South Side Beach and the Piping Plover

Endangered Species Habitat

If you like lots of sand and water you'll want to visit South Side Beach and the other beaches around the shores of Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia. The Island has sandy beaches on all sides but South Side Beach on Cape Sable Island has something else that makes it a unique place. Every year the beach and dunes become home to the Piping Plover, a small shore bird that is on the endangered species list. South Side Beach is the largest area in the province that the Piping Plover uses for nesting.

The Province of Nova Scotia has marked this unique place on Cape Sable Island as an Endangered Species Habitat and visitors are reminded of the dangers that this small bird faces to survive. Humans and pets can some times unknowingly destroy a nest, so caution is greatly advise when visiting this Endangered Species Habitat during nesting time of this shore bird.

Looking out over the Atlantic
Ocean from South Side Beach on a
overcast Atlantic day.

The beaches around Cape Sable Island are a great place to visit any time of the year. However, most prefer to visit the beaches on those hot summer days so they can sit on hot sand, feel a nice Atlantic Ocean breeze, or venture into the water for a dip. But you can also stroll along the beach and watch the waves coming in at any time of the year.

Southwestern Nova Scotia is a great place to visit. The beaches of Cape Sable Island are only a small part of this end of Nova Scotia. There's lots of sandy beaches and other interesting places to see. If you're interesting in more information about the Piping Plover you can also checkout Nova Scotia Bird Society's website.

Click on images

Daniel's Head Beach, Cape Sable. Click to enlarge.

South Side Beach, Cape Sable. Click to enlarge.

South Side Head Beach, Cape Sable. Click to enlarge.

Other beaches: Mavillette Beach | Port Maitland Beach