Important Info

The Ovens is privately owned land, owned by the Chapin family. It was once the site of gold mining but now it is a park, campground and a great place to visit on your trip exploring Nova Scotia’s South Shore.

Admission To The Ovens

If you just want to visit the park, admission is $10 per adult, $5 for seniors (65+) and children (5-15). Children under 5 are free. Dogs are allowed on leash as long as you clean up after them.

Hours

8:30am to dusk, seasonally.

The Ovens Natural Park opens on May 15 2020 for the season. They usually close around mid October for the winter.

Directions

The Address is 326 Ovens Rd, Riverport, NS. 

From the Lunenburg area you’ll take NS-332 W (signs for Riverport), and then turn onto Feltzen South Road, then Ovens Rd.. It will take about 20 minutes. Get a map here. 

From Halifax Area it will take about 1.5 hours and you’ll take highway 103 to exit 11 and then continue on NS-324 S until you get to Feltzen South Road, then take Ovens Rd.  Get a map here.

Amenities

The Ol’ Miner Diner serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and they have live music every night at 7:30pm. 

The General Store has everything you’ll need like picnic stuff, camping supplies, and souvenirs. Inside there is also a small museum about the history of the area. 

There are also bathrooms along the trail while you are exploring the caves. 

What To Do At The Ovens Natural Park

Exploring The Ovens

The whole reason you are here is to explore the caves right? The caves (nicknamed the ovens) are easily accessible with walkways, although some are narrow. The caves are interesting, and the sound of the waves crashing in are amazing.

There are several caves, the first one you come to is called Tucker’s Tunnel. It started as a natural cave, but was extended by miners looking for gold. Further along you’ll descend stone steps into Cannon Cave, this is the cave where you can really hear the waves. Indian Cave comes with a Miꞌkmaq legend that describes a man paddling his canoe into the cave and emerging on the other side of the province at Blomidon!

Pan For Gold

Still think there is gold in them there hills? You can find out! For $6.90 you can rent a gold pan and head to Cunard’s Beach to see what you can find. 

Kayaking

If you want to explore the caves from the ocean, you can take a Kayak tour! Kayak tours are $69 taxes included and must be booked in advance by contacting the Ovens Park office. They cater to all skill levels, so everyone is welcome. 

The Ovens Campground & Cabins

The Ovens also has a campground, RV sites, and some rustic cabins for rent if you are looking to spend more time in the area! There is a pool available for all park guests to use.

Check out their website for more information

Things To Do Near The Ovens

If you’re looking for things to do near The Ovens, there is a hike nearby called Gaff Point, which is also close to Hirtle’s beach if you are looking for a beach day! 

The closest town is Lunenburg, about 20 minutes away, where you’ll find many shops and restaurants! I love spending the day in Lunenburg, the waterfront is a great place to spend the afternoon. Make sure you get ice-cream at Sweet Treasures! 

Read about what to do in Lunenburg

Liverpool is another option, but it is about an hour and 15 minutes away, and you’ll have to take the Lahave ferry! It’s a great little town though, make sure to visit the Fort Point lighthouse and stop at Hell Bay for a drink.

Read More About Liverpool

Final Thoughts

We had a great time checking out The Ovens. If you’re looking for a unique look at caves in Nova Scotia, you should spend the day, or the afternoon here.

World’s Highest Tides

The Bay of Fundy is located between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and as I mentioned when I wrote about Burntcoat Head Park – it is home to the world’s highest tides! Every 12 hours and 25 minutes the tides rise and fall, but this tide rises 52 feet! While the tide is rising up to 1 inch per minute, it causes something exciting to happen in the Shubenacadie River…

The Tidal Bore

As the tide rises, more water flows into the rivers off the Bay of Fundy, and the Shubenacadie river is one of them. As the water rushes into the river, the first wave is called the tidal bore! But here’s where it gets interesting…  all that water rushing in causes the river to change directions! As the river changes direction to inland, at 30 km/hr it rushes over sandbars and islands causing rapids that have 4 foot and up to 18 foot waves! 

Where & When To Go Tidal Bore Rafting

The Shubenacadie River is on the Western side of Nova Scotia, and there are several companies that offer tidal bore rafting tours. All of the tours start from around the same general area. We went with Fundy Tidal Bore Adventures which is located at 45 Hwy 236, Green Oaks, Nova Scotia, it was about an hour from downtown Halifax.

Tours are usually offered mid May through September, but I would recommend going in the summer as it’s usually still chilly here in May & June. Tour times depend on the tide schedule, so sometimes tours are in the morning and sometimes they are in the late afternoon. 

