Last updated on January 22nd, 2026
Nova Scotia is surrounded by four major bodies of water and boasts 13,000 km of coastline, giving it the nickname “Canada’s Ocean Playground.” And Nova Scotia’s South Shore, located just west of Halifax, along the southern coast, is the ultimate place to experience this!
Here you can find charming towns, delicious seafood, Nova Scotia’s most famous lighthouse, and white sand beaches. And it’s all within a compact area, making it the perfect place for a road trip!
Ready to hit the road and explore? In this guide we’re sharing a 4 day Nova Scotia South Shore road trip itinerary that hits up some of the best this area has to offer!
Why trust us when planning a trip to Atlantic Canada?
We spent over 3 months traveling all around Atlantic Canada in our self-converted Sprinter van, visiting many of the popular sites, plus off the beaten path gems along the way. And instead of rushing through these areas like most people are forced to on vacation, we traveled slowly, allowing us to experience them more as locals. Because of this, we have tons of tips to help you plan your own Atlantic Canada adventure, whether it’s just for a week or for multiple months.
4 day Nova Scotia South Shore road trip
In the map above you can find the route and our top stops on Nova Scotia’s South Shore. You can even save this map to your Google Maps to access it on the road!
But before we dive into each stop on our Nova Scotia South Shore road trip itinerary, a couple things to know:
- There are tons of different towns and stops you can make on Nova Scotia’s South Shore. We’re not including every possible destination, but rather only the ones we personally visited and loved.
- Don’t have four days? We suggest at least following the first two days if you can, or combining them into one jam-packed day. You can also do a one day tour from Halifax with a guide!
Day 1
Watch the sunrise at Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse
Peggy’s Cove is one of the most iconic spots in Nova Scotia and it’s largely due to the Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse. It’s said to be one of the most photographed lighthouses not only in Nova Scotia, but in Canada as a whole.
The original Peggy’s Cove lighthouse was built in 1868, but was replaced by the current version in 1914, which is 15m tall and has an octagonal shape. And up until 2009, it was the town’s post office!
Because of the lighthouse’s popularity, it can get MEGA busy! As in, tons of tour buses full of people. So we suggest coming at sunrise! Not only is watching the coastline illuminate with pink and golden hues magical, but there are way less people.
But if that’s too early, try to be there by 9 AM at the latest.
Hike the Polly Cove Trail
After sunrise, go for a walk along the Polly Cove Trail. This hike takes you along the area’s rocky coastline and is a great way to pass the time while you wait for shops and restaurants in Peggy’s Cove Village to be open.
Explore Peggy’s Cove Village
Head back to Peggy’s Cove to wander around Peggy’s Cove Village. In our opinion, the village itself is worth the stop just as much as the lighthouse. Here you’ll find charming buildings perched among the rocky coastline. It’s super picturesque!
There are a handful of shops to check out, including Holy Mackerel, which has items made by local artisans. And for lunch, Tom’s Lobster Shack is a MUST visit! They have delicious lobster rolls, including some unique flavors, like a Cajun one.
Visit Mahone Bay
About an hour down the coast is Mahone Bay, a quaint town that has been listed as one of the most beautiful towns in Canada. And it sure is beautiful! The town has colorful Victorian buildings, plus three unique churches next to each other along the waterfront.
While here, make sure to grab a coffee and treat at The Barn Coffee & Social House. This was one of our favorite coffee shops in all of Nova Scotia! Another fun stop is Amos Pewter, which makes pewter jewelry. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, you can head to the back of the store and learn how pewter is made.
Have dinner at Oh My Cod!
Let the seafood feast continue! For dinner, head to Oh My Cod! in Mahone Bay, which is known for their incredible fish and chips and seafood chowder.
Where to stay
We suggest staying in Mahone Bay or Lunenburg (where you’ll explore tomorrow). Here are some options in both towns!
Hotels: The Kitch’inn – Boutique Inn and Wine Bar (Mahone Bay) and Sail Inn(Lunenburg).
Vacation Rentals: Ivy House Inn (Lunenburg).
Campgrounds: Lunenburg RV Park & Campground (Lunenburg).
