Build sandcastles, fly kites, take a surf lesson, or just walk barefoot in the sand. There’s nothing like a beach to bring out the little kid in all of us. And every day offers up a new adventure when you’re exploring the nooks and crannies of Nova Scotia’s 7,600 km (4750 miles) of seacoast.
Planning Your Nova Scotia Beach Vacation
From white sand beaches, to smooth cobblestone beaches, to endless reaches of red sand along the Northumberland shore, each of our 125 salt and freshwater beaches has its own distinct character. For instance: - Melmerby Beach is a beautiful sandy beach located on the Northumberland Strait, known for having some the warmest waters in the Maritimes.
- Martinique Beach is Nova Scotia’s longest beach with 5 km of white sand.
- Inverness Beach is a sandy beach on Cape Breton Island that known for beach glass or as the locals call it “Mermaid Tears”.
- Risser’s Beach is a 1.5 km sandy beach and features a campground with sites bordering the beach. Book early, these sites get booked quickly!
- Lawrencetown Beach is a popular sand and cobble stone beach known for its surf. You can rent a surf board and wet suit from vendors set up along the road, some even offer surf lessons.
- Clam Harbour Beach is a long, wide sandy beach known for having great sand castle building sand. Every year there is an annual sand castle competition held at this beach and some of the castles are simply amazing.
- Five Islands Beach is situated on the Bay of Fundy and features 90 meter sea cliffs overlooking the world’s highest tides. This beach also has an onsite campground with 90 open and wooded campsites.
Many of our best beaches are part of the provincial park system and offer amenities like:
- Showers and toilets
- Interpretative centres
- Picnic areas
- Canteens
Nova Scotia Beach Resorts
Nova Scotia is not only home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches it also offers many amazing beach resorts. From the white sandy beaches at White Point Beach Resort to the rugged coastlines near the Keltic Lodge you are certain to find your perfect beach resort vacation in Nova Scotia.
Bay of Fundy Beaches
There’s no other place on earth like the Bay of Fundy. Billions of litres of water rising and falling twice a day. More than 15 species of whales romping in the waves. Seabirds by the thousands and spectacular geological formations - the Bay of Fundy, home to the largest tidal range on earth, is a one-of-a-kind seacoast playground of its own. The cresting wave created by the rare tidal bore phenomenon turns the serene Shubenacadie River into your personal thrill-ride every day. Take a guided rafting excursion and experience the heart-pumping, white water action again and again while the tidal action lasts. Pick a tidal bore rafting package that suits your appetite for adventure from family outings to extreme water sports escapades.