Lighthouses of Northern Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia has an extraordinary length of coastline compared to its area, so it's not surprising that it has a large number of lighthouses, more than 150 of them. This page covers lighthouses of the northern part of the province, including the lighthouses of the Northumberland Strait coast and Cape Breton Island, separated from the mainland by the narrow Strait of Canso. Cape Breton Island itself is nearly divided north to south by the intricate waterways of the Bras d'Or lakes, and this division is actually completed by the St. Peter's Canal.

Some of the more remote lighthouses are poorly known and no photos are available. Additional information and photos would be welcome.

Rip Irwin's book, Lighthouses and Lights of Nova Scotia (Halifax: Nimbus Publishing, 2003) is an essential reference for understanding these lighthouses.

Lighthouses in Canada are maintained by the Canadian Coast Guard, a unit of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Notmar numbers are from the Atlantic Coast volume of the List of Lights, Buoys, and Fog Signals of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from Volume H of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA numbers are from Publication 110.

What's Hot:

Louisburg Lighthouse
Louisbourg Light, November 2005
Creative Commons photo by Roy Tanaka

General Sources
Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society: This outstanding web site has a wealth of photos, information, and news.
Lighthouses in Nova Scotia, Canada: Aerial photos posted by Marinas.com.
Nova Scotia Lighthouses: Lorne Hull has posted excellent photos and accounts for about 20 of the lighthouses.
Nova Scotia Lighthouses: Images of 15 of the light stations posted by Pete Amass.
Northumberland Strait Lighthouses
* Coldspring Head: 1890. Active; focal plane 18 m (60 ft); white flash every 5 s. 11 m (36 ft) square pyramidal wood tower, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located near Northport on Cold Spring Head Road, off Lane 26 from NS 366. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-144; Notmar 941; Admiralty H1302; NGA 8504.
* Woody Point (relocated to Amherst Shore): 1911. Inactive since 1976. Originally an 11 m (32 ft) square pyramidal wood tower, located at Woody Point on the New Brunswick shore of Chignecto Bay. No photo available. The lighthouse was sold upon deactivation and relocated to private property. The owner built a large square room, inserted at the top of the tower with the lantern perched on its roof. Located in Amherst Shore, off NS 366 near Coldspring Head. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS CAN-703.
* Pugwash (Fishing Point) (1): 1871. Inactive since 1962. Approx. 11 m (36 ft) square cylindrical wood tower rising schoolhouse-style from the front of a 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white, lantern red. Marinas.com has an aerial photo. The "schoolhouse" design, common in the U.S., is very unusual for Nova Scotia. The lighthouse is a private residence. Located at Fishing Point north of Pugwash. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can be seen easily from the road. Site manager: private. ARLHS CAN-611.
* Pugwash (Fishing Point) (2): 1962. Active; focal plane 17.5 m (57 ft); red light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 15.5 m (51 ft) square steel skeletal tower with enclosed upper third. The skeletal tower and lantern are painted red, the enclosed watch room white. An extreme distant view is available. Located on the tip of Fishing Point north of Pugwash. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-419; Notmar 926; Admiralty H1290; NGA 8508.

