5 Favorite Maritime Canada lighthouses

After seeing dozens of Maritime Canada Lighthouses during a three week road trip, these are my five favorites.

I spent three weeks road tripping around Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island (PEI), the three provinces that makeup Maritime Canada. During that time I saw dozens of lighthouses. I will admit, I do have a romantic fascination with lighthouses, as I’m sure many of you who are reading this. While there are hundreds of Maritime Canada lighthouses throughout the three provinces, and while I only visited a couple dozen of them, I believe the following are some of the coolest.

Cape George Lighthouse (Nova Scotia)

Many of the lighthouses I came across in Maritime Canada were close to the shore. What I really liked about Cape George was the winding road leading up to the lighthouse and its dramatic position high up on a cliff overlooking the sea below. The views from Cape George are extraordinary and quite peaceful with only a handful of people when I visited. There are benches, picnic tables and a grassy knoll, making this one of my favorite Maritime Canada Lighthouses. Click here for a map to Cape George Lighthouse in Nova Scotia.

Maritime Canada Lighthouses - Cape George by Mike Shubic of MikesRoadTrip.com

Swallowtail Light Station on Grand Manan Island (New Brunswick)

The approach to Swallowtail Light Station sets the scene for great anticipation. You must park a distance away at the base of a high cliff and the lighthouse does not come into view for some time. A steep set of stairs takes you to a bridge that crosses what appears to be an isthmus. The walk toward the lighthouse is over rocky terrain with some grass and a few sparse trees. Nearing the beacon, the trail is exchanged for a wooden boardwalk/bridge that leads right up to one of the most photographed lighthouses in all of New Brunswick. The wonderful panoramic view of coastline, coupled with the historic significance makes Swallowtail Light Station one of the best Maritime Canada Lighthouses. Click here for a map to Swallowtail Light Station.

Swallowtail Lightstation New Brunswick by MikesRoadTrip.com

Prim Point Light Station (Prince Edward Island)

This cylinder shaped lighthouse and its stunning setting make the Prim Point lighthouse my favorite on Prince Edward Island (PEI). With a large football sized grass park surrounding the lighthouse it is easily a place to spend a couple of hours taking in the scenery. Right next door is the Prim Point Chowder House, a wonderful gastro restaurant with outdoor seating at the edge of the shore. Click here for a map to the Prim Point Light Station.

Maritime Canada Lighthouses - Prim Point Light Station on PEI by Mike Shubic of MikesRoadTrip.com

Cape Tryon Lighthouse (Prince Edward Island)

Not the prettiest of the bunch, but what made Cape Tryon Lighthouse special is its obscure and remote location. A rugged dirt road leads to the sea where this weather-beaten lighthouse still stands proud. There was not a soul in sight when I was there and the trails surrounding this lighthouse that meander down to the water make it a cool place to explore. I assume this lighthouse is not viewed by many tourists as it is out of sight and surrounded by farmlands. Click here for a map to Cape Tryon Lighthouse.

Maritime Canada Lighthouses - Cape Tyron Lighthouse by Mike Shubic of MikesRoadTrip.com

Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse in Peggy’s Cove (Nova Scotia)

Last, but certainly not least, is probably the most famous and most popular of the Maritime Canada Lighthouses. Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse is set against a sensational setting. The idyllic village is utterly charming and the photographic opportunities are boundless. From the lighthouse itself, to a bagpiper playing in a Scottish kilt, to the fishing vessels in the harbor, Peggy’s Cove looks like a village straight out of a storybook, where countless scenes have been put to canvas and placed into history. Click here for a map to Peggy’s Cove