The Digby Area and specifically Digby Neck and Islands are one of the best places in North America for whale watching. The massive amount of untapped energy of the Bay of Fundy is the fuel for a fragile ecosystem that provides a nutritious food supply to numerous species of birds, fish, bottom-dwellers like lobsters and scallops, and of course whales.
By late springtime Finback Whales, Minke Whales and Harbour Porpoises are the first to arrive from their southern migration grounds. In June, the Humpback Whales return and by late June these whales are abundant in the Bay of Fundy.
White-sided dolphins are common. Other whales that consider the Bay of Fundy their home are Pilot whales and the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. Sperm and Blue Whales, White Beaked Dolphins, Bluefin Tuna, Sea Turtles and Basking Sharks have also been sighted.
Come see the wide variety of bird species that visit the Bay of Fundy. Atlantic puffins, black guillemots, northern gannets, shearwaters, phalaropes, storm-petrels and several others migrate to the Bay.
Learn more about bird species in the area with the Nova Scotia Bird Society
Check out the Association Member section below for more information about the tour operators in the area.
Maud Kathleen Lewis (March 7, 1903 – July 30, 1970) was a Canadian folk artist from Nova Scotia. She lived most of her life in poverty in a small house in Marshalltown, Digby County, Nova Scotia. She achieved national recognition in 1964 and 1965 for her cheerful paintings of landscapes, animals and flowers, which offer a nostalgic and optimistic vision of her native province. Several books, plays and films have been produced about her. She remains one of Canada’s most celebrated folk artists. Her works are displayed at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, as well as her restored house, whose walls she adorned with her art.¹
In April 2017, Mongrel Media released the motion picture Maudie across Canada.
Academy Award® nominees Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky, Blue Jasmine, The Shape of Water) and Ethan Hawke star in the true story of Maud Lewis, who overcame the physical challenge of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis to become one of Canada’s premier folk artists. (Mongrel Media)¹
Digby Gut – The light is located 1.2 km beyond Victoria Beach where there is a pathway down a steep bank to the light. The road to the bank is a right-of-way through private property so permission should be sought. The light is visible from the Saint John – Digby Ferry, and the opposite shore. Digby Gut is the narrow outlet that connects Annapolis Basin with the Bay of Fundy.
Visit Lighthouse Friends for more information about The Digby Gut Lighthouse.
Point Prim – Point Prim lighthouse is located about 8.5 kilometers outside of Digby, at the end of Lighthouse Road.
Overlooking the Bay of Fundy right at the entrance to the “Digby Gut”, the currents are an awesome sight. It is also a spot where seals, porpoises and whales are regularly sighted right from shore. Just bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the view! At Point Prim you will find several shorter hiking trails, or you can choose to hike along the rocky shore for a bit. The rock formations are quite unique, and the information panels at Point Prim will tell you how these formations came to be.
Visit the Friends of Point Prim Lighthouse Facebook Page for more information.
Digby Pier – From the Evangeline Trail (NS 101), take NS 303 and follow it North into Digby. After 2.2 km, continue straight on Warwick Street, and then turn left onto Queen Street. After two blocks, turn right onto Church Street and continue to the waterfront where you will find the lighthouse.
Visit The Lighthouse Friends to read about the history of Digby Pier Lighthouse.
Smith’s Cove Lighthouse Park – From Digby, take Exit 24 from Highway 101 to the stop sign, turn left onto Route 1, travel 0.5 km (0.3 miles) and turn right onto a dirt lane. From Annapolis Royal, take Exit 24 from Highway 101 to the stop sign, turn right on Route 1, proceed 0.2 km (0.1 miles) and turn left onto a dirt lane. Note: The dirt lane (Warrens Point) is not marked and is on a sharp turn on Route 1. Smith’s Cove Lighthouse Park is 0.2 km (0.1 miles) down the dirt road where there is a small parking area. There is a trail from the light to the river, thirteen meters below.
