Peggy's Cove Lighthouse
Peggy's Cove Lighthouse
Peggy's Cove Lighthouse
4.5
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- RhoFort Worth, Texas165 contributionsSpectacular excursion with Norwegian EscapeNorwegian Cruise excursion to Peggy’s Cove. Though stormy on the tour bus to the Cove, weather cleared for our visit. The lighthouse was beautiful and so worth our visit! A gentleman played an Altohorn (? Name) that was pleasant to hear with the waves splashing and wind blowing. Gift shop was nice but very busy with long line to check out.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten February 26, 2024
- The_Wanderer1992Columbia, Maryland2,603 contributionsBeautiful LighthouseMy husband and I went to this popular lighthouse while in Nova Scotia. It's about 40 minutes from Halifax with a scenic drive. Peggy's Cove is a beautiful lighthouse that sits on huge rocks. The Atlantic Ocean pounds the rocks, and signs do warn you that people have died. A viewing platform is available. A sidewalk also takes you directly to the lighthouse. Plenty of parking is available. It wasn't too busy at the end of April when we went.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten April 30, 2024
- asiatrip2007WinnipegWinnipeg, Canada281 contributionsA quick visitThe road from Halifax was very winding and I believe a single lane. I believe it was under an hour drive. It was nice drive, but in May, most restaurants and shops were closed. It was interesting to see the little village and it was quite pretty. A few tiny stores and a larger souvenirs shop at restaurant. At the pewter store we watched a demonstration.Visited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten May 19, 2024
- Speechdr7Shippensburg, Pennsylvania172 contributionsA Worthwhile Adventure!We went to Peggy's Cove as part of a cruise excursion combined with the hop-on, hop-off bus tour of Halifax. I am glad we did because walking over the rocks and exploring the views from all angles was a delight. We also walked into the village and had coffee and it was a charming, picturesque walk and experience. Kind of what you would expect from a spring day in Atlantic Canada. The only negative is the congestion at one area where on the day we went a man was playing bagpipes. While it added some to the ambience for some people, I suppose, everyone just crowded around this guy with cameras to the point of stopping the footpaths. Just be ready for that. Other than other tourists, this is a great experience.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten June 14, 2024
- rlmptlLloydminster, Canada1,272 contributionsgreat lighthouse worth driving out of the way and go earlyloves this iconic tourist attraction. its a bit out of the way and be warned the parking lot fills fast so get there early. there are signs everywhere warning people to be careful especially if its rained. WE loved seeing this and would go again.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten June 22, 2024
- Jim HOxford, United Kingdom205 contributionsA must visit, but highly commercial.A unique environment, but it’s hard to relate to how it would have been when almost every building is trying to sell you something. Despite this and the sheer number of tourists, it is well worth a visit. Look out for a young couple selling hotdogs on a lawn… they were fantasticVisited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten June 27, 2024
- County-HunterTacoma, Washington3,735 contributionsDeath has occurred here.Or so the many signs have told us. They take safety serious here as there is a security guard who walks around and will redirect the stupid tourists that wander too close to the ocean. The lighthouse and rocky setting are indeed gorgeous. I would have liked to have enjoyed the vistas with about 500 fewer tourists, but I was able to find a place to park so I was happy about that. Despite all the tourists, this is a definite Nova Scotia must do.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten July 10, 2024
- MrBazOntario, Canada61 contributionsThis place has changed alotThe area is much more touristy than it used to be, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. There is a real sense that they’ve stayed true to the place’s history and beauty. We enjoy a good walk from shop to shop, eventually making our way to the popular viewing area.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten July 12, 2024
- Anne SRichmond, Virginia168 contributionsMust see when visiting HalifaxThe Peggy Cove lighthouse and village are frequently photographed for good reason. We parked at the village visitor center and walked up to lighthouse. The rocks around the lighthouse are uneven, but there is a decked area below the lighthouse with good views. Restrooms and gift shop. We did not try the restaurant.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten July 14, 2024
- Panda1968_29Sutton, Canada94 contributionsTo see! Beautiful!We have to go see Peggys Cove! It is beautiful! We feel totally different. The panels explain the origin of the landscape around us. Artists from the area are welcoming. It's worth a visit! But, go early, to avoid too big a crowd...Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten August 2, 2024
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Dani G
Kingston, Canada106 contributions
Jul 2022
We read a lot of reviews that said to go early, before the tour busses arrive, and so we drove there from Halifax first thing in the morning, with plans to arrive at 8. The fog was super dense and quite eerie on the Lighthouse Route that morning and when we arrived we were thankful to have wind jackets with us because the mist was heavy!