* Caribou (Caribou Island, Caribou Point) (2): Around 1971 (station established 1868). Active; focal plane 13 m (44 ft); three white flashes, separated by 3 s, every 24 s. 12.5 m (40 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower attached to a a 1-story utility building. Lighthouse painted white with red trim; lantern is red. A closeup of the lantern is available. Located at Caribou Point on the north end of Caribou Island; the "island' is connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus and is accessible by road from Waterside. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Waterside Provincial Park. ARLHS CAN-119; Notmar 918; Admiralty H1272; NGA 8576.
Pictou Harbour Range Front (2): 1896 (station established 1889). Active; focal plane 8 m (28 ft); continuous white light. 7 m (23 ft) square pyramidal wood tower, painted white with a fluorescent red vertical stripe on the range line. The range lights were relocated in 1909. Located on the north side of the entrance to Pictou Harbour. Site status unknown. ARLHS CAN-608; Notmar 903; Admiralty H1256; NGA 8620.
Pictou Harbour Range Rear (2): 1896 (station established 1889). Active; focal plane 12 m (56 ft); continuous white light. 11 m (38 ft) square pyramidal wood tower, painted white with a fluorescent red vertical stripe on the range line. The range lights were relocated in 1909. Located on the north side of the entrance to Pictou Harbour. Site status unknown. ARLHS CAN-378; Notmar 904; Admiralty H1256.1; NGA 8624.
* Pictou Island South: 1907. Active; focal plane 11 m (35 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8 m (27 ft) square pyramidal wood tower, painted white; lantern is red. From 1951 to 1974 the lighthouse served as the rear light of a range. Pictou Island lies off the entrance to Pictou Harbour; it is accessible by ferry on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, May through November. Located near the southwestern tip of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAN-380; Notmar 899; Admiralty H1237; NGA 8608.
#Pictou Bar (2): 1904 (station established 1883). Inactive since 2004. Recently destroyed; the lighthouse was a 37 ft octagonal pyramidal wood tower, painted white with red vertical striping and a red lantern. The tower burst into flames on the evening of July 4, 2004, and local firefighters were not able to bring their equipment onto the beach to save the lighthouse. Heritage Canada recognized this tragedy as one of the five worst historic structure losses of 2004. At present there seems to be little chance the lighthouse will be rebuilt. Located at the end of the spit on the south side of the harbor; accessible by walking the beach. Site open. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-377; Notmar 906.3; Admiralty H1248; NGA 8616.
* Trenton Range Front (Stonehouse Point) (2): 1962 (station established 1920). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); continuous red light. 4.5 m (15 ft) square pyramidal wood tower, painted white with a red vertical stripe on the range line. No lantern. The rear range light is on a skeletal tower. Located at Stonehouse Point on the east side of the East River estuary entrance; visible from the bridge from Pictou. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-505; Notmar 910; Admiralty H1264; NGA 8640.

St. George's Bay Lighthouses

[North Canso (2)]: 1966 (station established 1842). Active; focal plane 37 m (120 ft); white light, 1 s on, 2 s off. 10.5 m (35 ft) steel (?) tower, painted white with two narrow horizontal red bands. This modern tower replaced a historic 2-story keeper's house with light tower on the roof. Located at the north entrance to the Strait of Canso. Site status uncertain (looks open), tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-344; Notmar 883; Admiralty H3440; NGA 8696.
Henry Island: 1902 (Joseph MacDonald). Active; focal plane 61 m (200 ft); white flash every 4 s. 16 m (53 ft) octagonal pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery. The eight vertical faces are painted alternately red and white; the lantern is painted red. The original 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house, recently restored, is used as a private summer residence. Marinas.com has an aerial photo. Located on the west side of the island facing St. George's Bay. Site and tower generally closed (the island is privately owned), but tours to the island and lighthouse can be arranged. Accessible only by boat. Site manager: Henry Island Lighthouse Preservation Society. ARLHS CAN-227; Notmar 881; Admiralty H1222; NGA 8720.

