The coastal town of Port Mouton is located in the Queens County municipality at the southwest tip of Nova Scotia. Jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, the wider province is defined by its relationship with the sea, from the annual lobster festivals that liven up the region every winter to the surfing and paddleboarding along its extensive coastlines. Port Mouton itself boasts beautiful beaches where powerful waves meet the shore — surfing is huge at Summerville Beach Provincial Park, just five minutes outside of town. Heading inland, Kejimkujik National Park is home to a dark sky preserve with excellent views of celestial bodies, including the Milky Way and the green and purple hues of the Northern Lights. The southern shore of Nova Scotia is also known for its strong artisan presence that produces renowned handmade pottery, pewter, rugs, and stained glass.

Port Mouton experiences moderate weather all year round. Exploring the region’s beaches and parks from a Port Mouton cottage is most enjoyable between June and early September, as summer days are typically warm, although you’ll need to be prepared for chilly nights. August — the warmest month of the year — gets the fewest rainy days. Wintertime in southeastern Nova Scotia doesn’t get as cold and rainy as it does at the northern end of the island, but there is a lot of winter fog.

Every February, port towns across Nova Scotia’s south shore celebrate lobster — a maritime specialty — through the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl festival. Locals and visitors alike gather to sample new takes on lobster dishes at an annual lobster chowder luncheon.

Carters Beach

One of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the province can be found at Carters Beach in the southwest corner of Port Mouton. This area consists of 235 acres of coastal and forested dunes, but it’s the beach that draws people here every summer. Standing in the soft white sand, you can peer out into Port Mouton Bay and see offshore islands, including Spectacle Island, standing in the clear, turquoise water. Be aware that parking is limited and there are no facilities.

Kejimkujik National Park

Canada has only 13 dark sky preserves, and Nova Scotia’s only site sits in Kejimkujik National Park, an hour from town. Here, the ink-black night sky is protected from light pollution to safeguard the area’s diverse ecosystem. The result is a spectacular display of stars and constellations every night following sunset. Night hikes and even the occasional canoe trip under the stars make for magical experiences.

Summerville Beach Provincial Park

Just a five-minute drive north of Port Mouton is Summerville Beach Provincial Park, where a stretch of pale grey sand backs onto dunes used by endangered piping plovers for nesting. Behind the dunes, an open saltwater marsh stretches the length of the beach. People are drawn here to take in views of the open Atlantic Ocean and swim in the clear, cool water — it starts off very shallow.