The 8am arrival time was great to be relatively alone with the lighthouse, and it was amazing, especially in the fog/mist, it really added to the ambience. As the lady in the gift shop said "The lighthouse is made to protect the boats in the mist!" The only downfall was that the Sou'Wester restaurant/gift shop & the accompanying bathrooms were not open until 8:30, so it took us a while to get refuge from the mist. At 9, tour busses arrived, many people stopped to have breakfast at the restaurant before venturing out so the lighthouse really got busy around 9:30/10 but I didn't find it was a space that needed to be viewed in isolation. It was equally enjoyable with a crowd, in my opinion.
Also, I read A LOT about the dark rocks and the danger associated with them, and felt that, based on my readings, I would stay on the observation deck to avoid any rogue waves. Upon arrival, I found it to be VERY obvious where the danger was, and the safe path to view the lighthouse up close was very clear. Not sure why people tempt fate at the edges.
We also had a lovely walk around the village and learned a lot about the village from the staff at the Sou'Wester. Recommend to everyone.
The 8am arrival time was great to be relatively alone with the lighthouse, and it was amazing, especially in the fog/mist, it really added to the ambience. As the lady in the gift shop said "The lighthouse is made to protect the boats in the mist!" The only downfall was that the Sou'Wester restaurant/gift shop & the accompanying bathrooms were not open until 8:30, so it took us a while to get refuge from the mist. At 9, tour busses arrived, many people stopped to have breakfast at the restaurant before venturing out so the lighthouse really got busy around 9:30/10 but I didn't find it was a space that needed to be viewed in isolation. It was equally enjoyable with a crowd, in my opinion.
Also, I read A LOT about the dark rocks and the danger associated with them, and felt that, based on my readings, I would stay on the observation deck to avoid any rogue waves. Upon arrival, I found it to be VERY obvious where the danger was, and the safe path to view the lighthouse up close was very clear. Not sure why people tempt fate at the edges.
We also had a lovely walk around the village and learned a lot about the village from the staff at the Sou'Wester. Recommend to everyone.
Written August 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveldan21
Culver City, CA835 contributions
Jul 2022
We had seen several lighthouses in Nova Scotia by the time we got to the Halifax area so I admit I wasn't that excited about driving out to see another one--even though the lighthouse at Peggy's Cove is supposed to be the most photographed one in N.S. I had heard that due to lots of tour buses unloading tourists there, it is typically a very crowded scene and it was recommended to get there early before the tours began. But my smart wife had the great idea to instead drive out after dinner to see the scene during sunset. (Sunset during summer was after 9 pm; you will want to confirm the time if you try this.)
When we arrived, there were several cars in the closest parking lot to the lighthouse, but still easy to grab a good spot. And although there were dozens of people milling around, the area is broad enough that the people do not overwhelm the scene for photos. As you can see, we were able to get many outstanding photos using only an iPhone camera.
The lighthouse at Peggys is different than the other ones we had seen in N.S. The setting is very rocky and adds a lot of character. You will likely want to get right up to the lighthouse to see how tall it is and its setting near the waves. But to get the best photos, at least at sunset, you will want to walk away from the lighthouse toward the rocky expanse between the parking lot and the ocean. That area is largely flat, which enables you to have a good stance for picture and video taking. Also, as you can see from a couple of my photos, you may be able to find some rainwater in indentations in the rock that allow you to capture beautiful reflections of the sky's colors as and after the sun goes down.
Now i get why Peggy's lighthouse is the most photographed. If weather cooperates and you are able to get there around sunset, you will, too.
When we arrived, there were several cars in the closest parking lot to the lighthouse, but still easy to grab a good spot. And although there were dozens of people milling around, the area is broad enough that the people do not overwhelm the scene for photos. As you can see, we were able to get many outstanding photos using only an iPhone camera.
The lighthouse at Peggys is different than the other ones we had seen in N.S. The setting is very rocky and adds a lot of character. You will likely want to get right up to the lighthouse to see how tall it is and its setting near the waves. But to get the best photos, at least at sunset, you will want to walk away from the lighthouse toward the rocky expanse between the parking lot and the ocean. That area is largely flat, which enables you to have a good stance for picture and video taking. Also, as you can see from a couple of my photos, you may be able to find some rainwater in indentations in the rock that allow you to capture beautiful reflections of the sky's colors as and after the sun goes down.
Now i get why Peggy's lighthouse is the most photographed. If weather cooperates and you are able to get there around sunset, you will, too.
Written July 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
363cymru123
Cardiff, UK128 contributions
Jul 2023
We were on a day tour and spent four hours at Peggy's Cove itself. A lot of tours only give the guests one hour here but that really isn't enough time to explore the little village and small harbour area. The weather was amazing and the lighthouse looked stunning against the deep blue sky. Security are about on the rocks near the lighthouse as some people get too close to the edges of the rocks near the sea which is unsafe for them, there are signs up warning people of the dangers but we could hear the security blowing a whistle a lot to warn them to come away from the edge. The rocks do get very slippery in the wet weather too and it is very windy on times so wear layers.