Northwest Coast Cape Breton Island Lighthouses
*** Mabou Harbour (2): 1908 (station established 1884). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); continuous green light. 14 m (47 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern is red. Marinas.com has an aerial photo. Originally built as the rear light of a range; the original front range light was destroyed by a storm in 1964. Since 1998 the lighthouse serves as the Mabou Harbour Museum and Tourist Centre. Inverness County has posted Mary Anne Ducharme's article on the history of the light station. Located at the end of a pier in Mabou Harbour. Site and tower open. Site manager: Mabou Harbour Authority. ARLHS CAN-291; Notmar 876; Admiralty H1216.1; NGA 8748.
Margaree Island (Sea Wolf Island) (2): 1958 (station established 1854). Active; focal plane 91 m (298 ft); white flash every 4 s. 8 m (27 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern painted red. Marinas.com has aerial photos. The island, 4 km (2.5 mi) offshore in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, is mostly ringed by sheer cliffs. Located at the highest point of the island. Accessible only by boat in rough seas. Site and tower closed. Site manager: Margaree Island National Wildlife Area. ARLHS CAN-305; Notmar 874; Admiralty H1208; NGA 8760.
* Margaree Harbour Range Front: 1900. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); continuous yellow light. 4.5 m (15 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern, painted white with a red vertical stripe on the range line. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located off Margaree Harbour Shore Road. Site status uncertain, but the lighthouses can be seen from nearby. Tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-607; Notmar 872; Admiralty H1202; NGA 8764.
* Margaree Harbour Range Rear: 1900. Active; focal plane 21 m (68 ft); continuous yellow light. 6 m (20 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern, painted white with a red vertical stripe on the range line. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located off Margaree Harbour Shore Road. Site status uncertain, but the lighthouses can be seen from nearby. Tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-304; Notmar 873; Admiralty H1202.1; NGA 8768.
* Chéticamp Harbour Range Front: 1894. Inactive since 1986. 7 m (23 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern.the lighthouse was originally painted with white with red trim, and the lantern was painted red. P. Kramer has a 2003 photo showing this pattern. In 2005 the lighthouse was repainted in with red, white, and blue horizontal bands, as seen in a photo by Mark Luukkonen. The lighthouse is said to be used as an office. Located just off the waterfront in the center of Chéticamp. Site and tower open. Site manager: Acadian Whale Cruise. ARLHS CAN-135.
* Enragée Point (Chéticamp) (2): 1957 (station established 1937). Active; focal plane 22.5 m (74 ft); three white flashes, separated by 4 s, every 24 s. 13 m (42 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern painted red. Fog horn (3 s blast every 30 s). 1-1/2 story keeper's house and several utility buildings. A closeup photo is available, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The original lighthouse was destroyed by fire in October 1956. Located on the northwest point of Chéticamp Island, which is connected to the mainland north of Chéticamp by a narrow bar. Accessible by a short hike across the island. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-170; Notmar 867; Admiralty H1188; NGA 8800.
* Caveau Point Range Rear: 1897. Reactivated (inactive 1976-1990); focal plane 31 m (103 ft); continuous red light. 8 m (27 ft) square pyramidal wood tower, painted white with a red vertical stripe on the range line; the lantern roof is also red. Lorne Hull also has a nice photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos misidentified as "Chéticamp Harbour Light." The front range light has been replaced by a skeletal tower (1976). Located on the north side of Chéticamp; visible from the Cabot Trail. Site and tower closed (private property), but the lighthouse can be seen from the road. Site manager: private. ARLHS CAN-123; Notmar 863; Admiralty H1182.1; NGA 8804.

Cape North Area Lighthouses Cape North (3): 1980 (station established 1876). Active; focal plane 32 m (104 ft); white light, 2 s on, 6 s off. 15 m (49 ft) square pyramidal tower attached to a 1-story service building. Lighthouse painted in red and white horizontal bands. Fog horn (6 s blast every 60 s). Marinas.com has good aerial photos. This light marks the northern extremity of Cape Breton Island. The second lighthouse here (1907-1980) was the 1856 cast iron tower from Cape Race, Newfoundland; this lighthouse was relocated a second time in 1980 and is now on display at the Museum of Science and Technology in Ottawa, Ontario. The light station is accessible from the Cabot Trail spur at Bay St. Lawrence, but the last few miles are by a dirt road, probably not passable except by hiking or 4WD. Site and tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-103; Notmar 854; Admiralty H0872; NGA 8848.
[St. Paul Island South Point (St. Paul Island Southwest) (3)]: 1964 (station established 1831). Active; focal plane 46 m (150 ft); white flash every 4 s. 6 m (20 ft) cylindrical steel tower, painted white with a single red band at the top; no lantern. The wood lighthouse at this station burned in 1916 and was replaced by a cylindrical steel lighthouse, which has been relocated to the Coast Guard station in Dartmouth (see below). The 2-story wood hip-roofed keeper's house (1912) is falling rapidly into ruin and is on the Canadian Doomsday List. Lighthouse Digest has an excellent article on the history of the island and light station. Located at the southwestern tip of the island, which is now uninhabited; landing requires special permission of the Coast Guard. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS STP-001; Notmar 1477; Admiralty H0876; NGA 8852.

