Visit Peggy’s Cove In Nova Scotia
Even before we arrived, we knew we would visit Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia. The iconic image of the lighthouse on the rock was a common stop for visitors to the east coast of Canada.
During our stay in Nova Scotia on this trip we used Halifax as a base. There was a lot to do in the city. But on a day trip down the coast towards Lunenburg we did not miss a stop in Peggy’s Cove.
The iconic lighthouse is often the key attraction for a visit to Peggy’s Cove. But we found more than just the lighthouse! A local museum provided insight into the “Peggy” behind “Peggy’s Cove”. We loved the quaint, colourful village and port. Local art was on display. And we even visited the SwissAir Memorial site.
Following The Lighthouse Route
On our travels around Eastern Canada we followed many small coastal roads labelled as the Lighthouse Route. When we did our road trip through New Brunswick, we had so many great lighthouse views. In Newfoundland, we found even more lighthouse views. So we when drove along the coast in Nova Scotia, we knew the Lighthouse Route took us to great local sights.
We saw we were on the right route when we saw a small lighthouse in the midst of a colourful rock painting on the side of the road. As we got closer, we saw a sign that said this was the Peggy Of The Cove Museum.
This museum provided more information about the rescue of the sole survivor when a Schooner hit Halibut Rock off Lighthouse Point in the mid-1800’s. This is the Peggy of Peggy’s Cove.
On this visit to Peggy’s Cove we had lots of stops on our road trip day. So did not have time to stop at the museum.
Entering The Small Town Of Peggy’s Cove
As soon as we entered the small town of Peggy’s Cove we knew we would be delighted. Charming and colourful buildings surrounded us. A Visitor Information Centre provided more information about the area.
We found the small port and were entranced with the typical fishing village scene we found. A set of brightly hued chairs were positioned for the perfect view. Colourful boats lined the harbour. Fishing floats and lobster traps covered the docks.
Our first view of Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia charmed us.
Peggy’s Cove Iconic Lighthouse
We headed for the point and soon got our first view of the iconic lighthouse on the rocks. A path led towards the lighthouse. But it was soon evident that this visit meant a walk on the rocks. Signs everywhere warned of the danger.
After we enjoyed the view from afar, we walked out on the rocks for a closer view. We saw the waves as they crashed on the shore.
When we got close we heard music. A woman sat on a chair under the lighthouse and entertained the crowd with accordion music.
When we walked around we saw a new platform under construction out over the rocks. This platform provided a new spot for views of the iconic Peggy’s Cove lighthouse without scrambling out on the rocks.
The SouWester Restaurant was located right at the lighthouse. We grabbed a table outside in the sun and enjoyed our last view.
On a visit to Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia the view of the lighthouse out on the rocks was the iconic image we could not miss.
An Artistic Stop In Peggy’s Cove In Nova Scotia
There was one more artistic stop in the small town of Peggy’s Cove. Across from the Visitor Information Centre we saw the William DeGarthe Art Gallery. We did not have time to wander and see the art inside. But we did not want to miss the outdoor display.
A long 100 foot stone wall was the canvas used to create the Fisherman’s Memorial. This monument to Nova Scotia fishermen showed 32 fishermen, their wives and children, St. Elmo with wings spread, and the legendary Peggy of Peggy’s Cove.
When we visited Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia we found so many great things to see.
Remembering Swiss Air Flight 111
When we left we headed along the coast. Off in the distance we was the lighthouse out on the point of rocks.
On our way out of Peggy’s Cove we had one more stop to make. The Swissair Memorial Site commemorated the 229 people on SwissAir flight 111 that crashed into the sea just off the coast of Bayswater near Peggy’s Cove in 1998.
As a Naval Clearance Diving Officer, David was part of the huge military and civilian operation involved in recovering both the victims and the aircraft wreckage from the seafloor. Many of the vessels involved used Peggy’s Cove Harbour as a berth. So it was fitting that we stopped to remember a time in history that was very personal for David.
On a visit to Peggys Cove in Nova Scotia, we paused for a moment.
A Great Visit To Peggy’s Cove In Nova Scotia
On a day trip from Halifax, we enjoyed a stop at Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia. We saw the iconic lighthouse on the rocky point.
But we found more than just the lighthouse! We saw the local museum that provided insight into the “Peggy” behind “Peggy’s Cove”. The quaint, colourful village and port delighted us. And we even visited the SwissAir Memorial site.
Did you visit Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia? Were you glad you visited this iconic site?
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Such a cute picture with your Nova Scotia mug! It looks like such a beautiful route along the coast. Lighthouses are such a favorite of mine, and they always have great views, of course. The colors in your photos are so lovely with everything from the boats to the houses. Such a great trip!!
