Fishermans Harbour turns the spotlight on maritime history and coastal scenery at Port Bickerton Lighthouse. The lighthouse’s construction phases, the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Interpretive Centre, which is open seasonally, and a network of seven trails offer visitors a range of ways to explore the area.
The History of Port Bickerton Lighthouse
The first Port Bickerton Lighthouse was built in 1901. In 1930, the light was first operated from a combined lighthouse and dwelling, which still stands at the station. Today’s Port Bickerton Lighthouse is the concrete tower built in 1962. For more than a century, the lighthouse has guided sailors in the North Atlantic toward safety and shelter. The concrete light is still in operation; confirm its current operating status before your trip.
Interpretive Centre and Seasonal Opening
Since 1997, the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Interpretive Centre has been located at Port Bickerton Lighthouse in Fishermans Harbour. It offers information about the lighthouse’s history and Nova Scotia’s maritime lighthouse tradition. The centre is open seasonally, so check its current opening dates before visiting. The address is 408 Lighthouse Road, Fishermans Harbour, Nova Scotia.
Coastal Trails and Nature
The trail network at Port Bickerton Lighthouse comprises seven trails with a total length of about 3.5 km. The routes pass through varied coastal landscapes, offering several ways to explore the area on foot. Trail information and conditions may change, so it is advisable to check for current details before hiking.
Wildlife is also part of the area’s natural appeal: the Fishermans Harbour subsection of the Guysborough Headlands Wilderness Area is used extensively by Roseate Terns for feeding. The species is endangered nationally and provincially. This describes the birds’ use of the subsection; it does not guarantee a sighting during a visit.
Getting Around and Other Things to See in Guysborough County
Port Bickerton Lighthouse is on Nova Scotia’s Marine Drive, along Highway 211. In the wider destination of Guysborough County, the free Theodore O’Hara cable ferry, also known as the Country Harbour Ferry, connects Port Bickerton with Country Harbour. It can carry twelve vehicles. In summer, it runs every 15 minutes; during the rest of the year, it departs from the Country Harbour side hourly and from the Port Bickerton side every half hour. If you plan to take the ferry, check the schedule in advance.
Other cultural attractions in the wider destination of Guysborough County include Sherbrooke Village and the Goldenville Interpretative Centre. Sherbrooke Village is the largest site of the Nova Scotia Provincial Museum and includes more than 25 historic buildings with costumed interpreters. The Goldenville Interpretative Centre presents the history of the old mining community from 1861 to 1942 through images and objects, as well as conversations with interpreters. This adds other historical themes from the county to Fishermans Harbour’s maritime history.
Discover more destinations: Little Dover, Guysborough, Canso, Liscomb
Return to the main travel overview: Guysborough County.
