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There’s something profoundly soothing about the combination of ocean air, soft light, and stillness. Something I felt deeply at the Oceanstone Resort & Nordic Spa in Nova Scotia, just a short drive from Halifax and only five minutes from iconic Peggy’s Cove.
Oceanstone Resort
We arrived after a vibrant few days exploring Halifax, ready for stillness and to dive more into these Nordic Spa treatments we were starting to form a love affair with. The road to Indian Harbour wound past rugged coastlines and salty breezes until we reached this seaside retreat that immediately felt like an exhale.
Over two restorative nights, Oceanstone Resort & Spa became both our home and our sanctuary, a place where nature and nurture converged in the most peaceful of ways. We stayed at Oceanstone and nearby Peggy’s Cove as part of our 7-day Nova Scotia road trip (in partnership with Tourism Nova Scotia) Here’s what we experienced…
The location: A seaside escape close to Halifax and Peggy’s Cove
Oceanstone’s location is one of its greatest gifts. Close enough to Halifax (just 45 minutes) for an easy getaway, yet far enough to feel worlds apart, it’s the kind of place where time slows down with the tides.
Set along St. Margaret’s Bay, the resort rests on a quiet cove, a rocky little beach perfect for morning reflection or a brisk ocean swim. It’s not the kind of beach for long walks, but for quiet contemplation, sunbathing on a boulder, or meditating to the rhythm of the waves, it’s divine.
Everywhere you turn, there’s a view, from the decks of the cottages to the spa terrace to the windows of the on-site restaurant. The setting alone is enough to restore balance.
Our stay: Comfort with a coastal touch
Our studio villa
We stayed in the Oceanvista Suite, a bright, open-concept studio with a small kitchen, sitting area, and private deck overlooking the property and the sea. Mornings began with ocean light filtering through the windows, the air cool and clean with salt carried in on the breeze, and a cup of coffee breathing it all in on our deck.
Waterfront cottages
While our suite was lovely, I couldn’t help but admire the waterfront cottages, private hideaways with firepits right on the shore, perfect for a cozy evening under the stars. If your budget allows, a cottage (sleeping two to eight) would be my pick for a future stay. There’s just something magical about being that close to the water, hearing waves lapping as you drift to sleep.
Cozy beachfront cabins
The resort is family-friendly and pet-friendly, so everyone in your crew — human or furry — can enjoy the experience.
The Hydrothermal Spa Experience: Healing by the Sea
Oceanstone Spa
The real highlight of our stay, though, was the Hydrothermal Spa — a serene wellness sanctuary carved into Oceanstone’s natural landscape.
Designed around the ancient practice of Nordic hydrotherapy, the spa invites you to cycle through heat, cold, and rest to awaken the body’s natural healing rhythm. The process is beautifully simple yet deeply transformative:
- Warm up in a sauna, steam room, or thermal pool to open pores and relax muscles.
- Cool down with a plunge into cold water — a bracing shock that stimulates circulation, boosts immunity, and clears the mind.
- Rest by the fire or in quiet spaces to allow the body to recover and absorb the benefits.
Repeating this hot-cold-rest cycle two or three times brings on a sense of rejuvenation that feels both physical and emotional — a full-body reset.
Our Hydrothermal Journey
The Hydrothermal Journey
We booked the 3-hour Hydrothermal Journey, and from the moment we stepped into the spa, the world outside seemed to dissolve.
The outdoor area is stunning — intimate yet open, surrounded by trees and the distant sound of ocean waves. The air carried that clean, mineral scent you only find near the sea.
We began by wandering through the Kneipp River Walk, a shallow, rocky stream of cold water designed to stimulate circulation as you wade through it. It’s a gentle introduction before the more intense cold plunges.
Kneip River Walk and barrel sauna
Next came the barrel saunas — one dry, one hammam-style — both overlooking the treatment pools. I lingered a little too long in the hammam, the eucalyptus-infused steam wrapping around me until my heart raced. The cold plunge that followed was shockingly intense, a reminder not to push my body too far beyond comfort.
But as I sank into the Arctic plunge pool, something shifted. Breath deepened, mind quieted, and that surge of energy and calm hit all at once. Since our visit to Nature Folk Spa in Halifax a few days earlier, I’d been slowly training my body to embrace the cold, and here, I surprised myself again, staying in for around ten minutes at a time.
Steam room, cold plunge, warm pools, and ocean plunge
We really loved making our final cold plunge in the ocean, which is encouraged by Oceanstone and is its unique difference to other Nordic spas in Nova Scotia. At 14 degrees Celsius it was warmer than the 10-degree arctic cold plunge pool in the treatment area.
To not lose any of our precious three-hour time limit within the spa, we did the ocean cold plunge after our time had wrapped up! Then we popped back into the spa to return our robes and enjoy a warm shower!
Great rest areas and food and drinks
Afterward, we stretched out by the firepits, sipping a Lighthouse smoothie made with lemon, ginger, honey, turmeric, and pear. I paired it with a morning glory muffin and a protein power ball, both delicious and nourishing.
The spa offers more than just the hydrothermal circuit. Inside, guests can access a fitness center with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the spa — easily one of the nicest hotel gyms I’ve seen — and a yoga studio for private or group sessions.
They also have meditation dens, and as a daily meditator, I was disappointed I did not find the time to enter into private stillness. Next visit for sure!
