Canada is home to some truly beautiful places to visit, and one of those is Inverness Beach. This dog-friendly beach is an independent beach rather than a provincial park, making it a place that's beautiful and easy to visit.
On top of the four-kilometer-long stretch of sandy shore, you can also head enjoy strolling along the two-mile-long boardwalk. This is a great place for you to see some wildlife and just get outdoors!
No matter what it is about Inverness that captures your attention, this is an incredible place to visit for a beach vacation. So, are you ready to make some travel plans and head to this unique beach? Read this guide and learn all the travel tips you need to know for a vacation at Inverness Beach!
Welcome to Inverness, Nova Scotia
Inverness is a beautiful city located along the east coast of Canada and is a rural community. The town, while small, has been steadily growing over the years and has a rich and unique history for any visitors interested in learning more about the heart of Nova Scotia.
Back in its heyday, Inverness was a coal-mining town where residents spent grueling hours in the mines. Their mission was to ship coal all over the country and to make a pretty penny while doing it.
Nowadays, however, Inverness is better known as a golfing hub. It has changed quite a bit over the years, and the once active mining operations have now been swapped out for miles of gorgeous golfing greens located along Cape Breton's beautiful Cabot Cliffs.
In addition to the golf courses scattered around the town, Inverness Beach is a place where visitors flock to enjoy a taste of the ocean and a walk along the sandy shoreline. There are also numerous whale-watching opportunities for anyone who can't get enough of ocean life.
Cabot Links
One tourist hotspot that Inverness is famous for is Cabot Links. Cabot Links is a golfing green that sits on the beautiful Cabot Cliffs of Cape Breton and provides the perfect outdoor activity along the seaside.
Cabot Links is an 18-hole golf course that offers stunning ocean views. The entire course is located directly adjacent to the beach, and on five of the holes, you'll actually be playing on the oceanside. Don't hit the ball too hard or it might end up in the salty spray!
This stunning golf course was designed by the world-famous golf architect, Rod Whitman, and he certainly didn't disappoint. The rolling greens are colored in sunshine throughout the day, while the beautiful ocean makes for the perfect backdrop.
If you want to simply play a round of golf, you're welcome to swing by Cabot Links and spend the day doing your best to make the holes. Or, you can book a golf package with the business and take your golfing expertise to all three of their Inverness locations.
Inverness Beach Village
When you're not practicing your putting at Cabot Links, you can relax and unwind in one of the Canadian cottages located at Inverness Beach Village. The beach village, a quaint town made up of cottages along the waterfront, is a great place to rent out or move to for your retirement.
There are numerous activities that you can take part in while visiting Inverness Beach Village. Outside of heading off to Cabot Links for a round of golf, you can visit the local museums and galleries in the town or enjoy attending one of the Celtic music events that take place in the area.
There are also many hiking, whale-watching, and deep-sea fishing opportunities for those who want something more adventurous. No matter what type of activities you enjoy, there's something for everyone at Inverness Beach Village.
Inverness Beach Village Cottages
Wanting to stay in the beach village cottages? Good choice! These 41 affordable cottages are the perfect place for you and your family to relax and unwind after a long day of exploring Inverness.
Each cottage can house up to four people, making it perfect for a family vacation. Or, if you prefer solo travel, the cottages are small enough that you can still cozy up at the end of a long day out and about.
The cottages are all equipped with a living room, a full bathroom, and a kitchen. Amenities include dishes and cooking utensils as well as a cable TV so that you can finish off your evening watching your favourite shows. The outdoor deck with Adirondack chairs and a picnic table is also a great perk to these cabins.
You can either choose a cottage that includes a queen bed and a pull-out sofa or a cottage with a pull-out sofa, a twin bed, and a double bed. That way you have comfortable sleeping options no matter what your family looks like!
Inverness Beach Sea Glass
One of the big draws of Inverness Beach is the sea glass that lines its shores. These colorful stones reflect the sunlight and cast gorgeous shadows along the beach throughout the day.
A stroll along the Inverness Boardwalk is the perfect place to go sea glass hunting. Look for deep blues, colorful purples, and classic green sea glass when strolling along the beach.
