Explore Our Bay part 2-Hall's Harbour to Margaretsville

From Hall’s Harbour to Margaretsville

Hall’s Harbour

Hall’s Harbour is just about on everyone’s Nova Scotia Bucket List- a typical Bay of Fundy fishing village with an onsite lobster pound, gift shop and great restaurant.

But it’s famous for more than just yummy food.

Its a great place to view the vertical rise and fall of the Bay of Fundy tide.

Twice daily, 14 billion tonnes of sea water pour in and out of the basin, actually bending Nova Scotia under its immense weight. The flow in the Minas channel between Cape Split and the Parrsboro shore at mid-tide is equal to the flow of every river and stream on earth.

These can can reach heights of up to 55 feet-high as a five story building,lifting small lobster boats skyward at high tide and setting ever-so gently on the ocean floor as it ebbs.

Planning your trip carefully paying attention to tide times, you may be able to see both high and low in the same day!

Huntington Point

Spend the time between tides visiting a winery or two, going on a hike or exploring the Faerie Cottages at Huntington Point. Built in 1936 by Charles Macdonald, the cottages are perched steps from the Bay . The beach there is good for a bonfire or rock hounding. Check the tide times and proceed about 3 hours after the tide ebbs. The Blue Cottage can be rented. Find out more about renting it here

Harbourville

Heading west, out next destination is Harbourville. Just as scenic as Hall’s Harbour, but without the visitor crowds. There’s great fish market – in winter, it’s open Friday-Sunday, 12-4. It also is a great place to witness the high and low tides

Morden

Next on my list is Morden. A small park perches right on the shores edge showcases the French Cross. On this very beach during the Expulsion of the Acadians, roughly 300 Acadians who escaped the hands of the British and, with help from the local Mi’kmaq struggled to stay alive during the harsh Nova Scotia winter. Less then 1/3 of them made it and in spring,crossed to Cape Chignecto and then the Isthmus of Chignecto to eventually arrive in Quebec.

There’s a picnic area nearby. Seals can often be seen frolicking in the sea below. You can beach comb but good footwear is needed.

Margaretsville

Finally, Margaretsville. The good people of Margaretsville show great pride in the community with a museum depicting the shipbuilding area, a boardwalk and a Art Shack with works from local artists. There is another neat lighthouse for you to photograph and add to your collection.Check out the community theater in Margaretsville- Evergreen Theatre ,offering live music, year round.

Other Points of Interest:

The Harvest Moon Trail runs from Grand Pre to Annapolis Royal and can be accessed in many spots. Flat for biking but sandy and hard going near Annapolis and Bridgetown
trails system at the Black Rock community centre .
At the end of Black Rock road is an interesting lighthouse.
20 minutes south of Margaretsville in Greenwood is a 5km hike to Crystal Falls-one of my favorites.
Got your kayak or paddle board? Head to Lumsden Dam or Black River Lake for fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding a swim or all four.