The swimming season 2025 begins – lifeguards on an increasing number of beaches 

The water quality has been good or excellent at most of Helsinki’s beaches in recent years, and lifeguards will be on duty at beaches from 2 June to 10 August, including Kivinokka and Puotila this summer. 

The Kivinokka and Puotila beaches have been popular, which is why the beaches will be staffed with lifeguards for the first time this summer. The Palettilampi beach, which opened last summer, will also be open throughout the swimming season. Palettilampi is an artificial pond that receives its water from Lake Päijänne. The water in the pond refreshes regularly. 

The water quality at beaches along the Vantaa River has been found to temporarily deteriorate during heavy rainfall due to surface runoff and stormwater. Rains over the catchment area of the Vantaa River affect the water quality of the beaches along the river for 2–3 days on average. There have been swimming restrictions at the beaches of the Vantaa River for the past three summers.  

You can keep an eye on the water temperatures and the blue-green algae situation at beaches at ulkoliikunta.fi. 

The water quality of beaches to be regularly monitored 

This coming summer, there will be 26 public beaches in Helsinki. Water samples will be taken regularly from the beaches throughout the summer to monitor the hygienic quality of the water by testing the samples for faecal bacteria. In addition to this, the City will measure water temperatures and monitor the amounts of blue-green algae at the beaches. 

The City of Helsinki will be closely monitoring beaches where stormwater may affect the hygienic quality of the swimming water. Intensified sampling will be carried out at the beaches of Marjaniemi, Pikkukoski, Rastila, Iso Kallahti, Aurinkolahti, Hietaranta and Lauttasaari over the summer of 2025. 

Lifeguards on duty at beaches from 2 June to 10 August 

Helsinki’s beach lifeguards will be on duty this year from 2 June to 10 August 2025. This summer, lifeguards will be on duty daily from 10:00 to 20:00. At the beaches of Munkkiniemi, Lauttasaari, Pikkukoski, Mustikkamaa, Tuorinniemi, Laajasalo, Marjaniemi, Rastila, Iso Kallahti, Kallahdenniemi, Palettilampi, Puotila and Kivinokka, lifeguards will be present from 10:00 to 18:00, including on public holidays such as Midsummer. Swimming at Plotti, the natural swimming spot in Pirkkola, will also be supervised daily from 2 June to 10 August at 10:00–18:00, excluding Midsummer. 

Despite the presence of the lifeguards, children are always under the responsibility of their guardians at the beach. When arriving at the beach, it is advisable to consult the beach information board and follow its instructions. The lifeguards will provide guidance and help if needed. 

Beaches with lifeguard supervision also have designated light water traffic lanes. People can land on these beaches with SUP boards, rowing boats, kayaks, etc. The lanes are located along the edges of the beaches. 

The Tobacco Act prohibits smoking at large beaches completely, and smoking is also discouraged at other beaches. The smoking ban on beaches is in effect from the beginning of May to the end of September. Designated smoking areas are located outside the beach areas. At the beach, it is important to keep the environment clean and remember that alcohol and swimming do not mix. 

Below is a detailed checklist on beach etiquette, safe swimming guidelines, guardian responsibilities and the assistance provided by lifeguards. 

Beach etiquette 

• Always check the information board at the beach upon arrival and follow the instructions provided on it. 

• Agree on an easily-recognisable landmark with your children and meet there if you lose one another in the crowd. 

• Let everyone enjoy the beach in peace. 

• Do not play music so loud that it disturbs others. 

• Keep the environment clean, take any waste to the waste bin and leave the beach clean when you leave. 

• Keep in mind that alcohol and swimming do not mix. 

• Making a campfire or other type of open fire is not allowed in the beach area. Barbecuing is only allowed at the Kallahdenniemi beach in specifically designated areas. During wildfire warnings, barbecuing is also prohibited at Kallahdenniemi beach. 

• The lifeguards will provide guidance and help if needed. 

Instructions for safe swimming 

• Check the water depth from the beach information board. Pay particular attention to sudden drops and currents. 

• Swim with a friend. This way, you will not be alone if you need help. 

• Do not overestimate your ability to swim. Always swim parallel to the shoreline and so that your feet can touch the bottom. 

• Always stay within the marked swimming area. You can identify the area by the buoys located around it. 

Guardians’ responsibilities at the beach 

• Always keep your child close to you. Do not let your child go deeper into the water than you are. 

• If your child cannot swim, always keep them within arm’s reach of you. 

• Swim parallel to the shoreline. 

• Remember that the adult is responsible for their child. The lifeguard is not a babysitter. 

• Dress your child in clothes that stand out and remember to protect your child from sun exposure. 

• Do not hesitate to ask for help when needed. Lifeguards are there to help. 

Lifeguards will help you 

• If your child is missing or someone is in distress, take immediate action. 

• Lifeguards will help you in emergencies. 

• A drowning person is unable to call for help. 

• A situation may be life-threatening even if it does not seem so. 

• Also remember to explain to your children that lifeguards will help them in emergencies.