The charm of lighthouses cannot be denied. These unwavering sentinels standing tall on the edge and their pulsing lights are a reminder of days gone by and maritime heritage that runs deep. From the volunteers with their friendly greetings, stories of the lighthouse keepers, the surrounding jagged rocks, and sparkling sunsets, a trip to Nova Scotia isn’t complete until you’ve visited one, two, three, or more lighthouses.
As you put together your own road trip itinerary through this beautiful province, you’ll find that it feels almost impossible to choose which to visit but with this guide, we’re honing in on the Southwest region and share with you 9 of the best Nova Scotia lighthouses.
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10 Best Nova Scotia Lighthouses in the Southwest
With thousands of kilometres of coastline, Nova Scotia has a staggering number of lighthouses. In fact, with a total of 287 lighthouses, this is the largest number in Canada. Combine this with the fact that this is the second smallest province geographically, we’re talking about a lot of beacons of light.
Instead of covering the entire province, we’re going to focus in on the southwest region of Nova Scotia that includes Digby all the way around the Shelburne. This is often the side that’s less-travelled but as you’re about to see, offers some of the most brilliant views, stories, and experiences of the maritimes.
1. Prim Point Lighthouse
Found on a rocky headland and looking out towards what’s called the Digby Gut, Prim Point Lighthouse stands watch over the deep water passage where the current Fundy Rose ferry goes back and forth between Digby and Saint John.
There’s plenty of history to be discovered at this location. Through the various plaques and displays, you’ll learn the names of all lighthouse keepers, shipwrecks, the foghorn, and all the versions of the lighthouse.
In fact, the current version of the Prim Point Lighthouse is the fourth. Its predecessors have either burned down or been bulldozed over the bluff. There’s even a neat little glass panel that shows you where the previous iteration was located and what it looked like.
Make sure to spend time exploring the rocks below as it extends quite far out into the water and is relatively safe to climb around. Just be careful around the seaweed and take not of the changing tides.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Lighthouse type: Square concrete tower, white, red stripes, attached to building.
Built in: 1804 (the original lighthouse). The current version was built in 1964.
Height: 7.62 metres/25 feet
Still operating: Light is still functional and required by the Coast Guard.
Address: 1430 Lighthouse Rd, Digby, NS B0V 1A0
Lighthouse open to visitors: No
Able to climb: No
Price: Free
Special programs: In the summer, volunteers may have a desk set outside of the lighthouse, sharing stories about the history of this lighthouse.
Photography tips:
- Be on the lookout for whales, dolphins, and porpoises in the water surrounding the lighthouse.
- Pay attention to all of the unique rock formations at the lighthouse’s base and surrounding area.
- If you’re able to, walk over the rounded rocks and look for large puddles of water that create reflections of this Nova Scotia lighthouse.
Parking: Drive to the end of Lighthouse Road and you’ll see a large dirt parking lot right behind the lighthouse.
Amenities: There are 4 benches overlooking the water and 3 picnic tables. There are portable toilets from June to September.
2. Gilbert’s Cove Lighthouse
Gilbert’s Cove Lighthouse is one of the most charming little Nova Scotia lighthouses. It’s literally a square keeper’s house that just so happens to have a lantern atop the roof.
The experience is made whole by the friendly staff of the Gilbert Cove & District Historical Society that have done an incredible job of maintaining the site but also has staff members on-site to share its stories.
Inside the lighthouse, you’ll find a wealth of artifacts here including photos, quilts, carvings, and archival prints.
The best part is that you can climb its steps all the way to the top of the lantern for panoramic views of the cove. As you’ll find with most lighthouses in Nova Scotia, there aren’t many that can be climbed.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Lighthouse type: Roof mounted, square wood dwelling, white, red roof.
Built in: 1904
Height: 10.97 metres/36 feet
Still operating: No and light is no longer operational.
Address: 244 Lighthouse Rd, Gilberts Cove, NS B0W 2R0
Lighthouse open to visitors: Yes, it is open to the public daily from mid-June to late-September 10AM–4PM. There is a tea room and gift shop inside the lighthouse.
