Things To Do In The Acadian Shores Of Nova Scotia, Canada – All You Need For An Authentic Acadian Adventure

Explore the top things to do in the Acadian Shores of Nova Scotia in Canada, from maritime traditions to breathtaking coastal adventures. Here’s all you need to create an authentic Acadian Shores itinerary.

If you’re looking for a genuine escape filled with rich coastal culture, dramatic seascapes, and mouthwatering seafood, the Acadian Shores of Nova Scotia is that and a lot more. 

Located along the province’s southwest coast, this region combines enduring Acadian traditions, rugged natural beauty, and the kind of hospitality that feels like a warm hug. 

Romantic and modernist lighthouses, wild beaches and star-studded nights are some of the delights you will find on this Acadian adventure.  

So here’s a comprehensive list of things to do in the Acadian Shores, for a visit you’ll remember long after you’ve left.

Where to Stay on the Acadian Shores

Ye Olde Argyler Lodge – Stay in the Shanty on the Bay

Waking up in a cozy cabin hovering above Lobster Bay, mug in hand, to the sound of gentle waves is the perfect way to start your day in the Acadian Shores. And you can do this at the Shanty on the Bay, at Ye Olde Argyler Lodge. 

Rodd Grand Yarmouth – In the heart of town

A short stroll from shops, cafes, and museums, the Rodd Grand Yarmouth is ideal if you want convenience without sacrificing comfort.

Driftwood by the Bay – Geodesic domes with a view

If unique places to stay are your thing, Driftwood by the Bay’s geodesic domes in Clare are unforgettable. With panoramic ocean vistas, firepits under moonlit skies and a hot tub to soak in those dramatic sunsets, this is the kind of stay that stays with you forever.

Things to Do on the Acadian Shores

Learn about Acadian culture at Le Village Historique Acadien

Step into living history at Le Village Historique Acadien, where early 1900s life unfolds in authentic buildings painstakingly relocated to this site. 

Chat with the blacksmith as he forges a personalised nail, explore the Maximin d’Entremont home where a family of 12 once lived, and learn how cod, bones, and lobster were once processed, stored, and repurposed as fertilizer. 

This is history you can touch and feel as you interact with the local village characters, many of which are descendants of the original Acadian settlers.

Top tip: Allow at least two hours to fully explore and soak up the immersive stories.

Sail with Simon to the Tusket Islands

Set sail on a rugged Nova Scotia sea adventure with Simon from Tusket Island Tours. 

The Tusket Islands are a group of rugged, windswept, and largely uninhabited islands today, with dramatic coastal scenery, seabirds, and a sense of isolation. They were once home to thriving fishing communities, and lobster fishing still plays an important role in the area’s identity today.

Simon is a captivating storyteller. He’ll tell you all about the lobster catching industry, the lifestyle of the island communities, and even tales of mysterious local legends about pirate treasures and ghosts.

You’ll enjoy a delicious steaming seafood chowder at his family’s shanty in Big Tusket Island, while Simon delights everyone with a traditional Acadian sea shanty or two.

Top tip: Bring layers! The wind on the water can be cutting, even on a sunny day.

Stroll through charming Yarmouth

Once a thriving shipbuilding and shipping hub, Yarmouth still carries the legacy of its seafaring past, visible in the architecture of its 19th century historic homes. 

The fishing industry remains central here, with lobster, scallops, and other fresh seafood shaping both the local economy and the dining scene.

The best way to explore Yarmouth is by doing a walking tour – either self guided or with a local guide.

Admire the captains’ homes painted in colourful pastels, visit Frost Park, and explore the Yarmouth County Museum to learn about the city’s maritime heritage.

Go stargazing at the Deep Sky Eye Observatory

Escape the light pollution and step into a starry dreamscape at Deep Sky Eye Observatory. Tim, the visionary behind this stunning site, has an extraordinary personal story and teaches with a clear passion. 

He was born with 10% of his vision, and after a lot of surgery procedures, despite still being legally blind, he enjoys better night vision through a telescope than the average person. 

His passion was born from being able to see the stars after one of his surgeries aged 16, and now guides visitors to peer through telescopes at nebulae and planets, at the observatory he built himself.

This is North America’s first certified Starlight Destination, where on clear nights you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye. It’s nothing short of magical. 

Top tip: Dress warmly. Even in the middle of summer, temperatures drop at night. But stargazing at the Deep Sky Eye Observatory is worth the chill.

Climb Cape Forchu Lighthouse and hike the Leif Erikson Trail

Cape Forchu Lighthouse is an ‘apple core’ lighthouse and a mid-century architectural treasure built in 1962. 

Its modernist design was very controversial with locals when it was built, but it is now one of the most photographed landmarks in Nova Scotia, together with Peggy’s Cove, which I visited in my previous Nova Scotia road trip.

Don’t miss a visit to the lightkeeper’s residence, now turned into small museum where you can see a lot of maritime heritage artifacts.

While you are in Cape Forchu, don’t miss hiking the Leif Erikson Trail, named after the Norse explorer who is believed to have reached North America around 1000 AD. There’s no definitive evidence of Erikson landing in Nova Scotia, but the trail honors Viking heritage and exploration.

It’s only a short trail, but it’s really worth it for the coastal and ocean views, as well as a different view of the lighthouse. 

Don’t forget to pay a visit to Foggy, the impressive humpback whale skeleton nearby. It was donated by a local boat builder who found it on a nearby island years ago.

Top tip: On your way to Cape Forchu (or on your way back), make sure you stop for a selfie at the Yarmouth Buoy Wall, an explosion of color that captures the region’s fishing legacy.

Chase ocean views along Saint Mary’s Bay

The coast along St Mary’s Bay (Baie Sainte-Marie) opens up in dramatic ways and it’s worth making a few stops to enjoy the sweeping views and hidden coves.

