Crystal Crescent Beach

On a hot day, this beach is great to come to because it’s got a cool ocean breeze that makes it several degrees cooler than the city and farther inland… Awesome for those wanting less heat and more sun (and a bit more wind sometimes, but why quibble about the small issues, right?).
It’s quite a drive to get there. I wouldn’t recommend getting your car washed at any point in the week or more before coming here because it is going to get filthy on those dirt roads.
There are three parking lots. I’m not sure which one is for which beach and there isn’t much in the way of signs, directions or any information. I ended up using Google maps a lot. I’m definitely thankful that the whole area has great cell coverage!
There seems to be 3 or 4 main beaches with plenty of trails; some running along the beach and some a bit farther in running mostly parallel to shore. Both are great and depend on your taste in scenery.
I can’t comment on the swimming since the water doesn’t get warm enough to immerse yourself in without the risk of hypothermia until much later in the summer. That’s seasonal lag for ya.
Everything was very clean, well kept and the paths and trails very well maintained. I will definitely return here many times if the weather permits (so maybe not so often!)

I am a beach person and just love spending time at the beach. After reading good reviews for this beach and seeing the beautiful pictures uploaded by Unilocalers. I decide to visit this beach on a sunday afternoon. I was surprised to see there were almost 20 – 25 cars parked already. It was nice to see pets and kids playing, peeps relaxing. The sand was not cold and did not touched the water to see if it was cold but I must be. I did feel some areas of the beach wasn’t clean enough. We had to park the car 10 – 12 minutes away and walk to the beach. There was also a warning board saying there have been instances were there was theft from the car so they advise you to carry your valuables with you, if any. I did not feel it was something to worry about but why take a chance. The crowd at the beach were majority in groups. Best part of this beach is it’s close to downtown, not more than 45 minutes drive. It’s worth it.
Overall a beautiful clear sparkling water with white sands beach. High waves (at times) and cool breeze. I do want to go there again once the temperature gets warmer.

I really enjoy this beach, it’s close enough to the city so that you don’t have to make a day trip out of going, but far enough to feel like you’re «getting out of the city». It’s super popular so a mid-​day arrival time probably isn’t your best bet. The beach fills up quickly. The water is bone-​chilling here, which doesn’t bother me too much since my main objective is to lay out in the hot sun. Not all beaches are as cold in Nova Scotia, I hear this is one of the coldest, so if you’re looking for a swim, maybe try another. The beach has a nice boardwalk and bathrooms/​change rooms as well as a large parking lot located basically right on the beach. Boardwalks and sand are basically my own criteria for a great beach, and Crystal Crescent nails it.

It’s pretty, but it’s really small, and the sand is rough (though it is white, as others have observed). I wouldn’t say it was worth the drive from town. Maybe once, but I wouldn’t come here every time I come to Halifax.
Disclaimer: I am from California, live near awesome beaches, and go to Hawaii a lot. Not sure if this makes a difference.

The beach is beautiful but the party boats that drop anchor and the guys that bring only a two-​four and cigarettes are not my jam.

This is a white sand beach. Not long enough to jog. Water is cold but gets a little warmer the end of Aug. I was there today. Butterflys everywhere. It was a nice experence. If you like modern tunes like 103 the bounce or Z103 radio stations. Some dudes pull up in a fishing boat and blast the music all day and drink beer. I was cool with that. It makes the day more interesting. I mean come on a fishing party boat? What else do you need?

I can’t swim (I actually hate getting wet but yes I AM CLEAN SWEAR), but I love to be by the ocean. Crystal Crescent has a lengthy, scenic trail route that meanders along the shoreline and out of sight — someday we will bring a well-​stocked back pack and see how far we can go. The views are amazing, the water a perfect blue-​green on a sunny day and (provided it’s not too crowded) we enjoyed the peace of being away from traffic and screaming kids. After running my hands through warm sand at the beginning of the trail, I was happy to admire the beach from a small distance. We will definitely be returning to hike where no Brooks has hiked before.

