No visit to Nova Scotia would be complete without stopping at Peggy’s Cove, a popular location for visitors and locals. This small rural fishing community has the classic Maritime vibe, with its windswept shoreline and pounding ocean waves, and we’ve put up a list of the top things to check out to make the most of your day trip.
Peggy’s Cove: One of the most famous villages in Nova Scotia
Peggy’s Cove perfectly captures Atlantic Canada’s culture and heritage. According to legend, the area got its name from a shipwreck survivor. She was the only survivor of a shipwreck, and once she settled down and wed a fisherman from the area, she earned the nickname Peggy of the Cove.
Six families received an 800-acre concession in 1811, which led to the founding of this little hamlet. Peggy’s Cove is still a bustling fishing community today, with lobster boats parked in the harbor and bright wooden cottages dotting the narrow strait.
The fishing community, however, is a disappearing breed. Companies are purchasing retired fishermen’s fishing licenses, and the younger generation is looking for new and adventurous lives in the metropolis. In Peggy’s Cove, the youngest fisherman is 50 years old!
When we are safely in a calm bay, Captain Peter even lets you have a turn at the helm if you are up for it. The tour is tranquil, educational, and enjoyable. Additionally, it is important to see the adjacent harbors and islands. Exploring the shoreline from the boat is worthwhile so you can see surrounding towns, various island formations, and more.
Why is Peggys Cove so well-known?
Peggys Cove is appealing to many individuals in part because of its accessibility. Visitors can drive up close to the lighthouse and then walk there. In Nova Scotia, lighthouses are typically located in outlying places that are challenging to access and are frequently listed as restricted zones by the government. The majority of lighthouses are, therefore, rarely visited by the general population.
In addition to visiting lighthouses, travelers from Nova Scotia frequently visit nearby fishing villages. It is remarkable in that it is one of the rare locations outside of those handfuls that have both of these in the same area.
Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, is not far from Peggys Cove. The Atlantic Maritime Provinces’ city with the densest population in Halifax. Due to its proximity to Halifax, it is a well-liked vacation spot for both tourists and locals.
As you can see, Peggys Cove’s geographic characteristics and position have a significant impact on why it is as well-known as it is today.
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Things to do in Peggy’s Cove
Walk to Peggy’s Cove point lighthouse
All day long, throngs of visitors and tour buses stop to see the lighthouse. However, you will have it all to yourself if you stay the night at Peggy’s Cove and visit the lighthouse at sunrise. Explore the unusual rock formations and search for pools of water that mirror the lighthouse in the sparkling sun. It’s an adventure to stroll through the enormous rolling rocks and see the lighthouse from all sides.
Peggy’s Cove’s distinctive coastline was shaped over many years by receding glaciers and ocean tides, which incised patterns into the 400 million-year-old rock. The granite rock was produced when molten lava sprang up from the earth’s surface.
Explore by Boat
A nice method to dodge the crowds if you visit here in the afternoon is to board a Peggy’s Cove Boat Tour. Viewing the lighthouse and shoreline from this angle is interesting.
You can reserve in advance or see if you can join a tour at the last minute with the sole tour operator that offers boat tours. During high season, they depart the harbor two to five times per day.
The Peggy’s Cove point lighthouse is the first thing you see when you leave the harbor. The captain blows the horn as you pass, letting the lighthouse crew know how much fun you are having.
The next stop on tour is the nearby West Dove inlet, where you can see lovely residences and lots with private beaches. The riches the fishing business gave to these areas are evident in this region.
Kayaking
Our first kayaking experience on the Canadian East Coast was at Lower Prospect Point, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. When visiting Nova Scotia, most visitors envision kayaking on the Bay of Fundy, but there is also stunning landscape and serene coves to discover on the east coast.
People wouldn’t respect the power of the ocean if they just paddled on calm water. They can experience the power of the sea in a safe setting in this way. From Peggy’s Cove or Halifax, kayaking at Lower Prospect is a great day trip, and East Coast Outfitters offers 4-hour tours.
Check out the Swiss Air Memorial
The Swiss Air memorial honors the 229 individuals who died in the 1998 Swiss Air bombing and is situated just outside Peggy’s Cove. The crash took place only 8 kilometers (5 miles) off Peggy’s Coves. This memorial honors the victims and the rescuers who labored nonstop to clear the debris and look for survivors.
View the village of Peggy’s Cove
A lovely afternoon can be spent exploring the community, looking for locally produced art, or ordering the fresh catch of the day at the Sou’Wester restaurant directly next to the lighthouse. We enjoyed perusing the gift stores for the ideal East Coast memento while lounging in the sun on bright Adirondack chairs at the neighborhood coffee shop and listening to travelers gush about the place.
Bagpipes can be heard here
If you visit Nova Scotia, you could catch a glimpse of someone playing the bagpipes near Peggy’s Cove. It really is a fantastic time.
William deGarthe Gallery of Art
Local artist William deGarthe immigrated to Peggy’s Cove from Switzerland. William deGarthe’s 65 pieces are displayed in the gallery, ranging from his early maritime paintings to his more recent sculptures.
Visit William deGarthe Fisherman Memorial Monument
To see his masterwork, the Fisherman’s Monument, make sure to enter the area behind the museum. He created this monument as a tribute to Nova Scotia’s fishermen. It took a lot of work to cut this 30 m (100 ft) a long chunk of granite rock, and inside, you can learn all about it.
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Risks in Peggy’s Cove
When visiting here, use caution! Never stand on the dark rocks, and keep your distance from the ocean. In the area, people have perished due to disregarding the warning signals. People have been reported to be swept out to sea by rogue waves, which frequently rise up on the shore.
Numerous people have perished after getting too close to Peggy’s Cove’s dark rocks. Don’t become a casualty by paying attention to the warning indicators.
The best time to visit Peggy’s Cove
In terms of temperature, sunshine hours, and crowds, April through June and September through October are the greatest times to visit Peggy’s Cove. Avoid the busy summer vacation season. Early spring might see significant rainfall.
It is possible to rent a cottage in Peggy’s Cove for the summer and take it easy while enjoying Canada’s seaside playground. So, come here right away to start your amazing experience! Please leave a comment below with your ideas!
