Explore Nova Scotia This Summer: 16 Best Beaches & Hikes
Written by Bethany Leal-Iyoupe
Thumbnail Photo of Cape Breton Beach by PhotosTheArt on Unsplash
Eight years ago I left the Greater Toronto Area to explore the nature scene in Nova Scotia – arguably the most beautiful province in Canada. In Nova Scotia we have the benefit of enjoying clear skies, fresh air, and endless hikes all year round. If you're an adventurer at heart but don't know where to start, look no further! I've compiled a list of beaches and hiking gems that you should consider exploring this summer.
5530 Point Pleasant Drive, Halifax
Less than five minutes away from the SMU campus. This site has it all: walking trails, off-leash areas for dogs, a sandy beach, washroom facilities, and the Prince of Wales tower – the oldest martello tower in North America. Point Pleasant Park is proof that you don’t have to travel far from campus to see beautiful places. Perks of the Maritimer lifestyle!
24 Pinehaven Drive, Halifax
This little spot on the peninsula is perfect for history fanatics. Over two hundred years ago, the British military used the peninsula as a burial site for prisoners of war, soldiers, sailors, and slaves. Make sure to check out the plaque on-site commemorating them, but also don't let history scare you away from this excellent swimming spot. Located on Halifax's Northwest Arm, Deadman’s Island has some of the cleanest water on the harbour. Note: there are no washroom facilities or change rooms at this site.
Lawrencetown Beach, Photo by Liz Cummings on Unsplash
4348 Lawrencetown Road, East Lawrencetown
When Yoncé rode that surfboard, it was probably in East Lawrencetown. Lawrencetown Beach is a rocky beach on the Eastern Shore with strong rip tides and currents, perfect for surfers and parasailers alike (though swimmers should take extra caution). Visit the East Coast Surf School, located right on the beach, to get some lessons, a wet suit, and a rad surfboard. Washroom facilities and change houses are available at this site.
4949 Highway 2, Grand Lake
If you’re a fan of water sports, you can enjoy cliff diving, canoeing, water skiing, kayaking, swimming, and walking trails at Laurie Park. Do you love it so much you don't want to leave? With reservations, you can pitch a tent and camp out at an unserviced site for $27/night. Amenities include full-service washrooms, dishwashing stations, disposal area, fire grill, picnic area, wood, ice, and WiFi. Firewood is available for purchase while the park’s service area is still open; hours are posted on-site.
366 Oakfield Park Road, Oakfield
Oakfield is the perfect place for a picnic. There's much to enjoy at this site, from hidden beaches to a big grassy hill for your inner child to slip and slide down. Boat enthusiasts will find a wheelchair-accessible boat launch on site. If you’re a golfer, you might prefer to enjoy the view from the Oakfield Golf & Country Club, located at 6055 Highway 2 in Enfield. Note: there are no washroom facilities available at Oakfield Provincial Park.
1641 Shore Road, Eastern Passage
McCormacks is a coastal paradise for you to sit down and relax after a day of exploring the shops at Fisherman's Cove. This sandy beach is great for long walks and collecting seashells along the seashore. There are changing rooms, restrooms, and a visitor’s centre right along the water. If you'd prefer a drive instead, there are multiple vista points along Shore Road where you can see Eastern Passage, McNabs, and Devil's Island.
223 Sambro Creek Road, Sambro Creek
This famous beach is located 30 kilometres away from Halifax in the peaceful little town of Sambro. It's the "poster child" for Nova Scotia's white-sand beaches, serving looks on our provincial health cards. Want to get an even tan? Wear your birthday suit! There are three beaches: while the first two are family friendly, the third beach is “clothing-optional.” There are outhouses available but no facilities have been designated as change houses.
2829 East Petpeswick Road, East Petpeswick
Martinique’s white-sand beach spans 3.7 kilometres. This beach is open for day trips between May and October. Attention bird lovers: this spot is a protected wildlife refuge for waterfowl and piping plovers. There are restrooms, changing rooms, and picnic areas located behind the sand dunes.
Carters Beach Road, Port Mouton
Carters Beach consists of three crescent-shaped beaches with beautiful white sands and tropical waters. It shares the same good looks as Crystal Crescent Beach, but there's usually much less traffic. If you're lucky, you might find some sand dollars along the shoreline. Note: there are no change houses or washrooms.
Shore Club Road, Hubbards
Follow the road signs to get to Nova Scotia's blue lagoon. Right on St. Margaret's Bay, this beach has some of the warmest waters in the province. The corresponding campground charges five dollars for admission to the beach but it's worth every penny for the breathtaking scenery. On top of that, parking, washrooms, and change houses are located on site.
158 Beach No. 1 Road, Inverness
Get a taste of the island life. If you're down for a day trip to Cape Breton, the breathtaking Inverness Beach is located on the Ceilidh Trail. There is a changehouse, boardwalk, canteen, and service for accessibility needs in the area. If you're more into the hiking scene, the nearby Cabot Trail is the perfect spot to get a workout in with some breathtaking views. Golfers will enjoy the enticing Cabot Links.
Cape Breton Beach by PhotosTheArt on Unsplash
York Redoubt National Historic Site
300 Fergusons Cove Road, Fergusons Cove
York Redoubt is one of Canada's most prominent National Historic Sites. The government has preserved this fort system for many years after the Second World War. Alongside the most spectacular view of the Halifax Harbour, there is a plethora of abandoned military buildings, cannons, and observation posts. Exploring the whole site takes plenty of visits – there's always something new to find here!
Blue Mountain Birch Cove Wilderness Lakes
Maskwa Club Trail, Timberlea
The Lakes are a place where you can enjoy forests, lakes, and wildlife all at once. This area is the size of the Halifax Peninsula, encompassing over 1,700 hectares of wilderness (to put this number into perspective, that’s approximately 4,000 football fields worth of land). Local environmental groups, such as the Ecology Action Centre, have successfully advocated for the conservation of this beautiful site. Thanks to these environmental groups, folks with a knack for outdoor life are free to paddle, hike, or even skate in this area during the winter months. Warning: The government describes the trail system as poorly marked, so be sure to take extra caution or bring someone along who is familiar with the paths in this area.
Ketch Harbour Road, Duncans Cove
Once the weather gets nice, this is everyone’s favourite spot for a hike! The waterfront trail is parallel to lush green fields that remind us why Nova Scotia was named "New Scotland." Eventually, you'll reach the rest area where the Chebucto Head Lighthouse sits on which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean’s hauntingly beautiful seascape.
Pockwock Road, Upper Hammonds Plains
These falls are a little hidden paradise. Located in the Hammonds Plains area, a twenty-minute walk through the woods will lead you to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the province. Don't forget to bring your bathing suit to dip in the fall's natural pool! The temperature of the water gets warmer in the summer months, so you’ll likely find locals frequenting this spot.
326 Ovens Road, Riverport
Explore Riverport's very own sea caves for ten dollars per person. Right along the Lunenburg Harbour coastline, this scenic trail will take you right into the caves. They have a variety of amenities for camping along the ocean, including the Ol’ Miner Diner’s world-class fish’n’chips: unserviced sites for tenting start at $39/night while cabin rates start at $79/night. This is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
While Peggy's Cove is beautiful, there is undoubtedly much more that Nova Scotia has to offer. If you visit any of these spots, please be respectful, clean up after yourselves, and make sure to check online for any closures or high tides. Happy exploring!