Best Photo Spots on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore
The Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia stretches from the edge of the Halifax area all the way toward Canso, offering a wilder, more rugged coastline.
In Nova Scotia, fresh seafood is a big deal. While there are dozens of restaurants across the province serving up local lobster, mussels, clams, chowders and more, seafood superfans will want to really dive in and try something a little different. From digging for clams along the shore to indulging in a meal of fish and chips at sunset; embarking on a Fisherman for a Day adventure to an exclusive dining experience on the ocean floor, Nova Scotia is the place to be for unique ways to experience seafood and give you a true taste of life by the sea.
Halifax Waterfront Seafood Tour
If you’re looking to sample a little bit of everything, the Halifax Waterfront Seafood Tour is a fun (and delicious) way to do it. This guided stroll along the harbourfront takes you to a few local spots where you’ll dig into classics like seafood chowder, a full lobster roll, and fish cakes, all in one tour. Just when you think you’re done, there’s a sweet stop for artisanal ice cream and handmade chocolates to round things out. It’s an easy, social way to taste your way through the waterfront and sample a variety of delicious seafood.
Nalu Retreat Seafood Soirée
At Nalu Retreat, this experience really captures that sweet spot where sea meets forest, coastal flavours served up at glamping domes nestled in the trees. The Seafood Soirée brings together some of the best of the coast in a super cozy setting, starting with a rich seafood chowder from Lupin Dining & Pantry and followed by indulgent lobster mac and cheese from Rose & Rooster. Paired with a chilled bottle of local sparkling wine, it’s the kind of laid-back dining that feels both rustic and elevated. It’s a unique way to savour Nova Scotia, where the flavours of the ocean meet the calm of the forest.
Nova Scotia Seafood Culinary Class on the Bay of Fundy
If you’ve ever wanted to really get hands-on with seafood, this 3-day cooking experience on the Bay of Fundy is a great place to start, even if you’re a total beginner in the kitchen. Led by expert chefs, you’ll work your way through 16 dishes using top-notch Nova Scotia ingredients, from oyster Bienville and citrus-cured ceviche to seared scallops and classic lobster with drawn butter. Along the way, you’ll pick up practical skills like filleting, curing, and cooking shellfish in a small group setting that keeps things relaxed and personal. It’s part cooking class, part coastal escape and a tasty way to build confidence with seafood you’ll want to recreate at home.
Love Lobster Tour
If you’ve ever wondered how to catch a lobster, this hands-on experience on the Northumberland Strait gives you the chance to find out! You’ll head out from a fishing wharf, meet your captain, and cruise out to the lobster grounds where they’ll haul traps straight from the ocean floor and share stories from a lifetime on the water. Even better, you can try hauling a trap or take the helm for a bit before sitting back with a fresh lobster roll picnic as you glide along Nova Scotia’s scenic north shore.
Lobster Fisherman for a Day
For a truly unforgettable experience, this early-morning lobster trip on the Northumberland Strait puts you right in the middle of real working life on the water. You’ll head out before sunrise with a local captain and crew, watching the day begin over the strait before joining in on the action, hauling traps, measuring and banding lobster, and learning how generations of fishers have built their lives around these waters. Along the way, you’ll get a real sense of the traditions and conservation efforts that keep this way of life going strong. Back on shore, you’ll leave not just with two fresh lobsters in hand, but a much deeper appreciation for the culture behind them.
Island Explorer Sea Kayak & Lobster
For a seafood experience that blends adventure with serious coastal scenery, this guided kayak tour near Peggy’s Cove is sure to be memorable. You’ll paddle through protected bays, past secluded beaches and rugged granite islands, all with that classic turquoise Atlantic water around you. Halfway through, you’ll land on a quiet island for a snack break and a chance to stretch your legs while soaking in the views. Back at base, things wrap up in the best way possible—with a wharfside lobster boil featuring all the East Coast favourites.
Sea to Table Lobster Adventure
Kayaking the granite coast near Peggy’s Cove is already special but this experience takes it a step further by blending paddling, fishing culture, and a waterfront lobster dinner into one unforgettable day. You’ll glide between granite islands and into hidden inlets like Rogue’s Roost, even stopping to explore the fishing village of Lower Prospect from the water and meet local fishers aboard a working lobster boat. Along the way, you’ll get a real glimpse into life on the ocean, from setting traps to hearing stories passed down through generations. The day wraps up back at the dock with smoked oysters and a chef-prepared lobster dinner served wharfside as the sun sets over the coast.
