Lighthouses of Western 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 western coast of the province, facing the Bay of Fundy, which separates southern Nova Scotia from New Brunswick and Maine.

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.

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Gilbert's Cove Lighthouse
Gilbert's Cove Light, June 2006
anonymous Creative Commons photo

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.
Southwest Coast and Yarmouth Area Lighthouses
Seal Island
1831. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); white flash every 10 s. 21 m (68 ft) octagonal pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. DCB-36 aerobeacon mounted in a modern lantern, painted red. Original lantern and 2° Fresnel lens (1902) removed in 1978 and now displayed atop a half-size replica of the tower at the Seal Island Lighthouse Museum in Barrington (see Southeast Nova Scotia page). Fog horn (3 blasts every 60 s). Keeper's house demolished; a barn and the radio operator's house remain but in poor condition. Canadian Doomsday List. This is the second oldest lighthouse in Nova Scotia, after Sambro. Located on the south point of the island 30 km (18 mi) west of Cape Sable, guarding dangerous reefs at the entrance to the Bay of Fundy. Accessible only by boat. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-454; Notmar 289; Admiralty H3812; NGA 10596.
* Pubnico Harbour (East Pubnico) (3)
1984 (station established 1854). Inactive since 1998. 9 m (29 ft) fiberglass tower with lantern and gallery, upper half and lantern painted red, lower half white. 1-story fog signal building (1967). Marinas.com has aerial photos. The original lighthouse was replaced in 1967 by a skeletal tower mounted on the fog signal building. Located on Beach Point, on the east side of Pubnico Harbour, at the end of Lighthouse Road off NS 3 just north of Charlesville. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: unknown. ARLHS CAN-417.
** Salmon River (relocated)
1924. Inactive since the 1980s. Approx. 8.5 m (28 ft) square pyramidal wood tower, painted white with red trim. The lighthouse was originally located on a breakwater at Salmon River north of Yarmouth. After being deactivated, it was relocated to West Pubnico, where it is now attached to a craft shop. Located on NS 335 near NS 3 in West Pubnico. Site open, base of the tower open during business hours. Site manager: Vernon d'Eon. ARLHS CAN-439.
* Abbott's Harbour (3)
1906(?) (relocated from Amherst in 1922). Station established 1884. Inactive since the early 1990s. 9 m (30 ft) square pyramidal wood tower, painted white with red trim. Presumably this tower is one of the original Amherst Basin Range Lights, built in 1906. The lighthouse was refurbished by volunteers from the West Pubnico Historical Society. For a number of years the lighthouse stood in a small park with picnic tables nearby. On June 24, 2004, it was cut in three pieces and relocated to the Acadian Historic Village, where it was reassembled for display. Jeremy D'Entremont has an article in Lighthouse Digest on the history of this station. Located in the historic village overlooking the harbor in West Pubnico. Site open early June to mid October (admission charged), tower closed. Owner/site manager: Le Village historique acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse. ARLHS CAN-001.
Whitehead Island (Argyle) (2)
1951 (station established 1874). Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); white flash every 15 s. 12 m (39 ft) square cylindrical tower rising from one corner of 1-story fog signal building. Lighthouse painted white. Fog horn (3 second blast every 30 s). Marinas.com has aerial photos. The original lighthouse burned in 1951 after being struck by lightning. According to Irwin, one of the keeper's houses was relocated to Pubnico Harbour in 1986. Located at the highest point of the island, in the mouth of Argyle Bay. Accessible only by boat. Visible at a distance from the end of NS 334 at Wedge Point. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-533; Notmar 295; Admiralty H3800; NGA 10632.
Tusket River (Big Fish Island)
1962 (station established 1864). Active; focal plane 18.5 m (61 ft); white flash every 10 s. 11 m (37 ft) square wood tower, painted white; roof painted red. No photo available. Marinas.com has aerial photos. The lighthouse was refurbished and repaired in 1995. Located on the southwest point of Big Fish Island in the mouth of the Tusket River. Accessible only by boat. Visible at a distance from the end of NS 334 at Wedge Point. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-510; Notmar 294; Admiralty H3804; NGA 10636.