There are a few little local shops selling craft gifts and a few small cafe's and a larger main cafe with connecting gift shop. Restrooms are available within this larger gift shop/cafe as well as in another block opposite and another block down by the harbour.
We tried the lobster rolls and ice creams here, they were very tasty.
There are a few little local shops selling craft gifts and a few small cafe's and a larger main cafe with connecting gift shop. Restrooms are available within this larger gift shop/cafe as well as in another block opposite and another block down by the harbour.
We tried the lobster rolls and ice creams here, they were very tasty.
Written August 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melinda D
Englewood, NJ370 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The lighthouse is a must if traveling along the sea to or from Halifax. Beautiful coastal road meandering through quaint fishing villages. Picture perfect. The lighthouse stands regally amongst giant rocks that are smooth enough to walk along. Every photos is stunning. One could gaze out across the ocean for ever.
Written August 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy
Toronto, Canada83 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
It's a popular attraction for a reason! I was completely mesmerized by the crashing ocean waves on the rocks. Could have stayed for hours watching them! Most of the tourist attractions, parks, and activities we did on our trip naturally had an entrance fee. We were pleasantly surprised that we didn't even have to pay for parking to visit here! Crowded - yes, but not so much that you couldn't get a seat on the rocks to relax and enjoy the gorgeous views. There are also lovely shops where you could buy some tasteful artisan gifts - not just the common tacky tourist stuff.
Written August 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zak64
Terrebonne, Canada392 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
A must-visit that is worth the detour!
Despite the gray and rainy weather, it was simply magnificent to visit.
The bagpipe player, the rocks in abundance, which you can climb, the sound of the waves on the rocks, all of this combines to make this visit a success.
The village, where many people still live all year round, is really beautiful and the people are friendly.
Despite the gray and rainy weather, it was simply magnificent to visit.
The bagpipe player, the rocks in abundance, which you can climb, the sound of the waves on the rocks, all of this combines to make this visit a success.
The village, where many people still live all year round, is really beautiful and the people are friendly.

Written August 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alison S
Springfield, MA1,042 contributions
Sept 2022
Hopefully you can visit on a day without tour busses! Even so, you will have a lot of company. During COVID the site was renovated with large crowds in mind - observation platform, etc. Attractive and well done. The light is small, but beautifully situated on a massive granite outcropping. To my mind, the little fishing cove adjacent is more picturesque and charming. I feel the spot is overrated - many less crowded and more beautiful places in Nova Scotia. But well worth a visit. The drive down from the highway is really nice.
Written September 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AH88888
Boston, MA95 contributions
Aug 2022
Beautiful lighthouse on the rocks. Fantastic photo ops. Go before 9 AM or after 5 PM to avoid the crowds and be able to find parking in the parking lot nearby. Avoid the black slippery moss covered rocks and avoid going to the edge due to rogue waves. A costumed man plays bagpipes and a long white alphorn during the daytime. Restrooms in gift shop.
Written August 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valérie
Saint Jerome, Canada25 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Before going there, I said to myself... "Ugh, it's just a lighthouse". Except that, when I got there, I had an instant “wow” and I understood why it was the most photographed lighthouse in Canada. There were even tourist buses coming to visit. It's not just a simple lighthouse, it's the entire landscape of immense stones that gives it its beauty. With the sun setting in a beautiful alignment. Plus, it's free...

Written August 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pete m
Moncton, Canada327 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
As Canadian as it gets. You get drawn in by the atmosphere of this famous ans quaint fishing village the moment you step out of the vehicle. We got the compulsary fog. As you walk up the fog just added to the erriness of hearing the bagpipes being played out on the outcrop of rocks. I rarely give a 5 start rating for anything, but just the facts that their are still 35 hearty souls that call this piece of heaven, home cinched it for me.
Written July 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you visit INSIDE the lighthouse?
Written July 21, 2019
No, this lighthouse is not open to the public. I didn’t find the lighthouse itself to be anything spectacular. It is the whole scene together with the Cove, harbor, village, sea and the lighthouse that make the place so special.
Written July 22, 2019
We want to do this tour,we are arriving on cruise ship,is it better to book with ship or can you do it independently cheaper
Written July 5, 2019
We stopped in Halifax while on a Cruise on the Anthem of the Seas. We rented a mid sized car for less than $50 for the day and drove to Peggy's Cove. We had no problem parking, though it was crowded on the September day we were there. Ton's of bus traffic. We stopped at Shaw's on the way back for lunch and the Fairview Lawn Cemetery to see the Titanic graves (Parking there was super easy and about a 2 minute walk) before parking on the street near the Maritime museum. Hertz was just outside the cruise terminal. It was super easy with a GPS provided you are comfortable driving in unfamiliar surroundings. Leaving the ship as soon as you get in port helps to beat the bus traffic (at least from YOUR ship) out to the cove. You will have plenty of time to see everything out there and make it back well before the ship leaves. Another couple we met from our cruise took a bus tour and regretted not doing it on their own as they spent less time enjoying the cove and more time just sitting on the bus (waiting for others, etc...)