Floating Lobster Picnic
There’s something pretty memorable about a summer afternoon on the water at Bras d’Or Lake, calm conditions, wide-open views, and a setting that feels a little different from a typical coastal lunch. Your floating picnic is set up right on the water, featuring a lobster roll made with Atlantic lobster served with classic sides. You’ve never had a ‘meal with a view’ like this before!
Lobster and Luminescence
Paddling through Blue Rocks at sunset is one of those experiences that feels straight out of a postcard, with calm waters, sheltered passages, and small islands all around you. You’ll stop on a quiet beach to enjoy a fresh lobster roll before continuing as the light starts to fade. From there, the trip takes a memorable turn, bioluminescence begins to glow in the water, lighting up every paddle stroke as you move. It’s a rare mix of coastal scenery, local food, and natural light show all in one evening on the water.
Clam Harbour Clam Digging Adventure
On the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia, clam digging at Clam Harbour offers a hands-on way to experience a tidal landscape that’s been harvested for thousands of years. Known as E’se’katik, or “at the place of clams” by the Mi’kmaq, the area is still shaped by the rhythms of the ocean and low tide today. Your experience begins at Memory Lane Heritage Village, where you’ll learn about traditional clam digging before heading out with a fourth-generation digger to the flats to try it yourself. Afterward, you’ll return for a hearty cookhouse meal featuring your fresh clams and a traditional lumber camp-style lunch, making it both a cultural and culinary deep dive into coastal life.
Oceanfront Spa, Sauna and Seacuterie
A stay along the South Shore brings together ocean views, local flavours, and easy coastal relaxation. You’ll settle into a modern oceanfront cottage, where a welcome seacuterie board, piled with local seafood, paired with local wine from Jost Vineyards, sets the tone for a laid-back getaway. Days can be spent exploring nearby white sand beaches and coastal trails, followed by on-site massages that lean fully into relaxation mode. Evenings are all about the view, whether you’re soaking in a private hot tub or warming up in a barrel sauna overlooking the Atlantic.
Fish n Chips Sunset Cruise
Setting out on a sunset sail on the Northumberland Strait with a plate of fish and chips in hand is about as classic as it gets in coastal Nova Scotia. The experience starts at Caribou Fishermen’s Wharf, where you meet your captain, get a quick tour of the boat, and head out along the North Shore past sandy beaches, small communities, and stretches of forested coastline. As you reach the mouth of Pictou Harbour, you’ll take in waterfront views before docking to pick up a freshly prepared fish and chips feast delivered right to the boat. From there, it’s a relaxed cruise back as the sun sets over the strait.
Dining on the Ocean Floor
At the site of the world’s highest tides at Burntcoat Head Park in the Bay of Fundy, this culinary experience takes dining right onto the ocean floor. It starts with an introduction to Nova Scotia’s wild edibles, followed by a seafood lunch with beer and wine pairings where you can meet the chef. From there, you head out on a guided walk of the exposed seabed before returning for a seated 3-course dinner set up on the ocean floor itself, timed with the incoming tide. The evening wraps with a campfire and Mi’kmaw storytelling, bringing food, place, and culture together in a pretty unforgettable setting.
Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl
Every February on Nova Scotia’s South Shore, communities from Barrington (known as the Lobster Capital of Canada) all the way up toward Peggy’s Cove take part in the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl, a month-long celebration at the peak lobster season in this region. From tasty favourites like the lobster roll competition and chowder showdown to quirky moments like Lucy the Lobster’s annual weather prediction on February 2, it’s a fun, distinctly Nova Scotian way to lean into winter and the perfect reason to enjoy delicious seafood!
Lobster Trail and Chowder Trail
In Nova Scotia, seafood isn’t just something you order, it’s something you can explore through two dedicated culinary trails: the Nova Scotia Lobster Trail and the Chowder Trail. These self-guided trails take you from classic lobster suppers and rich, creamy chowders to more playful twists like lobster poutine, lobster tacos, and lobster mac and cheese. It’s a fun way to travel around the province with a bit of a mission, stopping at different spots to see how many you can check off along the way.
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