The Best Beaches In Nova Scotia Canada

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Summer in Nova Scotia means heading to the beach! But with 7600 kilometres of seacoast what one will you choose? There are so many beautiful beaches in our province I enlisted the help of a few other bloggers so they could help you find the best beaches in Nova Scotia near you! Try out a few new ones this summer and let us know which ones you loved!

The Best Beaches In Nova Scotia By Region

 South Shore

Beach Meadows Beach

The South Shore has many beautiful beaches, but I think Beach Meadows is a hidden gem. About 15 minutes from the town of Liverpool, you’ll find an almost deserted beautiful sand beach. It’s usually a bit cooler out here than in town, making it a perfect destination on the hottest days of summer. The ocean is a bit chilly but if you can stand the cold, there are often some fun waves to swim or body-board in. This 1km beach also has a playground, picnic area, washrooms and change rooms. We love to walk to the end and climb the big rock for a beautiful view of the beach and ocean.

Summerville Beach

Summerville Beach Provincial Park is one of my favorite beaches ever. About 15 minutes past Liverpool on Nova Scotia Trunk 3 E you’ll find a beautiful white sand beach. It’s the perfect spot to spend a summer day. This mile long beach has some shallow water to swim in, which means it’s a bit warmer than the rest of the ocean. If you’re feeling brave you can jump off the old train bridge! At the other end of the beach you’ll find The Quaterdeck Beachside Villas & Grill. If you need a place to stay, this place is right on the beach. If you just need something to eat, you’ll find an amazing menu of fresh seafood at The Grill.

Carter’s Beach

A hidden gem no more, Carter’s Beach has exploded in popularity over the last few years. For good reason though, you’ll think you traveled to the Caribbean instead of the South Shore of Nova Scotia (except for the pine trees!) You’ll find three separate white sand beaches, and beautiful blue water, but you wont find any change rooms, parking or garbage bins! To get here follow the Lighthouse route to Central Port Mouton Road, then to Carter’s Beach Road, about 20 minutes from Liverpool. Hopefully there will be parking along the road. Definitely one of the best beaches in Nova Scotia!

Bayswater Beach

Bayswater Beach was, for a brief moment, my favourite secret beach.

I first discovered Bayswater Beach by accident. My mother was visiting from Ontario and we were just exploring a bit of the South Shore, doing some antiquing and whatnot. As we drove past the coastline we realized we were passing a swimming area so we decided to check it out. The water was unbelievably warm and clear. We just rolled up our shorts and waded out though the gentle waves.

I couldn’t believe that there was only handful of people out enjoying this gorgeous, sandy beach. We decided that we’d definitely have to come back with our swimsuits to take advantage of what was clearly a hidden treasure….well, it must have been an anomaly that day because when we returned later that week, the beach was FILLED will happy swimmers and sunbathers. As it should be, of course.

Krista, Halitrax.com

Sandhills Beach

When I think of Nova Scotia beaches I don’t immediately think of warm waves and lazy days floating in the ocean but I have a little secret to share!  Sandhills Beach Provincial Park located in Villagedale, Nova Scotia is a local gem on the South Shore of the province.  When pulling into the park, before hitting the beach, there are several green spaces with picnic tables where you can gather to eat or play some Frisbee.   There are change rooms and washrooms for use as well in the same area.   There are a series of gravel paths leading to the beach and everyone is requested to use them exclusively as this is an important bird watching and bird habitat area.  The sand dunes are incredible and back directly onto the beach.  The beach itself is 2.5kms long and at low tide the sun heats the exposed sand, which creates the ability to actually have a comfortable swim in the Atlantic Ocean as the tide rises.  I have a lot of great childhood memories from this spot and I hope you take the trip down Highway 103 this summer to check it out!

Meggan, letsgettripsy.com

Blue Rocks Beach

It’s the seclusion and quietude of Blue Rocks Beach that makes it my favourite location on Nova Scotia’s beautiful coastline. It’s a place to stroll, think and soak up the calm sounds of lapping water and seabirds. The village of Blue Rocks is less than 10 minutes’ drive from the UNESCO-designated town of Lunenburg and well worth seeing while in the region.

Colourful fishing huts reflect in the water of the Atlantic Ocean, making it a lovely spot to photograph or paint rustic scenes. If you enjoy kayaking then it’s possible to take to the water and explore while paddling. But for me, nothing beats walking along the shore and breathing in the sea air.

Stuart,  go-eat-do.com

Rissers Beach

Rissers Beach Provincial Park is the perfect place for a family to spend the day at the beach. Located in Lunenburg County close to Bridgewater, this park has camp sites, and a large beach with boardwalks. One of the best parts is the amenities like a change room with showers, a dish washing station, a playground, and a picnic area. You can also get grills, wood and ice onsite.