We were so happy we got the perfect day for a trip along the shore in Nova Scotia to Peggy’s Cove. So many lighthouses along the route.
Peggy’s Cove looks such a quaint and charming town with all those beautiful boats. It must be specially cosy to watch the musician woman playing accordion close to the lighthouse.
The landscapes remind me of Northern European landscapes.
We had a lovely visit to Peggy’s Cove and were happy we had time to just sit and enjoy the atmosphere.
Such a pretty town. I love visiting lighthouses.thanks for the suggestion for a day trip.
We were sure happy we planned a day trip to Peggy’s Cove as we travelled around Nova Scotia.
Oh my goodness, this looks like such a charming town! I love those colorful buildings. Would love to visit someday!
The colour was definitely a great draw on our visit to Peggy’s Cove.
Ah, the cute, cheerful and colourful area of NS! I’ve yet to visit this area, but it’s on my list for sure! It has everything you expect from the east coast – the lighthouses, the charm, and those friendly locals. I will have to keep the William DeGarthe Art Gallery in mind as I do enjoy exploring outdoor art.
Nova Scotia indeed had everything that you visit the Atlantic coast for. We were charmed on our day trip to Peggy’s Cove. Lots of treats along the way too.
Peggys cove looks idyllic! Would love to visit Nova Scotia one day
I hope you do get a chance to visit Nova Scotia. We were delighted by all stops.
Peggy’s Cove is so pretty with its colorful houses and buildings. I will like sitting there, just doing nothing. The lighthouse reminded me of a lighthouse in Maine. I just knew something about David. That’s really great that he was part of the rescue team for Swissair flight 111 passengers and wreckage that crashed into the sea.
It was a good stop at the Swiss Air Memorial with David. So many great lighthouses along the route. It reminded us of our road trip in Maine too.
Nova Scotia seems like such a world away from me and a great distance and I love seafood, so all the fantastic venues to visit here are amazing. I love rugged landscapes,art finds and even a lighthouse junkie so all of these places would be a lot of fun to visit and do a road trip
Nova Scotia was indeed a great spot to visit and road trip for lighthouses, seafood and so much more.
Eye popping colors and beautiful photos! I’m just starting to learn about travel destinations in Canada. This is something that I am saving for later. I would love to spend some time in this cute village.
We did love our visit to Peggy’s Cove. A great spot in Canada to see. Hope you get to visit one day.
What a lovely way to spend the day – those houses are way tooo adorable and I’d love to be able to discover this place proper!
It was great to have time to wander in the fishing village and see the iconic lighthouse.
This looks absolutely amazing and sooo fun! In my childhood, I enjoyed the books by Astrid Lindgren and somehow I imagine that her little heroes where running around between exactly this style of colorful wooden houses. Actually, it looks very Scandinavic – the landscape as well as the structures. Interesting!
We were amazed with the great little villages like Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia. Definitely have a bit of a Scandinavian feel.
With its vibrant structures, boats, and chairs, this small village of Peggy’s Cove is incredibly lively. The most thrilling part of getting to the lighthouse is walking onto the rocks, especially when you do get near and begin to hear music.
It was great that we were able to walk on the rocks in Peggy’s Cove. They put up a new platform for viewing and we wonder if one day walking on rocks will be banned.
I am in the process of planning a fall trip to Nova Scotia, so this post is perfect for me! We will be taking the CAT ferry to Yarmouth and then traveling along the coast to our destination in Antigonish to see family. A stop in Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove are on our itinerary. I know now exactly what I want to see when we visit at Peggy’s Cove based on your travels. Thank you for saving me the research time!
I am delighted to provide you with some input to planning your trip to Nova Scotia. There are a few more posts in the queue. You will certainly love a trip along the coast.
This place is charming and is definitely worth the trip. We usually stay in Halifax so we’d love to explore this area during our next trip. Will put Peggy’s on top of our itinerary. Thank you for sharing this.
Peggy’s Cove was an easy day trip from Halifax. We were so glad we visited.
You had perfect weather during your visit to Peggys cove. I love lighthouses, so I would be in for this daytrip. And I absolutely love the picture with the colorful chairs.
There were so many colourful spots on our visit to Peggy’s Cove. A delightful treat for sure.
The town looks so adorable. It reminds me of the small towns near Gloucester outside of Boston, which are cool fishing towns. So picturesque!
We too love the small fishing towns outside of Boston. So much great east coast scenery.
I will drive for miles to see a lighthouse! I was intrigue by the fisherman’s memorial though. Amazing how that was carved into that stone.
We were surprised by the art we found on our visit to Peggy’s Cove. A nice mix with the lighthouse and colourful fishing village.