Fundy Tidal Bore Adventures Review

We opted to go with Fundy Tidal Bore Adventures and we were not disappointed! First we got to their main building about an hour before our tour was scheduled to pay and sign the waivers. You have to wear close toed shoes on the boats (and no crocs) so if you forgot to bring your own then they have some there that you can use. They supplied life vests for all of us to use and made sure we were ready for our adventure.

Once you are out in the boats they took us to mud hills to slide down while we waited for the tidal bore! It was so much fun to play in the mud. You will get very very dirty on this tour even if you don’t slide in the mud, so wear old clothes! Once the tidal bore came in that’s when the fun really started. Our tour guide Morgan owns the company and it was clear he knew the river like the back of his hand. We spent the next couple of hours screaming and laughing until our faces hurt because we were having so much fun! The boat really bounces around so you have to hold on tight but no one fell out. At the end you get a little time to swim after the river has calmed down, and then you head back to home base.

At their main building they have showers that you can use to clean off. They also have picnic tables and lawn games if you want to spend some time hanging out before or after your adventure! They supplied water and a granola bar snack after the tour was finished.

Important Info:

You must make a reservation for the tour as it does fill up! Book your tour with Fundy Tidal Adventures through email or by phone.

They have 2 options for tours: a 2 hour or a 4 hour tour. 2 hour tours are $60+tax for adults and $50+tax for children. 4 hour tours are $89+tax for adults and $79+tax for children.

Children must be over 6 (or over 9 for extreme wave days).

Final Thoughts

Tidal bore rafting is one of the most adventurous things that you can do while visiting Nova Scotia! We had such a great time and are looking forward to doing it again. If you’d like to explore other places in the area, I recommend Burntcoat Head Park!

Where Is Burntcoat Head Park?

Burntcoat Head Park is in the community of Noel, on the western shore of Nova Scotia. It sits right on the Bay of Fundy.

From Downtown Halifax, it will take you about an hour and 15 minutes to get to Burntcoat Head. It’s also easily accessible from the Annapolis Valley and Truro area. 

Looking for other things to do in Nova Scotia? Check them out right here! 

Important Info

Entrance to the park is totally free!

Burntcoat Head park is open from mid May to mid October, and the park is open from dawn until dusk.

There are washrooms located close to the parking lot, and they were very nice and clean when we visited! The washrooms and lighthouse are open 10am-5pm.

There is plenty of parking available. There is also a picnic area to enjoy before/after you visit the park.

Bay of Fundy Tides

When planning your trip, you’ll want to make sure you visit around low tide because if not, it will all be underwater! Check their website for high/low tide times daily. 

The tides at the Bay of Fundy are the highest in the world. Tides rise and fall depending on the gravitational effect of the moon, and lunar tides occur twice a day; every 12 hours and 25 minutes. Here at Burntcoat Head the world’s highest tide has been recorded: 16 meters or 52 feet! Meaning at low tide you can walk on the ocean floor, but 12 hours later, it is 52 feet underwater!

Check out Burntcoat Head Park’s time lapse video! 

It’s especially important to pay attention to tide times when visiting the park, as water can rise by up to 1 inch per minute, you could easily get trapped by the rising tide. Signs posted at the entrance to the park tell you what time you should be back on higher ground!

Closeby in some rivers, you’ll find the phenomenon of a tidal bore; a wave of water heading up river against the tide from the incoming high tide. You can watch from dry land, but the most fun you can have experiencing it is in the water! There are many companies that will take you tidal bore rafting; similar to white water rafting! You’ll have so much fun riding the waves and trying to hold on!

The Lighthouse at Burntcoat

The first thing you come to when you get to Burntcoat Head Park is the lighthouse. You can go inside and find a small store with local crafts, some snacks and drinks. There is a display of fossils that have been found in the area, even fossils of things that pre-date dinosaurs! 

On the second floor of the lighthouse you’ll find displays explaining the history of the area and of the lighthouse. The lighthouse you are visiting is a replica of the original lighthouse, since the original fell into disrepair and was demolished. 

Make sure to climb up to the very top of the lighthouse for some amazing views!

Walk The Ocean Floor at Burntcoat Head Park

A short walk away from the lighthouse, you’ll find the entrance to the ocean floor – at low tide of course! We spent a few hours walking along, exploring little inlets and looking at all the flowerpot islands. 

You have to be careful walking, since some places are extremely slippery. 

