Boating on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore

Stretching from the edges of Halifax to the Strait of Canso, the Eastern Shore is a place where outdoor adventure and seaside activities play out with striking, unspoiled nature as the background.

You’ll find some of the best examples of the area’s pristine wonder with a visit to the sweeping 100 Wild Islands Preserve. Protected in perpetuity, these islands offer sheltered coves, turquoise waters, windswept headlands, and unique boreal rainforests. Those who love seaside recreation won’t want to miss the province’s longest sandy beach, Martinique Beach Provincial Park, and Lawrencetown Beach Provincial Park, which is quickly gaining recognition from the international surfing community as a prime year-round destination.

Throughout the region, you’ll find intriguing inlets, inland detours along lakes and rivers, and challenging hiking trails that are even less traveled – making them even more exciting to explore. While some may consider the entire journey along the Eastern Shore to be “off the beaten path,” there are also scenic seaside towns to discover such as Guysborough – where you can play a round of golf, visit unique shops, indulge in locally-distilled spirits, and feast on fresh seafood in the area’s restaurants. Or savour fresh mussels with a locally-crafted beer while anchored in picturesque Sheet Harbour. Those with a historical bent will love Sherbrooke Village, Nova Scotia’s largest provincial museum, brought to life with costumed interpreters celebrating life as it was there one hundred years ago.

Eastern Shore Top Attractions

Martinique Beach Provincial Park

Enjoy 5 km of white sand at Nova Scotia’s longest sandy beach
Protected area for piping plover and served as a refuge for migratory birds
Popular with beachcombers, boaters, families and surfers alike

Learn more

Lawrencetown Beach Provincial Park

Popular sand and cobblestone beach with lifeguards in the summer months
Take a surf lesson or rent surf gear and join the local surfing community in the waters
Located on the Trans Canada Trail walking and biking trail

Learn more

Sober Island Brewing Company

Home of Nova Scotia’s first oyster stout – made with whole, fresh Pristine Bay Oysters
Seasonal beer garden onsite overlooking the water
Year-round taproom is family and dog-friendly

Learn more

Sherbrooke Village Museum

Take a step back in time – over 150 years back – when you explore this working village – Nova Scotia’s largest provincial museum
Join the costumed interpreters in period attire and become a part of the village
Have your photo taken at Canada’s only Ambrotype photo studio where your photo appears on glass!

Learn more

100 Wild Islands

100+ pristine islands stretching along the coastline of Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore
Discover white sand beaches, rugged coastlines, shelters coves and dramatic headlands
Popular with boaters and kayakers

Learn more

Eastern Shore Boating Destinations

The highlight of the Eastern Shore, these isolated beaches, bogs, barrens and forests have retained their pristine nature and this is one of the only undamaged and entirely natural island groups of its size in North America that have remained virtually untouched since the last ice age.

Depending on wind direction, anchor overnight in Owls Head Bay, off DeBaies Point or in the vicinity of Wolfes Island, and enjoy the secluded beach at Big Sandy Cove. Nearby Borgles Island Nature Preserve also has beautiful, deserted beaches. Coastal Adventures in nearby Tangier offers guided kayaking tours exploring the nature preserve. To get an in-depth look at the unique biology, geology and human history of the area, ask for Dr. Scott Cunningham, a renowned biologist and writer.

Head off with a picnic to the secluded beaches at Shelter Cove (also called Sally’s Cove) just to the west of buoy YE5. This is also a good day anchorage.

Guysborough, Eastern Shore

Located in the sheltered Guysborough Harbour within Chedabucto Bay, Guysborough town is a quaint seaside town that offers a full service marina along a picturesque waterfront. Within the town, visitors will discover a microbrewery and distillery, a 9 hole golf course, restaurants, shopping, and the Old Court House Museum.

St Mary’s River, Eastern Shore

If the weather is calm, anchor at the mouth of the river for the day and proceed up the river by boat to visit historic Sherbrooke Village, Nova Scotia’s largest living history museum.

Liscomb Harbour, Eastern Shore

Overnight near Wilson’s Cove and take the tender up the scenic river to the marina at the rustic Liscombe Lodge Resort & Conference Centre for dinner.

Marie Joseph, Eastern Shore

Anchor overnight to explore the nature preserve by tender from the east. Very protected anchorage.

Sheet Harbour, Eastern Shore

Overnight in this very protected anchorage north of East Gibbs Island to explore the 100 Wild Islands by tender, or anchor off the pristine beaches of Taylor Head Bay. Taylor Head Provincial Park‘s hiking and walking trails provide access to a variety of natural habitats, interesting geological features, wildlife species, scenic look-offs, secluded beaches and miles of unspoiled coastline.