Coastal Experiences in Halifax

Join a professional guide for an hour of clam digging during low tide. Through this Memory Lane Heritage Village experience, you’ll learn tips and techniques, spend time working on the tidal flats, and connect with a coastal tradition that has been part of the region for generations. 

Although many visitors assume you can dig clams right on Clam Harbour Beach, the best clamming actually happens in Clam Harbour itself, safely away from the beach’s storm-tossed surf clams. After your dig, return to the cookhouse at Memory Lane for a freshly prepared clam tasting and enjoy the results of your work. 

Whether you are a first-timer, a family with young children, or a seasoned clammer, this excursion is a fun, educational, and delicious way to experience Halifax’s shoreline heritage.

It’s also a great year to consider this experience, while Memory Lane Heritage Village celebrates 25 years and the Clam Digging experience celebrates 10 years!

The annual Clam Harbour Beach Sandcastle Competition, this year celebrating it’s 45th anniversary, is one of the best ways to experience this iconic Eastern Shore beach. Dozens of sandy creations take shape throughout the day, crafted by 60 to 80 participants, many of whom team up to build larger and more elaborate designs. 

Perfect for young families and just as entertaining for adults, the event features cash prizes across several categories, along with live music and local vendors. The date is set each year using moon and tide tables, and is announced toward the end of winter once conditions are confirmed. 

The competition typically draws around 10,000 visitors, making it the largest single-day event on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore. With its mix of creativity, community spirit, and coastal charm, it’s a memorable experience that stays with you long after the tide flows back in.  

Waking up to an ocean view is one thing, but waking up to the gentle sound of waves from inside a tent is something entirely different. Unzipping your tent to the smell of salt air, fresh morning dew, and a cool coastal breeze is one of the East Coast’s most memorable experiences. Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore offers two oceanfront camping spots that capture that magic perfectly. Pack your tent, sleeping bag, and a few essentials for an unforgettable stay on the edge of the Atlantic.

Norse Cove Camping & Kayak Centre offers oceanside tent and camper sites, as well as Nordic huts for those who prefer a roof over their head. Guests enjoy ocean views, campfire rings, hot showers, flush toilets, potable water, Wi-Fi, and access to the Longhouse, a cozy common space with seating, a fridge, games, and hot drinks. There’s also a sheltered BBQ area, a dishwashing station, ocean access, and trails leading to shoreline lookouts. This quiet seaside retreat has everything you need for a simple, comfortable stay in a truly extraordinary coastal setting.

Murphy’s Camping on the Ocean offers a mix of tent sites, RV sites, geo-domes, cottage rentals, and seasonal options – all next to the Atlantic Ocean. Guests have access to hot showers, Wi-Fi, and basic camping supplies, plus kayak rentals, scenic boat tours, and island drop-offs – an easy way to explore the Wild Islands Coast. On-site amenities include a canteen, the Sailors’ Rest social hall, a floating dock for swimming and fishing, a playground, lawn games, and daily crab-catching fun on the wharf. Murphy’s is a welcoming and comfortable base for your coastal adventures.

Halifax is home to coastal trails that feature crashing waves and open ocean views. Whether you’re after an easy shoreline stroll or a windy cliffside adventure, these local favourites will help you explore the region’s wild edges and experience the rugged coastal beauty that Halifax is known for. 

McNabs Island is a hidden gem in Halifax Harbour, offering far more than beaches and views of downtown Halifax. You can hike through quiet forests, follow the rugged coastline, and discover pieces of the island’s history along the way—or simply relax on one of its two main sandy beaches: Maughers Beach on the Halifax side and Wreck Cove on the Eastern Passage side. 

Guided tours provided by the Friends of McNabs Island Society run every Sunday throughout the summer, including Heritage, Nature, Coastal Shoreline, and Forest Bathing tours. Tickets go on sale in the spring, and all guided tours visit the beaches, giving visitors time for beachcombing and even unsupervised swimming. Birdwatchers often head to McNabs Pond, and the island is also a favourite spot for sailing, paddling, and rowing. Don’t miss the very popular Fall Foliage Tours, which will be held on October 18, 2026. Annual events include the June Beach Cleanup, with more programming planned for 2026. 

Whether you’re hiking, birdwatching, or enjoying time on the water, McNabs Island is a versatile and scenic escape for visitors of all ages. 

If you’d rather be on the water than watch from the shore, Halifax has plenty of ways to get out and explore. Stand-up paddleboarding, sea and river kayaking, surfing, and jet skiing all offer exciting ways to experience the region from the water.

With its long coastline, sparkling lakes, and winding rivers, the Halifax region is a playground for anyone eager to enjoy the outdoors in a new way. A range of local providers are ready to help you dive into these adventures.

Located in the heart of Halifax Harbour, Georges Island is a National Historic Site with a rich and sometimes tragic history. As part of the Halifax Defence Complex, the island was fortified over more than 200 years by British and Canadian forces to protect the harbour from the 18th century through the Second World War. Visitors can explore Fort Charlotte and its network of tunnels while discovering who built the defenses, why they were needed, and whether Halifax was ever truly under threat. 

Long before its military role, the island was a hunting and fishing ground for the Mi’kmaq, who called the area Kjipuktuk, meaning “The Great Harbour.” Folklore also hints at pirates and hidden treasure, adding another layer of intrigue. With sweeping harbour views and centuries of stories, Georges Island offers a memorable window into Nova Scotia’s past. You’ll also learn about the island’s dark history, as nearly 1,000 Acadians were captured and detained in two sheds on Georges Island during the Great Upheaval of 1755–1764.

For hours, access, and pricing, visit the Parks Canada website.