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Visiting Baxters Harbour Falls in Nova Scotia? 7 Things You Need to Know

Baxters Harbour Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Nova Scotia. And it’s little wonder – it has a beautiful setting and it’s easy to get to. In this post, you’ll see photos and a short video of the falls and surrounding beach.

Close up photo of Baxters Harbour Waterfall

Before visiting Baxters Harbour Falls you should check the tide times.

If the tide is out, you’ll be able to walk right up to the falls, but if it’s in you’ll have to view the falls from the parking area.

About Baxters Harbour Falls and Beach

Here’s what I’ll cover in this post.

  1. Where is Baxters Harbour Falls located?
  2. How high is Baxters Harbour Falls?
  3. Is Baxters Harbour Falls open to the public?
  4. When is the best time to visit Baxters Harbour Falls?
  5. How long is the hike to Baxters Harbour Falls?
  6. Is Baxters Harbour Falls kid-friendly?
  7. Is Baxters Harbour Falls pet-friendly?
View of Baxters Harbour Waterfall from parking area
View of Baxters Harbour Waterfall from the parking area

Before we get started with the post, let’s watch a short video. Bryan filmed this video with a GoPro Hero4 and his phone. As the video finishes I added some photos.

Video of Baxters Harbour Falls, Nova Scotia in Winter


7 Things to Know About Baxters Harbour Falls

Baxters Harbour is a great spot for a picnic. There are a couple of picnic tables near the parking area. The scenery is beautiful and there is lots of beach to explore.

Baxters Harbour view from parking area
Beach at Baxters Harbour N.S.

In the summer you can wade in the pool at the base of the falls – if you don’t mind the cold water.

In the winter when the falls are iced up it’s a photographer’s dream. And some like to go ice climbing here, but I’m not that adventurous.

Ice at Baxters Harbour waterfall Nova Scotia
View from the top of Baxters Harbour Falls – thanks to Bryan’s 12-foot selfie stick

You can also see columnar basalt lava at low tide. How cool is that?! Just one of the neat things that come with being able to walk on the ocean floor.

Baxters Harbour basalt lava
Columnar basalt lava formations
Basalt lava formations at Baxters Harbour Nova Scotia

Now let’s answer 7 popular questions about Baxters Harbour Falls.


1. Where is Baxters Harbour Falls located?

The falls are located on the shore of the Bay of Fundy at Baxters Harbour, in Kings County, Nova Scotia. It’s about a 15-kilometre drive (north) from Kentville.

Once you arrive at Baxters Harbour, you’ll find the falls at the south end of the beach.

There is no trail to the falls. If the tide is out you’ll just walk along the beach. When the tide is in you can see them from your car.

You’ll drive to the end of Baxter Harbour Road and then take the dirt road (Paddy Beach Road) down to the shore.

Getting to Baxters Harbour Falls Nova Scotia

Getting to Baxters Harbour Falls

To find Baxters Harbour Falls click the directions link on the following map. When the larger map appears click your current location and the fastest route will be mapped for you.

Baxters Harbour Waterfall Nova Scotia Canada

Baxters Harbour is not far (just a few kilometres east) from Halls Harbour, another popular spot for locals and tourists.

Include both in your travel plans for a great day or half-day trip, depending on how much beachcombing you like to do.


2. How high is Baxters Harbour Falls?

The falls are 50 feet high. In the winter you may only see a small portion of falling water because the falls are often encased in ice. In the summer and spring, you can see the full falls.

taking photos at Baxters Harbour waterfall

People like to cliff jump at some of the falls in Nova Scotia. Baxters Harbour Falls is not one of them.

The pool at the bottom is far too shallow. But, it’s perfect for wadding in.

See 9 more winter activities in the Annapolis Valley.


3. Is Baxters Harbour Falls open to the public?

Yes, it’s open to the public all year round. You can visit the falls at any time, but remember to check the tide times if you want to walk up to the falls.

Baxters Harbour Waterfall N.S. close up

4. When is the best time to visit Baxters Harbour Falls?

The best time to visit is when the tide is out. You can walk across the ocean floor right up to the base of the falls.