The area immediately down the stairs is usually quite busy with people not wanting to go too far. We walked about 2km to the right and got away from the crowds. We also found a small waterfall! 

Once you’re walking around, you’ll see some periwinkles and you may even see a crab or a clam so be careful where you step.

There is a guided tour option if you are interested in learning more about the area. Tours must be booked 24 hours in advance and times depend on the tides! Cost is $18 for adults, $14 for children, $10 for seniors, children under 5 are free,  and there is a family rate available. Check their website for more info.

Have you been to Burntcoat Head park? Let me know what you thought!

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Cape Split in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia will always have a special place in my heart. It was one of the first long hikes I went on, and we also got engaged there in 2014! It’s a challenging hike with some of the most beautiful views at the end.

The incredible scenery is created by the Bay Of Fundy’s tides coming in and out, carving away at the 200 foot cliffs, once you see it, you’ll know why hiking Cape Split is one of my favourite activities in Nova Scotia!

Fun Fact, Cape Split was the site of The Battle Off Cape Split on May 21 1781 during the American Revolutionary War. Three American Privateer Ships were attacked by three Nova Scotian vessels. One American Privateer was killed and other americans were sent to prison in Cornwallis. You can see the sword of Captain William Bishop from the battle in the Kings County Museum.

How To Get To Cape Split

Cape Split Provincial Park Reserve is an easy day trip from many places in Nova Scotia. The distance from Halifax to Cape Split is around 129km, or about an hour and half drive from downtown Halifax. From Halifax you take Highway 101, exiting at 11, then Highway 358 to Scots Bay, you’ll see signs for Cape Split. Click here for a map

Check out things to do in Halifax!

It’s also an easy trip from Liverpool, Bridgewater, Lunenburg, Mahone Bay and Chester areas by taking Exit 9 on Highway 103 to follow Highway 12. When you get to Kentville you’ll follow the signs to NS-358 (Sheffield Mills/Canning), and then drive Highway 358 to Scots Bay and follow the signs to Cape Split. From Lunenburg it will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Click here for map

Check out things to do in Liverpool!

GPS coordinates for the trail are:  N45 18.880 W64 25.755

Know Before You Go

Hiking Cape Split is free!

This trail has many cliffs that can be dangerous. Keep away from the edge and always have your dog on a leash.

The park is open year-round from dawn until dusk, so make sure to check sunset times before you go. It gets dark earlier on the trail since you are under trees for a lot of the hike.

Respect the environment and bring all garbage out with you.

There is no camping or campfires allowed.

Difficulty: About moderate to high. There are some steep uphills on the trail. The trail surface is natural forest ground, and the trail is not maintained, so you may come across downed trees, etc.

Length: The trail is about 15km or 8 miles round trip. It usually takes 4-5 hours, not including spending some time at the end.

Facilities: There are toilets located at the beginning of the trail in the parking lot. There are also 2 composting toilets approximately 2km into the trail. The area is not staffed. There are a limited amount of picnic tables for you to use. 

What To Bring With You: The weather in this area can be unpredictable, so bring some layers and be prepared for the weather to change. Make sure to bring water, sunscreen, and some snacks (or picnic food to have at the end!)

Cape Split Trail

For the beginning of the hike, you’ll be in the woods. Enjoy taking in some plants along the way, see if you can find the beautiful Lady Slipper! Make sure not to pick it – they are endangered!

Once you see the water, you’ll think the end is near, but there is still a little way to go. You’ll walk up a small hill, and once you get over the top, you’ll see the view that makes the hike so worth it! Make sure to take lots of time at the end to take it all in. We brought a blanket to have a little picnic at the end.

The newly completed coastal trail extension in 2021 allows you to hike back along the coast instead back through the woods!

Camping Nearby

If you’d like to camp after hiking Cape Split, nearby Blomidon Provincial Park has many unserviced campsites for $27 per night (2019 prices).

After The Hike

After you hike back out, you might be wondering what else to do in the area. The Blomidon Look Off is on your way in/out of Scot’s Bay and is a great place to stop for a photo, and also an ice-cream!

The Town of Wolfville has lots to see and do, and it’s one of my favorite towns in Nova Scotia. Stop into The Library Pub for lunch, or enjoy many of the surrounding wineries, you won’t be disappointed!

