If you’re dreaming of a coastal escape but can’t imagine leaving your four-legged friend behind, the Quarterdeck Resort in Summerville Centre, Nova Scotia is the perfect spot. With pet-friendly accommodations and a prime location along one of the South Shore’s most beautiful beaches, it’s a destination that both you and your pup will love.

Pet-Friendly Accommodations

At the Quarterdeck, pets are more than welcome—they’re part of the family. The Hilltop Studios and Seawood two-bedrooms are designated pet-friendly, giving you comfort, convenience, and easy access to the outdoors.

Many units feature:

• Private balconies (perfect for a morning coffee with your pup by your side).
• Walking trails and grassy areas nearby for quick outings.
• Close proximity to Summerville Beach for long seaside strolls.

Please Note: A $15 plus tax per day fee will be required for each pet.

Bringing a pet feels effortless here, with thoughtful touches that make you both feel at home.

Summerville Beach Adventures

The resort sits directly on Summerville Beach, a mile-long stretch of soft sand and rolling waves. Early mornings and evenings are especially magical for dog walks—your pup can sniff, explore, and chase the surf while you take in the ocean views.

Please Note: Dogs are welcome on Summerville Beach, but they must be kept on a leash at all times. This helps protect local wildlife and ensures the beach stays enjoyable for everyone.

Outdoor Fun Beyond the Resort

Once you’ve had your fill of beach time, there are plenty of nearby pet-friendly adventures to explore:

• Carter’s Beach (15 min drive): Famous turquoise water and soft sand, perfect for a picnic with your pup.
• Thomas H. Raddall Provincial Park: Dog-friendly hiking trails that weave through coastal forest and secluded beaches.
• Kejimkujik Seaside: Explore rugged shoreline trails together while spotting seals and seabirds along the way.

Patio Dining with Your Pup

After a day of adventure, head back to the Quarterdeck Grill, the resort’s oceanfront restaurant. While indoor dining is for people only, pets are welcome on the outdoor patio, where you can sip a glass of Nova Scotia wine, enjoy fresh seafood, and let your pup curl up at your feet at the designated pet-friendly patio area.

Tips for a Smooth Stay with Pets

Bring the essentials: bowls, leash, waste bags, and your pup’s favorite blanket.

Mind the tides: Dogs love running the flat sand bars at low tide but keep an eye out for shifting water.

Check pet policies before booking: Some units are pet-friendly, while others remain pet-free. Call ahead to secure the best option for your stay.

The Quarterdeck Resort makes traveling with pets simple, stress-free, and truly enjoyable. From long walks on Summerville Beach to cozy evenings in your villa or studio, you and your furry friend can soak up the beauty of Nova Scotia’s South Shore together.

Because sometimes the best memories are made with sandy paws and salty air. 

A big thank you to our guests for sharing these sweet photos of their getaway with their pup at the Quarterdeck Resort and Grill. Shoutout to Littlest Hugo and The Golden Blooms Farm on Instagram!

At The Quarterdeck Resort, we’re always looking for ways to create unforgettable guest experiences while reducing our environmental footprint. One of our proudest eco-initiatives is something you may not see during your stay—but it plays a huge role behind the scenes: our advanced on-site wastewater treatment system.

As you may consider, the demand for clean linens and towels is constant—and so is the need for water. In fact, the building that houses our industrial washing machines can use up to 21,000 litres of water per day during peak times. That’s a significant amount of wastewater—but instead of letting it go to waste, we’ve invested in an innovative and environmentally conscious solution.

Beneath our Seawood accommodations lies an innovative filtration system, developed in partnership with Waterloo Biofilter and ABLE Engineering. This custom-designed setup treats wastewater from our laundry operations in a multi-stage process that’s both energy-efficient and environmentally safe. The first step uses traditional septic tanks, which separate solids from liquids. This is the initial “pre-treatment” stage, preparing the water for more advanced purification.

From there, the liquid wastewater flows through Waterloo Biofilters, which contain a special filter medium that provides a habitat for naturally occurring bacteria. These beneficial microbes feed on the organic material in the wastewater, breaking down contaminants as the water moves through the system. This biological treatment method is incredibly effective—and completely natural. It’s also low-maintenance and uses no harsh chemicals, which aligns with our commitment to responsible hospitality

Once filtered, the process continues: about half of the treated water is re-cycled through and the remaining water is directed to a subsurface sand and stone bed, where it undergoes its last phase of filtration. Here, the earth itself helps purify the water before it’s safely returned to the groundwater system—clean, clear, and ready to rejoin the natural cycle.

Why it matters to us?

Water is one of our most precious resources, and at The Quarterdeck Resort, we’re committed to protecting it. Our filtration system allows us to reuse water, reduce waste, and contribute to the long-term health of the coastal environment and preserving the natural beauty of Summerville Beach which we call home.

This initiative is part of a larger vision: to create a resort experience that’s not only relaxing and luxurious—but also forward-thinking and sustainable.

By treating and reusing wastewater, we’re not just cutting down on environmental impact—we’re also promoting long-term sustainability in hospitality and setting a precedent for responsible tourism in Atlantic Canada. It’s a behind-the-scenes initiative we’re proud of, and one that highlights the importance of local solutions, sustainable development, and forward-thinking engineering.

Curious to learn more about our wastewater system or see it in action? Check out our amazing partners on Instagram:

@waterloobiofilter

@able_engineering

Have you seen similar water-saving systems in action elsewhere? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us a comment or share your thoughts on social media.

 @thequarterdeckresort