Atlantic Bucket List: Peggy’s Cove

Peggy’s Cove should be at the top of anyone’s Nova Scotia bucket list. It’s one of the main tourist attractions in the area and is allegedly one of the most photographed places in Canada. It’s so well-loved that there’s even a Peggy’s Cove themed resort in Thailand (how random is that?). Visiting the lighthouse was one of the first things I did once I moved to the east coast.

The town of Peggy’s Cove started out as a small fishing village and many of its current inhabitants still fish for lobster. The restaurant and gift shop opened up in 1937 and it’s since turned into that tourist attraction that it is today. The town itself is very picturesque, but please remember to be respectful of the private property. Many of the inhabitants have been frustrated by the influx of tourists in recent years.

Peggy’s Cove is about a 40 minute drive away from downtown Halifax; in peak season there are some tour companies that offered guided tours including transportation. There’s also free parking onsite for those who want to drive themselves. I’ve been to Peggy’s Cove at a few different times of year and my favourite was definitely Spring time. The Summer can be a bit too crowded and Fall was absolutely freezing with the wind coming off of the water. I know some people love visiting in the Winter, but I would be a bit hesitant to climb on the rocks if there’s any ice. Peggy’s Cove can be bit treacherous in good conditions – make sure to obey all the safety signs and keep off of the black rocks near the water. Although the water may seem calm, a rogue wave can happen in a split second. Many people have lost their lives being swept out to sea at Peggy’s Cove.

After you’ve visited the lighthouse and walked around the town, I’d actually recommend checking out the gift shop. They carry lots of locally made goods and classic Nova Scotia souvenirs.

During my last visit to Peggy’s Cove I checked out the onsite restaurant, The Sou’Wester. The offer a wide variety of seafood options, you can even try a classic Nova Scotia lobster roll. Their gingerbread is so good it has a cult following. The food is good and very reasonably priced (with a fantastic view of the lighthouse).

If you’re visiting Nova Scotia, check out my other posts about the best things to do on the East Coast.