Read more about what to do in Wolfville NS

The Best Beaches In Nova Scotia By Region

 South Shore

Beach Meadows Beach

The South Shore has many beautiful beaches, but I think Beach Meadows is a hidden gem. About 15 minutes from the town of Liverpool, you’ll find an almost deserted beautiful sand beach. It’s usually a bit cooler out here than in town, making it a perfect destination on the hottest days of summer. The ocean is a bit chilly but if you can stand the cold, there are often some fun waves to swim or body-board in. This 1km beach also has a playground, picnic area, washrooms and change rooms. We love to walk to the end and climb the big rock for a beautiful view of the beach and ocean.

Summerville Beach

Summerville Beach Provincial Park is one of my favorite beaches ever. About 15 minutes past Liverpool on Nova Scotia Trunk 3 E you’ll find a beautiful white sand beach. It’s the perfect spot to spend a summer day. This mile long beach has some shallow water to swim in, which means it’s a bit warmer than the rest of the ocean. If you’re feeling brave you can jump off the old train bridge! At the other end of the beach you’ll find The Quaterdeck Beachside Villas & Grill. If you need a place to stay, this place is right on the beach. If you just need something to eat, you’ll find an amazing menu of fresh seafood at The Grill.

Carter’s Beach

A hidden gem no more, Carter’s Beach has exploded in popularity over the last few years. For good reason though, you’ll think you traveled to the Caribbean instead of the South Shore of Nova Scotia (except for the pine trees!) You’ll find three separate white sand beaches, and beautiful blue water, but you wont find any change rooms, parking or garbage bins! To get here follow the Lighthouse route to Central Port Mouton Road, then to Carter’s Beach Road, about 20 minutes from Liverpool. Hopefully there will be parking along the road. Definitely one of the best beaches in Nova Scotia!

Bayswater Beach

Bayswater Beach was, for a brief moment, my favourite secret beach.

I first discovered Bayswater Beach by accident. My mother was visiting from Ontario and we were just exploring a bit of the South Shore, doing some antiquing and whatnot. As we drove past the coastline we realized we were passing a swimming area so we decided to check it out. The water was unbelievably warm and clear. We just rolled up our shorts and waded out though the gentle waves.

I couldn’t believe that there was only handful of people out enjoying this gorgeous, sandy beach. We decided that we’d definitely have to come back with our swimsuits to take advantage of what was clearly a hidden treasure….well, it must have been an anomaly that day because when we returned later that week, the beach was FILLED will happy swimmers and sunbathers. As it should be, of course.

Krista, Halitrax.com

Sandhills Beach

When I think of Nova Scotia beaches I don’t immediately think of warm waves and lazy days floating in the ocean but I have a little secret to share!  Sandhills Beach Provincial Park located in Villagedale, Nova Scotia is a local gem on the South Shore of the province.  When pulling into the park, before hitting the beach, there are several green spaces with picnic tables where you can gather to eat or play some Frisbee.   There are change rooms and washrooms for use as well in the same area.   There are a series of gravel paths leading to the beach and everyone is requested to use them exclusively as this is an important bird watching and bird habitat area.  The sand dunes are incredible and back directly onto the beach.  The beach itself is 2.5kms long and at low tide the sun heats the exposed sand, which creates the ability to actually have a comfortable swim in the Atlantic Ocean as the tide rises.  I have a lot of great childhood memories from this spot and I hope you take the trip down Highway 103 this summer to check it out!

Meggan, letsgettripsy.com

Blue Rocks Beach

It’s the seclusion and quietude of Blue Rocks Beach that makes it my favourite location on Nova Scotia’s beautiful coastline. It’s a place to stroll, think and soak up the calm sounds of lapping water and seabirds. The village of Blue Rocks is less than 10 minutes’ drive from the UNESCO-designated town of Lunenburg and well worth seeing while in the region.

Colourful fishing huts reflect in the water of the Atlantic Ocean, making it a lovely spot to photograph or paint rustic scenes. If you enjoy kayaking then it’s possible to take to the water and explore while paddling. But for me, nothing beats walking along the shore and breathing in the sea air.

Stuart,  go-eat-do.com

Rissers Beach

Rissers Beach Provincial Park is the perfect place for a family to spend the day at the beach. Located in Lunenburg County close to Bridgewater, this park has camp sites, and a large beach with boardwalks. One of the best parts is the amenities like a change room with showers, a dish washing station, a playground, and a picnic area. You can also get grills, wood and ice onsite.

You can also kayak in the area, there is supervised swimming on the main part of the beach. Perfect for a day at the beach!