Written July 28, 2019
Hello, we are planning a visit to Peggy's Cove next week, we are wondering if it will be open to public or if there are any private events going on, so we can decide on the best day.
Written May 8, 2019
Peggy’s Cove is an iconic destination and its lighthouse sitting out on Peggy’s Point is a must-see attraction. Visitors love the area, including for its quaint fishing village, the beautiful lighthouse and the smooth, wave-sculpted granite rocks.
Although the lighthouse has had hundreds of thousands of visitors, few people know the story behind Peggy’s Cove, including who Peggy was and why the lighthouse and surrounding village were named for her.
Read on for answers to these questions and more!
The Peggy of the Cove Museum is located in an old house just before Peggy’s Cove and is painted from top to bottom with a beautiful mural by Ivan Fraser. Fraser is the caretaker of the museum and of the Peggy of the Cove legend. The museum is located in Ivan’s childhood home and is full of paintings from local artists and antiques.
Peggy of the Cove
Ivan is a vivacious character and full of love for Peggy of the Cove, and the town itself! The grounds of the museum have a playground, a giant lobster trap, a painted rainbow tree, and other fun photographic props!
Inside the museum, Ivan showed us what inspired him to write the books, Peggy of the Cove. He explains to visitors that at the tail end of Hurricane Josephine in 1996, Ivan took a photograph of a wave splashing up on the rocks at Peggy’s Cove. In the wave was the silhouette of a woman. This photograph inspired Ivan to paint a painting called the Rescue of Peggy and write the story of her rescue.
The legend of Peggy’s Cove has two versions.
VERSION 1:
The first is perhaps rather obvious; the cove was once known as Margaret’s Cove because of its location at the entrance to St. Margaret’s Bay. When abbreviated, it becomes Peggy’s Cove, an area known the world-over for its scenic beauty, attracting visitors from near and far.
VERSION 2:
The second version of the Peggy’s Cove legend is more exciting, although admittedly less practical. This tale explains that the name originated from a book ‘This is Peggy’s Cove,’ by local artist William deGarthe. deGarthe wrote a story of a Schooner that was shipwrecked on Halibut Rock, just off the point on which the famous lighthouse sits. He describes the ship running aground, losing everything except for a young woman named Margaret.
Margaret survived the wreck and stayed in the area, eventually marrying one of the local men. Before long, visitors began to refer to the area as ‘Peggy’s Cove’.
Ivan has written three novels, a children’s book and a song about Peggy of the Cove. His wife has created dolls for the main characters in the book, and there are tributes to Peggy all over the museum. Ivan masterfully mixes his own stories of growing up in Peggy’s Cove with the stories of Peggy and how she came to be in the area after her shipwreck.
Written March 23, 2019
We are planning a trip to Nova Scotia this summer and are interested in its lighthouses. In my search of the "Nova Scotia Lighthouse" website, I could only find 3 that would have their "towers open" to climb to the top - Burntcoat Head, Gilbert's Cove and Fort Point. We don't want to take a boat to get to any, but are wondering if someone who lives in Nova Scotia knows if there are others I might have missed? Thanks so much!
Written January 25, 2019
There are a few lighthouses that you can visit the interior during the summer months. TripAdvisor does not allow the posting of links but do a google search for NSLPS (Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society) and it will list all the towers that are open to the public. Their website will list which towers are open to the public as well as which are closed, but have other buildings open to the public. It will also give the GPS coordinates for the lights.
You can also do a search for "lighthousefriends" and select Nova Scotia. You can view the lights in a map form or in list form. It will list the lights as well as complete histories of each and other useful information. I find this site to be particularly useful.
I too would not take a boat to any lighthouse. I have done so, which is an adventure in and of itself, however, those lighthouses are not open to the public and mostly they can only be viewed from the water and not able to make landfall due to no way to dock a boat.
Written January 28, 2019
Loved my visit there, but missed the "legend" about the pebbles on the shore as a
Indian good luck to pass on????
Written October 17, 2018
I’ve never heard of this legend. It would have to be a Mic Mac legend but not one I’m familiar with.
Written October 18, 2018
We went in Sept. From pictures I would guess 1- you can certainly visit there. 2- it certainly won't be crowded and 3 - it almost most certainly will be cold & icy!
If we lived closer - my wife & I would definitely visit it in the winter.
Written October 23, 2017
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