5 Historic Lighthouses To Visit In Nova Scotia

Forbes

26-05-2025

Heavy surf crashes ashore at Peggy's Cove Lighthouse during a strong Autumn storm.
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The province of Nova Scotia is a peninsula—but what's more than that is you're never more than about forty miles from the coastline, and with more than eight thousand miles of coast line on the parameters of the province, you'll also come to find that the province has its fair share of active and historical lighthouses.
There are over a hundred and sixty lighthouses dotted throughout the province—but if you're looking to visit the most beautiful or historically relevant beacons of light, you'll want to add the following to your itinerary. Here are five stunning historic lighthouses to visit in Nova Scotia:
Peggy's Cove lighthouse at sunset with dramatic clouds and a surf.
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Peggy's Cove Lighthouse—also known as Peggy's Point Lighthouse—is a symbol of Nova Scotia and by far the most popular lighthouse visit for tourists and locals alike. The historic lighthouse is by far one of the biggest tourist attractions in the province, sitting atop a mound of granite rock that juts out directly into the ocean. The jagged rocks are open for visitors to explore and take photos—but it's vital to heed the warnings and stay far from any wet rocks; visitors who aren't cautious are swept to sea from unpredictable waves every year and unfortunately, many have died.
Drone shot of Georges Island (National Historic Site) located in the Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth can be seen on the other side of the water. The island has fortifications and used to function as a prison and an Acadian internment camp.
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The Georges Island Lighthouse is the easiest lighthouse to catch a glimpse of if you're planning on sticking around the Halifax city center. The lighthouse is perched upon Georges Island right in the middle of the Halifax Harbour and can be seen from the boardwalk. It's also worth noting that ferries are available to take passengers from the boardwalk straight to Georges Island, allowing visitors to see the lighthouse up close and get a different vantage point of the Halifax skyline.
Cape Forchu Lightstation (built 1962) near Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada - Lighthouse on Volcanic Rock Coastline (Headland) - Yarmouth & Acadian Shores Region ca.
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The Cape Forchu Lighthouse just outside of Yarmouth is a must-visit for film aficionados. The Lighthouse, starring Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson, was filmed on the lighthouse grounds in 2018. The sprawling park also makes a stunning coastal walking trail with unobstructed views of the hexagonal tower and the ocean below.
Louisbourg Lighthouse - Nova Scotia - Canada
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The Louisbourg Lighthouse is the fourth lighthouse to be built on the site in Louisbourg, with the first being the first-ever lighthouse in Canada (which was eventually demolished after it was badly damaged in 1758 during the Final Siege of Louisbourg). The current tower is a twin to the Georges Island Lighthouse but the landscape of the surrounding Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail makes it well worth a visit.
Landscape of Sambro Island Lighthouse, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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The Sambro Island Lighthouse at the entrance to the Halifax Harbour is the oldest surviving lighthouse in all of North America. It was constructed in 1759 and can be viewed from Crystal Crescent Beach, which makes a great excuse to squeeze an extra beach day into your trip to Atlantic Canada.