Pease Island (3)
1994 (station established 1879). Active; focal plane 16 m (53 ft); white flash every 6 s. 11.5 m (38 ft) fiberglass tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern is red. Square 1-story fog signal building. Fog horn (two 3 s blasts every 60 s). The 2-story keeper's house (early 1960s) has fallen into ruin: Irwin found it occupied by sheep. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on one of the Tusket Islands south of Yarmouth. Accessible only by boat. Visible at a distance from the end of NS 334 at Wedge Point. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-368; Notmar 283; Admiralty H3806; NGA 10668.
Candlebox Island (2)
1963 (station established 1893). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); continuous red light. 11.5 m (38 ft) square cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, rising from one corner of a 1-story fog signal building. Lighthouse painted white, lantern red. Fog horn (3 second blast every 30 s). Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on one of the Tusket Islands south of Yarmouth. Accessible only by boat. Visible at a distance from the end of NS 334 at Wedge Point. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-071; Notmar 280; Admiralty H3814; NGA 10672.
Green Island (Chebogue Point)
1964 (fog signal station established 1919). Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white flash every 5 s. 6 m (20 ft) square cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, rising from one corner of a 1-story fog signal building. Lighthouse painted white. Fog horn (2 second blast every 20 s). The keeper's house and other station buildings were demolished in 1981. No current photo available. There is another Green Island Light off the south coast of Cape Breton Island (see above). Located at the highest point of a small island about 10 km (6 mi) south of Cape Forchu. Accessible only by boat. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-212; Notmar 272; Admiralty H3818; NGA 10700.
*** Cape Forchu (Yarmouth) (2)
1962 (station established 1840). Active; focal plane 35 m (114 ft); white light, 2 s on, 12 s off. 23.5 m (77 ft) "apple core" hexagonal cylindrical concrete tower with flared top, gallery, and lantern. Lighthouse painted with vertical red and white stripes; lantern and gallery are red. The 2° Fresnel lens used from 1908 to 1962 is on display at the Yarmouth County Museum. 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house (1912), assistant keeper's house, 1-story fog signal building. Marinas.com has aerial photos, and the municipality has a page for the lighthouse. One of Nova Scotia's best known and most visited lighthouses. In recent years, the Friends of Yarmouth Light have restored the keeper's house and the grounds of the light station; Lighthouse Digest has a story on these efforts. The keeper's house is operated as a museum and gift shop and there is a tea room in the assistant keeper's house. In 2001 the Coast Guard transferred ownership of the station to the city. Located at the end of NS 304 about 11 km (7 mi) south of Yarmouth. Parking and picnic area provided. Site open, museum open daily late May through mid October (free, donations requested), tower closed. Owner: Municipality of Yarmouth. Site manager: Friends of Yarmouth Light. ARLHS CAN-097; Notmar 260; Admiralty H3820; NGA list 10728.
* Bunker Island (2)
1960 (station established 1874). Active; focal plane 10 m (32 ft); continuous red light. 9 m (30 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a small fog signal building, mounted on a concrete and steel caisson (1892). Lighthouse painted white with a vertical red stripe; lantern painted red. Marinas.com has aerial photos. The lantern was added to this tower in 1984. Located on the east side of Yarmouth Harbour at the end of Sand Beach Road less than a mile north of Cape Forchu. At low tide the lighthouse is accessible (or nearly so) by walking a stone breakwater. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-062; Notmar 263; Admiralty H3826; NGA 10736.
Yarmouth Lighthouse
Cape Forchu (Yarmouth) Light, May 2007
anonymous Creative Commons photo

St. Mary's Bay Lighthouses
* Cape St. Mary's (2)
1969 (station established 1868). Active; focal plane 31.5 m (104 ft); white flash every 5 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a corner of a 1-story square fog signal building. Lighthouse painted white, lantern red. Fog horn (4 s blast every 60 s). Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located at the end of Cape St. Mary's Road off NS 1 in Mavillette, marking the east side of the entrance to St. Mary's Bay; Google has a satellite view. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-111; Notmar 241; Admiralty H3848; NGA 10792.