Able to climb: Yes, you can climb the tower which is filled with artifacts and historic photos.
Price: Free to enter. There is a charge for the teahouse and souvenirs.
Photography tips:
- There is a rock beach to the right of the lighthouse. The wooden steps down to the beach make a great foreground subject.
- Walk along the shoreline when the tide is out to see the lighthouse from different angles.
Parking: There’s a gravel 1.2 km (0.8 miles) road to get to the lighthouse. There is plenty of parking in the lot in front of the lighthouse.
Amenities: Tea room and gift shop in the lighthouse, benches, and picnic tables. There are no bathrooms.
3. Belliveau Cove Lighthouse
Considered to be a pierhead light, Belliveau Cove Lighthouse juts out into the harbour, providing a safe passage light for those looking for refuge. It guards the narrow passageway leading into the cove and is your classic tapered square wooden tower with red accents.
What makes this lighthouse unique is that you can see it from a number of angles. You’re able to walk right up to the lighthouse by walking along the wall that has boulder breakwater flanking both sides.
At the bottom of one end of the rock wall is a beach where you’ll find plenty of driftwood and crashing waves.
From the opposite side of the entryway is another pier that angles into the water and from here, you’ll see the barrier made of stacked logs wood that seemingly form the foundation of the lighthouse.
If you are lucky enough to come Belliveau Cove Farmer’s Market on a Saturday, you’ll see local food producers, artists, and artisans here.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Lighthouse type: Tapered square wood tower, white, red lantern.
Built in: 1889
Height: 6.71 metres/22 feet
Still operating: No but light is still operational.
Address: 3239 Highway 1, Belliveau Cove, NS
Lighthouse open to visitors: No
Able to climb: No
Price: Free
Photography tips:
- Instinctively you’ll want to drive and park right up to the lighthouse. There’s a path with a rock wall barrier on both sides but it doesn’t present the lighthouse in a photogenic way. To the right of the main path, you can also get down to the beach but the rock wall is quite high and obscures the base of the lighthouse.
- The best vantage point is actually across the water where you’ll see the angular wooden barrier and base of the lighthouse.
- Look for flowers to add to your foreground or the rounded pebbles at the beach to add to your composition.
- If you look at older photos of the lighthouse, you’ll see that they used to have vertical wooden logs as the retaining wall that made it look like the lighthouse was behind a fort for the wharf but they’ve since been removed and replaced with the boulders.
Parking: Right off of Route 1 is a gravel road that takes you right up to the lighthouse. You can also drive to the park area across the lighthouse where there’s ample parking for the Farmers Market.
Amenities: Picnic tables, benches, public washrooms (open May to October), pétanque field, and free wifi in Farmers Market area.
4. Cape St. Mary’s Lighthouse
The design of the Cape St. Mary’s Lighthouse is very similar to Prim Point Lighthouse but its setting is dramatically different. The lighthouse sits atop sprawling steep cliffs that reach out into the open water.
When you combine the view of the lighthouse, cliffs, ocean, and sun setting in the horizon, this is a not-to-miss sight for anyone chasing the best of Nova Scotia’s lighthouses.
Owned by the Canadian Coast Guard, you’ll find that the grounds of this lighthouse are much better maintained, manicured, and groomed compared to the other lighthouses on this list. This is because this is a proper Municipality of Clare park.
In the park, you’ll also see a large granite monument commemorating those lost at sea in Clare.
Fun fact: The steep cliffs below the light have many caves formerly used by rumrunners as hideouts during the prohibition.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Lighthouse type: Square concrete tower, white, on fog signal building, red lantern.
Built in: 1868 (the original lighthouse). The current lighthouse was built in 1969.
Height: 8.84 metres/29 feet
Still operating: No but light is still operational.
