- Salt+Ash Beach House and The Silva
On the Halifax Waterfront
By Jim David
My Take on … Canada Day’s visit to the Halifax Waterfront
At times, the unplanned can be the most fun. If the weather is nice on the Weekend, my spouse usually suggests a visit to Halifax’s Waterfront or the Boardwalk, as she calls it. If you don’t mind crowds, Canada Day can be fun with locals and visitors attired in their Canada Day colours and many businesses offering Canada Day specials and even the occasional freebie.
And so it was, last Monday, with the sun out, a nice breeze and temps in the 20s. Off we go to the Seaport. We managed to find the last parking spot, and today there is no charge. It’s also a special day at the Pier 21, Museum of Immigration, with no admission today. So far, we’ve saved over $50!
The museum was packed with many special activities laid on for Canada Day. Guests were building a giant Canada flag with Lego, and there were opportunities inside and outside to have photos taken. We spent two hours refreshing our knowledge on our proud Canadian citizenship and heritage. As we left the Seaport, we saw the US Training Ship Kennedy in Halifax as part of the Summer Sea Term. The ship, which is owned by Texas A&M Maritime Academy and registered in Cape Cod.
We got a great view of the Kennedy from the Harbour as we sailed toward the Northwest Arm on the Tall Ship Silva (Photo by Jim David)
When we arrived at the Queen’s Marque, we met Sean Buckland, Vice President of Business Development for Ambassatour’s. Sean was boarding the last passengers for the 4:00 pm sail of the Silva, and he asked if we would like to take the last two spaces aboard. Not having experienced a Halifax Harbour cruise in over twenty years (except for the daily ferry rides), our last tours were aboard the Haligonian and the Harbour Queen. We jumped at the opportunity.
The Silva (Photo by Jim David)
The cruise is two hours, leaving from Cable Wharf. It sails seven days a week at 4 pm and for a sunset cruise as well. We would see the sights, city, and coastline from a unique perspective. We sailed close to well-known landmarks including Georges Island National Historic Site, the Historic Properties, the Boardwalk, the Port and Point Pleasant Park.
Georges Island, otherwise known as Fort Charlotte (Photo by Jim David)
Sailing down the Arm (Photo by Jim David)
I was in awe as we sailed down the Northwest Arm past the yacht squadrons and the homes of the “rich and famous” of Southend Halifax, and Purcell’s Cove Road. We reminisced about the good times at the Jubilee, the Halifax Police and St. Mary’s Boat Clubs and looked at the new construction on the former Waegwoltic property. The Arm was filled with locals in their motorized craft, sailboats and yachts, out for a Canada Day sail.
The new 35-story building known as ONE77 on Quinpool Road is in full view. This building, along with Richmond Yards in the Northend, are the tallest buildings east of Montreal. (Photo by Jim David)
When the Silva turned to sail back to Cable Wharf, we couldn’t help but see and feel the fog banks pressing in on Point Pleasant Park. (Photo by Jim David)
For the first hour of our sail in the Canada Day sun, we had bench seats on deck. Folks were having fun chatting and some even dancing to the lively duo of “Brooklyn Blackmore,” who provided music and commentary on the sights of Halifax.
Brooklyn Blackmore entertains (Photo by Jim David)
The Silva has two areas below deck, which were a welcome relief to warm up part two of the sail. A bar, hot dogs and popcorn as well as restrooms are also located here. It also gave us time to reflect on the history of this ship.
Built in 1939 at Karlstad, Sweden, the Silva was the first of a series of seven steel sailing vessels built in an attempt to modernize Sweden’s small ship fleet. These seven became the last ships in the Swedish merchant marine built as sailing vessels. Silva sailed in the Baltic Sea throughout the war years.
On one trip, Silva encountered inclement weather outside of Landsort. The cargo of coal shifted in the large seas, and the Silva sank in 50 meters of water. The ship was salvaged immediately and found to have sustained no major damage. The main engine was dried, grease pumped into the bearings and cylinders, and then it was started anew. The same engine served the Silva for another 33 years.
