Canada boasts over 750 lighthouses and long-distance lights that assist vessels in navigating its coastlines, lakes, and other water bodies, ensuring they reach safe harbours. Beyond their primary function, these structures are historical landmarks for nearby cities, towns, and villages, and they offer some of the most stunning views of nature.
With this in mind, we explored the nation to uncover eight distinctive lighthouses that merit a visit.
Peggy’s Point Lighthouse, Peggy’s Cove, N.S.
Peggy’s Point Lighthouse. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Recognized as one of the most photographed lighthouses in Canada, this vibrant red and white tower is located in the fishing community of Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia.
A book from the early 1900s suggests that Peggy’s Cove was named after a young woman named Margaret, affectionately known as Peggy, who survived a shipwreck at Halibut Rock and later married a local resident. However, it is more likely named after its position in St. Margarets Bay.
The village itself is also a delightful area to explore, featuring a granite shoreline and vibrant lobster boats.
West Point Lighthouse, West Point, P.E.I.
West Point Lighthouse. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
This striking black and white lighthouse, standing at 21 metres, is the tallest on Prince Edward Island, offering breathtaking views of the Northumberland Strait and Cedar Dunes Provincial Park.
In 1987, an inn was established within the lighthouse, which now offers 13 rooms, including one in the tower. Despite hosting guests, an electric lantern remains operational to guide maritime traffic.
The accompanying lighthouse museum features artifacts and stories from its 151-year history.
Fisgard Lighthouse, Colwood, B.C.
Fisgard Lighthouse. (Getty Images)
Constructed in 1860, Fisgard Lighthouse in Colwood, B.C., is the first permanent lighthouse on the West Coast, and its battery-operated light continues to assist sailors navigating the local waters.
The 17-metre tower, recognized as a National Historic Site, is located on Fisgard Island at the entrance of Esquimalt Harbour, linked to the former coastal defense site Fort Rodd Hill by a causeway built in the 1950s.
From the lighthouse, visitors can view the Juan de Fuca Strait and, on clear days, the snow-capped peaks of the Olympic Mountains in Washington state.
Race Rocks Lighthouse, near Victoria in the Juan de Fuca Strait, B.C.
Race Rocks Lighthouse. (Getty Images)
Constructed in 1860, this stone lighthouse is the second oldest on the Pacific coast. The striped beacon rises 24.4 metres tall on a small rocky island situated southwest of Victoria in the Juan de Fuca Strait.
Nestled within the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, this area is renowned for its sea lions, seals, whales, and even bald eagles.
Boat tours are available for those wishing to observe the marine wildlife, and the reserve is also recognized as one of the premier cold-water diving locations globally.
Ferryland Lighthouse, Ferryland, N.L.
Ferryland Lighthouse. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Perched on a grassy hill in Newfoundland, overlooking the Atlantic, Ferryland Lighthouse is a popular destination for picnics and whale-watching.
Packed lunches are prepared in the adjoining cottage, which was once home to renowned local artist Gerald Squires and his family during the 1970s.
Cape Spear Lighthouse, St. John’s
Cape Spear Lighthouse. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Cape Spear, the oldest existing lighthouse in Newfoundland, stands at North America’s easternmost point. If you visit before dawn, you can be among the first on the continent to witness the sunrise.
On certain days, you might also spot whales or icebergs in the distance.
Continuing along the East Coast Trail leads to areas for berry-picking and stunning coastal views.
Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, Toronto
Gibraltar Point Lighthouse. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Established in 1808, Gibraltar Point Lighthouse on Toronto Island is the oldest lighthouse on the Great Lakes and ranks among the city’s historic landmarks. Over time, it has also gained notoriety due to a ghost story, drawing tourists and paranormal enthusiasts alike.
Various accounts suggest that the first lighthouse keeper, John Paul Radelmüller, either disappeared or was killed by soldiers in 1815. Years later, another keeper discovered human remains nearby, though they were never confirmed to be Radelmüller’s, leading some to believe that his spirit haunts Gibraltar Point.
Additionally, if you travel to the Island, the ferry ride offers one of the finest views of Toronto’s skyline.
Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse, Gaspé, Que.
Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse. (Getty Images)
At 34.1 metres, Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Canada, perched on a cliff in Gaspé, Quebec. It was constructed in 1858 following numerous shipwrecks in the perilous waters where the St. Lawrence River meets the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
For those unafraid of heights, a climb to the top rewards visitors with a sweeping view of the gulf, where whales can sometimes be seen breaching, alongside the rugged cliffs of Forillon National Park.