-in public swims on Saturdays are free for children and youth aged 17 and under and the adults who come with them. The fall 2026 schedule (to December 21) lists the Play Free public swim on Saturdays from 1:30 to 2:30 pm at Brewer Pool, next to Brewer Park. Schedules can change, so check the pool page before you go.

Through the City of Ottawa's Play Free program, drop-in public swims on Saturdays are free for children and youth aged 17 and under and the adults who come with them. The fall 2026 schedule (to December 20) lists Play Free swims on Saturdays from 1:30 to 4 pm in the 25 metre pool and from 2:30 to 4 pm in the therapeutic pool. Schedules can change, so check the pool page before you go.

A sandy city beach on the Ottawa River with renovated pavilions, beach volleyball and a designated swim area, supervised by City lifeguards in summer (June 20 to August 30 in 2026, noon to 7 pm) with free loaner lifejackets. In winter you can go sledding here or use the shared winter trail that runs right to the pavilion. Using the beach is free; parking is paid, and the Capital Pathway brings you there on foot or by bike.

A century old, universally accessible heritage house on the Ottawa River with a free, enclosed urban swimming area that has two 25 metre lanes, a floating island and accessible change rooms. Swimming runs in summer (June 5 to September 7 in 2026, supervised on weekends and holidays), and the house is open daily 7 am to 9 pm all year. In winter it is a starting point for the groomed shared winter trail along the river. Swimming and access are free.

The YWCA Québec on avenue Holland hosts free swims in partnership with the City of Québec, and the city page says access is free for everyone. It is an easy indoor option in the Saint-Sacrement area. Check the city page for the current free swim schedule.

Piscine Wilfrid-Hamel on rue Bigaouette is the neighbourhood indoor pool of Saint-Sauveur and is accessible to people with reduced mobility. The City of Québec offers free drop in swims here with no reservation needed, plus city swimming lessons. Check the city page for the current free swim schedule.

Piscine Sylvie-Bernier, named after the Olympic diving champion from Québec City, is the indoor pool at École secondaire De Rochebelle in Sainte-Foy (entrance through door 5). The City of Québec offers free drop in swims here with no reservation needed. Check the city page for the current free swim schedule.