You’ve probably noticed that the ice only goes part of the way down the falls. That’s because of the waterline, where the ice stops is where the water level is when the tide comes in.

That’s quite impressive when you look at the following picture – Bryan is in way over his head! 🙂

Getting-GoPro-video-at-Baxters Harbour Waterfall N.S.

In the summer, you can wade in the pool at the base of the falls and even stand under the falls if you want.

The rocks on the beach can be slippery. In the winter, many of the rocks (and seaweed clumps) are covered in ice.

And the tide can come in faster than you may anticipate – keep an eye on the water level so that you don’t put yourself in a dangerous situation.

Low tide is also a great time for exploring the rock formations on the ocean floor.

Rock formations at Baxters Harbour Nova Scotia

Watch 9 Bay of Fundy tides timelapse videos.


5. How long is the hike to Baxters Harbour Falls?

The hike from the parking area to the base of the falls is less than 10 minutes.

But take your time and wear sturdy footwear because of the slippery uneven rocks.

Low tide at Baxters Harbour Waterfall

6. Is Baxters Harbour Falls kid-friendly?

Baxters Harbour is a great place for a family outing. The walk to the falls is short, which is great for short little legs and there are no steep sections.

If you stay to the right, it’s an easier hike.

In the summer, your children will probably want to wade in the pool at the base of the falls. The little stream that runs across the beach looks pretty inviting as well.

Stream from Baxters Harbour Waterfall

Just remember that the rocks may be slippery and keep an eye on the tide. If the water level (in the falls) is high (runoff in the spring or after a summer storm) the current in the pool and stream may be too strong for little ones.

The beach at Baxters Harbour is rugged, it’s not a sandy beach for swimming. There is no lifeguard, so keep your little ones within arm’s reach.


7. Is Baxters Harbour Falls pet friendly?

The beach at Baxters Harbour is a great place to explore with your dog.

I think all public area pet-owner habits would apply, keep them on a leash, and pick up after them.

We only had our puppy out for a short walk because of the cold weather. She was very curious about all that frozen seaweed.

Looking at ice formations at Baxters Harbour
walking-the-dog-at-Baxters-Harbour

Baxters Harbour Waterfall covered in ice

Your Turn

Have you been to Baxters Harbour Falls? Please share your travel story by commenting on this post. And if I’ve missed any interesting facts, please help me out by adding them.

If you’ve enjoyed this post please share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Helen Mcculley

Saturday 7th of March 2020

I live in Baxters Harbour and there is no warning that it is a short dirt road to the falls and in winter the road is OFTEN impassible due to ice buildup. there have been several accidents on this road. it is very steep and if you get on the ice you cant stop. one driver would have gone over the bank into the water if not for the fact that he was stopped by hitting a cottage that was right beside the bank . also very dangerous if you try walking on the icy road.

Bryan Haines

Monday 23rd of March 2020

Thanks for sharing this Helen!

365 Canadian Sights | Day 164: Baxters Harbour and Falls – Treqd

Friday 14th of June 2019

[…] popular thing in the region according to TripAdvisor ratings, this place scores pretty good. This site has a bit more about the falls and what to expect […]

Andre Robichaud

Sunday 7th of January 2018

On January 15 2018, low tide corresponds to sunset time. Question is: how long before lowest tide can we walk up to the falls. For instance could we walk up to the falls say around 3h00? 2 hours before low tide?

Bryan Haines

Tuesday 23rd of January 2018

It takes just a few minutes to get to the falls from the parking area. Just keep an eye on the water level and you won't have any trouble.

Cheryl Anne

Tuesday 25th of July 2017

I've been to Baxters Harbor falls yesterday and all I can say is that the place is amazingly beautiful! I will go back there in the next three seasons to complete my visit.

Sybil Nunn

Thursday 27th of April 2017

Typical of Nova Scotia, Baxter's Harbour isn't the easiest place to find. It's certainly not somewhere you'd stumble across. ;-)

As you can see from the photo in my blog post the directional sign says "Paddy's Beach" with no mention of the falls. http://crittersnus.blogspot.ca/2016/08/another-day-another-adventure.html