St. Margarets Bay vacation rentals

St. Margarets Bay opens south to the Atlantic just west of Halifax. The Chebucto Peninsula forms its eastern shore, with Peggy’s Cove at the bay’s eastern point, and the Aspotogan Peninsula forms its western shore. Tantallon sits on the eastern side, the Head of St. Margarets Bay at the top of the bay, and Hubbards toward the west.

The shoreline is mostly rock, with sandy beaches around the head of the bay, including Queensland and Black Point. Islands dot the eastern shore, and the bay is a cruising ground for sailboats. It makes a quieter base than the city, with Peggy’s Cove on one side and the South Shore towns a drive away on the other.

Peggy’s Cove

Peggy’s Cove, about 43 km southwest of downtown Halifax, is one of Nova Scotia’s best-known fishing villages. Its lighthouse at Peggy’s Point dates from 1868, and an accessible viewing deck opened beside it in 2021. Stay off the dark, wet rocks near the water: the waves there can be dangerous.

The Swissair Flight 111 memorial

About 2 km from the village, the memorial at Whalesback looks out over the water where Swissair Flight 111 went down in 1998 with 229 people aboard.

Beaches

Queensland Beach Provincial Park, near Hubbards, is one of the bay’s white-sand beaches, and its position in the bay keeps the surf gentler than on the open coast.

The St. Margaret’s Bay Trail

The St. Margaret’s Bay Rails to Trails is a 32 km multi-use trail on the old rail line from Hubley to Hubbards, passing through Tantallon. It is popular for walking and cycling.

Summer (June to August)

Beach days, sailing and paddling on the bay, and the busiest season at Peggy’s Cove. Book early for summer weekends.

Fall (September to November)

Fall colour along the shore and on the trail, with quieter roads and fewer visitors at the lighthouse.

Winter (December to February)

The quietest season on the bay. Winter storms make for dramatic seas at Peggy’s Cove; watch them from the viewing deck, well back from the water.

Spring (March to May)

The coast wakes up slowly, and the trail and beaches are at their quietest.

How far is Peggy’s Cove from Halifax?

About 43 km southwest of downtown Halifax, roughly a 45-minute drive along Route 333.

Is St. Margarets Bay part of Halifax or the South Shore?

Both, in a sense. The bay straddles Halifax County and Lunenburg County. Tantallon, the Head of St. Margarets Bay and Hubbards are all in the Halifax Regional Municipality, and tourism guides often group the area with the South Shore.

Where is the nearest sandy beach?

The head of the bay has the sandy beaches, including Queensland Beach Provincial Park near Hubbards and the beach at Black Point.