Bras d'Or Passage Lighthouses
* Black Rock Point (2): 1937 (station established 1868). Inactive since 1938. 10.5 m (34 ft) square lantern centered on the roof of a 2-story wood keeper's house. Building painted white with red trim; lantern roof is red. No photo available. The lighthouse was sold in 1979 and relocated a short distance down the shore, within sight of the 1978 tower. Located 800 m (1/2 mi) from the end of Black Rock Point Road, off NS 105 at exit 14; accessible by a dirt road. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can be viewed from nearby. Site manager: private. ARLHS CAN-1289.
* Black Rock Point (3): 1978 (station established 1868). Active; focal plane 23.5 m (77 ft); white light, 2 s on, 4 s off. 10.5 m (35 ft) square cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story fog signal building. Lighthouse painted white; lantern and gallery are red. Fog horn (3 s blast every 30 s). Marinas.com has aerial photos. Originally this light carried a rotating aerobeacon without a lantern; the lantern was added in 1987. The light marks the northern entrance to the Great Bras d'Or Channel from St. Ann's Bay. Located 800 m (1/2 mi) from the end of Black Point Road, off NS 105 at exit 14; accessible by a dirt road. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-043; Notmar 799; Admiralty H0778; NGA 8916.
Munroe Point: 1906. Inactive since the early 1960s. 9.5 m (32 ft) square pyramidal wood tower, painted white with red trim. The lantern has been replaced with a square wood room having ordinary windows. This lighthouse is available for summer rental by the week. Located on the point on the west side of the Great Bras d'Or Channel entrance. Site and tower open only to paying guests. Site manager: Gordon Boutilier. ARLHS CAN-1307.
Great Bras d'Or Range Front: 1903. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); continuous green light. 9.5 m (32 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a red vertical stripe on the range line. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located at Noire Point off the end of Ferry Road in Great Bras d'Or. Site and tower closed (private property). Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-209; Notmar 803; Admiralty H0782; NGA 8932.
* Great Bras d'Or Range Rear: 1903. Active; focal plane 19 m (63 ft); continuous green light. 16 m (54 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a red vertical stripe on the range line. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located at Noire Point off the end of Ferry Road in Great Bras d'Or. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-606; Notmar 804; Admiralty H0782.1; NGA 8936.
* McNeil Beach (2): 1909 (station established 1884). Inactive since 1961. 10 m (33 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern roof is red. The gallery railing is missing. NSLPS also has a photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. This lighthouse was deactivated when the Seal Island Bridge (NS 105) was built across Great Bras d'Or Lake. Michel Forand visited the lighthouse in September 2005 and found it to be in very poor condition. Shortly thereafter, however, the lighthouse was beautifully restored by the Boularderie Island Historical Society. Located a few hundred meters southwest of the west end of the bridge; accessible by a hiking path. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Boularderie Island Historical Society. ARLHS CAN-295.
Man of War Point (2): 1925 (station established 1912). Inactive. Approx. 7.5 m (25 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery. Lantern removed 1971. Critically endangered: Canadian Doomsday List. As of 2001, the lighthouse was reported to be partially dismantled and in two pieces. Some local fundraising efforts were in progress. More information is badly needed. Located on the point, south of Great Bras d'Or. Site status and site manager uncertain. ARLHS CAN-301.

* Cape George Harbour (2): 1950 (station established 1875). Active; focal plane 12.5 m (41 ft); white flash every 4 s. 8 m (27 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern is red. This is one of two Cape George Lights in Nova Scotia, the other being on St. George's Bay (see above). Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on the west side of the northern entrance to St. Peter's Canal, which connects Bras d'Or Lake to the Atlantic, off NS 4 in St. Peter's. Accessible by a short walk from the parking lot of the Bras d'Or Lake Lighthouse Campground. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-099; Notmar 840; Admiralty H0838; NGA 9060.
[Gregory Island (2)]: 1950 (station established 1884). Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red flash every 4 s. 10.5 m (34 ft) cylindrical tower, painted white with two horizontal red bands. The keeper's house was sold and relocated in 1975; its present location is not known. The lighthouse was relocated a few meters southwest in 1988. Located on an island in St. Peter's Inlet. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-215; Notmar 841; Admiralty H0839; NGA 9064.