* Church Point (Pointe de l'Église)
1874. Inactive since 1984. Approx. 7.5 m (25 ft) square pyramidal wood tower, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. Since it was deactivated the lighthouse has been transferred to the Université Sainte-Anne, Nova Scotia's only French-language university. Some restoration work has been done; more needs to be done. Located at the end of the Chemin du Phare off NS 1 in Pointe de l'Église (Church Point). Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Université Sainte-Anne. ARLHS CAN-138.
* Belliveau Cove
1889. Reactivated (privately maintained); focal plane 6 m (20 ft); white light, 2.5 s on, 2.5 s off. 6.5 m (21 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. Lorne Hull has a closeup photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The wharf and lighthouse are located in Joseph and Marie Dugas Municipal Park. Located at the end of the wharf at L'Anse-des-Belliveau (Belliveau Cove), off NS 1. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Municipality of L'Anse-des-Belliveau. ARLHS CAN-030; Notmar 234.
*** Gilbert's Cove (Gilbert Point)
1904. Inactive since about 1975. 11.5 m (38 ft) square cylindrical wood tower with lantern and gallery, centered on the roof of a 2-story wood keeper's house. Building painted white with red trim. Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Lorne Hull also has a page on the light station. The abandoned lighthouse was restored in the 1980s by local efforts. The preservation group operates a small museum, gift shop, and tea room in the lighthouse. Site and tower open daily in July and August (free, donations welcome). Site manager: Gilbert Cove and District Historical Society. ARLHS CAN-200.
Brier Island and Long Island Lighthouses
* Boars's Head (2)
1957 (station established 1864). Active; focal plane 18 m (60 ft); white flash every 5 s. 10.5 m (35 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. Fog horn (three 2 s blasts every 60 s). Marinas.com has aerial photos. The light marks the entrance to the Petit Passage, between Long Island and the mainland. Located at the northeastern end of Long Island, at the end of a road leading from the ferry terminal; a short walk is needed from a gate on the road. Google has a satellite view. The island is accessible by ferries on NS 217 from Digby Neck. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-047; Notmar 216; Admiralty H3884; NGA 10880.
* Grand Passage (2)
1968 (station established 1901). Active; focal plane 14.5 m (47 ft); white flash every 10 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a corner of a 1-story square fog signal building. Lighthouse painted white, lantern red. Fog horn (3 s blast every 30 s). Marinas.com has aerial photos. The light marks the northwestern entrance into the Grand Passage, which separates Brier Island from Long Island. Located at the north point of Brier Island, at the end of a gravel road off Water Street in Westport. The island is accessible by ferries on NS 217 from Digby Neck. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-206; Notmar 221; Admiralty H3874; NGA 10852.
Peter Island (Westport) (2)
1909 (station established 1850). Active; focal plane 17.5 m (58 ft); yellow flash every 5 s. 12.5 m (41 ft) octagonal pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern is red. Fog horn (2 s blast every 20 s). Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on an island just off Westport, the principal town of Brier Island. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-374; Notmar 227; Admiralty H3878; NGA 10872.
* Brier Island (Western Point) (2)
1944 (station established 1809). Active; focal plane 29 m (95 ft); three white flashes every 18 s. 18 m (60 ft) octagonal pyramidal concrete tower with flared top, lantern and gallery, painted with horizontal red and white bands; lantern is red. Fog horn (two 3 s blasts every 60 s). Marinas.com has aerial photos. The oldest light station of southwestern Nova Scotia, this light marks a severe tide rip at the southern entrance to the Bay of Fundy. The original lighthouse burned in 1944. The light station is a popular site for whale watching. Located at the western point of the island (and the westernmost point of Nova Scotia), at the end of a gravel road off Wellington Street on Brier Island. Parking provided (there's a short uphill walk to the lighthouse). The island is accessible by ferries on NS 217 from Digby Neck. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-059; Notmar 223; Admiralty H3872; NGA 10844.
