5 Beautiful Beaches Near Halifax

Are you looking for the best beaches near Halifax, NS? Here are 5 beautiful beaches that are local favourites!

Did you know that, to Nova Scotians, the “beach” always goes hand-in-hand with the ocean? When my family relocated here from Ontario, in high school, I was accustomed to calling any body of water with a shore to stretch out on a “beach”. But moving here made me double-check my dictionary, as folks around these parts draw a very clear distinction: the “beach” is always the ocean, and everything else is specific (ie. “the lake”).

If you get it wrong, don’t worry. I’ve been corrected too many times to count! Usually the conversation goes something like this:

ME: I really feel like swimming today! I think I might go to the beach.

THEM: The beach? Which one? I don’t think you’ll be able to swim… the water hasn’t warmed up yet… etc. etc.

ME: Oh, no, I think I’ll just go to Long Lake.

THEM: Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, you mean the lake, not the beach!

What are the locals’ favourite beaches?

There are tons of oceanside beaches here in Nova Scotia, and the following are all located within an hour’s drive from the city! Unfortunately, lack of accessibility is a known problem here in Halifax, and you do need a car to get to all of these. I’ve personally always relied on rides with friends or renting carshares to go myself. Many of us carless folks in Halifax are hoping that the city will eventually implement a ferry to/from nearby Maugers Beach on McNabs Island (similar to the Toronto Islands in Toronto), so that a beach will finally be accessible via public transit. Read more about that here.

In the meantime, here are 5 local favourite beaches within an hour’s drive of Halifax! All distances have been calculated using the popular Hydrostone neighbourhood (in the North End of Halifax) as the starting point.

1. Queensland Beach

Queensland Beach is by far my favourite beach near Halifax. The sand is super fine and light-coloured, and the water is often crystal-clear. It has the perfect wading depth — there’s enough beach to enjoy a relaxing wade in the shallows, but you don’t have to go too far out from shore to get to a depth suitable for swimming. The beach is moderately sized (maybe on the smaller side, depending on what you’re used to), and is often pretty busy, so try to arrive as early in the day as you can to beat the crowds! There’s a parking lot right next to the beach, so very little walking is required.

Distance from Halifax: 46 km (~35 mins)

2. Clam Harbour

Clam Harbour is another favourite beach for many Haligonians, and is notable for having a very long wading area. Depending on the height of the tide, you can walk out quite a ways before the water starts getting deep! This beach is also home to a very popular sandcastle competition that is held each August. This is a very popular beach; but it’s wide and long, so there’s lots of space. There are also a couple of parking lots, so odds are good that you’ll find a spot. From the parking lots, it’s a couple minutes’ walk on uneven terrain to the boardwalk, which then leads down to the long beach stretching out on either side. Make sure to bring bug spray to Clam Harbour, as it’s surrounded by forest and can get very buggy at certain times of the season.

Distance from Halifax: 73 km (~65 mins)

3. Hubbards Beach

I went to Hubbards Beach for the first time, this past summer, and loved it! It’s another passionate favourite of many Nova Scotians, and is a medium size beach. There are a couple of different parking lots — some paid up close, and some free ones further away. I had a great time swimming at Hubbards, and found that the water was very warm, relative to other Nova Scotian beaches! The sand is soft and light, and the whole landscape is very pretty.

Distance from Halifax: 52 km (~42 mins)

Crystal Crescent vs. Rainbow Haven…

Ask any local high school student which beach they like better: Crystal Crescent or Rainbow Haven, and they’ll likely have an immediate answer for you. These beaches are two of the closest to Halifax, and are popular amongst everyone, from families to students.

4. Crystal Crescent

Crystal Crescent is a beautiful white sand beach in the shape of a crescent. This beach has a very natural feel to it — it’s surrounded by greenery, and feels somewhat secluded. I’ve heard some people claim that this is the beach with the warmest water in the Halifax area, but I’ve always found it one of the coldest! It is beautiful, but small and often packed with people, so be prepared for crowds. There is a parking lot, but it sometimes fills up!

Distance from Halifax: 30 km (~35 mins)

5. Rainbow Haven

In the opposite direction, on the Dartmouth side of the Halifax/Dartmouth divide, is Rainbow Haven! Another classic local favourite, this beach feels similarly wild. Unlike nearby Lawrencetown Beach (which is known for its rocky shores) Rainbow Haven’s beach has beautiful warm-toned sand. However, in the water, things get a little rockier — it can be difficult to get in and out of the water. And as a swimmer, I find Rainbow Haven to be one of the colder beaches (along with Crystal Crescent). Although it’s a little rugged for my personal taste, it is beloved by many locals and is a popular choice for students. There’s a big parking lot, and the beach lies just over the other side of the boardwalk (which has stairs, seen below).

Distance from Halifax: 21 km (~22 mins)