St. Ann's Bay and Sydney Area Lighthouse
[Ciboux Island (4)]: 1980 (station established 1863). Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); red light, 2 s on, 10 s off. 9 m (30 ft) fiberglass tower, painted white with two horizontal red bands. No photo of the present tower available; Nova Scotia Archives has a historic photo of the original lighthouse. Located at the northern end of the island, in St. Ann's Bay off the Bras d'Or entrances. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-139; Notmar 844; Admiralty H0856.
* Point Aconi (2): 1989 (station established 1874). Active; focal plane 25.5 m (84 ft); continuous white light. 11.5 m (38 ft) fiberglass tower with flared top, octagonal lantern and gallery. Tower painted white; lantern is red. 1-story wood keeper's house. Fog horn (6 s blast every 60 s). Pete Amass also has a photo, and aerial photos from Marinas.com show the spectacular nature of the site. Rapid erosion of the point will make it necessary to move this tower, but it was designed with this future need in mind. Located off NS 105, on the point, east of the Great Bras d'Or entrance. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-386; Notmar 796. Admiralty H0770; NGA 9080.
* Sydney Range Front: 1905. Active; focal plane 18 m (60 ft); continuous yellow light. 17.5 m (58 ft) octagonal pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a vertical red stripe on the range line; lantern is red. Located off NS 239, on the south side of the western arm of Sydney Harbour; Google has a satellite view. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-494; Notmar 782; Admiralty H0761; NGA 9104.
* Sydney Range Rear: 1905. Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); continuous yellow light. 12 m (40 ft) octagonal pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red upper portion and a vertical red stripe on the range line. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located off NS 239, on the south side of the western arm of Sydney Harbour, about 750 m (1/2 mi) south southwest of the front light; Google has a satellite view. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-641; Notmar 783; Admiralty H0761.1; NGA 9108.
Sydney Bar (5): 1973 (station established 1872). Active; focal plane 9 m (29 ft); continuous green light. Triangular skeleton mast on the northeast corner of a 5 m (16 ft) square concrete building, mounted on a concrete pier surrounded by sheet-steel pilings. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Earlier lights at this exposed location were destroyed repeatedly by storms. Located on the end of the southeast bar in Sydney Harbour. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-493; Notmar 778; Admiralty H0760; NGA 9112.
* Low Point (Flat Point) (2): 1938 (station established 1832). Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); white flash every 5 s. 22 m (72 ft) octagonal concrete tower, painted white. Rare Chance Brothers circular lantern, painted red. 1-story wood keeper's house, painted white with a red roof. Fog horn (two 3 s blasts, separated by 3 s, every 60 s). Marinas.com has aerial photos, another good photo is available, and Peter Hsu has posted a portfolio of photos. One of the earliest and most important light stations of Nova Scotia. Vandalized after the lighthouse was automated in 1988, the keeper's house was restored in 2002-03 by the Sydney Harbour Fortification Society. The building was scheduled to be opened in summer 2003, but vandals struck again in May of that year. Located off NS 28 in New Waterford, marking the eastern entrance to Sydney Harbour: Google has a wintry satellite view. Visible from the Marine Atlantic car ferries to Newfoundland. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-287; Notmar 775. Admiralty H0758; NGA 9100.
Glace Bay Range Front: 1907. Inactive since about 1980. Approx. 5 m (16 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern. Previously thought to have been demolished, this little lighthouse was photographed in 2003 by Dave Buckley in the back yard of a private residence in Glace Bay. It is in poor condition. Lighthouse Digest featured the range lights in December 2003. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS CAN-957.
Flint Island (4): 1962 (station established 1856). Active; focal plane 21 m (70 ft); two white flashes, separated by 4 s, every 25 s. 18 m (59 ft) octagonal concrete towe with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern is red. Fog horn (3 s blast every 30 s). Marinas.com has aerial photos, and a photographic print of the lighthouse is for sale. Located about 8 km (5 mi) off Cape Perce. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-180; Notmar 770; Admiralty H0750; NGA 9156.

Louisbourg Area Lighthouses
Scatarie (3): 1981 (station established 1839). Active; focal plane 19.5 m (64 ft); white flash every 30 s. 16 m (53 ft) square pyramidal wood tower attached to a 1-story fog signal building, painted white. Fog horn (three 2 s blasts every 60 s). Two 1-1/2 story keeper's houses (1959). Marinas.com has aerial photos. This is the easternmost lighthouse in Nova Scotia and the province's tallest "pepperpot" lighthouse. The present tower replaced an 18 m (60 ft) pyramidal skeletal tower with central cylinder built in 1953. The historic double keeper's house burned in 1957. Located at the northeast point of Scatarie Island, off Cape Breton. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown; the forested island is a protected wildlife refuge. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-451; Notmar 767; Admiralty H0742; NGA 9164.
[Main-à-Dieu (3)]: 1979 (station established 1871). Active; focal plane 24.5 m (81 ft); white flash every 4 s. 9 m (30 ft) fiberglass tower, painted white with two horizontal red bands. No photo available. Located at the west point of Scatarie Island, off Cape Breton, guarding the Main-à-Dieu Passage. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown; the forested island is a protected wildlife refuge. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-296; Notmar 766; Admiralty H0744; NGA 9168.
** Louisbourg (4): 1923 (station established 1734, although inactive 1758-1842). Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); white flash every 10 s. 17 m (55 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern is red. Historic lenses from the lighthouse are displayed at the Louisbourg Marine Museum in Louisbourg. Fog horn (blast every 20 s). A photo appears at the top of this page, J.T. Frazer has posted a great photo, Peter Hsu has several photos, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. This is Canada's oldest light station. The present lighthouse was built after the second (1842) lighthouse burned in 1922. Foundations of both the 1734 and 1842 lighthouses are visible. The Louisbourg Lighthouse Society has been formed to work for preservation of the lighthouse. Located at the end of Havenside Road in Louisburg. Parking provided. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-286; Notmar 756; Admiralty H3344; NGA 9204.
[Fourchu Head (2)]: 1979 (station established 1907). Active; focal plane 14.5 m (48 ft); continuous white light. 10 m (32 ft) fiberglass tower, painted white with two narrow horizontal red bands. 1-story wood fog signal building; two active fog horns (3 s blasts in unison every 30 s). Marinas.com has aerial photos. The original lighthouse w as a 10 m (33 ft) wood tower. Located on the point about 18 km (11 mi) southwest of Louisbourg. Accessible by a fairly strenuous hike from the South Fourchu waterfront. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-182; Notmar 747; Admiralty H3362; NGA 9236.

