Nova Scotia tourism is greatly influenced by the seasons, of which there are four distinct ones. The bordering seas have a direct impact on the province's climate, along with the fact that Nova Scotia is essentially a peninsula, bordered by three major water bodies; the Bay of Fundy on the west, the Gulf of St Lawrence on the northern side, and the Atlantic Ocean on the east and south coast. Though all these factors contribute to Nova Scotia's weather patterns, they also create a unique location that drives Nova Scotia travel.

In determining the weather, the surrounding bodies of water can also determine the best time to go to Nova Scotia. In the Bay of Fundy and the Atlantic Ocean, water temperatures are generally colder, which aids in maintaining a cool climate throughout spring and also in the summer. The air currents over the ocean also help to ease the harshness of the winter months, which are usually a low point in Nova Scotia tourism.

Nova Scotia travel throughout the north can easily be planned around the weather. The warmth of the Gulf of St Lawrence keeps the inland fairly warm during the summer months, mainly the end of June through August, and blankets it in a cold winter frost in when the waters freeze up, casting a cold wind over the area for most of winter, beginning in December and lasting through to the end of March or so. In the northern parts, fall enjoys an extended season, which is a focal point for travelers exploring Nova Scotia during the vibrant fall season. This is a great time to book a suite at one of the northern-based resorts and use rental transportation to get around.

Nova Scotia Map

The summer, though still fairly cool and short, is one of the best times to go to Nova Scotia. It is still the warmest of all seasons and offers a pleasant climate for hiking the Cabot Trail, exploring the wilderness around Yarmouth, and camping in the vast, wild areas throughout Nova Scotia. In the interior regions of the mainland, summer days can get quite hot, reaching 80 degrees Fahrenheit and higher. It's by the coast that things can cool off, sitting roughly five to eight degrees cooler. Ocean waters cool coastal areas off even more at night so be sure to take a warm sweater or light jacket for summertime Nova Scotia tourism.

Fall creates a spectacular backdrop that emphatically complements outdoor attractions in Nova Scotia like Cape Breton, where bursts of bright hues sweep across island. The foliage turns, and watching this process is one of the highlights of the season, making this the best time to go to Nova Scotia for outdoor adventurers. Temperatures begin dropping in October and the cool climate is most evident in the mornings and evenings. The benefits of exploring the maritime province in the fall is the lack of crowds teeming around top attractions such as Fort Louisbourg and Peggy's Cove Lighthouse.

Determining the best time to go to Nova Scotia is as simple as assessing your interests and tolerances. Though most don't enjoy Nova Scotia travel in the winter because of the cold, others find it a blissfully peaceful time to vacation, engaging in outdoor activities like skiing, cross country skiing, ice fishing, back-country hiking, and even winter camping for intrepid types. There's no doubt that summer opens doors to countless more things to do, like lounging around the beaches, enjoying rental properties by the water, boating and fishing. With a straightforward climate that offers few surprises, planning vacations is uncomplicated and gratifying.