They can’t all be favorites! It was hard to narrow down my Top Five picks for lighthouses in Nova Scotia, but there are so many more that are worth exploring…
Annapolis Royal Lighthouse
Nestled in the historic town of Annapolis Royal (near Fort Anne and Samuel Samuel de Champlain’s Habitation), this lighthouse is nostalgic for me because I grew up about ten minutes away!
Arisaig Lighthouse
A picturesque spot along Nova Scotia’s north shore!
Baccaro Point Lighthouse
Located at the southwestern tip of Nova Scotia, Baccaro Point has weathered some fierce Atlantic winds!
Belliveau’s Cove
The lighthouse and wharf at Belliveau’s Cove have undergone a full renovation, turning this once neglected spot into a beautiful destination. When high tide overlaps with sunset, the cove looks truly magical.
Black Rock
Simple yet stunning, Black Rock Lighthouse is surrounded by natural beauty. Belle and Indy always love exploring the adjacent shoreline.
BOAR’S HEAD
You need to take a ferry to reach this one! Boar’s Head Lighthouse is located in Tiverton at the headland of Long Island — worth the journey for this view.
BORDEN’S WHARF LIGHTHOUSE
This lighthouse looks out of place in a field, but it used to guide ships upriver to the seaport of Canning. It’s a quiet spot with a lot of history.
BRIER ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE
If you’ve already taken a ferry to Long Island, hop on another and head to Brier Island. Known for whale-watching, Brier Island is also home to a striking candy-cane striped lighthouse. These pictures of Belle are some of my absolute favourites <3
BURNTCOAT HEAD LIGHTHOUSE
While the lighthouse itself doesn’t stand out, the location has dramatic rock formations (reminiscent of Medford Beach). Each summer there are “Eat on the Ocean Floor” events, where guests can experience fine dining on the mudflat at low tide.
CAPE FORCHU
Best known for its distinctive apple core design, Cape Forchu also happens to be the filming location for The Lighthouse, adding a bit of cinematic magic to its already stunning scenery. We actually knew someone who used to be the lighthouse keeper at Cape Forchu!!!
CAPE GEORGE
Overlooking St. George’s Bay, Cape George offers a scenic viewpoint where you can see both Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton in the distance.
CAPE ST. MARY’S
The first lighthouse on this site was built by Newfoundlanders in the mid-1800s to protect fishing vessels in the area. Located near Mavillette Beach, it has STUNNING views and we’ve visited multiple times.
CHURCH POINT LIGHTHOUSE
This replica lighthouse doubles as a biology research facility for nearby Université Sainte-Anne.
CHEBUCTO HEAD
This lighthouse is close to the entry point of Halifax Harbour and the views are impressive! You can also explore WWII anti-submarine bunkers…and scuba dive for shipwrecks! (Stay tuned, I’ll share more about this area in my final lighthouse post.)
CHETICAMP
I’ll let the pictures do the talking!
ENRAGEE POINT LIGHTHOUSE
This is a serene and isolated lighthouse on Cape Breton.
Fort Point
A quaint little lighthouse and museum in LaHave.
FRENCH POINT LIGHTHOUSE
Please note that French Point lighthouse is on private property! We didn’t realize this until the owner came down to investigate our presence. He was friendly and let us tour the area, but be aware it’s not publicly accessible.
GEORGES ISLAND
Nestled in Halifax Harbour, Georges Island is accessible only by boat. It’s a National Historic Site of Canada and even played a role in the American Revolution!
GILBERT’S COVE
This last lighthouse is pretty unassuming. We visited it on a sunny spring day but in the summer there’s a functioning craft store and tea room in the bottom of the lighthouse.
Your turn.
- Imagine you’re coming to me in Nova Scotia and we can visit two of the lighthouses from this post; which ones would you choose?
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mbmom11
Cape Forchu and Black Rock seem the most interesting to me.
The lighthouses have some cool variations in height and designs- I did not expect that!
Elisabeth
I’d never seen an apple core lighthouse before Cape Forchu! It is very distinctive.
Birchie
So many Pepper Pot lighthouses!
I love movies and I love lighthouses but so far the combination has not been a winner. There’s an old British horror/comedy called The Phantom Light that had a lot of promise but just got stupid toward the end. The Lighthouse had a couple of good details in it but blerg that movie stank. At least they picked a good location!
Elisabeth
I will be the first to admit I haven’t watched The Lighthouse. It looked odd and creepy to me and very much NOT my sort of movie.
I think a lighthouse would be a deliciously wonderful setting for a kids book. Boxcar Children-esque but in a lighthouse. Bonus points if it’s on an island! I have zero real interest in writing fiction, but maybe in retirement I can turn that into something?
Nicole MacPherson
Your photos are so gorgeous! Strangely, I really love the picture of the wood with barnacles. And, obviously, all of the lighthouses! The photos of you with the glasses reminded me to ask – how are your eyes these days?
Elisabeth
That wood was under the tide line and was remnants of an old wharf. So it’s a bit of magic you could only see at low tide which is always such a cool feature.
Thanks for asking! My eyes are pretty good. I am struggling a bit with dry eyes this season because my allergies have been HORRIBLE and antihistamines dry out my eyes. But I keep meaning to buy a heat mask, as in combo with my Omega 3s and some drops would likely get me back to 100%. But I cannot understate how helpful Omega 3 pills have been for my dry eyes.
Jenny
I love Burntcoat Head. I mean- I would be happy to visit any of these, but that one is calling to me. You have so many beaches and lighthouses! but when I look at the map of the area, that makes sense.
I think you and John should enter more photography contests!
Elisabeth
Yup, Nova Scotia has about 13,000 km of coastline which is CRAZY considering what a small province it is.
John is so incredibly talented and most of these pictures are his (which he so graciously lets me use without ever asking for any credit, but here’s his credit!)
Suzanne
Oh my goodness I love the variety in color and shape! And how cool to have a lighthouse as a HOME?!
Love your reference to Indy’s tiny teeth. I miss the baby teeth too! They were so cute! I do not miss the teeth losing stage, though. Glad we’re past that!