Swimming Beaches

Although SPR is still in the midst of a national lifeguard shortage, most locations will be operational this summer.

Please know, we are working hard to recruit, train, and hire more lifeguards and wading pool attendants so we can return to full operational hours. We encourage the public to please share our lifeguard job opportunities with your networks.

2025 Summer Season Lifeguarded Beaches

May 24-August 24

• Madrona Beach, 853 Lake Washington Blvd

May 24-September 1

• West Green Lake Beach, 7312 W Green Lake Dr

June 21-September 1

• Matthews Beach Park, 5100 NE 93rd St
• Madison Beach,  1900 43rd Ave E
• Mount Baker Beach, 2521 Lake Park Dr S, Seattle, WA 98144
• Seward Park Beach,  5900 Lake Washington Blvd S

June 21-August 24

• Pritchard Island Beach, 8400 55th Ave S
• Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE

Closed for the 2025 season

Due to staffing limitations, we will not operate the following location during 2025:

• East Green Lake Beach

Hours

Preseason (May 24-June 20):

• Weekdays | 2-7pm
• Weekends & Memorial Day | 11am-7pm

Summer (June 21-Sept. 1):

• Weekdays | 12pm - 7pm
• Weekends & Holidays | 11am - 7pm

Beach Water Quality & Closures

Swimming in natural bodies of water carries a risk of bacterial infection.  We strongly advise showering before and after swimming, as well as not drinking lake water. 

Our partner King County Public Health reports swim beach water quality weekly from May to September. 

When bacteria counts are too high, we follow KCPH's orders to close beaches.  You will hear about this several ways:

• Notification Banners placed on each park page,
• Signs placed at the swim beaches,
• You can also sign up for weekly alerts on KCPH Swim Beach Water Quality

Free Beach Swimming Lessons

Swim lessons are offered for free at all lifeguarded beaches for ages 6-16. Sign ups will be accepted via email between Monday 6/2 and Friday 6/20. After that, you can sign up in person at the beach anytime during our regular operating hours. Midday and evening sessions are listed below. Please limit to one session per child. We are happy to take drop ins if we have space.

Lessons are weather dependent and may be cancelled for poor weather, or very hot weather when more lifeguard staff are needed for surveillance duty.

Midday sessions: Monday-Friday, 12:15-12:45pm

• Session 1 - 6/30-7/11 (No class on 7/4)
• Session 2 - 7/14-7/25
• Session 3 - 7/28-8/8
• Session 4 - 8/11-8/22

Evening sessions: Tuesday or Thursday, 5:30-6pm

• Tuesday Session - 7/1-8/19
• Thursday Session - 7/10-8/21

To sign up, please email parksaquatics@seattle.gov, and include the following information. Email sign ups are accepted from 6/2-6/20. After 6/21, sign up in person at the beach.

• Child's Name
• Child's Age
• Parent's Name
• Parent's Phone Number
• Preferred sessions/locations

Children receiving free swim lessons from Swim Seattle at swimming pools may participate in beach swim lessons in addition to their lessons at the pool!