Put your sense of adventure to the test here in Antigonish and the Eastern Shore.

Explore the more than 500 shipwrecks just off the shores of Guysborough County or discover the striking vistas and vast wildlife that await you as you hike the rugged headlands of Taylor Head or the Musquodoboit Trailway. Whatever you desire, Antigonish and the Eastern Shore offer you endless opportunities to indulge your sense of adventure, all with some of the most spectacular scenery you’ll find anywhere.

Catch a Wave
The fact that 50 per cent of all tropical storms and hurricanes pass through the waters of Nova Scotia creates exceptional surfing conditions. Probably the most popular destination is Lawrencetown Beach, where strong currents make it ideally suited for experienced surfers.

Get in the Swim
There is a good reason why Nova Scotia is called Canada’s Ocean Playground, and Antigonish and the Eastern Shore is home to perhaps the province’s best beaches. The Eastern Shore Seaside Park system on the Marine Drive offers an endless array of easily accessible, unspoiled white-sand public beaches that are just perfect for soaking up the sun, strolling or a relaxing swim. Tor Bay offers the promise of seclusion, while Martinique Beach would pass for the sunny South Pacific were it not for the spruce trees. At 5km/3.1mi Martinique is Nova Scotia’s longest sand beach, and one of the most popular. The gentle surf, scalloped coves and rocky outcroppings are a great backdrop for relaxation or exploring. The shallow waters and white sand of Black Duck Cove combine for some of the best swimming you’ll find in the province, while Clam Harbour Beach near Lake Charlotte is among the province’s most beautiful and popular beaches. Its broad, seemingly endless ribbon of sand is ideal for a seaside stroll, and is home to the endangered piping plover. Port Shoreham is a sand-and-cobblestone beach with picnic tables on its back beach, while Dollar Lake Park is a supervised fresh-water beach that is great for a refreshing swim or boating. If you like dramatic coastal vistas, spend a day walking along the cobblestone shores of Lawrencetown Beach and drink in the sweet salt air of the pounding, storm-fueled tides. In Antigonish, Bayfield features a provincial picnic park and a sand beach, and Pomquet Beach has a 2km/1.24mi expanse of sand and dunes with boardwalks and a picnic area. Taylor Head Provincial Park Beach is located just past Spry Harbour and offers several small picnic areas, boardwalks to a beautiful white-sand beach and several hiking trails.

Happy Trails
Whether you are a novice or a seasoned hiker, whether you prefer a leisurely stroll or a challenging trek, you’ll find many great trail systems throughout Antigonish and the Eastern Shore. You’ll also find plenty of great scenery and interesting wildlife to explore.

The Antigonish Landing Trail is a 4km/2.48mi return hike along an old road that follows an estuary of Antigonish Harbour. A series of connected loops of varying lengths and conditions, the Cape George Hiking Trail offers budding and experienced hikers 33km/20.46mi of trails to explore. Located just 9km/5.58mi from the town of Antigonish, the Fairmont Ridge Hiking Trail is a series of six stacked loops overlooking Antigonish Harbour. The Beaver Mountain Provincial Park has a 6km/3.72mi trailhead that winds its way through mixed forest to a beaver dam, or you could explore the 3km/1.86mi of trails at the Arisaig Provincial Park, which culminate in a beautiful waterfall.

More trail experiences with unique vistas and wildlife await you on the Eastern Shore, particularly the 6km/3.72mi loop along the Liscomb River . It leads to a suspension bridge where you can feel the awesome power of a 60-foot waterfall beneath your feet. The nearby Guysborough Trail — the first section of the Trans-Canada Trail to open in Nova Scotia — offers a spectacular view from the McAlister Bridge, while the Port Bickerton Trail is great for a family day hike, and features a lighthouse museum.
 

Located near Canso, the Chapel Gully Trail system winds its way through a varied forest backdrop and along a saltwater estuary. Situated near the picturesque community of Little Dover, the Black Duck Cove Day Use Park’s rail is a 3.5km/2.17mi hike highlighted by a sandy beach along the boardwalk, coastal spruce forests, salt marshes and the granite shoreline. Many people consider the Taylor Head Provincial Park’s 15km/9.3mi of trails to be among the finest coastal trail systems found anywhere on North America’s eastern seaboard. Finally, the main 14.5 km/8.99mi trail of the Musquodoboit Trailway takes you from Musquodoboit Harbour to Gibraltar Rock, with scenic views of the Musquodoboit River along the way.

Tee off
Exceptional courses in picturesque settings await you here in Antigonish and the Eastern Shore. Our diverse array of golf courses — which includes the Antigonish Golf and Country Club, Belmont Resort and Golf Club, Fiddlers Green Golf Course, Fish Pond Golf Club, Harbour Ridge Golf Club, River Oaks Golf Club and Stillwaters Golf Course — offers affordable, inspiring golfing experiences for every level of golfer.

Boater’s Paradise
Boaters and paddlers agree; Antigonish and the Eastern Shore is a boating paradise. You can pretty much put in anywhere from Dartmouth to Antigonish and enjoy a day exploring our majestic coastline and islands, where eagles, osprey and seal are a common sight. There are also a number of marinas throughout the Antigonish and Eastern Shore region. Check with our Visitor Information Centres for locations.

Dive in
The waters of Antigonish and Eastern Shore are home to more than 500 shipwrecks, some dating back to the 17th century. All are easily accessible, and all are in crystal-clear waters.

Something Fishy
Some of the best seafood in the world is found in the lakes, rivers and just off the shores of communities throughout Antigonish and the Eastern Shore. You can sample it at most of our local restaurants, or catch it yourself. Be sure to check with outfitters and tackle shops for information on seasons, rivers, limits and licence requirements. ]