Annapolis Basin Lighthouses
* Prim Point (3)
1964 (station established 1817). Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 14 m (46 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the northeast corner of a 1-story square fog signal building. Tower painted with vertical red and white stripes; lantern is red. Fog horn (3 s blast every 30 s). Marinas.com has aerial photos. The first lighthouse burned in March 1873. Note: there is also a Point Prim lighthouse in Prince Edward Island. The lighthouse stands on the south side of the entrance to Digby Gut, which leads to the Annapolis Basin. Good view from ferries arriving from St. John, New Brunswick. Located at the end of Lighthouse Road, off NS 303 northwest of Digby. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-391; Notmar 201; Admiralty H3890; NGA 10908.
* Bear River (Winchester Point)
1905. Recently deactivated: missing from the current Notmar listing. 9 m (30 ft) square pyramidal wood tower, painted white. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Local volunteers have worked to maintain the lighthouse and a trail that provides access to it. Located at the end of a dirt road off exit 24 of NS 101, southeast of Digby. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-027.
* Annapolis
1889. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); continuous red light. 8.5 m (28 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. The lighthouse is used as a visitor center for the historic town, founded by the French in 1630. Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Lorne Hull has a nice photo. Located at the end of St. George Street (NS 8) on the waterfront of Annapolis Royal. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-013; Notmar 211; Admiralty H3908; NGA 10944.
* Schafner's Point
1885. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); continuous white light. 11 m (36 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located at the end of the road through historic Port Royal, off NS 1. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-452; Notmar 210; Admiralty H3906; NGA 10940.
* Victoria Beach
1901. Active; focal plane 16 m (54 ft); green light, 6 s on, 4 s off. 8 m (26 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on the east side of Digby Gut, off the Port Royal Road from NS 1. Easily visible from the road; it would be necessary to cross private property to actually reach the lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-511; Notmar 203; Admiralty H3894; NGA 10920.
Digby Gut Fog Signal
1915 (light added in 1963). Active; focal plane 15 m (50 ft); continuous white light. 7 m (22 ft) post light mounted at one end of a 1-story rectangular fog signal building. Fog horn (1 s blast every 15 s). Located on the east side of the entrance to Digby Gut, opposite Prim Point. Site and tower closed (surrounded by private property). Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-159; Notmar 202; Admiralty H3892; NGA 10916.

Annapolis Light
Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans photo

Southside Bay of Fundy Lighthouses
* Hampton
1911. Active (privately maintained); focal plane 21 m (69 ft); continuous white light. 10 m (33 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; original 6° Fresnel lens in use. Since 2001 the lighthouse has been maintained and operated by the Hampton Lighthouse Society. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on the waterfront at Hampton near Bridgetown off NS 1. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Hampton Lighthouse Society. ARLHS CAN-222; Notmar 198; Admiralty H3918; NGA 10952.
* Port George
1888. Inactive since 1999. 7.5 m (25 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim. Marinas.com has aerial photos. This little lighthouse was moved three times early in its life before finding a suitable location. A preservation group was formed in 1997 and took ownership of the lighthouse in May 2002. The group is currently restoring the tower and hopes to open it to the public in the future. Located at Port George Harbour off NS 362. Owner/site manager: Port George District Lighthouse Society. ARLHS CAN-406.
* Margaretsville
1859. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white light, 10 s on, 3 s off, 4 s on, 3 s off. 7 m (22 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on the waterfront, across from Community Hall, in Margaretsville at the end of NS 362. Parking nearby. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-306; Notmar 195; Admiralty H3926; NGA 10964.
* [Black Rock (2)]
1967 (station established 1848). Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); two white flashes, separated by 2 s, every 10 s. 10 m (34 ft) slender fiberglass tower without lantern, painted white with two narrow horizontal red bands. Not to be confused with the Black Rock Point Light on Great Bras d'Or Lake (see above). Ruins of the original lighthouse are reported to be visible here. Located on the Minas Channel near Grafton. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-042; Notmar 193; Admiralty H3932; NGA 10976.