Address: 59 Lighthouse Rd, Church Point, NS B0W 1M0
Lighthouse open to visitors: No
Able to climb: No
Price: Free
Photography tips:
- The lighthouse isn’t particularly photogenic and since it’s not possible to photograph it safely on land with the cliffs in view, we recommend you come at sunset to frame it against the backdrop of dramatic colour.
- There are some interesting angles from the rope fence near the edge of the cliff and from behind to the far right, shooting from the edge of the rock fence.
- Look for flowers to add to your foreground or the rounded pebbles at the beach to add to your composition.
- If you own a drone, the aerial view from the water looking back towards the lighthouse are absolutely stunning with the sprawling cliffs.
Parking: There is quite the large gravel parking lot.
Amenities: Covered picnic area with picnic tables, benches, interpretive panels, and binoculars. Seasonally, there are should be porta-potties.
5. Cape Forchu Lighthouse
Many people consider Peggy’s Cove the best of Nova Scotia lighthouses but that’s probably because they don’t know about the Cape Forchu Lighthouse in Yarmouth.
Its charm comes from the unusual “apple-core” design that was introduced in 1962 as a replacement to the previous traditional wooden lighthouse. The concrete tower is slim until you get to the light, where its diameter expands to a large glass housing for the lighting element.
Surrounding the lighthouse is the light keeper’s duplex in front and keeper’s bungalow behind the tower. Today, as a significant tourism draw, the bungalow is where you’ll find the gift shop and restaurant.
When visiting, make sure you do one of the two climbing experiences which include a spiral staircase climb to the top of the tower and being able to see the full panoramic view of the cape.
That’s not all though! Below the lighthouse is the Leif Erikson Park which has an extensive trail around the southern tip where you’ll meet Foggy the Cape Forchu Whale, learn the geology of site, and take in the magnificent coastal views.
Tip: The lobster rolls from The Keeper’s Kitchen are to die for!
Fun fact: Cape Forchu was named by Samuel de Champlain (“Cap Forchu” in French), meaning forked tongue of land.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Lighthouse type: Hexagonal concrete tower, red & white, apple-core shaped design.
Built in: 1839 (the original lighthouse). The current lighthouse was built in 1962.
Height: 22.86 metres/75 feet
Still operating: No but light is still operational.
Address: 1856, NS-304, Cape Forchu, NS B5A 5G7
Lighthouse open to visitors: Yes
Able to climb: Yes, they offer two climbing experiences – one is 30 minutes and another is a full hour.
Price: Free to visit the grounds. There is a fee for climbing the lighthouse.
Photography tips:
- The view from the top of the lighthouse is great but challenging to photograph because of the glass. There may be a way to get your lens through the air vent but it’s not a great angle.
- Behind the lighthouse (towards inland) is a hill that you can hike up. From the two red chairs at the top of the hill, there is a great vantage point.
- Behind the lighthouse is a small pool that makes a great composition with the reflection of the lighthouse
- If you have good shoes, climb over the rocks from the small pool which has great shot of the lighthouse and the jagged rocks it sits atop.
- Make sure to explore the entire Leif Erikson Trail to discover great angles of Cape Forchu lighthouse.
- Along the trail, there’s another pool of water that combines the lighthouse, its reflection, rocks, and the surrounding green landscape.
- This location is great for sunsets and astrophotography.
- Great spot for flying your drone if you have one. Just note that this is the only lighthouse in this set that is controlled airspace so you will need to make sure you have your advanced pilot license and file your flight plan with NAV Canada‘s NAV Drone app. While the lighthouse is within the radius of the Yarmouth airport, approvals at this distance are automatic.
Parking: There are three parking lots on-site. First there is a lot to your right when you start making your way to the lighthouse. This is the furthest. Another is the large roundabout that has 6 marked spots and what ends up happening is people just park around the edge of the loop. There’s finally a set of spots up the hill that’s next to the restroom facilities.
Amenities: Picnic tables, benches, gift shop, The Keeper’s Kitchen restaurant, restroom, museum, lighthouse climbing with guided tour. Facilities at Cape Forchu Lighthouse are open during the summer from 10AM to 4PM.
