The Municipality of Central Elgin runs four public beaches in Port Stanley on Lake Erie. They differ in lifeguard coverage, washrooms and parking, and all of them follow the same rules on dogs, alcohol and fires. This guide covers each beach, the 2026 parking rates and the water hazards.
Facts box
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Census, Central Elgin (2021) | Central Elgin: 13,746 people (2021 Census), up 9.0% from 12,607 in 2016; 5,845 private dwellings, 5,460 occupied by usual residents[1] |
| Drive to Port Stanley | Toronto: about 222 km, 2 h 47 min; Ottawa: about 656 km, 7 h 41 min; London: about 41 km, 0 h 44 min; Kitchener: about 137 km, 1 h 50 min. OSRM estimates; allow for traffic and stops[2] |
| Municipal office | 450 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas, phone 519-631-4860.[3] |
| Beaches run by the Municipality | Four: Main Beach, Little Beach, Erie Rest Beach and Pumphouse Beach.[4] |
The four beaches
- Main Beach: the largest and most popular, with a wide sandy shoreline. The beaches page says it has held Blue Flag certification for more than 16 years, while the water-quality page calls the 2025 award the 15th consecutive year.[30] Seasonal lifeguards patrol July through September, and washrooms and change rooms are open daily 8 am to 9 pm.[5]
- Little Beach: a 185-metre sandy beach surrounded by mature trees, popular with families with young children. No lifeguards. A washroom trailer is open daily 8 am to 8 pm.[6]
- Erie Rest Beach: smaller, no lifeguards, portable washrooms and limited parking.[7]
- Pumphouse Beach: smaller, no lifeguards, limited parking.[8]
Lifeguards and flags
The Municipality’s 2025 notice put lifeguards on Main Beach only, Monday to Friday 11 am to 6 pm and Saturday, Sunday and holidays 11 am to 8 pm, until Labour Day weekend. Its safety page lists five lifeguard towers and the same hours.[9][10] Confirm 2027 dates when they are posted. Erie Rest, Little Beach and Pumphouse Beach have no lifeguards, though lifesaving equipment is available.[11][12]
Flags: green means good conditions, yellow means moderate conditions and swimming with caution, red means swimming is not advised, and double red means no swimming is permitted. No flag means no lifeguards are on duty.[13] Guards leave the beach for 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder, and swimmers should take shelter.[14] Free lifejackets are available at the main lifeguard tower on Main Beach in adult, youth, child and infant sizes, with photo ID and a signed waiver.[15]
Rules on all four beaches
- Dogs are not permitted on Central Elgin beaches at any time.[16]
- Alcohol, smoking and vaping are not permitted on beaches or in public areas.[17]
- Bonfires, barbecues and outdoor cooking devices are prohibited on beaches and in municipal parks.[18]
- Camping tents and large shelters are not permitted. Personal watercraft and motorized boats must stay outside designated swimming areas.[19]
- Swim only in designated areas marked by white buoys.[20]
Parking in 2026
Paid parking in municipal lots runs May 1 to September 30, 10 am to 5 pm daily. The hourly rate is $6, and daily rates are $30 at the Main Beach and Lotus Lane lots, $25 at Old Ball Park, Little Beach and West Pier, and $20 at East Pier and West Pier Expansion. The Boat Launch Lot is $30 flat for 24 hours and is enforced around the clock.[21] Pay with the Honk Mobile app, tap-to-pay stations at Main Beach, West Harbour and the boat launch, or Pay-by-Plate machines.[22]
- Seasonal passes (May to October, plus HST): $65 for Central Elgin residents, $130 for non-residents, and $150 for a vehicle with a boat trailer using the Boat Launch Lot.[23]
- Larger vehicles: only East Pier takes trucks, campers, motorhomes and buses, and overnight camping is not permitted in Port Stanley lots.[24]
- Fines in the beach zone: $95 for failing to pay or exceeding the time, $160 for a no-parking zone and $200 for overnight camping.[25]
Rip currents and the pier
Rip currents are fast channels of water moving away from shore. They can form around structures such as piers or suddenly after large waves, and the Municipality says they are highly prevalent in the Great Lakes, including Lake Erie. If caught, do not fight the current: swim parallel to shore to get out of it, then angle toward shore, and if you cannot escape, float or tread water and call or wave for help.[26] The pier can create structural currents, so jumping or diving from it is prohibited.[27] Wear a lifejacket on the water, and do not swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs.[28] Call 911 in an emergency.[29]
Water quality
Southwestern Public Health posts results and swimming advisories. A level of E. coli above provincial standards triggers an advisory, and the beach stays open for walking and sunbathing. The tested beaches are Erie Rest, Little Beach and Main Beach, and sampling for 2026 has ended and resumes in 2027. Current results are at swpublichealth.ca/beaches.[30]
FAQ
Are dogs allowed on Port Stanley beaches?
