An inside look at things to do in Peggy’s Cove, home to Canada’s most famous lighthouse.
The Best Things To Do in Peggy’s Cove: Why is it So Special?
Peggy’s Cove is often described as a picturesque fishing village, but that really undersells it. It’s the Eiffel Tower of Atlantic Canada, if not Canada itself. The village of Peggy’s Cove is one of the most recognisable places in the province of Nova Scotia, shaped by the Atlantic Ocean, carved from massive granite boulders, and held together by lobster traps, weathered wood and the rhythm of a myths and legends.
If you’ve seen just one photo of a lighthouse in Nova Scotia, chances are that this is the one.
In fact, most people arrive just for the lighthouse (officially Peggy’s Point Lighthouse, sometimes called the cove lighthouse) yet there are far more things to do in Peggy’s Cove than simply take a single photograph and then move on. I mean, I don’t want to overegg it. You can easily visit in half a day. But it would be a shame to just snap and go.
This guide explores how to visit Peggy’s Cove responsibly, how to get to Peggy’s Cove from Halifax or Lunenburg, where to find thoughtful food stops and how to weave the experience into a wider trip to Nova Scotia, whether as a day trip, part of the Lighthouse Route, or a long, slow journey around Nova Scotia.
Disclosure: I travelled as a guest of Tourism Nova Scotia for review purposes. However, as ever, as always, I kept the right to write what I like. Also, if you book or buy through any of the links on this page, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Cheers!
Where Does the Name Peggy’s Cove Come From?
Ah, I love a good origin mystery. In this case, two main theories take to the stage…
Poetic: a shipwreck survivor, Margaret (Peggy) Dauphinee, was said to have been rescued near the cove in the 1800s. Locals nicknamed her Peggy of the Cove.
Dull: the name derives from St Margaret’s Bay, the larger bay in which the cove sits, with Peggy used as a shortened form.
The Best Time to Visit Peggy’s Cove
The best time to visit depends on what you’re after. The summer months bring longer days but also more visitors. Early mornings and late afternoons give softer light and quieter paths. Winds can shift quickly along the coastline all year-round, so pack layers to deal with the elements.
Most people travel the short drive from Halifax (about 45 minutes along Prospect Road) but it’s equally simple to get there from Halifax as part of a longer loop or a group tour. Peggy’s Cove is also a comfortable minute drive from Lunenburg (roughly 70–80 minutes, depending on route), making a combined cove and Lunenburg day straightforward.
Peggy’s Point Lighthouse: The Iconic Lighthouse on Granite
Let’s get right to the point.
Peggy’s Point Lighthouse is one of the most photographed sites in Atlantic Canada. But she’s a lighthouse who keeps her modesty. You can look but not touch, visitors are not allowed inside.
The lighthouse itself isn’t really the highlight, it’s the large lozenges of granite that surround it, shaped and smoothed by the last Ice Age, almost taunting the ocean with their sense of permanence. When the light turns shades of gentle pink and purple, the scene looks impossibly picturesque and calm. At other times, though, the suffocating blanket of sea mist obliterates the scene, so there’s an element of luck involved with any visit here.
Plus, an element of danger. The dark, wet rocks are hazardous and the waves unpredictable. Tragically, it seems, every year visitors lose their lives as the waves sweep them to sea.
Stay on the path, dear readers, and follow the many, stark safety signs.
Why Lighthouses Matter in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia’s coastline is long, rocky and prone to fog, storms and hidden shoals. Plus, there’s 13 000 km of it. So it’s no surprise that lighthouses were, and still are, vital for navigation.
Some of the best lighthouses to visit around Nova Scotia include:
- Cape Forchu Lighthouse (Yarmouth)
- Fort Point Lighthouse (Liverpool)
- Georges Island Lighthouse (Halifax Harbour)
- Louisbourg Lighthouse (Cape Breton)
- Brier Island Lighthouse (Bay of Fundy)
Plus, of course, Peggy’s Point Lighthouse: the most accessible and recognisable.
Peggy’s Cove and Polly’s Cove: If Postcards Made Rock
Often overlooked, the rest of the rocks of Peggy’s Cove also reveal shades of pink, silver and charcoal, when the light is right, with pools in natural hollows and gulls overhead. You can scramble or take a short hike around the cove by the lighthouse or travel a little further to hike around neighbouring Polly’s cove. You’ll find wide-open views across the Atlantic and far fewer people.
