Chimney Corner Beach

Quick Facts

About Chimney Corner Beach

Chimney Corner Beach is an 800-metre sandy cove on Cape Breton's west coast near Margaree Harbour, about 366 km — roughly four hours — from Halifax. It is shielded from the open Gulf of St. Lawrence by Margaree Island, and that shelter is the whole story: the water here is regularly counted among the warmest saltwater in the province, running about 17°C in July and 19°C in August, with calm surf that families with small children can trust. The beach is not part of the provincial park system, but facilities are decent for a community beach: free parking, washrooms, change rooms, and picnic tables. There is no lifeguard supervision. Crowd levels are medium in peak season — the warm water earns the traffic — yet the beach's length spreads it out. Wheelchair access is partial, and dogs are welcome on leash. Fine sand and a gradual grade make it a bucket-and-spade kind of beach rather than a walking beach. Come late in the day: the beach faces west across the gulf, and the sunsets over Margaree Island are the best on this stretch of the Cabot Trail. Pair it with a Margaree Valley drive or the Celtic Shores coastal loop.

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Location & Directions

GPS: 46.391700, -61.078900

Region: Cape Breton | County: Inverness | Near: Margaree Harbour

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