Nova Scotia beaches are located all around the province. Wherever your vacation takes you, chances are good that Nova Scotia beaches will be close to your chosen destination. If you want to stay in Halifax, you could add a trip to Crystal Crescent Beach without leaving the city limits. If you're longing for time off the beaten path, your options are many.

Crystal Crescent Beach is aptly named. Here, three white sand beaches hug the shores of the Halifax waterfront. Now a provincial park at the mouth of Halifax Harbor, this urban beach is a favorite place to enjoy the feel of the sun on your shoulders and the sand beneath your toes. It's also an excellent place to soak in the views of the city and the Sambro Island Lighthouse. This red and white tower is picture postcard perfect, and has the distinction of being one of the oldest lighthouses in North America. Two of the stretches of sand at Crystal Crescent Beach are lined by boardwalks, while the third, sometimes used as a nude beach, is more secluded. The park is also the starting point for a challenging and scenic hike to Pennant Point.

Outside of the biggest city in the province, you'll find Nova Scotia beaches in communities large and small, along harbors, oceans, and bays. White Point Beach hugs the Atlantic Ocean in the south shore community of Hunts Point, 95 miles from both Halifax and Yarmouth. One of the province's oldest resorts, White Point Beach Resort, provides hospitality, a comfortable place to stay, and a full slate of amenities for beach visitors. All year, visitors soak in the views of the white-sand beach, enjoy the cozy rooms, and dine on fresh seafood.

Nova Scotia Map

In the summer, guests of the resort and daytime visitors enjoy the typical seaside pursuits at White Point Beach. This stretch of white sand covers nearly a mile, giving you plenty of room to stretch out, relax with a good book, build a sand castle, or for a dip in the ocean. The resort also offers a seasonal swimming pool and live entertainment on the outdoor stage.

You'll also find plenty of Nova Scotia beaches along the province's north shore. At Melmerby Beach, visitors can spend time along the shore of the Northumberland Strait that connects the mainland to Roy Island. This summertime hotpot, another one of the provincial parks, has everything visitors need to enjoy time at the beach. When the weather is at its hottest in July and August, the ocean is plenty warm for swimming, and lifeguards are on duty to keep you safe. You'll also find showers, bathhouses, and a boardwalk that's perfect for a stroll. Other nearby stretches of coastline, including Bayfield Beach and Fox Harbor, also are located along the Northumberland Strait.

On Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia beaches have a dramatic backdrop—soaring highlands, rocky cliffs, and blue skies that seem to stretch on forever. The beaches at Cape Breton Highlands National Park are some of the most visited places on the entire island.

No matter which beach catches your fancy, you'll have many choices on where to stay. Many vacation rentals are located just steps from the shore, as are hotels and bed and breakfast inns. When you choose to stay at a Nova Scotia beach house, you have the advance of enjoying a vacation on your terms. You can spend all the time at the beach you wish, without worrying about beating the crowds or spending a lot of time in traffic.