Mavillette Beach is a mile-long sandy beach with sand flats at low tide that are perfect for beachcombing and walks along the shore. The beautiful but fragile dunes and marshes behind the beach are ideal for birdwatching.

Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park has stunning panoramic vistas of dramatic cliffs and the expansive waters of Saint Mary’s Bay and the Gulf of Maine. That’s if you get lucky like I did! 

The Acadians often joke that Cape Saint Mary is ‘the place where fog is made’. This is where Saint Mary’s Bay and the Bay of Fundy merge, creating conditions that result in regular fog.

Don’t miss Smugglers Cove, possibly my favourite stop along this stretch. Legend has it that the sea cave here was used by rumrunners to hide contraband during Prohibition in the US. 

Shop local at Belliveau Cove Farmers’ Market

If you are in the Clare region on a Saturday morning, don’t miss the Belliveau Cove Farmers’ Market. Running between the end of May and the end of September, this is your opportunity to buy local.

You’ll find fresh fish, fruits and veg, homemade baked goods and fresh preserves, as well as souvenirs handcrafted by local artists. 

The Farmers’ Market is held in the scenic Joseph et Marie Dugas Park with views of Saint Mary’s Bay, which adds to its relaxed, seaside atmosphere. 

And it’s more than just shopping. People tend to linger, talk, and enjoy the surroundings. It’s a gathering spot for both locals and visitors. So grab a snack, take a seat to people watch, and you’re guaranteed to strike up a conversation with someone.

Wander the peaceful trails in Le Petit Bois

Le Petit Bois (small forest in French) is a network of trails with peaceful hikes through a tiny forest and along the coast of Saint Mary’s Bay.

The trails are on the campus of Université Sainte-Anne, which was created in 1890 to provide education to Acadians. There are interpretative signs along the trail that celebrate the Acadian heritage of the Clare region as well as the local flora and fauna.

In fact, I was really surprised by the amount of wildlife in such a small area. I saw chickadees, blue jays, hummingbirds, red squirrels and lots of inquisitive chipmunks that very happily and confidently came up to me to say hello!

Les Petit Bois is a lovely and quiet spot to breathe and enjoy nature at its best.

Top Tip: Look out for the colourful squirrel houses dotted along the trails that families have added as memorials to their loved ones. It adds a sense of added peace to your walk.

Take part in the Beaux Vendredis Seafood Suppers

In July and August, Friday evenings transform into community feasts at the Beaux Vendredis Seafood Suppers. 

Join locals around communal tables laden with lobster, snow crab, and steamed clams. The seafood is served with classic sides like rolls, salad and melted butter. Simple, affordable, and delicious!

I absolutely love lobster (I ate it in so many different ways on this Acadian adventure!), but I had never tried snow crab, so this was my choice for the Beaux Vendredis Seafood Suppers.

But aside from the amazing Nova Scotian food, the whole affair is very convivial. It’s an opportunity to share food, stories, and enjoy Acadian culture.

Many people bring chairs, blankets, even side dishes to supplement the seafood fare and there’s local musicians playing, giving it a warm, festive atmosphere. 

Top tip: It’s held outdoors, right on the Belliveau Cove waterfront with views of Saint Mary’s Bay, so bring a light jacket.

Indulge in lobster, any way you can imagine

Nova Scotia food is based mostly on seafood. But the real highlight here is lobster. The province’s cold, clean Atlantic waters produce some of the sweetest, most flavourful lobster in the world.

Lobster fishing is more than an industry here, it’s a way of life. It’s become a cultural symbol of Nova Scotia’s maritime identity. 

So lobster is everywhere, and it comes in every form imaginable: simply boiled, lobster rolls, lobster poutine, lobster mac & cheese, creamed lobster, chowder… you name it, you’ve got it.

A few stops beyond the Acadian Shores

On my way to my Acadian adventure, I made a few stops that I think are worth adding to your Acadian Shores itinerary.

Drowned Forest, The Hawk Beach

The Drowned Forest on The Hawk Beach at the southern tip of Cape Sable Island, is eerie and haunting but beautiful at the same time. 

Estimated to be around 1,500 years old, the ancient tree stumps are only visible at low tide. They are preserved in their original positions and were submerged due to rising sea levels over centuries.

If you can time your visit one hour either side of the lowest tide, you will find a haunting and stunning landscape. The stumps’ silhouettes against the horizon are a photographer’s dream.

Bear River

Bear River is often referred to as ‘The Village on Stilts’ because of its unique architecture. It’s known for its historic buildings elevated on stilts built to adapt to dramatic tidal changes of the area.

The village has the highest concentration of artists per capita in Nova Scotia, and is home to numerous galleries, studios, and artisan shops. A great spot to buy locally made and unique souvenirs.

The area also has a deep Indigenous history. The Bear River First Nation is right outside the village, where Mi’kmaq culture and traditions are preserved and celebrated.

Annapolis Royal

Annapolis Royal is one of North America’s oldest European settlements. Here you can visit Fort Anne National Historic Site, a star-shaped fortification built in 1629 that played an important role in the colonial history of Nova Scotia. This is Canada’s oldest national historic site.

The town itself includes the Annapolis Royal Historic District, with over 135 registered heritage properties, including some of the oldest wooden-frame buildings in Canada.

Acadia Shores FAQs

How to get to the Acadian Shores

If entering from the US, you can get the CAT Ferry from Bar Harbor, Maine, which brings you right into Yarmouth. 

Do you have any questions about these things to do in the Acadian Shores?
Let me know in the comments!

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Disclosure: This post has been created as a partnership with Nova Scotia Tourism. As always, all views are my own.