Nova Scotia Tips

Avoid climbing on the wet harbor or on wet coastal rocks – the surf can be deadly and the ocean is liable to sweep you away in a rogue wave. The only time you should go scrambling over the rocks is when they are clearly safe and dry, such as at Peggy’s Cove. Use common sense at all times and remember the ocean’s power.

Aside from planes, another common point of entry into Nova Scotia is via the high-speed CAT auto-ferries that depart from Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine. Both land in Yarmouth, which affords visitors easy access to the province’s western coastline.

Parts of Nova Scotia are heavily populated with moose, which weigh in excess of 1,000 pounds. When driving around Nova Scotia, keep an eye out for moose crossings to avoid a dangerous collision.

As a British colonial settlement, Nova Scotia’s official language is English. The region’s proud Gaelic past, however, is evident in colloquial conversation. Believe it or not, the common, Canadian tendency to say “eh?” at the end of questions is believed to have come from the Gaelic settlers in the Cape Breton region. In their native language, each phrase ends on an accented high note that sounds like “eh?”

Just like in Maine, cold water lobster is ubiquitous on menus throughout Nova Scotia. Dining on this delectable crustacean is as easy as purchasing one from the lobstermen unloading the day’s catch at the town wharf or heading to a mom-and-pop restaurant.

In the summer, daytime temperatures can reach as high as 85 degrees and dip as low as 40 degrees at night. Add to this a steady and brisk North Atlantic wind, and you can see why it is important to bring a pair of jeans and a jacket, even in the sun-swept month of August.

The dramatic differences between the Bay of Fundy’s high and low tides creates spectacular tidal pools along the bay beds. The low-tide tidal pools are completely safe and worth exploring within the bay, however, the “tidal bores” in narrow rivers are much more dangerous and are best avoided. We recommend exploring the bay up close during an outgoing tide, when you’re guaranteed a good 6 hours before the next high tide sweeps in.

As you drive down the coast, keep your eyes peeled for the working lighthouses that dot the rocky coastline. Nova Scotia boasts over 170 historic and preserved lighthouses, many of which can be visited. Some are working replicas while others are renovated. The lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove, known officially as The Peggys Point Lighthouse, is one of the most iconic and photographed lighthouses in the world. Others of interest include the Gilberts Cove Lighthouse in Digby, the Brier Island Lighthouse off the Digby neck, The Cape George Lighthouse on the Notherumberland Strait, and the Louisburg Lighthouse in Cape Breton Island.

The Bay of Fundy’s powerful tides are beginning to be harvested for electrical energy. The Annapolis Tidal Power Station in Annapolis Royal is one of only three tidal harvesting stations in the world and produces 20 megawatts of electricity for Nova Scotia. Although there are no tours of the facility, visitors who drive through Annapolis Royal can view its grounds at the mouth of the Annapolis River from their car.

The Titanic tragedy occurred only 230 miles south of Nova Scotia, and, as a result, the city of Halifax played a special role in the rescue of the infamous ship's victims. There are also three cemeteries around the city dedicated to those who didn’t escape in time (titanic.gov.ns.ca).