Visit The Lighthouse Friends to read about the history of Smith’s Cove Lighthouse Park (formerly Bear River Light)
Schafner Point – From Route 1 (Evangeline Trail) at Lower Granville, just east of Annapolis Royal, bear right onto Granville Road that leads to Port Royal. Travel 10 km (6.3 miles), and you will find Schafner Point Lighthouse on your left, just 1 km beyond the historic Port Royal Habitation. There is a small parking area adjacent to the lighthouse.
Visit The Lighthouse Friends to read about the history of Schafner Point Lighthouse
Annapolis Lighthouse – From Highway 101, take Exit 22 and follow Route 8 (St. George St.) north for 6.3 km (3.9 miles) into Annapolis Royal. Annapolis Lighthouse will be on your left just past Fort Anne. Parking is available along the street. From Route 1, turn west on St. George Street and continue 0.4 km (0.3 miles) to the lighthouse.
Visit The Lighthouse Friends to read about the history of Annapolis Lighthouse
Northern Light – Leaving the ferry dock at Westport, turn right on Water Street and continue 1.6 km (1 mile) to Grand Passage Lighthouse. The road will become a gravel road after roughly 1 km. There is a parking area beside the light.
Visit Lighthouse Friends to learn more about Northern Light
Peter’s Island – From the ferry dock at Westport on Brier Island, turn left and travel 2.6 km (1.6 miles) to the end of the road at South Point where you can get a view of Peter Island Lighthouse. Limited parking available.
Visit Lighthouse Friends to learn more about Peter’s Island Lighthouse
Western Light – Upon arriving on Brier Island by ferry from Long Island, turn left onto Water Street. After 1.5 km (0.9 miles) turn right onto Wellington Street and continue for 0.7 km (0.4 miles), where the paved road ends. Turn left from this point onto a gravel road and continue for 3.6 km (2.3 miles) to the gate to the lighthouse. Parking is available, and it is a short walk past the gate to the light.
Visit Lighthouse Friends to learn more about Western Light
Boar’s Head – Boar’s Head Lighthouse stands high on the cliffs of Long Island at Tiverton, Nova Scotia along the shores of the Bay of Fundy. The lighthouse still operates today aiding vessels in their travels as the Bay of Fundy around Long Island can become hard to manoeuvre through at times. Standing at a height of 33 feet, the light atop shines across Petit Passage in the Bay of Fundy for 12 nautical miles, flashing every 12 seconds. The lighthouse is often closed off by a gate to stop vehicles from entering, but visitors are welcome to walk to the cliffs and admire the historic lighthouse and enjoy the scenery. There are several picnic benches set up and a new look off trail to the Althouse Look-off can be found about halfway up (watch for the walking bridge at the first sharp left turn in the road). Coming off the ferry, turn right or park in the harbour parking lot on your right and simply walk up.
Visit Lighthouse Friends to learn more about Boars Head Lighthouse
Gilbert’s Cove – Gilbert’s Cove just 18 – 20 km west of Digby on the 101 Highway is a charming spot. Stopping there on a hot summer’s day and feeling that pleasant ocean breeze is like coming upon an oasis. If you enjoy historic buildings, you can wonder around inside the old lighthouse itself. It was built in 1904 and had only two light-keepers throughout its years of service, both being from the same family. Stop by for some refreshments, or to learn more about the history of the lighthouse and surrounding area, ask our friendly staff. This is also a good spot to sit around in the evening and watch the sun as it sets over Saint Mary’s Bay and Digby Neck, the sunsets are spectacular. The lighthouse is open 10:00 am to 4 pm Monday to Saturday; Sunday noon to 4 pm. from mid-June to mid-September. The Lighthouse Family Picnic is held on the 3rd Sunday in July, focusing on local musical talent, good food, prizes and fun for all. Visitors are free to tour the lighthouse which houses archival displays, genealogy information, an active quilting room, local crafts and a tearoom. The picnic grounds and surrounding shore are freely accessible. You can enjoy a walk along the shoreline and when the tide is out, you may find small shells and rocks covered with barnacles, or just relax and listen to the ocean as the waves roll in.
Visit Gilberts Cove Lighthouse’s Website for more information
Belliveaus Cove – From Route 1 in the village of Belliveau Cove, turn off the road at Belliveau Cove Wharf where you can walk the pier to the lighthouse.