Minas Basin Lighthouses
* Borden Wharf (Canning)
1904. Inactive since the early 1930s (a decorative light has been displayed since 2004). 6 m (20 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim. Lighthouse Explorer has a good recent photo. In 1959 the inactive lighthouse was sold to a local farmer, who removed the lantern and moved the building to his farm to house pigs. In 1980 it was sold and relocated a second time, this time to be used as a toolshed. In 1990 the village of Canning took over the lighthouse and fixed it up as an information center. The building has now been donated to the Fieldwood Heritage Society, which made plans to restore the lighthouse and replace the lantern. Partial funding was provided by the Kaplan Fund. In June 2003 the lighthouse was relocated once more, to its permanent home. The restoration and relighting of the lighthouse was celebrated on September 4, 2004. Located on the Habitant River in Canning, a town on the southwestern shore of the Minas Basin north of Wolfville. Site open, tower closed. Owner: Village of Canning. Site manager: Fieldwood Heritage Society. ARLHS CAN-072.
* Horton Bluff Range Front (3)
1961 (station established 1851). Active; focal plane 27 m (88 ft); continuous green light; also a white locator (passing) light, 3 s on, 5 s off. 9 m (29 ft) square pyramidal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to one corner of a 1-story fog signal building. Lighthouse painted white with a broad red vertical stripe marking the range line. Fog horn (3 s blast every 30 s). 1-story keeper's house (1960s). The rear range light is on a skeletal tower. Lorne Hull has a nice photo. The original lighthouse burned in April 1883. Located at the end of Lighthouse Road, marking the west entrance to the Avon River near Hantsport. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-231; Notmar 188; Admiralty H3968; NGA 11012.
*** Walton Harbour
1872. Inactive since 1978. 6 m (20 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim. Marinas.com has aerial photos. The Municipality of East Hants acquired the inactive lighthouse in 1991 and restored it as a historical museum. Located on the south shore of the Minas Basin near the end of NS 215 in Walton. Site open, tower open daily early May to mid October (donation requested). Site manager: East Hants Tourism Association. ARLHS CAN-519.
*** Burntcoat Head (2) (replica)
1995 (replica of 1913 lighthouse). Station established 1859, inactive since the mid 1970s. Octagonal lantern and gallery centered on the roof of a square 2-story wood keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white, light tower and lantern red. The building houses a museum. The original lighthouse was deactivated and demolished in 1972. The replica was built in 1994 from the original blueprints. This location is famous for the world's highest tides; the record tidal range is some 16.5 m (54 ft). Located on the south shore of the Minas Basin off NS 215. Site open, lighthouse and tower open daily mid May to late October (donation requested). Owner/site manager: Municipality of East Hants. ARLHS CAN-064.
Bass River
1907. Inactive since 1992. 10 m (30 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story wood residence. Originally this was a free-standing tower. In 1994 the lighthouse was sold, and the new owner built a summer home around three sides of the tower. Located at the end of Wharf Road, off NS 2, at the mouth of the Bass River opposite Burntcoat Head. Site and tower closed. Site manager: private. ARLHS CAN-023.
** Five Islands
1914. Inactive since 1993. 10 m (30 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim. The lighthouse was moved back from the shore in 1952 and again in 1957 to escape rapid erosion. It was about to be lost to erosion in 1996, when it was purchased by the county and relocated a third time, a move of about 60 meters (200 ft) to the Sand Point Campground. Located at the end of Wharf Road in Five Islands, off NS 2. Site open, tower open Thursday through Monday afternoons in July and August (donation requested). Owner: Colchester County. Site manager: Five Islands Lighthouse Preservation Society. ARLHS CAN-179.
