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Nova Scotia is home to many great beaches. Some remote and uncrowded, others conveniently located and offering a variety of amenities. Many are part of the provincial park system.
 The diversities of the regions are represented in the types of beach you’ll find here, such as sea-washed cobblestones near Halifax, stretches of white sand in Queens County and the red sands of the North Shore.
Nova Scotia is rich with beaches and seacoast experiences to enjoy. Plan a route around the province that takes you to a different beach or two every day. Here are some examples of the beaches you can discover.
Rainbow Haven Beach - Eastern Shore
The park is known for its large sand and cobble beach at the mouth of Cole Harbour. Board walks, change houses, toilet facilities, canteen. Supervised. Rainbow Haven Park is 8 km (5 mi.) east of Cow Bay outside of Halifax on the Eastern Shore
Lawrencetown Beach - Eastern Shore
A south-facing stretch of sand that unfurls lazily for nearly 1.5 km (1 mi), renowned as a prime destination for local and international surfers. located along Route 207 from Halifax. Lawrencetown Beach is a provincial park and is supervised by the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service. This beach is a local favourite. Families, couples, hikers, mountain-bikers (love the great trail system near the beach), and body-boarders share the beach life with the dedicated surf crowd. Amenities at Lawrencetown include; canteen, showers, flush toilets,plenty of parking, boardwalks.
You can rent surf boards, booogie boards and wet suits on location. The beach is also the site of all kinds of activities and events. Surfers gather for contests like the September Storm Classic. Kids of all ages love a Kite Festival with demonstrations, a barbeque, and prizes.
Martinique Beach - Eastern Shore Nova Scotia’s longest beach.
Take the East Petpeswick Road off Highway # 7 .The beach offers open and wooded picnic area behind dunes. Boardwalks and hard-surfaced paths. Beachcombing, migratory waterfowl. 11 km (7 mi) south of Musquodoboit Harbour.
Clam Harbour Beach - Eastern Shore
A long, wide sandy beach; picnic area in a field on top of a bluff. Supervised weekends only. Canteen, flush toilet, changing rooms, showers. From Lake Charlotte, 10 km (6 mi) south of Route 7. The Beach is also home to an amazing sand castle building event.
Taylor Head Beach & Hiking - Eastern Shore
Hike the ten miles of headland at Taylor Head Beach. Located southwest of Sheet Harbour, on Route 7(Marine Drive) Taylor Head Park occupies a rugged wind swept peninsula that juts 6 km into the Atlantic Ocean. The park's hiking trails and walks provide access to a variety of natural habitat, interesting geological features, and wildlife species, scenic look-offs, secluded beaches and 16 km (10 mi.) of unspoiled coastline Click here for more information and events at Taylor Head
Blomidon Park & Hiking Trails - Annapolis Valley
Rising majestically from the shores of the Minas Basin, Blomidon Provincial Park is renowned for its spectacular views. Blomidon's 759 ha (1,875 acres) include 180 m (600 ft.) high cliffs, a variety of habitats, striking natural features, abundant wildlife -- and the world's highest tides wash its shores. These natural attractions provide excellent opportunities for camping, hiking, beachcombing, photography or just appreciating nature.
Blomidon Provincial Park is open from mid May until early September and offers a 70-site campground with both woodland and open sites, two picnic areas, an unsupervised beach near the park entrance, and hiking trails spanning 14 km (8.5 mi.)provides access to a variety of habitats and numerous scenic look-offs within the park.
Pomquet Beach - Northumberland Shore
On St. George’s Bay is a fully-appointed family favourite with all the add-ons from change houses to lifeguards.This 3 km (2 mi) supervised beach has the best example of dune succession in Nova Scotia. Boardwalks. Flush toilet, change house, interpretive display. Take either Exit 35 or 36 north off Highway 104.
Melmerby Beach - Northumberland Shore
Families will love Nova Scotia’s popular Melmerby Beach situated on the warm shores of the Northumberland Strait. A popular 2 km (1.25 mi) supervised beach with boardwalks. Change houses, canteen, salt-rinse showers. 16 km (10 mi) north of Highway 104, Exit 25
Queensland Beach - South Shore
Although not large, this supervised beach is one of the most popular on the South Shore. The warm air and sand draw large crowds, so arrive early on the hot days to find a parking spot.
Summerville Beach - South Shore
One of the finest sandy beaches on the south shore. Picnic tables are out in the open but each has a roof to provide shade. The 1 km long beach is backed by sand dunes and a open salt marsh. Off Rte. 3 at Summerville Center.
Risser’s Beach - South Shore
Whether you want to swim, search for sea shells, or just spend the day relaxing in the sun, Rissers Beach Provincial Park offers every kind of recreational opportunity available at the seaside. Some of the features of the park include a kilometre long white sand beach and Interpretation Centre and boardwalk along an inland marsh. The park is open from mid May until mid October and offers two campgrounds with a total of 90 sites, picnic areas, and a large supervised beach. There is a canteen and change house with showers adjacent to the beach. Both campgrounds have water outlets and trailer dump stations. The North Rissers campground, while not on the ocean, offers washrooms with showers and a playground.
Dominion Beach - Cape Breton
A 1.5 km (1 mi) sandy beach. Boardwalks to the beach protect the dunes. Change houses, canteen, salt rinse showers, toilets. From Sydney, Highway 4 left, north of Gardener Road. 5 km (3 mi), right 8 km(5 mi) east along Highway 28.
North River Beach - Cape Breton
A small picnic park from which number of backcountry trails begin. One leads through spectacular steep-sided river canyon with deep salmon pools and a beautiful 32 metre (104 foot) waterfall. Located 3.5 kilometres (2.1 miles) off the Cabot Trail at North River Bridge. From Highway 105 take Exit 11
West Mabou Beach - Cape Breton
A nature park with large sand beach and dune system at the mouth of Mabou Harbour. The park also consists of old farm fields and marshes. The park has several walking and hiking trails and a picnic area. Change houses and pit toilets and small interpretive site.
Ingonish Beach - Cape Breton
Home to warm sandy beaches streatching along the coast. The area known as Ingonish is actually a cluster of five small communities on the Cabot Trail, nestled between the National Park, Highlands and Atlantic Ocean. It consists of Ingonish Ferry in the South followed by Ingonish Harbour, Ingonish Beach, Ingonish Centre, and ends with Ingonish in the North. From start to finish the area covers only 16 kilometers, so no matter where you stay in Ingonish, you are only minutes away from all recreation and services
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