In fact, this beach is relatively famous for sea glass. If you're a collector of these unique and colorful stones, Inverness Beach is a great place to stop by for some choice pieces.
Inverness Beach Campground
Do you love roughing it? Inverness Beach Campground is the perfect place for you to fall asleep under the stars and get a true taste of nature.
All the campsites at Inverness Beach Campground are fully electric and have portable water. That way, you can still enjoy the creature comforts of home while enjoying a chance to get out of the city.
Speaking of creature comforts, there are shower and toilet facilities near the campsites so that you can look and feel your best after a long day of outdoor activities. Plus, washing and drying facilities allow you to tackle your laundry if you're planning an extended stay in the area.
The 41 campsites are perfect for those who love tenting or who want a pull-thru site. That means that you're welcome to bring your RV if you want a slightly more comfortable camping experience.
No matter what type of campsite you're looking for, we recommend picking a site that's located on the ridge. The views are spectacular and are the perfect way to start your day in Inverness!
Nova Scotia Beaches - More Beautiful Options
Inverness Beach isn't the only beautiful beach in Nova Scotia. In fact, this province is home to several stunning beaches that you won't want to miss. Let's take a look at a few of the province's other stunning beaches.
Crystal Crescent Beach
Crystal Crescent is actually a series of three different beaches, all forming the shape of a crescent. The beach is 40 minutes away from Halifax and offers bird watching and wildlife sighting opportunities. Located at the top of Halifax Habour, you will find boardwalks to the first two beaches. The crystal in its' name is claimed by the breathtaking colour of the water as it can only be compared to the clear waters of the Caribbean. Visitors can also enjoy Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park Train which boasts a 4.2 kilometer trail along which one will find two vault toilet facilities. The park is also offers a point of entry for a 10.6 kilometer hike to Pennant Point.
Carter's Beach
Carter's Beach Nature Reserve is one of the most beautiful beaches in Nova Scotia thanks to its white sandy shores. More to its' lovely appearance, Nova Scotia is actively preserving the area to include day use only options. Over time, Carter's Beach has become sensitive to the human touch and eroding has occurred. It is a beach-dune-salt, marsh-stream-forest system that work in tandem with one another to maintain its' natural beauty delicate eco balance which also relies on sand and wind orientation. For nature and animal lovers, there is an array of life to be experienced here and breathtaking photo opportunities are in abundance.
Bayswater Beach
Bayswater Beach is a favorite spot for anyone wanting to enjoy a classic beach picnic or cookout. There are outdoor barbecues all along the shoreline, making it the perfect place for grilling your favourite outdoor goodies. Many have stated that Bayswater Beach is the best beach in Nova Scotia, especially for the view of the ocean on one side, and the ocean on the other - how incredible!
Melmerby Beach
Melmerby Beach has some of the warmest waters in all of Nova Scotia. This beautiful beach offers stunning coastal views and a beautiful boardwalk where you can enjoy taking an afternoon stroll. This area boasts the true meaning of Nova Scotian beauty. The beach spans along the Northumberland Straight and continues to rake in one great review after the next, even though in late July a few jellyfish can be found in the waters. Parents tend to love this location due to the warm waters and sandy dunes. Some have even claimed that due to so many sand bars, you can "see all the way to Prince Edward Island"
Lawrencetown Beach
If you're wanting to spend some time on the Eastern Shore of the province, Lawrencetown Beach is a great place to go. Surfs up and locals offer surf lessons along the shore regularly, making it a fun place to get some outdoor exercise! Keep in mind rip tides are often much stronger on this sand and cobble beach so take extra care of the little ones and always follow local flag orders. This is also a provincial park which runs along the Eastern Shore and offers plenty to do and stay in and around the beach.
Plan A Trip to Inverness Beach and Beyond
With such a beautiful gem located right here in Canada, it's no wonder so many visitors flock to Inverness Beach each year, and often take the time to explore the others mentioned in the article. These gorgeous spots are the perfect places for a family getaway or a solo vacation.
When you head out on your vacation, it's important to make sure you have a prevention plan in place to keep you and your belongings safe. Get in touch with Insurdinary and we'll help you get the insurance coverage you need to make your vacation to Inverness Beach a safe and fun experience for all.