6. Pubnico Harbour Lighthouse
Pubnico Harbour is deep and lengthly inlet in southwestern Nova Scotia and as a result, is commonly used by lobster fishermen. The Pubnico Harbour Lighthouse sits near the entrance of the waterway.
When you arrive, you’ll notice that the beach is littered with peculiar giant wooden structures with nets and tires hanging off of them. These are called lobster cars.
During lobster season, all of the catches are placed in these massive containers to be kept in the water before the fishermen get a chance to transport them out of the water.
On the western shore of the harbour is modern wind farm with a forest of wind turbines.
When visiting, you can walk right up to the lighthouse by walking along the breakwater. There’s also a beach that you’ll be able to explore especially if the tide is low.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Lighthouse type: Circular fibreglass tower, white, red band.
Built in: 1854 (the original lighthouse). The current lighthouse was built in 1984.
Height: 8.84 metres/29 feet
Still operating: No but light is still operational.
Address: Lighthouse Road, Lower East Pubnico, NS B0W 2A0
Lighthouse open to visitors: No
Able to climb: No
Price: Free
Photography tips:
- Depending on the season, you’ll find plenty of lobster cars on the beach which can be interesting to frame.
- One challenge photographing the lighthouse is the massive field of wind turbines behind. You’ll need to either work them into your composition or find a different angle.
- There is a way to walk right up to the lighthouse by following the path that leads to it
- You will likely have better luck photographing Pubnico Harbour Lighthouse from across the water and using a telephoto lens.
Parking: The end of the gravel Lighthouse Road has a metal gate that prevents you from driving beyond. While there isn’t an official parking lot, you’ll be able to stop your car in this area to explore the lighthouse.
Amenities: None
7. Cape Sable Lighthouse
Marking the most southern tip of Nova Scotia is the province’s tallest lighthouse at 101 feet. It stands on Cape Sable which is a low-lying sandy islet that is completely separated from the much larger Cape Sable Island. As a result, it can only be reached by boat.
Since it’s difficult to get to, the best way to catch a glimpse of the Cape Sable Lighthouse is from Hawk Beach. Those that are a bit more enterprising can also find a local fisherman to take you to the islet for a visit.
Hawk Beach has a unique section of beach called the Drowned Forest. At low tide, stumps of petrified trees 1,500 years old are revealed, creating quite the other-worldly scene.
The long stretch of white sand beach is also part of the Cape Sable Important Bird Area, making it one of the best birding areas in Nova Scotia.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Lighthouse type: Octagonal concrete tower, white, red lantern.
Built in: 1861 (the original lighthouse). The current lighthouse was rebuilt and relocated to this concrete base in 1924.
Height: 30.78 metres/101 feet
Still operating: No but light is still operational.
Address: Cape Sable Island, NS
Lighthouse open to visitors: No
Able to climb: No
Price: Free
Photography tips:
- The best way to see the lighthouse up close is on the water. Coastal Adventures offers sea kayaking trips that passes by the Cape Sable Lighthouse since it is not connected by land.
- The best vantage point of the lighthouse is from Hawks Beach.
- When you get to the Drowned Forest part of Hawks Beach, you’ll be able to see Cape Sable Lighthouse in the distance.
- Continuing walking along the beach to get closer views from shore.
Parking: If you drive down all the way to the end of Hawks Point Road, you’ll be able to park your car on the side and get close views of the lighthouse. Alternatively, there’s a larger turn off lot at the more official entrance to Hawks Beach which is down New Road, a side road off of Hawks Point Road.
Amenities: Porta-potty available during the summer months.
8. Seal Island Light Museum
Seal Island is technically 18 miles offshore but there’s an amazing museum in the town of Barrington that has a 35 foot replica of the original 60 foot lighthouse.
Seal Island Light Museum allows visitors to learn more about the maritime culture of the region and a chance to climb all 5 stories of a traditional wooden lighthouse. At the top is a second order Fresnel lens which is the real one used from 1902 to 1978 on the actual Seal Island Lighthouse.