South Coast Cape Breton Island Lighthouses

* Grandique Point (2): 1907 (station established 1884). Active; focal plane 9 m (29 ft); continuous green light. 8.5 m (28 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern is red. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on the north side of Isle Madame facing the Lennox Passage, a strait connecting St. Peter's Bay to the Strait of Canso. Accessible by a gravel road within the provincial park. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Lennox Passage Provincial Park. ARLHS CAN-208; Notmar 729; Admiralty H3392; NGA 9267.
Green Island (2): 1927 (station established 1865). Inactive since 1968. 2-story square wood keeper's house, formerly with a lantern centered on the roof. The light was replaced by a skeletal tower in 1968 and then by the current lighthouse in 1986. In 1971, the lantern was replaced by the emitter of an electronic foghorn. Keepers continued to live in the building until 1986. The fog horn has now been discontinued. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard.
Green Island (4): 1986 (station established 1865). Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); two long (2 s) flashes, separated by 2 s, every 20 s. 11.5 m (38 ft) fiberglass tower with lantern, painted white; lantern is red. 1-1/2 story keepers house and fog signal building intact. Lighthouse marks the northeastern entrance to Chedabucto Bay and the Strait of Canso. Marinas.com has aerial photos. This is one of two Green Island Lights in Nova Scotia, the other one being at Yarmouth (see below). Located at the summit of a small island to the southeast of Isle Madame. Accessible only by boat; visible from Cap Rouge on Petit-de-Grat Island, which is accessible by road from Isle Madame. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-211; Notmar 722; Admiralty H3376; NGA 9312.
* Marache Point: 1851. Active; focal plane 10 m (34 ft); continuous white light. 7.5 m (25 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern is red. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located at the southern entrance to Arichat Harbour on the south coast of Isle Madame; accessible by a short walk on a dirt road. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-303; Notmar 708; Admiralty H3404; NGA 9356.
Jerseyman Island (2): 1950 (station established 1872). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); continuous red light. 7.5 m (25 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern is red. Keeper's house demolished 1983. A current photo is available, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located at the north end of the island, south of Isle Madame, marking the western entrance to Arichat Harbour. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-256; Notmar 707; Admiralty H3406; NGA 9364.
* Balache Point Range Rear: 1963. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); continuous red light. 6 m (20 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a red vertical stripe on the range line; lantern is red. Lorne Hull has good photos. The front light is on a 6 m (20 ft) skeletal tower. Located at the entrance to the Canso Canal, off the Trans-Canada Highway just east of the Canso Causeway. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-017; Notmar 702; Admiralty H3436; NGA 8704.