Parrsboro (4)
1980 (station established 1852). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); continuous green light. 6.5 m (21 ft) square pyramidal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to one corner of a 1-story fog signal building. Fog horn (3 s blast every 30 s). Lighthouse painted white; lantern is red. Marinas.com has aerial photos. The 1852 lighthouse was lost to beach erosion in 1945; a post light and then a skeletal tower occupied the site until the present tower was built. Located on Partridge Island at the entrance to Parrsboro Harbour, on the north side of the Minas Basin. At least in principle, the lighthouse is accessible by walking a lengthy breakwater from the end of Wharf Street in Parrsboro. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-364; Notmar 172; Admiralty H3952; NGA 11044.
* Cape Sharp (2)
1973 (station established 1886). Active; focal plane 18 m (60 ft); white light, 7 s on, 3 s off. 10.5 m (35 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. Fog horn (4 s blast every 60 s) in 1-story wood fog signal building. Another photo is available, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on the point at the north side of the entrance to the Minas Basin west of Parrsboro. Accessible by a walk of about a mile from the end of a gravel road. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-108; Notmar 171; Admiralty H3950; NGA 11004.
Cape D'Or Area Lighthouses
*** Port Greville
1908. Inactive since the late 1970s. 7.5 m (25 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim. The lighthouse originally stood on a bluff overlooking Port Greville Harbour. In 1981 it was relocated to the grounds of the Coast Guard College in Sydney, Cape Breton Island. As a result of local efforts the lighthouse was returned to Port Greville in 1998 and now stands on the grounds of a maritime museum. Located on NS 2 about 20 km (12.5 mi) west of Parrsboro. Site open, tower open daily except Monday late May to late September. Site manager: Age of Sail Heritage Centre. ARLHS CAN-407.
*** Spencer's Island
1904. Inactive since 1987. 10 m (33 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. A good closeup is available. The Spencers Island Community Association acquired the lighthouse in 1989 and restored it a historical museum; it opened in 1995. Further restoration was carried out in 1995-96. Located on the waterfront at Spencer's Island, on NS 209 and the north shore of the Minas Channel between Port Greville and Cape d'Or. Site open, tower open daily except Monday in July and August. Site manager: Spencer's Island Community Association. ARLHS CAN-471.
** Cape D'Or (2)
1965 (fog signal station established 1875, light station established 1922). Active; focal plane 24 m (80 ft); white flash every 9 s. Approx. 9 m (30 ft) square pyramidal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, mounted at one corner of a 1-story fog signal building. Lighthouse painted white, lantern red. Fog horn (three 2 s blasts every 60 s). Two 1-story keeper's houses. The original lighthouse was relocated here from Eatonville. The two houses, vacant after 1985, were leased and restored in 1995 by the Advocate District Development Association. One keeper's house now houses the Lightkeeper's Kitchen Restaurant and the other is available for rent as a guest house. Located at the north side of the entrance to the Minas Channel about 8 km (5 mi) off NS 209. Site open, restaurant open for lunch and dinner daily mid May to early October. Site manager: Cumberland County (Lighthouse at Cape d'Or). ARLHS CAN-095; Notmar 167; Admiralty H3938; NGA 10980.
[Île Haute (2)]
1956 (station established 1878). Active; focal plane 112 m (367 ft); white flash every 4 s. 12 m (40 ft) steel skeletal tower. The historic lighthouse, a square wood pyramidal tower attached to keeper's house, burned in 1956. No current photo available. Located on the summit of the island 8 km (5 mi) off Cape Chignecto. Accessible only by boat. Visible at a distance from Cape D'Or. Site status unknown. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-241; Notmar 164; Admiralty H3928; NGA 10968.
Cape d'Or Lighthouse
Cape d'Or Light, July 2007
anonymous Creatiev Commons photo
Apple River (2)
1972 (station established 1870). Active; focal plane 21.5 m (71 ft); white light, 2 s on, 10 s off. 10.5 m (35 ft) square pyramidal concrete tower. The tower was formerly attached to one corner of a 1-story fog signal building, but that building has been removed. Lighthouse painted white. No photo available. Located on the north side of the river entrance and on the east side of Chignecto Bay. Site status unknown. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-014; Notmar 163; Admiralty H4032; NGA 11052.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

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Checked and revised July 23, 2006. Lighthouses: 43. Site copyright 2007 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.