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South Shore Lighthouse Route Itinerary

South Shore Lighthouse Route Itinerary

2 days

South Shore

Nova Scotia is home to more than 100 lighthouses, including 23 along the South Shore. For travellers hoping to see several in one trip, the South Shore Lighthouse Route is an easy way to explore the coast. This flexible itinerary features six lighthouse stops, plus one optional bonus stop, and can be adjusted to suit your interests and travel pace.

Use this itinerary to create a two-day trip focused on Nova Scotia’s South Shore lighthouses or blend with additional attractions for a longer vacation. Most of the lighthouses in this itinerary are easy to access and include visitor experiences. Although there are many more lighthouses along the South Shore, they are not all open to the public.

This guide is best suited for travellers interested in focusing their trip to Nova Scotia on the South Shore region. At 339 kilometres (210 miles), it’s possible for drivers to manage this trip in just a couple of days or choose to spend more time travelling the route. This itinerary can be modified to any time of the year; however, the Seal Island Light Museum is only open during the summer months. Two of these sites, Peggy’s Cove and Cape Forchu, both feature accessible viewing decks.

1 Day 1: Peggy’s Cove to Liverpool

It’s a little less than two hours from Peggy’s Cove to Liverpool. If you would like to reduce the driving time for this trip, it’s possible to include Peggy’s Cove in a separate trip to Halifax and just focus on the Port Medway to Cape Forchu area on your lighthouse trip.

Peggy’s Cove

The Peggy’s Point Lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove is arguably the most well known and photographed lighthouse in Nova Scotia. Located within a working fishing village, the lighthouse is camera-ready in every season. Visitors can walk the giant rocks to view the lighthouse or take photos from the accessible viewing deck.
Peggy’s Cove can be very busy, especially during the summer. To avoid crowds, begin your morning here before heading to your next lighthouse stop.
Visitors are reminded to be cautious, as the ocean water around Peggy’s Cove is dangerous and can splash the rocks, even on calm days. Always stay off the black rocks.

A woman snaps a photo of Peggy's Point Lighthouse in Nova Scotia — Peggy's Cove Lighthouse

Bonus lighthouse stop – Sambro Island Lighthouse

Book the Heli-Picnic Island Escape and take a thrilling helicopter journey over Halifax and Nova Scotia’s coastline to Sambro Island where you’ll enjoy Nova Scotia bubbly and a picnic on a private beach.
The Sambro Island Lighthouse is the oldest working lighthouse in North America and the island itself is home to flocks of seabirds and sunbathing seal colonies. This experience is available year-round.

Port Medway Lighthouse Park

This oceanside park is a great place to stop for a picnic lunch. Enjoy it in the gazebo or by the gardens while you take in the ocean views and restored lighthouse.
Stroll the walking paths and boardwalk or learn about the area’s history via the interpretive panels.
The Port Medway Lighthouse Park is open year-round, however there is no winter maintenance.

Fort Point Lighthouse Park

Fort Point Lighthouse Park in Liverpool is just a 20-minute drive from Port Medway Lighthouse Park. If you’re spreading this itinerary over two days, Liverpool is a convenient overnight stop.
The Fort Point Lighthouse was built in 1855 and is the fourth oldest surviving lighthouse in Nova Scotia as well as a rare example of pre-Confederation design. During the American revolution, it even guarded the harbour with cannons.
Explore the lighthouse, take in views of Liverpool Harbour, and try the hand-cranked foghorn located inside.

A family having a picnic in the park next to the Fort Point Lighthouse in Liverpool Nova Scotia on a sunny warm summer day. — Fort Point Lighthouse

2 Day 2: Liverpool to Yarmouth

It’s a little less than two-hours by car from Liverpool to Cape Forchu, just outside Yarmouth.

Sandy Point Lighthouse

A 50-minute drive from Liverpool will take you to the first lighthouse of day two, in Sandy Point, just outside Shelburne. True to its name, this lighthouse is located on a sandbar and at low tide you can walk out to the lighthouse for a photo!
Visitors can hunt for sand dollars, view passing boats from the beach, or grab a snack from the canteen. The picnic area offers views of passing boats, giving you a sense of the region’s connection to the sea.

Seal Island Light Museum

The Seal Island Light Museum in Barrington is a quick 35-minute drive from your last stop. Although not a working lighthouse, this 35-foot-tall structure is a replica of the original 60-foot lighthouse that light still guides mariners from Seal Island, approximately 29 kilometres (18 miles) offshore.
View artifacts that tell the story of local lighthouse keepers and the area’s seafaring history.
It’s not a trip to Barrington – the Lobster Capital of Canada – without stopping at Capt. Kat’s Lobster Shack for an award-winning lobster roll or lobster dinner.
The museum is open June 1 to September 30.

Seal Island Lighthouse near Barrington, Nova Scotia — Seal Island Light

Cape Forchu Lighthouse

Hop in the car for one more hour to drive to your final stop – Cape Forchu Lighthouse. This is the tallest lighthouse in Nova Scotia at 125 feet and features a unique apple core shape.
Book a guided tour to learn the history of the lighthouse and climb the 77 steps to the top for a panoramic view of the area. The site also features coastal trails and an accessible viewing deck.

A red and white lighthouse is perched on a rocky shoreline overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. — Cape Forchu Lighthouse

Nova Scotia Lighthouse Route Itinerary Frequently Asked Questions

This Lighthouse Route itinerary is based on two days of travel along Nova Scotia’s South Shore, visiting some of the region’s most iconic lighthouses.

To do this trip at a slower pace, consider staying an additional night in another South Shore community such as Lunenburg or Shelburne.

Exploring Nova Scotia’s Lighthouse Route without a car can be challenging, as many lighthouses, coastal lookoffs, and communities are best accessed by road. A vehicle offers the most flexibility for visiting destinations such as Peggy’s Cove, Liverpool, and Shelburne.

Early summer through fall is the best time to explore Nova Scotia’s Lighthouse Route, when beaches, coastal trails, museums, and seasonal tourism businesses are fully operating. If you enjoy lobster, consider travelling this route in February, during the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl.

Peggy’s Cove is likely to be the busiest stop on this itinerary. Consider visiting in the morning or evening to avoid crowds and ensure parking is available.

This Lighthouse Route itinerary is manageable over two days and allows time to explore featured lighthouses, coastal communities such as Lunenburg and Shelburne, and nearby attractions at a comfortable pace.

This route is possible during off peak seasons; however, the Seal Island Light Museum is only open during the summer.

Coastal weather along Nova Scotia’s Lighthouse Route can change quickly, so be prepared for wind, rain, fog, and sunshine. Many lighthouse sites involve short walks over gravel, grass, or uneven ground, so sturdy footwear is recommended. While driving distances are manageable, it’s easy to spend longer than expected exploring communities along the route such as Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg, and Shelburne.