Cape Canso Area Lighthouses
Queensport (2): 1937 (station established 1882). Active; focal plane 16.5 m (54 ft); white flash every 4 s. 12.5 m (41 ft): lantern and gallery mounted on the center of the roof of 2-story wood keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white; lantern and roof are red. Apparently a sibling of Isaac's Harbour Light. In 1991, the Dept. of Transportation announced its intention to dismantle the lighthouse, triggering local efforts to save and restore it. The Municipality of Guysborough painted and restored the exterior of the building. The site is now managed by a local foundation, Keepers of the Beacon. However, the lighthouse remains on the Canadian Doomsday List. Located on Rook Island, a small island in Chedabucto Bay between Guysborough and Canso. Accessible only by boat, but visible from a popular picnic area on NS 16. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Keepers of the Beacon. ARLHS CAN-425; Notmar 683; Admiralty H3456; NGA 9492.
* Canso Range Front: 1905. Active; focal plane 10 m (34 ft); continuous yellow light. 8.5 m (28 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with gallery, painted white with a red vertical stripe on the range line;. Lantern removed. Located near the end of Union Street in Canso. Site and tower closed (private property), accessible by permission and easily visible. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-634; Notmar 672; Admiralty H3460; NGA 9528.
* Canso Range Rear: 1905. Active; focal plane 28.5 m (94 ft); continuous yellow light. 17 m (56 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a red vertical stripe on the range line; the lantern roof is also red. A good closeup photo is available. Located near the end of Union Street in Canso. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-077; Notmar 673; Admiralty H3460.1; NGA 9532.
Cranberry Island South (3): 1978 (station established 1929). Active; focal plane 17 m (55 ft); white flash every 15 s. 14.5 m (48 ft) square concrete tower attached to a fog signal building. Two fog horns (2 blasts every 60 s, sounding in unison). No photo available. A light station, the first in the Canso area, was established at the north end of the island in 1818, and there were several towers at that location before the light was brought to the south end in 1929. The 1929 lighthouse, a 2-story keeper's house with lantern centered on the roof, was replaced in 1971 with a skeletal tower with square central cylinder. In 1977, that tower was relocated to Jeddore Rock (see below). The station was inactive for a short time in 1977-78 while the present lighthouse was built. Located at the south end of Cranberry Island about 3 km (2 mi) east of Cape Canso, marking the southern entrance to Chedabucto Bay. Accessible only by boat; visible from the foot of Union Street in Canso. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-153; Notmar 668; Admiralty H3458; NGA 9540.
White Head Island (4): 1978 (station established 1854). Active; focal plane 18 m (60 ft); white flash every 5 s. 9 m (30 ft) square cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story fog-signal building. Fog horn (3 s blast every 30 s). The 1-story keeper's house appears to be intact. NSLPS also has a distant photo. The original lighthouse was replaced in 1934, by a fiberglass tower in 1970, and then by the present tower in 1978. Located on the southwest side of the island off Whitehead Harbour. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-532; Notmar 659; Admiralty H3474; NGA 9584.
[Hog Island (Port Felix) (2)]: 1988 (station established 1902). Active; focal plane 10.5 m (35 ft); white flash every 4 s. 9 m (30 ft) cylindrical tower, painted white with two narrow horizontal red bands. Fog horn (2 s blast every 20 s). The historic lighthouse, a 2-story keeper's house with lantern on the roof, was destroyed about 1980. A helipad occupies its former foundation. No photo of the current light is available. Located on the east end of the island in Tor Bay. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-228; Notmar 654; Admiralty H3478; NGA 9596.
* Charlos Harbour Range Rear: 1901. Inactive since 1988. Approx. 7.5 m (25 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern, painted white with red trim. The former front range light has been destroyed. Located on the waterfront in Charlos Cove, off NS 316 on Tor Bay. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: private. ARLHS CAN-637.