No. Dogs are not permitted on Central Elgin beaches at any time. Checked November 3 2026.
How much is parking in Port Stanley?
In 2026, $6 per hour and $20 to $30 per day in municipal lots, May 1 to September 30, 10 am to 5 pm. Seasonal passes are $65 for residents and $130 for non-residents. Checked November 3 2026.
Are there lifeguards at Little Beach?
No. Only Main Beach has lifeguards, from July through September. Checked November 3 2026.
Who tests the water in Port Stanley?
Southwestern Public Health posts results for Erie Rest, Little Beach and Main Beach. Checked November 3 2026.
Cottages in this area
Browse cottages near Port Stanley or the whole Lake Erie Shores region. See also Port Stanley village guide.
Township Rules Check
Thinking of renting out a cottage here? Run the Township Rules Check. Rules for the Municipality of Central Elgin are being confirmed, so we state none here.
Claims table
Checked 2026-11-03 by the SEO & Content Writer agent. Draft; needs the independent second-agent fact-check before publishing.
| # | claim | source URL | checked | |—|—|—|—| | 1 | Census, Central Elgin (2021) : Central Elgin: 13,746 people (2021 Census), up 9.0% from 12,607 in 2016; 5,845 private dwellings, 5,460 occupied by usual residents | https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000201 | 2026-11-03 | | 2 | Drive to Port Stanley : Toronto: about 222 km, 2 h 47 min; Ottawa: about 656 km, 7 h 41 min; London: about 41 km, 0 h 44 min; Kitchener: about 137 km, 1 h 50 min. OSRM estimates; allow for traffic and stops | https://router.project-osrm.org | 2026-11-03 | | 3 | Municipal office : 450 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas, phone 519-631-4860. | https://www.centralelgin.org | 2026-11-03 | | 4 | Beaches run by the Municipality : Four: Main Beach, Little Beach, Erie Rest Beach and Pumphouse Beach. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/ | 2026-11-03 | | 5 | Main Beach: the largest and most popular, with a wide sandy shoreline. It has held Blue Flag certification for more than 16 years, seasonal lifeguards patrol July through September, and washrooms and change rooms are open daily 8 am to 9 pm. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/ | 2026-11-03 | | 6 | Little Beach: a 185-metre sandy beach surrounded by mature trees, popular with families with young children. No lifeguards. A washroom trailer is open daily 8 am to 8 pm. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/ | 2026-11-03 | | 7 | Erie Rest Beach: smaller, no lifeguards, portable washrooms and limited parking. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/ | 2026-11-03 | | 8 | Pumphouse Beach: smaller, no lifeguards, limited parking. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/ | 2026-11-03 | | 9 | The Municipality’s 2025 notice put lifeguards on Main Beach only, Monday to Friday 11 am to 6 pm and Saturday, Sunday and holidays 11 am to 8 pm, until Labour Day weekend. Its safety page lists five lifeguard towers and the same hours. | https://www.centralelgin.org/news/posts/lifeguards-return-to-port-stanley-main-beach/ | 2026-11-03 | | 10 | | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/beach-water-safety/ | 2026-11-03 | | 11 | Confirm 2027 dates when they are posted. Erie Rest, Little Beach and Pumphouse Beach have no lifeguards, though lifesaving equipment is available. | https://www.centralelgin.org/news/posts/lifeguards-return-to-port-stanley-main-beach/ | 2026-11-03 | | 12 | | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/beach-water-safety/ | 2026-11-03 | | 13 | Flags: green means good conditions, yellow means moderate conditions and swimming with caution, red means swimming is not advised, and double red means no swimming is permitted. No flag means no lifeguards are on duty. | https://www.centralelgin.org/news/posts/lifeguards-return-to-port-stanley-main-beach/ | 2026-11-03 | | 14 | Guards leave the beach for 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder, and swimmers should take shelter. | https://www.centralelgin.org/news/posts/lifeguards-return-to-port-stanley-main-beach/ | 2026-11-03 | | 15 | Free lifejackets are available at the main lifeguard tower on Main Beach in adult, youth, child and infant sizes, with photo ID and a signed waiver. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/beach-water-safety/ | 2026-11-03 | | 16 | Dogs are not permitted on Central Elgin beaches at any time. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/ | 2026-11-03 | | 17 | Alcohol, smoking and vaping are not permitted on beaches or in public areas. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/ | 2026-11-03 | | 18 | Bonfires, barbecues and outdoor cooking devices are prohibited on beaches and in municipal parks. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/ | 2026-11-03 | | 19 | Camping tents and large shelters are not permitted. Personal watercraft and motorized boats must stay outside designated swimming areas. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/ | 2026-11-03 | | 20 | Swim only in designated areas marked by white buoys. | https://www.centralelgin.org/news/posts/lifeguards-return-to-port-stanley-main-beach/ | 2026-11-03 | | 21 | Paid parking in municipal lots runs May 1 to September 30, 10 am to 5 pm daily. The hourly rate is $6, and daily rates are $30 at the Main Beach and Lotus Lane lots, $25 at Old Ball Park, Little Beach and West Pier, and $20 at East Pier and West Pier Expansion. The Boat Launch Lot is $30 flat for 24 hours and is enforced around the clock. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/parking/ | 2026-11-03 | | 22 | Pay with the Honk Mobile app, tap-to-pay stations at Main Beach, West Harbour and the boat launch, or Pay-by-Plate machines. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/parking/ | 2026-11-03 | | 23 | Seasonal passes (May to October, plus HST): $65 for Central Elgin residents, $130 for non-residents, and $150 for a vehicle with a boat trailer using the Boat Launch Lot. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/parking/ | 2026-11-03 | | 24 | Larger vehicles: only East Pier takes trucks, campers, motorhomes and buses, and overnight camping is not permitted in Port Stanley lots. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/parking/ | 2026-11-03 | | 25 | Fines in the beach zone: $95 for failing to pay or exceeding the time, $160 for a no-parking zone and $200 for overnight camping. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/parking/ | 2026-11-03 | | 26 | Rip currents are fast channels of water moving away from shore. They can form around structures such as piers or suddenly after large waves, and the Municipality says they are highly prevalent in the Great Lakes, including Lake Erie. If caught, do not fight the current: swim parallel to shore to get out of it, then angle toward shore, and if you cannot escape, float or tread water and call or wave for help. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/beach-water-safety/ | 2026-11-03 | | 27 | The pier can create structural currents, so jumping or diving from it is prohibited. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/beach-water-safety/ | 2026-11-03 | | 28 | Wear a lifejacket on the water, and do not swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/beach-water-safety/ | 2026-11-03 | | 29 | Call 911 in an emergency. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/beach-water-safety/ | 2026-11-03 | | 30 | Southwestern Public Health posts results and swimming advisories. A level of E. coli above provincial standards triggers an advisory, and the beach stays open for walking and sunbathing. The tested beaches are Erie Rest, Little Beach and Main Beach, and sampling for 2026 has ended and resumes in 2027. Current results are at swpublichealth.ca/beaches. | https://www.centralelgin.org/parks-recreation/beaches/beach-water-quality/ | 2026-11-03 | Fact-check 2026-11-03 (independent): 29 rows confirmed, row 5 corrected (Blue Flag year count conflicts between two Municipality pages; both now shown), row 28 reworded to the cited page. Parking rates, passes and fines match the 2026 parking page.