I am not sure why this beach gets low marks. It’s also a beautiful park with the possibility for a 13 km hike with sweeping views of the ocean. That’s a 5 star experience to me. There are 3 beaches — two clothed and one nudist beach. There are high grasses in front of the nudist beach, so if you have kids, they should be fine. The park is a wonderful place to bring your dog to run around (technically supposed to be leashed) and play in the ocean. I only put my hand in the ocean so I am not sure it’s warm enough to swim but I saw others swimming in September and sunning themselves. The beach is less than 30 minutes from Halifax and it’s easy to get to. The color of the water here is amazing — so aqua!

There’s a lot of talk about nudist at this beach. I was actually shocked. Coming from a non-​nudist point of view — I didn’t know this. So, if you’re a parent: don’t worry — nothing scandalous will be seen.
Bigger beach too, with really nice white sand.

Crystal Crescent Beach has the beautiful white sand and the wonderful freezing water. I am not sure here in Atlantic Canada, you can get warm water at our beaches, but it does not stop us Crazy Folk from swimming.
We have grown accustom to the pains shooting up the legs from the cold, and the blue lips from being in the water. It is all part of the Nova Scotia experience. So please, go and enjoy the wonderful sun and sand.
If you really like adventure, there is the nude beach. Please keep in mind, if you go to this section of the beach, be mature and keep the camera etc at home.

If you’re looking for another kind of beach experience, Crystal Crescent offers folks the option of stripping down to the buff and enjoying the great outdoors– nude style.
A few common courtesies to keep in mind– e. g no cameras, no shananagans– to assure nudists a place of ease and relaxation. Gawkers and scallywags looking to laugh it up are discouraged.
For those not so into the nude thing, there is a clothed section of the beach to enjoy. Its a lovely spot to come and enjoy; take a walk and get out for some fresh air. While its not my top spot for beach destinations, Crystal Crescent has its own advantages and is surely a spot to unwind.

Crystal Crescent beach is known for two things; being freezing cold for 11.5 months of the year and for being the primary hangout of the nudists from the Bluenose Naturist Club.
The club has strict rules about use of the beach and types of behaviours that aren’t permitted. Not nudity except on the beach itself (that means cover up coming and going to your car), no taking pictures, no inappropriate behaviour and keep a comfortable distance from other visitors.
If you don’t think the nudity thing is for you there is a completely clothed section of the beach too and that’s where I stay confined.
The cold is inconvenient, it makes the beach more of a nice place to go for a walk and enjoy the view rather than swim or lay on the beach. Until July I don’t even bother with this beach because it’s too long of a drive to be so inconsistent in weather conditions. I usually end up taking a sweater with me, which makes me wonder how the nudists don’t seem to mind the cold.
«Happiness is no tan lines» — Quote taken from the Bluenose Naturist Club website.

If you think the water at Crystal Crescent Beach is cold not, you should check it out in August!
This beach and it’s perpetually freezing water is located towards the Sambro section of the Halifax Regional Municipality, not a long drive and worth it for a few reasons.
Reason the first — even though the water is cold, the sand is usually very warm and nice to hang out on.
Reason the second — there is a great view of the Atlantic and it’s a great spot to take a pet. You can often find people having a run around with a beloved pet or child (essentially the same thing, right?)
Reason the third — not for me personally, but it is a selling feature for some of you. Crystal Crescent has a nude beach just down the road if you’re feeling the need to let it all hang out. I’ve never been, but I hear it’s quite the sight to see! (but don’t stare, pervert!)
So the next time you’re looking for a beach with a cool and refreshing body of water be sure to check out Crystal Crescent!

Small beach about 18 miles down the coast from the provincial capital of Halifax. There are some sandy stretches, lots of rocky shore for climbing, and miles of trails that lead up into the bush.
Be careful how far you hike, though: kKeep heading to the southwest and you’ll come to the nude beach area (
).