Berry Head (3): 1985 (station established 1876). Active; focal plane 12.5 m (41 ft); continuous white light. 5.5 m (19 ft) square tower with lantern rising from a small wood fog signal building, painted white. Fog horn (3 blasts every 60 s). No photo available. The original lighthouse was replaced in 1951. Located on a headland at the western entrance to Tor Bay; accessible from the town by a hiking trail. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-033; Notmar 646; Admiralty H3484; NGA 9628.
Country Island (3): 1965 (station established 1873). Active; focal plane 16.5 m (54 ft); white light, one long (2 s) flash every 20 s. 13.5 m (45 ft) octagonal concrete tower, painted white; lantern is red. The keeper's houses, now in dilapidated condition, are on the Canadian Doomsday List. No photo available. The original lighthouse was replaced in 1927 by a 2-story keeper's house with lantern centered on the roof. The island, an important bird nesting area, is managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service. Located on the south side of the island off Tor Bay, east of Port Bickerton. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-752; Notmar 639; Admiralty H3504; NGA 9648.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Amet Island (1868-?), Northumberland Strait. ARLHS CAN-1362.
Arisaig (1898-1930s), Northumberland Strait. ARLHS CAN-1272.
Bear Island (1906-?), Chedabucto Bay. ARLHS CAN-1363.
Biglow Point Range Front and Rear (1909-?), Pugwash Harbour. ARLHS CAN-1364 (front) and 1365 (rear).
Bourgeois Inlet (1903-?), entrance to Bourgeois River, Cape Breton Island. ARLHS CAN-056.
Canso Harbour (1872-1960s), Canso Harbour. ARLHS CAN-1366.
Cap Rond (1874-?), Cape Breton Island. ARLHS CAN-1367.
Cape St. Lawrence (1889-?), northwest coast Cape Breton Island. ARLHS CAN-1368.
Caveau Point Range Front (1897-?), Chéticamp Harbour. ARLHS CAN-1314.
Charlos Harbour (1901-?), south coast Cape Breton Island. ARLHS CAN-892.
Chéticamp Harbour Range Rear (1890-1950), Chéticamp Harbour. ARLHS CAN-1369.
Clarke Cove Range Rear (1903-1977), Great Bras d'Or Lake. ARLHS CAN-1193.
Cole Harbour Range Front and Rear (1898-?), Cole Harbour. ARLHS CAN-1194-95.
Crichton Head (1874-?), Isle Madame. ARLHS CAN-1267.
Derby Point (1884-?), Bras d'Or Lake. ARLHS CAN-1196.
Eddy Point (1851-2002), Strait of Canso. ARLHS CAN-167.
Glace Bay Range Rear (1907-ca. 1980), Glace Bay. ARLHS CAN-897.
Glasgow Point (1884-?), Isle Madame. ARLHS CAN-1215.
Grand Étang (1901-?), northwest coast Cape Breton Island. ARLHS CAN-1216.
Guysborough (1846-1981), Chedabucto Bay. ARLHS CAN-1217.
Harbour Island (1908-?), Country Harbour. ARLHS CAN-1218.
Ingonish Harbour (1887-ca. 1956), east coast Cape Breton Island . ARLHS CAN-1220.
Ingonish Island (1871-?), east coast Cape Breton Island. ARLHS CAN-1221.
Iona (1901-?), Great Bras d'Or Lake. ARLHS CAN-1222.
Lingan Head (1874-?), Bridgeport Harbour. ARLHS CAN-1226.
Little Lorraine (1900-?), east coast Cape Breton Island. ARLHS CAN-1371.
Little Narrows (1881-?), Cape Breton Island. ARLHS CAN-280.
Louisbourg Range Front and Rear (1897-?), Louisbourg Harbour. ARLHS CAN-1372 (front) and 1373 (rear).
Lower L'Ardoise Range Front and Rear (1909-?), east coast Cape Breton Island. ARLHS CAN-1227-28.
Mabou Harbour Range Front (1884-1987), west coast Cape Breton Island. ARLHS CAN-1374.
McKenzie Point (1874-?), Great Bras d'Or Lake. ARLHS CAN-1229
Mullins Point Range Front (1873-?), Northumberland Strait. ARLHS CAN-1281.
Oeutique Island (1874-?), Lennox Passage, Cape Breton Island. ARLHS CAN-1309.
Petit-de-Grat (1877-?), Isle Madame. ARLHS CAN-1375.
Pictou Island East End (1853-1962), Northumberland Strait. ARLHS CAN-379.
Pictou Island West End (1905-1965), Northumberland Strait. ARLHS CAN-381.
Point Tupper (1870-?), Strait of Canso. ARLHS CAN-1376.
Port Hood (1854-?), west coast Cape Breton Island. ARLHS CAN-1209.
Poulaman (1901-?), Isle Madame. ARLHS CAN-1213..
Red Islands (1895-?), Great Bras d'Or Lake. ARLHS CAN-1235.
Rochefort Point Range Front and Rear (1924-?), east coast Cape Breton Island. ARLHS CAN-1237-38.
St. Ann Harbour (1871-?), St. Ann Harbour. ARLHS CAN-1241
Steven Point Range Front and Rear (1909-?), Pugwash Harbour. ARLHS CAN-1377 (front) and 1378 (rear).
Three Top Island (1879-?), Tor Bay. ARLHS CAN-1242.
West Arichat Range Front and Rear (1904-?), Isle Madame. ARLHS CAN-1245-46.

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