Love love loved this colorful post and all your gorgeous photos. It’s been so long since I was in Nova Scotia and I sure would love to go back. Hopefully next summer!
We were amazed at the colour we found on our visit to Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia. Glad we made it back.
What an adorable looking town! And that lighthouse is so picturesque. It’s neat you got to visit a site so personal to you as well. I would love to visit Nova Scotia one day, and will definitely add Peggy’s Cove to that itinerary!
The lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove is an iconic spot to visit. We were happy we found so many more great sights on our visit.
What a beautiful little town on the water with lots of color. Love the memorial to the 32 fishermen and also the Swiss Air Memorial Site. We should have made this trip from Halifax to see the lovely lighthouse
The different memorials we found on our travels around Peggy’s Cove were an added treat.
What a charming little town. I loved the colorful houses and the long rock carved with the fishermen. Fishing villages are so much fun.
We loved all the different things we found on our visit to Peggy’s Cove.
What a charming place! How fun to walk up to a lighthouse to have someone playing the accordian!
The accordion player added a fun element as we walked around the lighthouse.
Peggy’s Cove looks so charming, and now you have me trying to remember if I visited here before; it would’ve been more than 15 years ago, so I’m having trouble remembering! Either way, it looks like a lovely place to visit – or visit again! Thanks for sharing. Xx Sara
I too was not sure if I had visited Peggy’s Cove on childhood trips to Nova Scotia. But it was great to see all the things in the charming fishing village on this trip.
One of my good friends lived in Nova Scotia for years and she told me about it. Your pictures make it look so cute! Saving this so I can visit one day. Thanks!
I hope you do get to visit Peggy’s Cove one day. It was a lovely visit.
What a delightful little town Peggy’s Cove is! Those waves at the rocks look so mild compared to what we are used to but I fully understand that the sea can turn nasty very quickly, so I think that viewing platform is a great idea. I could see myself happily exploring this area, but in the meantime it is great seeing it through your beautiful photos.
The platform was finished after we visited. I am sure it will give many more people the chance to see the iconic lighthouse. But I do suspect that access across the rocks will be limited one day.
I love Peggy’s Cove. Reading this makes me want to go back!
We were so happy we planned a day trip to Peggy’s Cove on our visit to Nova Scotia. Worth more than one visit for sure.
What a beautiful place Peggy’s Cove is! I loved exploring the town through your photos. The lighthouse and its miniature version, the colourful fishing boats and houses are some of the things that make me want to visit.
We were glad we planned a day trip to Peggy’s Cove. So many treats in addition to the iconic lighthouse.
I’m not surprised that this is iconic but even more so with some personal history for you too. Clearly an essential place to visit in Nova Scotia for all sorts of reasons. And your photos really do make it look beautiful
Peggy’s Cove is indeed an iconic spot to visit in Nova Scotia. And good to go back for personal reasons indeed.
I love the colors of the area, and the lighthouse looks like it would be amazing to hang out in, and it looks like you had some amazing weather. Thanks for sharing this wonderful location with us!
We truly did have perfect weather for our visit to Peggy’s Cove. A great day trip from Halifax.
I love it when I find musicians playing for crowds, especially when there’s a scenic view! At least, I love it when the music fits the scenery- LOL. what a fun town!
Peggy’s Cove was definitely a fun town to visit.
I love how colourful and bright this place looks! I’d definitely love to pay a visit and the lighthouse is so scenic!
I hope you do get to visit Peggy’s Cove one day. Definitely a scenic spot to visit.
Peggy’s Cove looks like such a unique and quaint place to visit. I always enjoy going to coastal towns when I travel.
We loved travelling along the coast in Nova Scotia. So many great stops like Peggy’s Cove.
I love the quaint Canadian coastal spots you have found. I can just taste the fresh seafood and feel the salt air.
It was definitely a treat to travel along the coast in Nova Scotia. And a tasty one at that!
Peggy’s Cove looks like a delightful town to visit and so colorful too. I like these lesser known small villages, they’re more charming to see. So sad about the plane crash there in 1998, I never knew about it until reading your post. Nice that they put up a memorial for them.
We loved exploring the small towns in Nova Scotia like Peggy’s Cove. A lovely day to explore.
Peggy’s Cove looks like such a beautiful village! I love all the color, and it looks like you got amazing weather on your visit! It’s nice that they’re building a more accessible platform where you can view the lighthouse without climbing over the rocks, and I would love to see the intricate Fisherman’s Memorial.
There were a lot of great stops on our stop at Peggy’s Cove. A perfect day for sure.
Linda, you always find places that I’m not familiar with! Love learning about them and adding to my bucket list!
I am glad to add Peggy’s Cove to your travel list. Definitely a great spot in Nova Scotia.