Spanish Bay (Nova Scotia) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Spanish Bay
Spanish Bay Location in Nova Scotia Show map of Nova Scotia Spanish Bay Location in Canada Show map of Canada
Location	Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
Coordinates	46°16′45″N 60°12′42″W / 46.27917°N 60.21167°W / 46.27917; -60.21167
Type	Bay
Part of	Cabot Strait
River sources	Sydney River, Balls Creek, Leitches Creek
Ocean/sea sources	Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Atlantic ocean
Basin countries	Canada
Max. width	7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi)
Settlements	Cape Breton Regional Municipality From west to east: Alder Point Little Pond Florence Sydney Mines North Sydney Upper North Sydney North West Arm Leitches Creek Station Leitches Creek Balls Creek Point Edward Edwardsville Westmount Sydney River Sydney Whitney Pier South Bar Victoria Mines New Victoria

Spanish Bay is a large bay in Nova Scotia, Canada. It's on the Atlantic coast of Cape Breton Island. The bay is also where Sydney Harbour meets the ocean. People have called it "Spanish Bay" (or similar names like "Spanish Harbour") on maps since at least 1708.

Sailing in Spanish Bay

About Spanish Bay

Spanish Bay opens up to the north-west. It connects directly to the southern part of the Cabot Strait. This strait then leads to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

The bay is about 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) wide at its mouth. This measurement is taken between Alder Point on Boularderie Island and Low Point on Cape Breton Island.

Shoreline Features

The shores of Spanish Bay are mostly strong and rocky. There are many important points of land sticking out into the water. These include Point Aconi, High Cape, Alder Point, and Merritt Point. Other points are Bonar Head, Oxford Point, Black Point, Cranberry Point, McGillivray Point, and Petries Point.

Even with all the rocks, there are some nice beaches. Florence Beach (also called Big Pond Beach) has a sandy area about 0.75 kilometres (0.47 mi) long. There's also a popular swimming spot called Polar Bear Beach. It is located just north of South Bar.

Communities Around the Bay

Many towns and villages are located along the shoreline of Spanish Bay. They stretch from the northwest, around to the south, and then to the northeast.