The museum is well-worth the visit as it’s packed with interactive exhibits, informative panels, and artifacts.
When you’re done, make sure to visit the other sites of the Barrington Museum Complex.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Lighthouse type: Tapered octagonal wood tower, white, red stripes.
Built in: 1978
Height: 10.67 metres/35 feet
Still operating: No
Address: 2422 Nova Scotia Trunk 3, Barrington, NS B0W 1E0
Lighthouse open to visitors: Yes
Able to climb: Yes
Price: $5/adult, $4/senior or student, and children under 5 are free.
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10AM-4:30PM in from June to August (open for appointment-only after August 27)
Photography tips:
- The interior is spacious and meant for exploring. Don’t forget to climb all the way to the top, walk the light’s balcony and stick your head into the lamp itself. There are plenty of unique angles to photograph.
- The best angles of the lighthouse are as you walk towards the entrance.
Parking: There is a gravel parking lot off the main road (Lighthouse Route 3).
Amenities: Picnic tables and museum with artifacts, gift shop, and interpretive panels. The museum is part of the Barrington Museum Complex. There are no bathrooms in the lighthouse or nearby.
9. Baccaro Point Lighthouse
The southernmost point of the Nova Scotia mainland is Baccaro Point and here stands a bright red-topped square wooden lighthouse.
From here, there’s a sweeping view into the ocean and the crashing of the waves into the rocks can be heard. Similar to Prim Point Lighthouse, make sure to hike down the rocks towards the water. Further below, you might be lucky enough to spot a seal!
As a strategic location during wartime, that’s why you’ll see a giant radar installation just behind the Baccaro Point Lighthouse. In its heyday, this was used as an early warning radar system, operated by the United States Air Force. Today, it’s used as a remotely operated coastal radar system.
This is also a great spot for seabird watching.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Lighthouse type: Tapered square wood tower, white, red lantern.
Built in: 1850 (the original lighthouse). The current lighthouse was built in 1934.
Height: 13.72 metres/45 feet
Still operating: No but light is still operational.
Address: 157 Lighthouse Rd, East Baccaro, NS B0W 1T0
Lighthouse open to visitors: No
Able to climb: No
Price: Free
Photography tips:
- Sitting atop a bed of rock, descend downwards from the lighthouse and you’ll have an opportunity to frame the Baccaro Point Lighthouse amongst the large boulders.
- Look for small pools of water to see if you’re able to find reflections of the tower’s lantern.
- There are also flowers that surround the lighthouse that also make a nice frame
- Lastly, there’s an interesting juxtaposition of the historic lighthouse with the large spherical dome of the coastal radar system that you can look to capture.
- Be on the lookout for seals that may be basking on the rocks below.
Parking: The end of the gravel Lighthouse Road has a metal gate that you can’t go beyond. While there isn’t an official parking lot, you’ll be able to stop your car in this area to explore the lighthouse.
Amenities: Picnic table and porta-potty.
10. Sandy Point Lighthouse
Your southwestern Nova Scotia lighthouse adventure ends off with this gem. Sandy Point Lighthouse is the only one in this entire collection that is in the middle of the water.
With Shelburne Harbour’s narrow entrance and 200 metre sand bar, a lighthouse was needed to make sure ships didn’t run ashore. That is why the current iteration of the lighthouse was built on a concrete platform right at the edge of the shallow section.
Today, the magic behind Sandy Point Lighthouse is during low tide when a crescent path reveals itself and you can walk right to its base.
Another bonus of coming here is that there are proper facilities here as part of the Sandy Point Recreation Centre so in the summer, this also makes a great beach hangout spot.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Lighthouse type: Tapered square wood tower, white, concrete base.
Built in: 1873 (the original lighthouse). The current lighthouse was rebuilt and relocated to this concrete base in 1903.
Height: 13.41 metres/44 feet
Still operating: No but light is still operational.