The Working Village: If Postcards Made Fishing Villages
Despite the fame, Peggy’s Cove has not abandoned its roots: it is still a working fishing community, albeit one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. Fishing boats, sheds and buoys are part of everyday life here, with atmospherically peeling paint in canary yellow and sky blue.
You’ll also find some nod to the many visitors who pass through here. There’s the sweet Cove Gift Shop and local artists’ studios, plus cafes and restaurants with seasonal offerings.
It shouldn’t need saying but just in case it does: always remember that people actually live here. Avoid blocking driveways, stepping onto private wharves or taking photos through windows into people’s homes.
Swissair Flight 111 Memorial
I have to credit the taxi driver at the airport for this tip. A short drive from Peggy’s Cove takes you to the Swissair Flight 111 Memorial, created to honour the 229 people who died when the plane crashed off Margaret’s Bay in 1998.
Maybe I had something in my eye, but I was surprised at how moving I found this mix of local stone and open space, the power of the sky, wind and sea colliding in this otherwise peaceful spot.
Art and the Legacy of DeGarthe
Peggy’s Cove has long attracted artists but the name to look out for is that of sculptor and painter William E. deGarthe. Originally Finnish, he settled in Canada and turned his artistic eye to capturing the struggles of fishermen against the elements. Look out for his work carved into one of the boulders at Peggy’s Cove, as well as the small museum which is open from May to September. If you really fall in love with his output, you can find more in both Halifax and Lunenburg.
Where to Eat Near Peggy’s Cove
I messed this up, a little, timing-wise on both the misty and clear days and ended up hungry! Peggy’s Cove itself has limited dining, but nearby communities offer several worthwhile options. These are the recommendations I’ve since come across:
- Rhubarb in Tantallon, known for local ingredients and unfussy cooking
- Six by the Sea, offering light coastal dishes
- Smaller maritime cafés and lobster shacks along Peggy’s Cove Road
Further afield, Halifax and Lunenburg add variety, with seafood and modern regional cooking across both towns. For more recommendations, don’t miss this guide to what to eat in Nova Scotia.
Tour Options and Boat Excursions
It’s easy enough to visit Peggy’s Cove as part of a self-drive road trip itinerary. The roads are smooth and well signposted and parking was pretty easy even in peak season. And the route that runs between Halifax and Lunenburg is achingly beautiful.
If you don’t want to hire a car, though, you’ll find plenty of tour options that range from small fishing-boat outings to wildlife-viewing excursions. Choose operators who respect wildlife and avoid overcrowding wherever possible.
You can also find photography walks, geology tours and coastal routes along the Lighthouse Route to Lunenburg.
Places to Stay Near Peggy’s Cove
Accommodation is limited within the village, but several reliable options sit nearby:
- Clifty Cove Motel, popular for simplicity and sea views
- Oceanstone Seaside Resort, ideal for retreats
- King Neptune Campground, a good choice for outdoors-focused visitors
Nearby Alternatives and Extensions
Peggy’s Cove pairs well with many destinations around Nova Scotia:
- Blue Rocks, a quiet, photogenic community near Lunenburg
- Cape Breton, ideal for a multi-day extension
- Halifax, with museums and waterfront walks
- Lunenburg, a UNESCO-listed harbour town perfect for a day trip
- Prospect Road and Polly’s Cove, offering calmer hiking and beautiful views
Check out our detailed guide to road tripping in Nova Scotia to find out more about these spots.
Getting There: How to Get to Peggy’s Cove
The best way to get to Peggy’s Cove is the drive from Halifax via Prospect Road. Public transport doesn’t reach the village, but taxis, rideshares and group tours are available. Parking upgrades have helped ease pressure on the community.
Those coming from the South Shore can reach the cove as a short drive from Lunenburg, making it a practical addition to a wider South Shore itinerary.
Responsible Travel Tips
- Stay on dry, light-coloured granite
- Avoid the wet, dark rocks near the waves
- Support local businesses over mass souvenir shops
- Visit early or late to ease pressure on the village
- Respect fishing gear and working areas