Visit Lighthouse Friends to learn more about Belliveaus Cove Lighthouse
Church Point – From Route 1 in Church Point, turn west onto Lighthouse Road or Le Chemin du Phare, which is a paved street that passes through the Université Sainte-Anne campus. At Beaulieu, a university residence hall, the pavement ends after 0.4 km (0.3 miles). Proceed on the gravel road an additional 0.5 km (0.3 miles) to Church Point Lighthouse where parking is available. Note: The turn from Route 1 is well marked traveling from Yarmouth, but not from the Digby direction. The lighthouse opened in June 2017 as a research and visitor centre.
Visit Lighthouse Friends to learn more about Church Point Lighthouse
Digby
Admiral Digby Museum – 95 Montague Row, Digby, NS
A taste of Digby’s Heritage. Housed in a mid 1800s Georgian home, the museum features period rooms containing artifacts and archives that relate to the interesting Maritime & Pioneer history of Digby/Digby County, its people and industries.
Trinity Anglican Church – 109 Queen Street, Digby, NS
Although not actually a museum, this church is a Heritage property and National Historic Site with unique architecture. Guided tours are offered by request.
Bear River
Bear River Heritage Museum – 1913 Clementsvale Road, Bear River, NS
The Museum features displays of the shipbuilding industry; Bear River being one of the great shipbuilding towns of the province, as well as agricultural, social, community, education, household and native M’ikmaq displays. A small admission fee is charged.
Smith’s Cove
Old Temperance Hall Museum – 590 Hwy 1, Smiths Cove, NS
Located in the Fundy Shore and Annapolis Valley region. Situated in the “Old Meeting House” (c 1834), the Old Temperance Hall Museum displays historic artifacts of the community of Smith’s Cove, as well as genealogical records of residents. The museum features Mi’kmaq displays, household exhibits of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as old photos of buildings, resorts and citizens. Genealogical records include scrapbooks and cemetery inscriptions. There are special exhibits each year as well as a summer long hand-hooked rug show.
Weymouth
Sissiboo Landing – 4575 Nova Scotia Trunk 1, Weymouth, NS
A Cultural Interpretive Centre based on a wealth of information about the five cultures that founded Weymouth and continued to work and live in harmony. This Centre is a great addition to the historic downtown with a beautiful waterfront that is frequented by eagles, osprey, wading birds and aquatic wildlife.
Digby Neck, Long Island and Brier Island
Island Museum at Tiverton – 243 Highway 217, Freeport, NS
Learn about the social history of Long and Brier Islands. Our summer exhibits change each year and we are open to the public daily from June 1st to Mid-September.
Mazel Musical Arts Society – 4614 HWY 1, Evangeline Trail, Weymouth, NS
Mazel Musical Arts Society is a high quality musical arts organization in Nova Scotia. Mazel Musical Arts Society Enriches the Human Experience through creative and cultural programs in the Weymouth, Digby, Annapolis Royal and surrounding areas. We also invite visitors from around the world to discover their own hidden talents while exploring Nova Scotia.
The Artist’s Mark Shop – 9613 Hwy 217, Digby Neck, NS
Across from sandy Seawall Beach on beautiful Digby Neck. Watch the artist create abstract paintings and beautiful, museum-quality jewellery crafted from polymer clay and local agate, sold in the gift shop.
Blue Mind Gallery – 1888 Clementsvale Road, Bear River, NS
Blue Mind Gallery is a space for you to discover some of the creativity that is found in and around Nova Scotia – including works from many Bear River artists. We have fine art and craft of various mediums and, if you’re lucky, you might just catch a little live music too.
Bear River’s Artist Studios – Online Guide for Bear River Artist Studios
Visit some of Bear River’s finest artists shops and find yourself some stunning and unique souvenirs or gifts.
Flight of Fancy – 1869 Clementsvale Rd, Bear River, NS
Fine craft for artful living. The Flight of Fancy is an acclaimed art gallery and craft shop in the heart of Bear River, Nova Scotia, Canada. We offer a unique shopping experience at studio prices with something for everyone, from the work of over two hundred artists. Just follow the river to our door.