Address: Sandy Point Rd, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0
Lighthouse open to visitors: No
Able to climb: No
Price: Free
Photography tips:
- Depending on the tide, you’ll be able to walk either right up to the lighthouse and this can create dramatic close up or wide shots of the Sandy Point Lighthouse. Use this tide chart to find out when you should visit.
- Be on the lookout for birds onshore especially the seaweed heavy area to the lefthand side of the beach.
- Since the lighthouse is in the water, there are plenty of ways to frame it with its own reflection while on the beach or partially revealed sand bar.
- This is a fantastic lighthouse to select for sunsets.
Parking: There is a large gravel parking lot tied to the Sandy Point Recreation Centre.
Amenities: Recreation centre with canteen, bathrooms, and hall for large group bookings (open 12-6PM during the summer months only), stairs to the beach, picnic tables, and a barbecue windbreak.
Map of the Lighthouses in Nova Scotia’s Southwest
The below is a detailed map of Nova Scotia’s southwest with all of the lighthouses in this article pinned in red. You’ll also find all of the recommended accommodations in purple.
To make the most out of this map, maximize the map and if you’re logged into your Google account, make a copy of the map and tweak it for your own future Nova Scotia itinerary.
Where to Stay in Nova Scotia’s Southwest
Since you won’t be able to do all 10 lighthouses in one day, we recommend building a 3 day Nova Scotia itinerary. With that, you’ll need recommendations on where to stay in Nova Scotia’s southwest.
MAVILLETTE
Cape View Motel and Cottages
This is a modest motel in a great location with convenient access to Mavillette Beach Provincial Park where you’ll often see surfers. Cape St. Mary’s Lighthouse can be seen from a distance and is a short drive.
YARMOUTH
Rodd Grand Yarmouth
A comfy hotel that’s pet friendly and has excellent staff. Its location is the primary draw being walking distance to the entire town. The property is slated to undergo a major renovation and once done, will be one of the best properties in this part of Nova Scotia.
YARMOUTH
TRU by Hilton Yarmouth
Yarmouth’s newest hotel that’s located next to the regional airport. As a TRU property, it has extremely clean and modern design. Under the Hilton umbrella, you’ll be able to earn and redeem points which is rare to find insouthwest Nova Scotia.
SHELBURNE
Cooper’s Inn
A lovely bed and breakfast property that is part of the Association of Unique Country Inns, and is also a Provincial Heritage Property, going as far back as 1785. The inn is charming and updated to all the modern comforts. Their “Social Hour” in the summer, overall hospitality, and incredible to-order breakfast makes this a true standout in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse is undoubtedly the most popular lighthouse in Nova Scotia but many will argue that the lesser-known lighthouses such as Cape Forchu Lighthouse is arguably better because there are less people and its design is so unique.
Most lighthouses are closed to the public but you can climb Gilbert’s Cove Lighthouse, Cape Forchu Lighthouse, and the Seal Island Lighthouse Museum.
Yes, you can visit all of the lighthouses year-round pending road conditions and water access.
Yes, it is very easy to visit the 10 lighthouses on with your own vehicle and without a guide.
No, not all lights are operational at night so make sure to check the details of each lighthouse.
The best time is at sunset when you can see the lighthouses with the backdrop of the golden sun and cotton candy sky.
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about lighthouses that is hard to describe. On its own, they’re skeletons of a bygone era replaced by GPS, but when you layer in their stories, the lighthouse keepers and their families, and the people that continue to fight for their preservation, you realize that these are very much at the core of Nova Scotia’s coastal heritage.
Something you’ll also notice is just how different each lighthouse is different. You’d think all of the lighthouses would be a unified design along the coast but each has its own character and is also surrounded by distinct vistas.
It may sound a little crazy to build an itinerary trip itinerary based on jumping from one lighthouse to the next but having done it, I have to say, “why not?”
These 10 can’t miss Nova Scotia lighthouses are a wonder to see in person and truly hidden gems in the southwest region.
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