Harvest Hosts: We stayed at Lightship Brewery in Lunenburg and it’s hard to beat a waterfront spot for the night. If you’re not a Harvest Hosts member yet, click this link and then use the code APLUSK20 for 20% off your membership!
Day 2
Grab coffee in Lunenburg
This morning, head down the road to Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that looks straight out of a postcard! It is considered to be the best surviving planned British colonial town in North America, with 70% of its original colonial buildings remaining.
Start your time in town at No 9 Coffee Bar for coffee and a pastry. Make sure to check out their garden in the back!
Sail on the Bluenose II
You can’t go to Lunenburg and not see the Bluenose II! This is a replica of the Bluenose, a two-masted schooner that was both a fishing and racing vessel in the 1920s and 1930s. It was known for its impressive speed and winning the International Fisherman’s Cup many times. Unfortunately it hit a reef and sank in the 1940s, so they created the Bluenose II in the 1960s to honor it.
Today it’s the most famous ship in Canadian history, so much so that it is now on the Canadian 10 cent coin! And from June through September you can actually go on a 2 hour sail on the Bluenose II from Lunenburg! You can see their schedule and book your tickets here.
Grab lunch in town
After your cruise, grab lunch in town! There are quite a few restaurants to choose from, but we’d suggest checking out Salt Shaker Deli for soups, salads, and sandwiches or The Knot Pub for hearty pub eats and seafood. Get the peanut butter pie!
Visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic is a must when in Lunenburg! This museum is much larger than it seems, with multiple floors full of different exhibits and artifacts from the area’s maritime industry. And as an added bonus, your admission gets you access to a ship docked outside. We loved wandering through this ship–it was a big highlight of the museum!
Wander around the streets of Lunenburg
Spend the rest of the afternoon wandering the streets of Lunenburg! Nova Scotia’s South Shore is filled with nice towns, but Lunenburg may just be our favorite. Here you’ll find streets lined with colorful buildings and tons of different shops. One of our favorite shops was Lunenburg Bound, a super cute book store!
Have dinner with a view
End the day with dinner at Lightship Brewery. Located right across the harbour, this waterfront brewery has a spectacular view of town and the bay. Plus they serve a variety of their own beers, plus some food options!
Where to stay
We’d suggest staying in Mahone Bay or Lunenburg again tonight!
Day 3
Drive out to Kejimkujik National Park’s Seaside Unit
Today, leave the towns of Nova Scotia’s South Shore behind to explore Kejimkujik National Park (pronounced “Keh-jim-uh-koo-jick”), or Keji for short. This is one of Nova Scotia’s three National Parks and has two different areas to explore, an Inland unit and a Seaside unit.
And today you’ll visit the Seaside Unit! This is about an hour drive from Lunenburg and along the way we recommend stopping at Fancy Pants Cafe for a quick breakfast.
Hike the Harbour Rocks Trail
Kejimkujik’s Seaside Unit is home to a pristine beach, St. Catherine’s River Beach. But the only way to get here is by hiking the Harbour Rocks Trail, which is 4.8 km (3 miles).
This is a relatively flat and easy hike through some trees, before ending at the beach. For a longer hike, you can do the Port Joli and Seaside Adjunct Trail (8.9 km/5.5 miles), which takes you through more of the park’s scenery.
Once at the beach, there is a long stretch of soft, white sand, various coves to explore, and crystal clear and blue waters. And if you’re lucky you may see tons of seals! While Nova Scotia’s South Shore has lots of stunning beaches, it doesn’t get much better than this one.
We recommend spending the rest of the morning and early afternoon going for a long walk and having a picnic here!
Head to the Kejimkujik National Park Inland Unit
There is not much more to do in the Seaside Unit, so after spending time at the beach, head to the Inland Unit. This is about 1 hour and 15 minutes away and while technically not on Nova Scotia’s South Shore, it’s close enough and well worth a visit while in the area.
Here you’ll find a completely different type of scenery than the Seaside Unit. Instead of beaches, this part of the park is filled with forests, lakes, and rivers. Tomorrow you’ll explore more of this part of the park, but for tonight, spend the evening around the campfire, cookin’ up a feast, and enjoying s’mores.
