You know how I’m always harping on about hidden gems?
Let me introduce you to one such jewel – the natural delight that is Medford Beach.
This landscape looks like something from another planet and, in a way, it is. Just a few hours after these pictures were taken, access to the rock formations is limited to someone with a kayak or strong swimming skills. It is a destination utterly transformed by the tides; to tread here is to literally walk on the ocean floor.
I’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.
Quite something, eh?
Jan Coates
Those pictures! Love Blomidon through that keyhole. We usually take Charlie to the beach a little farther down the shore – its name escapes me. Those sandstone formations are amazing!
Elisabeth
Houston’s Beach, maybe? Or Kingsport.
It is such a beautiful spot though in the last few years the tops of a few formations have crumbled. I just read an article in Saltscapes all about “last-chance tourism” which is a growing industry. As coastlines erode and sea levels rise, people are flocking to places to see some things for the “last” time. That said, Medford Beach is a hidden gem. It is always deserted when we go…which suits me just fine <3
Hope this comment means you've made it to Ontario in one piece?
Jenny
Those pictures are incredible! The rocks against the blue sky! I’m reading your response to Jan’s comment above- how is this place always deserted??? Next time you go you might find a crowd of people there, who saw it on your blog. : )
Elisabeth
Ha! I hope not. It is such a hidden gem and I want to keep it that way.
Access is kinda tricky and we know a back way to get there, so I think that likely keeps many people away. They can see it at a distance but aren’t sure how to get there. But, Jenny, if you come visit me I promise I’ll show you the secret way <3
It's so pretty, right. It truly looks like another world!
Birchie
Wowwww…you’ve shown us so many beautiful things, but Medford Beach might just be the most gorgeous place on earth. What Jenny said – there just might be an influx of blog readers there the next time that you go;-)
Elisabeth
Isn’t it gorgeous. Birchie, you know what this means, right? You MUST come to Nova Scotia.
(I generally prefer for people I know in “real” life not to know I blog, so these hypothetical blog readers will be “from away” as we call tourists).
Christa Lamb
Looks like Utah by the Sea!
Elisabeth
Yes! John and I were just looking at pictures from Utah the other night and we both commented how much some of the formations reminded us of Medford.
ccr in MA
Stunning!
Ally Bean
I’m not jealous at all! Nope, who’d want to live so near such a stunningly beautiful beach?
Elisabeth
Right? The crazy thing is, I didn’t visit it for the first time until after we’d lived here a decade. Why? It really is almost always completely deserted!
Michelle G.
Wow! I’m in awe of all the beauty! It’s so different from where I live!
Elisabeth
Isn’t it amazing how dramatically landscapes vary. There’s a lot of that in Nova Scotia, too. Because there is so much coastline – and the highest tides in the world – the changes inland versus at the coast (which are only ever about an hour apart!) – can be enormous.
Sophie
Wow, what a special, stunning beach! And bonus that it’s always quiet. Definitely a beautiful spot to visit when I’m in your part of the world soon!
Elisabeth
Be sure to bring clothes that can get dirty!!!
Maria
So gorgeous! It reminds me a lot of Hopewell Rocks, but cooler!
Elisabeth
Yes! I love Hopewell, too…though don’t love the crowds or the entry fee 😉
Melissa
This is so beautiful. The red, rocks against all that blue sky. Stunning!
Elisabeth
It’s the colour combos that really make this place pop. It really does feel like being on another world!
Lisa’s Yarns
Gorgeous!! What a stunning place to visit!! I am so envious of the fact that you live close to these kinds of places!
Elisabeth
You know this just means you need to come visit me, Lisa <3
San
This is so damn beautiful. Thank you for sharing, Elisabeth.
Elisabeth
You would LOVE it, San! LOVE IT!
Anne
What glorious pictures, Elisabeth. Thank you for sharing the beauty of your world with us. <3 I wish I could see it in person.