History

Lawrencetown was one of the original 15 beaches first supervised by the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service in 1973. It is one of only nine beaches that have been with the NSLS since the program was initiated.

Facilities

Lawrencetown's facilities include change houses, a canteen, showers, flush toilets, abundant parking, and boardwalks.

Beach Safety

Lawrencetown can experience exceptionally high surf conditions as a result of tropical storms and hurricanes. In 1995, the lifeguards closed the beach for swimming or restricted beach use to a limited area on six days. Considerable media attention was received as surf conditions peaked at over four metres on several occasions. Lawrencetown's rough conditions can create many currents and rips which can be dangerous for non-confident or weak swimmers. Distressed rescues during high surf days at Lawrencetown are not uncommon. The lifeguards supervise a 200 metre area situated close to the lifeguard hut and canteen area. The lifeguards open two lifeguard stations on busier days and incorporate regular walk patrols to keep swimmers away from rips, or higher surf areas like the reef. Beach conditions are recorded daily by lifeguard staff and can be accessed by calling the Beach Line. Lifeguards at Lawrencetown will encourage swimmers to stay between the flags and to keep the surfers and body-boarders out of the supervised area.

Directions

Lawrencetown Beach lies 23km east of Dartmouth on route number 207.