Last Updated on December 31, 2025
A day trip to Peggy’s Cove lighthouse is a must do from Halifax, and you can combine it with a visit to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia too!
On my recent trip to Nova Scotia, visiting Peggy’s Cove was on my list of must-do’s. I had visited this fishing village when I traveled through Nova Scotia with my family as a kid, but I wanted to see it again.
Peggy’s Cove is an iconic spot in Canada’s maritime provinces, and for good reason. There’s just something magical about seeing the old lighthouse with the backdrop of ocean, granite rock, and a fishing village.
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Peggy’s Cove is known to be very busy with tourists, especially during the summer months. But during our visit, it was very quiet. This is likely because Nova Scotia is restricting tourism during the pandemic. I think we were lucky to experience Peggy’s Cove without the crowds, but I would recommend visiting regardless. It’s a must-see in Nova Scotia!
Peggy’s Cove is on sacred land that has been the site of human activity since time immemorial. It is on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq and Wabanaki People, who are the past, present, and future caretakers of the land.
History of Peggy’s Cove Nova Scotia
Peggy’s Cove is apparently most likely named after the wife of William Rodgers, an Irish immigrant who settled in the area around 1770. In 1811, land was granted to 5 men who had been fishing from Peggy’s Cove since 1804. By 1827, seven families had settled around the inlet beside the rugged granite coastline.
Today, Peggy’s Cove is home to just 40 people but welcomes 700,000 visitors in a typical year! It’s a popular tourist attraction, and a popular spot for artists looking for picturesque maritime inspiration.
Peggy’s Point Lighthouse
Lighthouses are truly iconic throughout Nova Scotia. There are over 160 lighthouses across the province, many of which are historic and famous. The lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove, often called Peggy’s Point Lighthouse, is particularly well known because it is so picture worthy. It was built in 1915, and is perched right on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, surrounded by massive grey boulders that have been softened by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
When you visit the lighthouse, you understand why the lighthouse was built there. The ocean’s waves crash into the shore surrounding the lighthouse pretty aggressively. It makes sense that it was important to warn boats and ships that the rocky shores are there. While visiting Peggy’s Cove, I really loved watching the ocean.
When you’re standing near the lighthouse, you can really get a sense of the power of the ocean. That said, please be careful! It’s important to stay off the black rocks that you see ? they are slippery, and when you are near them there is a risk of sudden waves sneaking up on you.
I visited Peggy’s Point Lighthouse in October 2021, and at that point, the new observation deck wasn’t open. But it is now! The viewing deck is a great addition to Peggy’s Cove because it provides a safe and accessible way to see the coast and the lighthouse.
Day Trip to Peggy’s Cove from Halifax
A day trip to Peggy’s Cove from Halifax or Dartmouth is an easy 45 minute drive. To get there from downtown Halifax, you’ll drive Quinpool Road to the Armdale Roundabout and take the third exit for St. Margaret’s Bay Road. When you reach the first set of lights, turn left onto Route 333 (The Lighthouse Route) towards Peggy’s Cove. Stay on Route 333 for about 30 minutes. It’ll eventually turn into Peggy’s Point Road, at which point, you’re there!
Peggy’s Cove Tour
Unfortunately, there isn’t a public transportation option that will take you from Halifax to Peggy’s Cove. If you don’t have a vehicle, your best bet will be to join a tour.
This Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour with Transfers is a great choice! You’ll be picked up from your Halifax Peninsula hotel and driven in a small, comfy van straight to Peggy’s Cove. Your fun and friendly local guide will share lots of history, facts, and tips about Peggy’s Cove.
This is a small-group tour, with less than 6 people! And, it includes free time to explore the lighthouse and the quaint fishing village, before heading back to Halifax.
The Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour includes:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from downtown Halifax peninsula
- Transportation
- Small-group tour (max 6 guests)
- Access to Peggy’s Cove
- Guide
Go to Peggy’s Cove by Taxi or Car Rental
You can also day trip to Peggy’s Cove lighthouse from Halifax by car. There’s the option to hire a taxi to do the 45 minute drive there and back. This will cost upwards of $200, but if you’re with a group and without car access, the price is manageable.
