The Nova Scotia Summer Photo Spots I Always Come Back To

By: Eryn Rankin (Guest Contributor)

When I first moved to Nova Scotia from Ontario, one of the first things I noticed was how different the landscape felt in the summer. The coastline, fishing villages, foggy mornings, and endless ocean views made me want to bring my camera everywhere. There’s something about the way the province shines during the summer months that makes me want to capture it all.

I explored some of the most well-known and iconic places in Nova Scotia, like Peggy’s Cove and the Halifax Harbourfront, but along the way I also found a ton of little hidden gems. Through this journey, I discovered places that have become some of my most memorable spots and places that I keep coming back to.

Now I want to share some of the best summer photo spots that I’ve found. Some are a bit more well-known, and some are little spots that I discovered during my journey.

Peggy’s Cove

The first spot that I want to share with you is Peggy’s Cove. As someone who came from close to the middle of Canada, it’s not every day that you get the chance to see a lighthouse. This place was high on my bucket list to visit and photograph. Seeing it for the first time, sitting out on the rocks was an amazing sight to behold, and with the water and rocks surrounding it, it almost felt like it was from another world.

Over the many times that I’ve visited Peggy’s Cove, I’ve noticed that it looks different every single time. You can have a completely different experience depending on the time of day, season, or even the weather.

Some of my favourite times to visit Peggy’s Cove for interesting images are first thing in the morning, because you can get that warm lighting that sometimes makes the lighthouse glow. There also tend to be fewer people around if you don’t want people in your images. Another great time is on a cloudy day because I find it gives a moody and ethereal feeling to your photos.

Peggy’s Cove is not only about the lighthouse, either. There are shops and houses along the path leading up to it that also make great photo subjects. There’s so much character along the way that you can’t miss, as well as a gift shop and restaurant that you can stop at before you leave.

Burntcoat Head Park

My next spot is Burntcoat Head Park. As the place with the world’s highest tides at an average of 47.5 feet, I had to check it out. When I first arrived, I thought I was just going to stand near the edge and look down to see how far the tides could go. I was not expecting that I would actually be able to walk down and explore the ocean floor.

Walking on the ocean floor for the first time felt almost disorienting, and seeing how far up the tides can actually reach was surreal. It’s something that keeps bringing me back every year with my camera.

The best times to visit Burntcoat Head Park are during low tide, so you can venture down and walk across the sea floor. Another amazing time to go is during the second-lowest tide of the day, so you can catch the golden hour lighting that really makes you feel like you’re on another planet.

Roadside Moments

Another thing I want to talk about is what I call my “Roadside Moments.” I’ve noticed that there are so many amazing views that I just happen to stumble upon while driving to my destinations. Some of my favourite photos weren’t planned at all — I simply spotted them along the way.

Over the years, I’ve realized that you don’t always have to plan the perfect photo. Sometimes the best moments just appear while you’re travelling to your destination. Always keep an open mind when you’re out taking photos and welcome little side quests along the way. Sometimes you’ll come across a really interesting building, a cool lookout, or an incredible sunrise or sunset.

Chance Harbour Beach

Another photogenic spot is Chance Harbour Beach. It’s a smaller beach, but I’ve noticed that it isn’t overly crowded, which gives it a really serene feeling. The beach has a large sandy area, but it also features interesting rock formations that you can walk across and explore.

Another little perk of Chance Harbour Beach is that it’s a great spot for sea glass hunting. Every time I’ve visited, I’ve managed to leave with a nice little handful of sea glass.

The times I’ve enjoyed visiting the most are early in the morning, in the evening, or on foggy days. I like going in the morning or evening because the lighting creates a glow that completely changes the look of the beach. Visiting just before sunset or shortly after sunrise also gives you softer lighting for photos. Foggy days are another favourite of mine because they can add so much mood and emotion to your images.

Victoria Park

My last spot that I want to share with you is Victoria Park. There are so many different sights throughout the park that you’ll never run out of things to photograph.

Throughout Victoria Park, you’ll find waterfalls, bridges, quiet trails, and beautiful paths where sunlight peeks through the trees. One thing I truly love about the park is that you have to walk to reach most of the spots, which really encourages you to slow down, look around, and notice other photo opportunities along the way.

There’s also enough space that you’re not constantly running into people if you’re hoping for more peaceful landscape shots. At the same time, you can still capture people walking, biking, walking their dogs, or enjoying the trails if you want more of an action-style image.

To be honest, I don’t think there’s a “best” time to take photos in Victoria Park. There’s so much to see and experience that any time feels like a good time to visit.

That Dutchman’s Cheese Farm

Finally, I want to give one extra recommendation because it’s a place that I genuinely love visiting and where I captured one of my favourite images. This spot is a little different from the others in this blog post, but I had to include it because I have fun every single time I go.

The place I’m talking about is That Dutchman’s Cheese Farm. The farm has many different kinds of animals that you can visit and even feed. They also have a shop at the front where you can buy their homemade cheeses and see parts of how they’re made.

This is where I took one of my favourite photos — one that genuinely makes me happy every time I look at it.

I hope this guide has been helpful and has given you some new places to add to your list of spots to explore and photograph this summer. Have a fun and photogenic summer!

Guest Contributor Bio

Hi there! My name is Eryn Rankin, and I’m a Digital Marketing student with a background in photography. I attended college back home in Ontario, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in photography, and I now use those creative skills to further myself in a career in digital marketing. With experience in both photography and marketing, I’ve developed a strong creative background that I love bringing into both my work and everyday life.