The Swim Guide app makes it easy to explore and enjoy all the best beaches on the Great Lakes.
Created by a network of nonprofit watershed protection organizations led by Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Swim Guide helps you locate the closest beach, get directions, view photos and get real-time information about water quality and cleanliness. Every beach is marked with a Green, Yellow, or Red icon so you know if a beach is safe for swimming or not — before you go.
The Swim Guide helps you discover a wide variety of beaches, ranging from city parks to remote lakes ideal for camping and helps you compare real-time and historical water quality information for many different beaches.
Most importantly, it encourages you to share that information on social networks with your friends so people who love beaches can help to celebrate them, protect them and keep them healthy.
This summer, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper will check with around 70 different sources that are monitoring 800 beaches every day.
Data will then be input in the constantly updated Swim Guide database. That information is translated into clear, easy-to-understand information.
Make a splash everywhere you go! Swim Guide also includes descriptions and photographs of 800 different beaches in Ontario, British Columbia, New York State, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. Later this summer, Edmonton, Alberta and Miami-area beaches will be added.
According to Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, they are looking to expand Swim Guide until it covers beaches in every major beach community in North America.
Take the plunge and download the Swim Guide from iTunes