The simpler option is to rent a car for the day. This way, you have the freedom to make other stops along the coast. Discover Cars compares the prices for a vehicle from a variety of suppliers to ensure you get the cheapest rate. You can book a car rental through Discover Cars, in advance, right here!
What to do in Peggy’s Cove
Most tourists visit Peggy’s Cove to see the lighthouse. It’s well worth it to make the trip just for that, but if you have time, definitely stick around for a while to explore the adjacent fishing village. You can spend as little as 15 minutes strolling through, or hang around for longer to really get a feel for the village. Here are a couple things you can do:
Walk around the village. Peggy’s Cove is a classic example of a maritime fishing village. Take the time to explore along the boardwalk. Pop into local shops, and get some pictures of fishing boats and lobster traps.
Shop for souvenirs. The village has a couple little souvenir shops that are worth dropping by. Be sure to follow the best practices for responsible souvenir shopping.
Visit the Swissair Flight 111 Memorial. Back in 1998, a plane crashed just off the shore of Peggy’s Cove. The lives of 229 people were lost. There are two memorial sites that you can visit just outside Peggy’s Cove. The closest is 1km out in Whalesback, and the second is located across the bay in Bayswater.
Have a meal at the Sou’Wester. The Sou’Wester is the one and only restaurant in Peggy’s Cove! They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and there are plenty of seafood options (including lobster!) to choose from on the menu.
Tips for visiting Peggy’s Cove
Here are a couple tips I picked up taking a day trip to Peggy’s Cove, which are useful to keep in mind if you’re planning your own visit.
Parking is free. There is a parking lot right by the lighthouse, as well as one within the village. We were able to stay parked at the lighthouse and walk through the village from there.
You can’t go inside the lighthouse. Peggy’s Point Lighthouse isn’t open to the public.I know, it’s too bad! But you can still enjoy the lighthouse from the outside.
Bathrooms are nearby. There are bathrooms at the visitor’s centre by the lighthouse, as well as ones within the village, both free to use.
Be careful of black rocks. You will notice black rocks along the coast, close to the ocean. It’s important to stay away and off of these rocks. They are slippery, and there is a risk of very sudden waves. People have been swept off these rocks – don’t risk it!
Peggy’s Cove to Lunenburg
If you’re up for a big day, consider driving from Peggy’s Cove to Lunenburg. Old Town Lunenburg is one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This historic town is a 75 minute drive from Peggy’s Cove, and honestly, it’s worth including in your daytrip just for the drive itself.
The drive from Peggy’s Cove to Lunenburg takes you along the coast and through another cute town, Mahone Bay. The best part is, the drive from Lunenburg back to Halifax is just one hour, because going back you can take the highway rather than the coastal route.
Lunenburg is special because the town, established in 1753, has kept up its original layout and overall appearance. When you get to Lunenburg, spend some time wandering the beautiful old town, admiring the historic wooden houses. There are lots of great shops to pop into, too!
At the waterfront, you can see the famous Bluenose II, which is a replica of the fishing and racing schooner Bluenose. And here’s a fun fact! I am related to Harry Demone, who captained the original Bluenose in 1941.
Ready to day trip to Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse from Halifax?
Day tripping to Peggy’s Cove was one of the highlights of my trip to Nova Scotia, and so I recommend that you don’t skip this iconic spot! While exploring this historic village, there are a couple things to keep in mind that will help reduce the impact of your visit.
- Pack in and pack out. If you aren’t able to find a garbage can or recycling location, hold onto organic and non-organic waste, and dispose of it when you can do so properly.
- Try to time your visit! Peggy’s Cove, like many popular tourist destinations around the world, often sees big crowds of visitors.
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- How to Spend a Long Weekend in Halifax
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- Your Cape Breton Guide to Visiting Cheticamp, Nova Scotia