You can also kayak in the area, there is supervised swimming on the main part of the beach. Perfect for a day at the beach!

Halifax Metro

Crystal Crescent Beach

Located in Sambro, about 40 minutes from Downtown Halifax, you’ll find Crystal Crescent Provincial Park. A popular spot on a beautiful summer day you’ll find beaches, boardwalks and a trailhead to hike. The first beach tends to be crowded, so walk further down for more space! The water is a beautiful deep blue. It’s a great place to spend the day, hiking, swimming and sunbathing. Bathroom facilities are onsite. I think this is one of the best beaches in Nova Scotia that’s closest to Halifax!

Rainbow Haven Beach

Just outside Cole Harbour, locals flock to Rainbow Haven Beach Provincial Park in the summer. There is a large parking lot but get there early on hot summer days! One of the biggest draws here is there are lifeguards in July and August. This large sand and cobblestone beach is a great place to spend a summer day! There are also washroom and shower facilities onsite.

Fundy Shore & Annapolis Valley

Bramber Beach

With 7,579 kilometres of coastline, Nova Scotia offers up plenty of opportunities to enjoy fresh air, exercise and marine life – qualities I look for in a good beach. Throw in a centuries-old fishing technique and the highest tides in the world, and a quintessential Nova Scotian experience takes shape. All this can be found at Bramber beach, on the southern shore of the Minas Basin, eighty kilometres from Halifax.

Home of the Bramber Weir and 17-metre-high tides, the beach is a veritable classroom on the ocean floor. Twice a day, between April and July, an energetic crew of workers fish the weir, educating any visitors who drop by. The weir itself, the sustainability of the fishery, the intersection of local, traditional, and academic knowledge all contribute to a remarkable experience at my favourite beach in Nova Scotia.

For more information, see Off the beaten path in Nova Scotia at Bramber Weir.

Anne, Packing Light Travel

Medford Beach

Accessible to the public via a walk from Kingsport Beach, this beautiful beach is worth the trek. The sand formations and beautiful red sand make you feel like you’ve been transported to another world. If you are going to make the trek from Kingsport, ensure you check the tide times and begin your adventure as the tide is still on it’s way out and head back before it is on it’s way back in to ensure you don’t get caught in the tide! **

Read more on Confessions Of A Fitness Instructor

Blomodin Beach

Blomodin Beach is only a hop skip and a drive away from Medford Beach, and if you aren’t feeling like taking the trek to enjoy Medford, Blomodin will still satisfy your red sandy beach dreams. As a provincial park, Blomodin has ample parking and a staircase leading you right down to the beach as well as an adjoining campground if you want to spend a few days. **

** during clam digging season both of these beaches are great locations to go clam digging!

Suzi, Confessions Of A Fitness Instructor

Blue Beach

Located off the exit to Avonport, Blue Beach is somewhat of a hidden gem. A rocky beach that is perfect for families as it is full of fossils and you can spend hours searching for treasures. Just off from the parking area is a fossil museum (which is free to visit) where you can learn more about the fossils found and learn how to identify them when you go in search of them for yourself.

Suzi, Confessions Of A Fitness Instructor

Black Rock Beach

Up the north mountain in the Annapolis Valley, you can head to Black Rock to see the – you guessed it – black rock. The giant black rock that is visible (and accessible) during low tide completely disappears at high tide making it another beach you want to be mindful of the tide if you go out adventuring on the black rock or else you could get trapped as the tide comes in. For adventurers, at low tide, you can walk from the wharf beach all the way to the black rock beach, or skip them both and head down to the beach by the lighthouse. With so many places to access beachfront, you never have to worry about it being too crowded.

Read more on Confessions Of A Fitness Instructor

Eastern Shore

Taylor Head Beach

Close to Sheet Harbour you’ll find this beautiful white sand beach at Taylor Head Provincial Park. 16km of unspoiled, and mostly empty coastline waiting for you to enjoy. There’s also a 14km hike around the park with beautiful views. The combination of things to do makes it one of the best beaches in Nova Scotia.

Cape Breton Island

Chimney Corner

My favourite beach in Nova Scotia is Chimney Corner. Unfortunately I don’t get there very often since it’s on the other side of the island from where I live, but if I had my way in summertime I’d live there. It’s perfect: it stays shallow for a nice long while, the water is warm (well, later in summer anyway) and the rocky cliffs surrounding it form a mesa-like bowl. There is a stream that runs out through it and is perfect for kids to play. Sunsets are especially stunning there.  I unfortunately don’t have many photos of it, this one was taken in 2012 just after a storm… I guess I have to go back soon and take more photos! And will of course stop at the Dancing Goat on the way to pick up a sandwich and some sweets.

Leah, leahnoble.com

Which do you think are the best beaches in Nova Scotia? Let me know what it is in the comments!

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