We All Do Summerville Beach in Nova Scotia

 

 

 If you are looking for a good beach in Nova Scotia, Summerville beach along the south shore of the province is a fine choice. Not only does it have the sun and sand of many other beaches, but it also has a bridge.

 

Have you ever heard the saying "if everyone else jumped off a bridge would you do it too?"

Well now you can say you jumped off a bridge. If that is your thing and if it is high tide and if you aren't afraid of any potential consequences. Mainly, you know, bodily harm. Jump at your own risk. 1000s have and are alive to tell the tale. Me included.

 

The water is also usually very clear. It is almost never that warm, but it is clear.

 

And you can go all year around with kids, dogs, or just by yourself. The out of season times there aren't as many around, so if your dog is reactive then they may like that more.

 

You can run along the water and even check out around the bridge. The dogs don't care, but the kids may like seeing if there are any crabs there, which there are sometimes. 

But doesn't it look calm? Where are the waves? Another perk of this beach. You get the best of both worlds.

At the far end is the section with the bridge. There it is farther away from the ocean. So if you fear your kids getting sucked out, sharks, or what have you, it is a nice perk.

 

An easily to travel boardwalk will get you to the the waves if you like. Whether dogs drag you or...

 

You just want to walk it yourself.

 

If you go to the right once there, you get this view of the bridge. There isn't much water at low tide, so use common sense and don't ever jump during this time.

 

The beach stretches on pretty far and it is almost never super crowded.

 

If you want you can even carefully cross the bridge to the shore on the other side. It is more sandy than rocky though. Here is a shot of underneath. It has seen better days.

 

While the dogs always like the waves, they seem to head here mostly every time. So we may get quite a few shots around the bridge.

 

They do find it fun to venture into the waves though. Whether that be alone or...

 

Together as they run about. Just be sure and watch for the jellyfish when they are out. There can be plenty on the beach like most others.

 

And if you want to stay close to it or just get something to eat, the Quarterdeck Resort is nearby. 

 

Maybe not nearby if you are this far away. As you can see the beach stretches on quite a ways.

 

 

You can easily relax and find a little spot to build sand castles too.

 

Or if you really want to have some fun, you can pick up the kiddos and chuck them in the water.

 

Everybody's verdict of Summerville Beach in Summerville, Nova Scotia

 

 The dogs love it. They get to explore the beach, swim in the waves and the calm water, and best of all the path to it is filled with vegetation if you go to the far end parking lot. So they can pee on everything on the way there. 

The kids love it too. There is plenty of space to dig holes. It is safer at the end with the bridge. Of course you still have to practice water safety. You can search for crabs by the bridge. And maybe even play with other kids that show up.

It is one of my favourite beaches due to the fact of the calm water. I'm not worrying that the kids or dogs will get sucked out by a waves. The undertow isn't bad at all at Summerville Beach, so I've found and been told by surfers, but I like to stay cautious. There they can have fun and actually swim without having to go out in the ocean waves. Plus, I've found there to be less jellyfish on that side of the beach.

 

They also have old wooden outhouse type bathrooms there. Along with some wooden shack change rooms. Nothing to get the sand off, but a shower can take care of that when you get back. One drawback is sometimes it can smell fishy I've heard. I've never noticed it, but just be aware.

So if you are looking for a Nova Scotia beach, Summerville Beach along the south shore of Nova Scotia is the place to be. The food at the Quarterdeck I'm told is good, little pricey, and the rooms I'm told are very nice as well. Price point was only complaint I've heard. But that depends on beach view and other aspects I'm sure.

 Overall, whether you are driving, staying nearby, at the Quarterdeck, or just walking by, Summerville beach is one the dogs, kids, you, and the rest of the family should enjoy.

A Winter Walk Along Cherry Hill Beach Nova Scotia

 

 

On a not so cold winter day I had the kiddos and we decided to go explore Cherry Hill beach like we've done in the warmer months. I figured at that time of year at least there would be parking. There was too. Keep in mind that if you go during the warmer and tourist months that parking may be hard to find because there barely is any. The one drawback to this Nova Scotia beach.

 

 

It is a very long and sandy beach with plenty of waves for surfing. You'll often see surfers at the beach no matter the time of year.

 

Case and point above. A surfing they will go no matter the season.

 

But if the sand isn't for you, all you have to do is cross over a rocky hill and you are in a more fresh water area. There is a small fall area that is a ways down. About a ten minute walk if by yourself with no little legs following along.

 

A good thing too in the summer is that you can find crabs in the water near the falls and beyond. The kids love to see them and see if they can reach.

 

You may also come across a hunter or two in the winter. Not sure if it is legal or not to hunt there, but he was there. Could have been going farther down as well, as you can walk a very long way at Cherry Hill beach. By the time we decided to pick a spot to rest and I teased the kids with the leeches found near a little island, we were a good hour walk from the parking lot.

 

People enjoy walking on either side of the beach. Be careful though in some of the grassy areas as that is where piping plover nest. Or so I'm told. I have never actually seen any there like at other beaches in Nova Scotia.

 

The water stretches along either side as far as it can go. At least as far as we went. You can often see a few homes on the other side of the water as well when walking along in the distance.

 

Here is the giant rock wall you might have to climb if you are looking to get to the other side. Be careful going along it and even more so with little ones with you as it is easy to trip and fall. It has happened and done some damage to people who have fallen.

 

And should you just want to stay on the beach side there are plenty of waves to surf. There is some seaweed along the beach, but there isn't a lot.

 

Thoughts on Cherry Hill Beach in The Winter

With no snow or ice around it is only colder and has less wildlife along it than in the other seasons. You can still surf and go for a long walk in nature. I've heard from a few surfers that the undertow can be rather dangerous, so watch yourself, the kids, and animals.

 

I've seen nicer beaches that Cherry Hill, but none that go on as far as this one does. Every other beach I've walked from beginning to end that I've visited, whether with the kids or the dogs, but not this one. The opposite side may go on farther than the sandy, ocean side. I tend to veer more towards that side.

 

Downfalls of this Nova Scotia beach is that there is pretty much no parking, it is a rocky path that gets you to the beach, the rocky path is not setup for an easy walk, you must watch your footing and be careful when exiting and leaving the beach due to the rocks, and there is no bathroom in the winter. I've never seen one there in the summer either. You'll have to make due with going in the water or doing what one parent did and use the ocean water and an old shirt to wash her daughter's backside. Not pleasant. Pro Tip: Always have a stash of toilet paper in your vehicle.