Port Washington South Beach Park

Port Washington, Wisconsin · on Lake Michigan · South Beach

Verified · 4 independent sources

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: No fee found
SEASON: Best in summer

About Port Washington South Beach Park

South Beach Park is a City of Port Washington-managed public beach on the south side of the harbor along Lake Michigan, at 400 South Beach Road. It is one of two officially monitored swim beaches in Port Washington (alongside North Beach/Upper Lake Park) under the Wisconsin DNR's Great Lakes BEACH Act water-quality monitoring program.

The beach sits on Lake Michigan's shoreline on the south side of Port Washington's harbor, near the marina and downtown. It connects to Coal Dock Park via a 1,500-foot lakefront promenade and an 80-foot pedestrian bridge, giving it flatter, more level access than the city's North Beach, which requires descending a bluff staircase from Upper Lake Park.

Swimming at Port Washington South Beach Park

Described by the city's tourism site as a peaceful, clean, and quiet stretch of open Lake Michigan shoreline suited to swimming, paddling, and sunrise-watching; it is characterized as a low-key, relaxed beach day spot rather than a high-amenity resort beach. As a Great Lake beach it is open, wave-exposed freshwater rather than a sheltered swimming hole.

How to get to this swimming hole

South Beach Park is located at 400 South Beach Road on the south side of Port Washington's harbor; it can also be reached on foot from downtown and Coal Dock Park via a lakefront promenade and pedestrian bridge over the marina channel.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No hike is needed, this is a drive-up city beach at a street address (400 South Beach Road). It can also be reached on foot from downtown/Coal Dock Park via a flat, roughly 1,500-foot lakefront promenade and an 80-foot pedestrian bridge over the marina channel, which is level walking (no bluff stairs, unlike the city's North Beach).

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

Open Lake Michigan shoreline beach, not a sheltered swimming hole, no lifeguard presence is documented, and the City of Port Washington's own beaches page directs visitors to a real-time rip-current watch tool and the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project's 'Flip, Float & Follow' safety brochure, implying real-water hazards (rip currents, wave action) that require adult supervision rather than a hazard-free shallow entry.

Hours

6:00 AM-10:00 PM daily, per the City of Port Washington Parks & Recreation Department's facility record (400 South Beach Road).

On the water

KayaksPaddleboards

The city's tourism site lists South Beach as suited to 'swimming, paddling, and sunrise viewing' and specifically notes kayak launch access at the beach; no explicit restriction on watercraft types or motors was found, but as an open, unguarded Great Lakes shoreline beach (not a marina) it is a carry-in launch rather than a boat ramp.

Rentals nearby

Sherper's

Kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards; rentals include a paddle and life jacket per person plus foam blocks/tie-down straps for transport, and 'no paddling location restrictions' so equipment can be taken to South Beach or Lake Michigan.

Prices: $45/day for single kayaks and canoes; $55/day for tandem kayaks, SUPs, and premium rentals

128 N. Franklin St., Port Washington, WI, in downtown Port Washington, close to South Beach and Coal Dock Park (Sherper's also has locations in Hales Corners and Oconomowoc, WI) · Rental pickup available starting at 10:00 AM, due back by 10:00 AM the following day; store hours not published on the pages fetched

Backstory

In September 2023, a rare sighting of American flamingos near South Beach drew crowds and statewide news coverage (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel); the city subsequently gave a stretch of South Beach Road the honorary name 'Flamingo Day Drive' to commemorate the first confirmed sighting of the species in Wisconsin history.

Port Washington South Beach Park: FAQ

Is Port Washington South Beach Park kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Port Washington South Beach Park?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Port Washington South Beach Park?

When is the best time to visit Port Washington South Beach Park?

Summer, corresponding to the period (starting Memorial Day) when the Wisconsin DNR and local health officials actively monitor Great Lakes beaches, including this one, for swimming water quality.

What are the rules at Port Washington South Beach Park?

Open daily 6:00 AM-10:00 PM per the City of Port Washington Parks & Recreation Department. The city's beaches page provides Lake Michigan water-safety resources (rip current watch, 'Flip, Float & Follow' guidance) for beachgoers.

What water body is Port Washington South Beach Park on?

Port Washington South Beach Park is on Lake Michigan, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.