Silva was a sailing cargo vessel from 1939 until 1960 and traded grain and fish throughout the 70’s and 80’s (Contributed Photo)
Canada came into the picture with “Canadian Sailing Expeditions” purchasing her in 2001, and she arrived in Halifax under tow in the Summer of that year. She has undergone a complete restoration from a cargo vessel to what she is today, still making a living on the sea since 1939.
Ambassatour’s Sean Buckland told me the company purchased Murphys, the Cable Wharf in 2014, and the Tall Ship Silva was and still is the flagship of the Halifax Harbour.
Sean added, “2025 is off to a great start. Year to date, we are pacing 16% ahead of this time last year, and we are seeing increased visitation from Canadian, American and International Travellers. Canada is essentially on sale for our American guests, given the exchange rate, and we are seeing more Canadians vacationing in their own backyard”.
We arrived back at Cable Wharf at sharp 6 o’clock to a long line at COW’s, but ice cream would have to wait because dinner was on our mind (Photo by Jim David)
Salt +Ash Beach House
Some of the best local dining can be found at Queens Marque on the Waterfront. Opened in 2020, the complex now boasts a variety of experiences from the seven courses at Mystic to Nova Scotia fare at Drift to a taste of Paris at Café Lunette. Somewhere in the middle, you can choose to relax with friends at what Salt+Ash now calls the “Beach House”.
Salt+Ash Beach House (Photo by Jim David)
Upon arriving shortly after 6 pm, the only seating available was at the bar. That was fortuitous because we were seated next to friends we hadn’t chatted with for more than 30 years! (Photo by Jim David)
The great team of bartenders kept busy with the full house and also tended to our questions. On Monday, they had a special Canada Day Menu which included a Lobster Chilli Hot Dog, Tater Tot Poutine and a Canadian Pizza.
There was also a Lobster Roll, my spouse’s choice (Photo by Jim David)
The Lobster Roll ($34) is also on the regular menu and is simply fresh lobster on a brioche bun mixed with the house tartar and a seaweed crunch. She had asked that they serve the seaweed crunch on the side, but the roll arrived with it on. It was enjoyed, nonetheless.
FISH + CHIPS, salt + vinegar fries, slaw, and tartar sauce are on the regular menu (Photo by Jim David)
If I go to a restaurant in Nova Scotia for the first time and fish & chips is an item, I find it difficult to resist. The Beach House’s F&C did not disappoint. The fries and slaw were unique, and the large piece of fish was perfectly battered, crisp, fresh, and there was no empty space between the fish filet and the batter. Add a bit of tartar and it’s perfection on a fork. I made it a point to pass my compliments on to the staff and manager.
I kept seeing Beach House Pizzas coming from the kitchen. There are four choices: Margherita ($21), Chilli Shrimp ($26), Brothers Meats Pepperoni Plus ($23) and a Nova Scotia Mushroom and Annapolis Cheese ($23).
The Bonfire at Salt+Ash Beach House. Don’t forget to ask about Bonfire Bingo on Sundays at 9:00 pm (Photo by Jim David)
According to Chef Kayla Nelson, his approach is a menu of comforting, rustic, and hearty dishes with a touch of coastal flair, something for everyone. There’s a selection of local craft beers and ciders, new and old world wines, and imaginative cocktails. I can see a great kitchen party here with one of their shareable kitchen party platters. However, my next visit will feature one of those big, savoury, live-fire pizzas.
Since it was Canada Day, a shared dessert was in order, and there was only one on the special menu.
Maple Cookie Ice Cream Sundae featuring vanilla Ice cream, a maple cookie, butter tart jam, smoked sea salt and lots of maple fudge chunks $10 (Photo by Jim David)
All the desserts served in the restaurants of the Queens Marque, as well as treats at the Muir Hotel, are all made in the same kitchen. They make their own ice cream, which was featured in the “Maple Cookie Ice Cream Sundae ($10)
When we left Salt+Ash Beach House, there were still crowds aplenty on the Boardwalk. Despite the cancellation of the fireworks due to fog, the 158th Birthday Party carried on.
What began as a day “without a plan” turned into a Canada Day to remember.
The Rise Again steps up for a view or down to the Harbour, is a great place to meet friends on your Boardwalk experience (Photo by Jim David)
The Halifax skyline facing north on July 1, 2025 (Photo by Jim David)