Treatments and Wellness Offerings
Such a gorgeous space
While the hydrothermal circuit alone is worth the visit, Oceanstone also offers an extensive menu of spa treatments, including:
- Massage therapy
- Body polishes and scrubs
- Facials and skincare
- Acupuncture
- Assisted stretching sessions
Each is designed to complement the hydrothermal journey, helping you deepen the experience of relaxation and release.
Food and drinks from The Lighthouse are also available throughout your spa time with fresh, yummy goodness like grazing boards, stews, flatbread, fresh salads, and cold-pressed juices. For those who prefer a little indulgence, wine and local craft beer are also available. In hindsight, I would have preferred to eat lunch here than at the café nearby where we went.
I loved that everything at Oceanstone felt intentionally unhurried. There were no crowds, no background chatter — just the sound of water, wind, and fire. Even without the ocean view, you’d feel like you were immersed in nature’s rhythm.
Things to know before you go
Relaxed vibes
Here are a few things to know before your visit to the Hydrothermal Spa at Oceanstone Resort:
- Book ahead: Spa access is limited to small groups for a serene atmosphere. Each session is capped at three hours.
- Bring your swimsuit and a non-glass water bottle. Robes, towels, sandals, and lockers are provided.
- Phones and cameras are not permitted inside the spa area, encouraging full digital detox and presence.
- Visit year-round: In summer, you can add a dip in the ocean; in winter, the fire-side rest areas and warm pools become even more magical under a blanket of snow.
Dining at Oceanstone: Coastal Flavors and Quiet Moments
Settled in with good food, wine and views
Oceanstone has its own Rhubarb Restaurant, which consistently ranks among the best in the area. Unfortunately for us, it was closed on the evenings we stayed (Monday and Tuesday), but the resort offered an in-suite meal service with options like chicken wings, meatballs, curries, pasta, and roasted dinners. We ordered a charcuterie board, pork tenderloin, and seasonal vegetables.
We pre-ordered dinner expecting it pre-cooked, only to discover it raw and ready for us to prepare. Not quite what I envisioned for a lazy evening, but it turned out to be a small gift in disguise. As the scent of bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin and apple cider-Dijon sauce filled the kitchen, we opened a bottle of Luckett Vineyard red wine* (a Nova Scotia favorite we’d later visit in Wolfville) and ate on our deck as the sky dimmed to twilight.
Trees partially blocked the final dip of the sun, but that didn’t matter — the moment was peaceful and perfect, the kind of travel memory that stays etched in your heart.
On our second evening, we discovered a restaurant on the resort grounds that opens when Rhubarb is closed. Had we known, we would’ve dined there the night before! This time we enjoyed gourmet meals of salmon with a honey-soy glaze and a Thai chicken katsu curry — both beautifully cooked and full of flavor. We took our meals back to our suite and watched the sun set and the fog roll in over the bay.
Morning Coffee| Dinner on second night
Mornings began with a simple buffet breakfast — scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit, and toast — nothing elaborate, but hearty enough to start the day. Guests can also pre-order BBQ platters or packed lunches for seaside picnics, another lovely touch for those exploring Peggy’s Cove or nearby trails.
And don’t miss the afternoon happy hour at the main lodge. We spent our first afternoon sipping wine on the ocean-view deck, feeling every muscle in our bodies start to let go.
* There’s a small grocery store about a five-minute drive away where you can find wine and snacks. I was thrilled to find they stocked Twirls – my favorite chocolate back in Australia that the USA still does not know about! Thank you Canada!!
Exploring nearby: Peggy’s Cove and Beyond
Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse
One of the biggest perks of staying at Oceanstone is how close it is to Peggy’s Cove and Peggy’s Point Lighthouse, one of Nova Scotia’s most photographed and iconic spots.
We spent an afternoon there wandering the rugged granite rocks around the lighthouse, grabbing a quick lunch from Café L’Acadie, and later attempting to eat at Tom’s Lobster Shack (sadly, they’d sold out of lobster rolls for the day — a sign of their popularity!). Thankfully, our cozy kitchen at Oceanstone saved the evening once again.
Polly’s Cove Trail
If you have more time, the nearby Polly’s Cove Trail offers spectacular ocean views and a peaceful hike away from the crowds. We also enjoyed this short hike with beautiful views all around. Once you get to the coast, there is no real defined path, so carefully weave your own, being careful with the cliff edges. We could not find a definitive end or loop so we turned back when we felt we’d seen enough.
Read more in our guide to explore Peggy’s Cove and Peggy’s Point Lighthouse.
Returning to Stillness
Wonderful place to stay
Our time at Oceanstone felt like a beautiful midpoint in our Nova Scotia Nordic Spa road trip — the moment where everything slowed down enough for the experiences of the week to sink in.
There was something deeply symbolic about moving between heat and cold, effort and rest, ocean and land. It reminded me that wellness isn’t found in constant motion, but in the balance between doing and being.
Sitting on our deck after our final hydrothermal session, watching fog roll gently across St. Margaret’s Bay, I felt that rare sense of complete peace, the kind that lingers long after you’ve returned home.
Plan your visit
Oceanstone Resort & Hydrothermal Spa
8650 Peggy’s Cove Rd, Indian Harbour, Nova Scotia
oceanstoneresort.com | rhubarbrestaurant.ca
(902) 823-2133
Whether you visit for a day spa experience or stay overnight to fully unwind, Oceanstone is one of those places that quietly grounds and restores you, reminding you to listen to the rhythm of your own breath, like the ocean against the shore.