Where to stay
We suggest staying in or near Kejimkujik National Park’s Inland Unit this evening. The park offers a variety of options, both for camping and roofed lodging. So even if you don’t want to rough it in a tent, you can still stay within the park!
Vacation Rentals: Mersey River Chalets, Remote off-the-grid, lakefront log home, and Annapolis Lake Retreat.
Campgrounds: The best place to stay in Kejimkujik National Park’s inland unit is the Jeremy’s Bay Campground. This campground has a variety of campsites, plus yurts, Ôasis, oTENTiks, and rustic cabins. Plus really nice and new shower facilities! We LOVED staying here!
Boondocking: We also stayed at this spot while in the area, right outside of the park boundaries. And it was really nice for a night!
Day 4
Hike the Mill Falls Trail
Kickoff your final day of your Nova Scotia South Shore road trip by exploring Kejimkujik on land. We suggest spending the morning hiking the short and easy Mill Falls Trail, which takes you along the river, with multiple views of the Mersey River. But you can also find some longer trails if you want to go further!
Go on a canoeing adventure at Kejimkujik National Park
Keji’s Inland Unit is home to forests, waterfalls, more than 30 streams and rivers, and over 46 lakes. And the best way to experience it is by getting out on the water, either for a few hours or for an overnight adventure.
So for the rest of the day, go paddling! If you don’t own your own kayak or canoe, you can rent from Whynot Adventure, who are conveniently located in the park, right on the water.
Continue exploring Nova Scotia
After finishing your South Shore road trip, head to your next destination in Nova Scotia! Need some ideas? We have a Nova Scotia road trip itinerary to get you started, which includes other destinations, like Halifax and Cape Breton Island!
Things to know before your Nova Scotia South Shore road trip
How to get to Nova Scotia’s South Shore
Nova Scotia’s South Shore is located just west of Halifax, the largest city in the province. Halifax has an international airport and is located close to other destinations in Atlantic Canada, for those driving. From Halifax to Peggy’s Cove, the first stop on this itinerary, it’s about a 45 minute drive.
We highly recommend spending at least one day in Halifax before starting your road trip. It’s a waterfront city loaded with historic buildings, great eats, and fun things to do.
When to visit Nova Scotia’s South Shore
Nova Scotia’s South Shore is best to visit from June-October, which is when local businesses are open for the season. However, the ideal time to visit depends on what you’re most interested in. If you want warm, beachy weather, we’d suggest visiting in July and August. This is the busiest time though, so make sure to book lodging in advance.
If you want less crowds, a September visit would be perfect! You could also visit in October, but keep in mind that many businesses start to shut down during the month, especially after Canadian Thanksgiving (second Monday of October). We personally visited Nova Scotia’s South Shore at the end of October and many things were closing down. In the future, we’d go earlier!
You will need a park pass
Kejimkujik National Park’s Inland Unit has a fee to enter, however the Seaside Unit is FREE to visit. If you plan to visit additional National Parks in Canada we suggest getting a Parks Canada Discovery Pass. This gets you into all Parks Canada managed sites for a year! This is definitely worth it if you plan to spend 7 or more days in the Canadian National Parks.
Do tick checks
Ticks are VERY common on Nova Scotia’s South Shore and we encountered multiple. Make sure to cover up, spray yourself with bug spray, and do frequent tick checks.
Be bear aware
Bears are common to spot near Kejimkujik National Park, including at the Seaside Unit. Make sure to make noise when you hike and keep your distance if you see one. We didn’t see any, but there had been many reports of them. Including occasionally ON the beach!
Looking for more things to do in Atlantic Canada?
- Get our Atlantic Canada Road Trip eBook
- One day in Halifax Itinerary: Things to Do & Places to Eat
- The Ultimate Fall Cabot Trail Road Trip (Cape Breton Island)
- How to go on a one week Nova Scotia Road Trip (2 itinerary options!)
- 63+ EPIC things to do in Newfoundland
- How to experience the tides at Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick
- 30 Best things to do in New Brunswick
- Things to do on Prince Edward Island (+ itinerary!)
- The BEST 15 Things to do in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
- Watch all of our Atlantic Canada adventures on YouTube
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