Nova Scotia
Big Glace Bay Beach
A mile of coal-flecked sand in Cape Breton's old mining country, near Marconi's Table Head station, with plenty of common glass.
About Glassy Beach
A small, sandless cove on the outskirts of Springdale, reached by a short, steep woodland trail off Route 390. It was once the town dump, and the waves have since ground the debris into a beach almost made of glass. After visitors began carrying it away, a local campaign put up a sign asking people to leave the glass in place.
Sea glass at Glassy Beach
Dense whites and greens with old china fragments; reviewers say most of the coloured glass has already been taken.
Visiting Glassy Beach
- Getting there
- A three-minute trail off Route 390 on the edge of Springdale; the path is short but steep with roots, and ends with a scramble over rocks. Open 1 May to 1 December (Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism).
- Toilets
- None; no amenities on site (visitor reviews).
- Safety
- Check the tide times before you go and head out on a falling tide, so you're never cut off. Keep away from the bottom of cliffs, wear sturdy shoes on rocks, and follow the collecting rules above.
From the community
Hunters' photos of Glassy Beach
No photos yet. Been here? Share what you found.
Sign in to share your photos of Glassy Beach. It's free and there's no password.
From the community
Hunters' reviews of Glassy Beach
Found here:
No reviews yet. Be the first to tell other hunters what you found.
Community forum
Start a discussion Discussions about Glassy Beach
No discussions yet. Been recently? Post a beach report and tell other hunters how it was.
Sources
- newfoundlandlabrador.com : Official NL tourism listing: former dump site where waves polished debris into colourful sea glass; season May–Dec; free
- amp.cbc.ca : CBC As It Happens: campaign by a former teacher to stop visitors removing the glass; sign on the beach
- wanderlog.com : Visitor reviews: lots of glass, most coloured pieces taken, no washrooms
Last updated 24 October 2026
Nearby
All beaches in Newfoundland and Labrador More sea glass beaches near Springdale
Nova Scotia
Indian Beach
A small park beach beside the Newfoundland ferry terminal in North Sydney, littered with tiny, well-finished nuggets of sea glass.
Nova Scotia
Inverness Beach
Cape Breton's best-loved sea glass beach, a long sandy strand on the Ceilidh Trail with its own sea glass festival.
Prince Edward Island
© WabbitWanderer from London, Canada · CC BY-SA 2.0 Souris Beach
PEI's best-known sea glass beach, by the Gateway Park at the entrance to Souris, home of the Mermaid Tears Sea Glass Festival.