Halifax Metro

Crystal Crescent Beach

Located in Sambro, about 40 minutes from Downtown Halifax, you’ll find Crystal Crescent Provincial Park. A popular spot on a beautiful summer day you’ll find beaches, boardwalks and a trailhead to hike. The first beach tends to be crowded, so walk further down for more space! The water is a beautiful deep blue. It’s a great place to spend the day, hiking, swimming and sunbathing. Bathroom facilities are onsite. I think this is one of the best beaches in Nova Scotia that’s closest to Halifax!

Rainbow Haven Beach

Just outside Cole Harbour, locals flock to Rainbow Haven Beach Provincial Park in the summer. There is a large parking lot but get there early on hot summer days! One of the biggest draws here is there are lifeguards in July and August. This large sand and cobblestone beach is a great place to spend a summer day! There are also washroom and shower facilities onsite.

Fundy Shore & Annapolis Valley

Bramber Beach

With 7,579 kilometres of coastline, Nova Scotia offers up plenty of opportunities to enjoy fresh air, exercise and marine life – qualities I look for in a good beach. Throw in a centuries-old fishing technique and the highest tides in the world, and a quintessential Nova Scotian experience takes shape. All this can be found at Bramber beach, on the southern shore of the Minas Basin, eighty kilometres from Halifax.

Home of the Bramber Weir and 17-metre-high tides, the beach is a veritable classroom on the ocean floor. Twice a day, between April and July, an energetic crew of workers fish the weir, educating any visitors who drop by. The weir itself, the sustainability of the fishery, the intersection of local, traditional, and academic knowledge all contribute to a remarkable experience at my favourite beach in Nova Scotia.

For more information, see Off the beaten path in Nova Scotia at Bramber Weir.

Anne, Packing Light Travel

Medford Beach

Accessible to the public via a walk from Kingsport Beach, this beautiful beach is worth the trek. The sand formations and beautiful red sand make you feel like you’ve been transported to another world. If you are going to make the trek from Kingsport, ensure you check the tide times and begin your adventure as the tide is still on it’s way out and head back before it is on it’s way back in to ensure you don’t get caught in the tide! **

Read more on Confessions Of A Fitness Instructor

Blomodin Beach

Blomodin Beach is only a hop skip and a drive away from Medford Beach, and if you aren’t feeling like taking the trek to enjoy Medford, Blomodin will still satisfy your red sandy beach dreams. As a provincial park, Blomodin has ample parking and a staircase leading you right down to the beach as well as an adjoining campground if you want to spend a few days. **

** during clam digging season both of these beaches are great locations to go clam digging!

Suzi, Confessions Of A Fitness Instructor

Blue Beach

Located off the exit to Avonport, Blue Beach is somewhat of a hidden gem. A rocky beach that is perfect for families as it is full of fossils and you can spend hours searching for treasures. Just off from the parking area is a fossil museum (which is free to visit) where you can learn more about the fossils found and learn how to identify them when you go in search of them for yourself.

Suzi, Confessions Of A Fitness Instructor

Black Rock Beach

Up the north mountain in the Annapolis Valley, you can head to Black Rock to see the – you guessed it – black rock. The giant black rock that is visible (and accessible) during low tide completely disappears at high tide making it another beach you want to be mindful of the tide if you go out adventuring on the black rock or else you could get trapped as the tide comes in. For adventurers, at low tide, you can walk from the wharf beach all the way to the black rock beach, or skip them both and head down to the beach by the lighthouse. With so many places to access beachfront, you never have to worry about it being too crowded.

Read more on Confessions Of A Fitness Instructor

Eastern Shore

Taylor Head Beach

Close to Sheet Harbour you’ll find this beautiful white sand beach at Taylor Head Provincial Park. 16km of unspoiled, and mostly empty coastline waiting for you to enjoy. There’s also a 14km hike around the park with beautiful views. The combination of things to do makes it one of the best beaches in Nova Scotia.

Cape Breton Island

Chimney Corner

My favourite beach in Nova Scotia is Chimney Corner. Unfortunately I don’t get there very often since it’s on the other side of the island from where I live, but if I had my way in summertime I’d live there. It’s perfect: it stays shallow for a nice long while, the water is warm (well, later in summer anyway) and the rocky cliffs surrounding it form a mesa-like bowl. There is a stream that runs out through it and is perfect for kids to play. Sunsets are especially stunning there.  I unfortunately don’t have many photos of it, this one was taken in 2012 just after a storm… I guess I have to go back soon and take more photos! And will of course stop at the Dancing Goat on the way to pick up a sandwich and some sweets.

Leah, leahnoble.com

Which do you think are the best beaches in Nova Scotia? Let me know what it is in the comments!

Read more posts about Nova Scotia here

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