Eastern Shore (Nova Scotia)
The Eastern Shore is a region on the northeastern coast of Nova Scotia. It is less populated and less touristy than the nearby South Shore, with fewer attractions. It's not without it charm though, with its many small villages and often empty beaches and coastline standing watch over the Atlantic swell. It is home to Acadian and Mi'kmaq communities.
Other destinations
Understand
Get in
Highway 7 covers the western and central parts of the Eastern Shore, connecting it with Dartmouth to the west and Antigonish to the north. Highway 16, on the east coast, connects Guysborough and Canso with the Trans-Canada Highway.
Highway 344, connects Guysborough and Canso with the Trans-Canada Highway at Aulds Cove and the Canso Causeway, connecting it to Cape Breton Island and Port Hawksbury.
Get around
See
The Marine Drive, a continuous series of coastal r outes that wind their way along the unspoiled coast of the Eastern Shore passing through quaint fishing villages and offering unparalleled views of the natural beauty that makes up the Eastern Shore.
Beaches
The Eastern Shore is made up of many picturesque beaches and, unlike other parts of the province, the beaches tend to be quieter with fewer people, especially the ones that are further from from the Halifax region. Due to the cold waters of the North Atlantic, August and September tend to have the warmest water temperatures, after the summer sun has had a chance to warm it up. Note: Nova Scotia can have fog all year round. The best days for going to a coastal beach is when the wind is not from the ocean, which can keep a heavy bank of fog covering a beach even when it is quite hot inland.
Clam Harbour Beach, the pristine sand is ideal for sand castle building and hosts the annual sand castle competition.
Conrad's Beach, an undeveloped beach accessible by boardwalk, with limited parking, that is home to the endangered species the pipping plover. Note: Conrad's Beach does not have change rooms or washrooms and may not be accessible for people with restricted mobility.
Martinique, the longest sandy beach in Nova Scotia.
Taylorhead, hiking trails and beaches along a peninsula looking out onto the Atlantic ocean.
Heritage
- Fisherman's Life Museum, Salmon River Bridge. Traditional house and garden depicting the everyday life of the fishermen who made the Eastern Shore their home.
- Heritage Village, Memory Lane, Lake Charlotte. Heritage Village depicting life along the Eastern Shore in the 1940s
- Sherbrooke Village, Sherbrooke. Heritage village depicting the village life in Nova Scotia at the turn of the 19th century. Nova Scotia's largest provincial museum.
Do
Activities
Go surfing at Lawrencetown beach. Within a 30 minute drive of Dartmouth, Lawrencetown beach is a popular local beach for surfers with some of the largest waves in the province. As a provincial beach the location is always free and there is plenty of parking. Equipment can be rented on site through Happy Dudes Surf Emporium.
Take a short scenic boat tour excursion at Murphy's Cove. Experience the Eastern Shore from the water onboard a local fishing boat.
Go sea kayaking in Tangier.
Trails
The Eastern Shore has a variety of trails, of varying skill levels, located through out the natural wilderness areas.
Crowbar Trail, Porters Lake.
Trans-Canada Trail, connecting Dartmouth with the Eastern Shore. This multi purpose trail, located along the old railway line, is relatively flat and provides an easy walking, hiking or biking adventure. The trail is broken up into a number of segments of varying lengths and makes a great excursion or day trip from Dartmouth.
Myra Road Trail, Porters Lake. An old logging road connecting Porters Lake with
Events
- International Sandcastle Contest: 12 August 2018 Halifax. Takes place on Clam Harbour Beach. (date needs updating)