Broad, long, beautiful beach. Great for a nice walk. If it's busy, there is always a quieter spot…read morearound the bend.

If you're looking for a little break from the city without having to go far, Rainbow Haven is one…read moreof the easiest beaches to get to. It's a mere half hour drive from the centre of Halifax, and it is definitely worth the drive! The sand is some of the finest grained sand I've ever had the pleasure to sink my toes into. It's like walking on a little piece of heaven. It's so soft! There's tons of space on the beach for lounging, playing or wandering so even at its busiest I doubt you would have a problem finding somewhere to put a towel down. I love the scenery, whether you're looking out into the ocean or looking out over the expanse of vegetation, it's a pretty special spot. That being said there are sand flies. Lots of them. I got quite a few bites - eek! If you can get past the creepy crawlies, it's really really lovely. The water is a pretty nice temperature too. It's not freezing, but it's certainly not warm. Just watch for rip tides!

Love to walk along the beach. And drive on it. Fantastic white sand beach, super long to get your…read moresteps in and everything.

The admission to this provincial park is free and it offers picturesque hiking trails along the…read moreocean and a sandy beach by the ocean. The washrooms are clean and well-maintained; can be lineups at times. Parking can get tricky at times, depending on the time of your arrival. We enjoyed swimming in the ocean, hiking and sat on the rocks and enjoyed the breathtaking view of the ocean.

I love coming here for a swim on the weekends. Now I may be giving away a secret here, but the…read morereally cool thing about this spot is that no matter what time you come, there's always a decent spot to park your car and to park yourself. This is a lifeguarded beach from 11-5 and there's a decent amount of sand for the kiddies to play in. I love the fact that this isn't a rocky beach at all. You can walk right in the water without worrying about stubbing your toe or having to dodge rocks under your feet. A downfall is that there aren't great facilities here. Just a port a pottie, so your trip may be cut short if you're not a fan of these. Other than that, Cunard Beach is a great spot for a quick swim on a sunny afternoon!

One of my favourite beaches, it is unique that cars can drive on the beach and park at the far end…read more Waters are cold here but so worth it especially on a hot day. Limited parking to the side of the road however.

What a peaceful place to enjoy a sun set or a beach walk, or even a drive on the sands!!!! Must…read morevisit and explore this place

While in Nova Scotia last month, hubs and I made the driver out to Cape Split Provincial Park after…read morevisiting the Lobster Pound for lunch at Hall's Harbour. While we didn't have on our hiking boots on or appropriate clothing for a 3 hour hike in 0 degree weather, we still thoroughly enjoyed the view and a brief walk. The full hike is about 14 km. And as this is an official Provincial Park, there is a pretty large parking lot with ample room for whatever vehicle and toys you have in tow. Cape Split is definitely going on my Nova Scotia bucket list to hike when we come back!

Cape split is one trail that should end up on everyone's "must do" list…read more Although it seems a bit daunting at 13 kms round trip, the majority of the hike is easy, and relatively flat. With that said, you will run into several sections of the hike where you'll gain most of the trails elevation. Plan to arrive early as the parking lot fills fast despite their being room for about 50 vehicles. There are pit toilets and picnic tables at the trailhead allowing you use the washroom and fill your tummy with protein packed meals. There isn't much to see on the majority of the hike. It's not until the end, where you begin to see glimpses of the water, where the hike becomes rewarding. The very end of the trail opens up into a large grassy space with beautiful rock outcroppings and steep cliffs. Enjoy the view as you watch the birds fly by. Enjoyable for most members of the family, the 13 kms may be the determining factor for bringing the children along, and the several steep sections may deter older hikers. If you do choose to go, bring good footwear as we encountered some mud along the way. Find the video of this trail on our YouTube channel, or visit our website for a complete trail guide at www.joshthetravelguy.ca

Bought two nights at the Ovens but left after one night because of the rude actions of the manager…read moreJane who was upset that we bought our firewood outside the camp at the local gas station and it was our mistake that we did not read the rules about fire and we had a fire going in the morning, her employee said nicely that he was going to get water to put it out and we apologized but five minutes after he left to get water she came speeding into our campsite yelling at us! Asking us if we had a bucket to put it out?! We explained that her employee was bringing water she proceeded to yell about fire wood and then speeded off. We packed up and left. I believe that there are better ways to talk to people without hostility especially in front of children!

The Ovens Natural Park is located about 20 minutes from Lunenburg or 1.5 hours from Halifax, Nova…read moreScotia. "The Ovens" are a series of Sea Caves that branch off the Atlantic Ocean carving some beautiful holes into the cliffs of the land. Located on private property, this location is open from May till October. There is a mandatory admission ($10 for adults) to see this place. At very least, you get to hike the 1.5 kms long trail along the ocean to see the caves. If you are wanting to stay longer, they have a campground (tent, camper and cabin) should you wish to stay in the area. They do have size restrictions, so you'll have to leave you larger trailers or RV's at home. We spend 1-2 hours roaming the trails and taking our time reading the information provided about the history of the property and the area's gold rush past. We created a YouTube video of your experience as well which will really help you get a sense of the location. This is a beautiful area and well worth the trip. Perhaps a little on the expensive side, however, being able to see the caves was really quite amazing. If you come, be prepared for the temperature difference compared to inland - it's a bit cooler being on the ocean (even in the summer). For additional information on this location, plus direct access to the YouTube video, please check out our travel guide of this location on our website at www.joshthetravelguy.ca

While this is a beach-related park, I don't foresee a lot of swimming here. It's more of a "wade…read moreinto the water a bit" kind of beach. The water's pretty cold and the wind is pretty strong. However, if you're looking for a gentle stroll along the water's edge on the wooden boardwalk, this is the place for you! It's right next to the Fisherman's Wharf shopping/eating area so this is a good way to walk off some of those calories. On a nice calm day, you can also find tons of stones to skip across the water.

Gorgeous little walk near Fisherman's wharf. Boardwalks make it accessible to anyone. Lots of…read morepretty plants, wild roses, rocks and opportunity to see sea birds.

This is a great beach. Lovely white sand with a small stream running through it. Loads of space to…read morefind your space. There is a parking lot, change rooms and outhouses at the beach and a picnic area with shelters and grills across the road. Be warned the water is typical for this area, COLD. It is a bit of a drive from Halifax but well worth it to get away from the crowds.

I find it difficult to give a nice sandy beach anything but 5 stars. I mean, it's got one job…read more.. Provide me with a hot sandy beach. Check. Bayswater goes one step further and also gives you warm water! Well, water as warm as the Atlantic ocean can provide. It's not bone chilling and you don't have to numb your whole body before you can swim around. I was surprised at how warm it really was. It's a bit of a drive from Halifax, but that just means not everyone is going to be committed enough to drive out to it. Therefore, the beach isn't packed! I think it might be one, if not my favourite beach in Nova Scotia.

If you don't have a car, it's hard to get to the beach. Thankfully, Birch Cove Beach is here! It's…read morenot the largest beach in the world but the warm waters of Lake Banook invite you in. The parking lot and beach front have recently been renovated so there's lots of parking. A newly installed dock allows you to jump right in. The grass is a great place for a picnic during your fun. Not a fan of the water? There's a small park to explore as well.

Birch Cove is just a short walk from my house and is really one of the best spots in the city for…read morelake swimming. Due to the world canoe chamionships taking place here a few summers ago, the entire grounds, parking, etc. have been renovated and are top notch. There is a life guarded area, but I usually opt to plant myself on the grassy area a little farther down where it is a bit quieter. Great swimming that's clean and refreshing on lake Banook. It doesn't get much better than this.