Cape Breton Beach Bum Adventures: Kennington Cove

Marcie, Bailey and I headed out to Louisbourg on this balmy July 17th because it is always the perfect place to escape the heat. It was 30 degrees when we left Sydney. When we arrived in Louisbourg, it was a full 10 degrees cooler – refreshing, but still perfect for going to the beach. We headed down the dirt road beyond the Fortress to Kennington Cove. There are actually two beaches here. We went to the first because the town of Louisbourg was celebrating its annual beach day there. We walked over the grass and down the rocks to the sandy beach. The location of this beach is amazing. It’s isolated but close enough to the population centre of Louisbourg to make it accessible. Each of the two beaches is hugged by beautiful rocky coastline and there are little stone islands off in the distance. There is also a

hiking trail that goes along the coast from the first beach down towards the Fortress.

Kennington Cove is a popular beach for many reasons. The biggest reason for its popularity is its waves! This day was no exception. When we arrived on the beach, many children were busy building sand castles for a contest that was part of the celebration. There were also a fair number of children and adults in the water, jumping in the waves. I decided very quickly that jumping in the waves was exactly what I needed to do. Playing in waves is one of my favourite things to do, so I left Marcie and Bailey to play with rocks on the beach and I entered the water. I was surprised by two things. The water was exceptionally warm. I had braced myself for the usual chill of Kennington Cove. And there were no jellyfish. It was the perfect combination to ensure that I would have a blast playing on the beach.

There are numerous ways to play in the waves. I spent a solid hour engaging in all of them. I jumped through the waves. I swam into them. This is really fun because you go up really high and then come back down again. I would lie on my back floating and let the waves either carry me up and down their swells or crash right over me if they were breaking. Both scenarios are extremely fun. I would roll sideways in the waves – sort of like a human sushi roll – and let the waves spin me around. It turned out to be the most fun I had at the beach in years. That is why people love Kennington Cove. It’s like being at a theme park but without the heat and the line-ups.

Eventually, I came back into the shore. Bailey was having her own fun playing in the smaller waves at the shore, digging in the sand and, of course, picking up rocks. A game of limbo started as I reached the shore and the kids were having a fabulous time trying to go lower and lower. I took a hike up to the higher ground along the rocky shoreline and took some photographs of the scene from a distance. I also filled up on some delicious wild raspberries that were growing along the trail.

Kennington Cove has lifeguards but you still should be very careful. Although the waves are very fun to play in, make sure that children are watched closely and that you obey all signs and requests from the lifeguards. Be sure to swim in the guarded areas as there are warning signs about rip currents. Another lesson I learned is not to wear prescription sunglasses when playing in the waves. Mine were swept away by a larger wave that went over my head.

Kennington Cove is a great place to spend a beach day. There are plenty of places to eat in the town of Louisbourg afterwards. I particularly like the Grubstake Restaurant and highly recommend their butterscotch cake. There are also shows at the Louisbourg Playhouse and at the Fortress. Louisbourg is a happening place during the summer. Kennington Cove is a great excuse to go out there, enjoy a day at the beach and take in some of the other opportunities.

Until next time, I’m off on another Beach Bum Adventure.