Travel & Places
Peggy’s Cove Launches New Visitor Experience Program
The scenic village has introduced a new interpretive centre and guided walkways to better manage foot traffic and preserve its iconic granite landscape.
Owen Fraser | October 02, 2025 at 10:44 AM
One of Nova Scotia’s most iconic destinations has received a thoughtful upgrade. Peggy’s Cove, famous for its picturesque lighthouse and rugged granite shoreline, has launched a new visitor experience program aimed at preserving the site while enhancing accessibility and safety.
The initiative includes a newly constructed viewing platform, interpretive signage, and guided walkways that direct foot traffic away from erosion-prone areas. Officials say the enhancements were designed to protect both the landscape and the thousands of visitors who arrive annually to witness the Atlantic’s raw beauty.
“We wanted to strike a balance between preservation and experience,” said Heather McIntyre, spokesperson for Develop Nova Scotia. “The changes allow people to connect with the site without putting themselves—or the environment—at risk.”
The most prominent addition is a gently sloped, wheelchair-accessible platform that offers panoramic views of the coastline and the lighthouse. Made from weather-resistant timber and stone, the structure blends into the surroundings while offering a safer alternative to scrambling across the slick granite.
Local guides are now stationed at key points to share stories of the cove’s history, from its early days as a fishing village to its transformation into one of Canada’s most photographed locations. QR codes on the new signage link to videos and oral histories available in multiple languages.
Nearby businesses have welcomed the improvements, citing an uptick in visitor satisfaction and longer stays. “People are staying for lunch, browsing shops, and not rushing off after a quick photo,” said Jenna Pike, who runs a family-owned café overlooking the cove.
To maintain the area’s charm, development was kept minimal and materials were sourced locally whenever possible. The project was informed by consultations with environmental scientists, architects, and Mi’kmaq community leaders to ensure cultural and ecological sensitivity.
Peggy’s Cove has long been a magnet for tourists, but also a site of concern due to dangerous rogue waves and slippery rocks. Multiple fatalities over the past decade led to growing calls for improved visitor safety, prompting this new approach.
While some critics initially feared the enhancements would diminish the site's wild character, public reception has been largely positive. “It still feels natural,” said visitor Maria Arsenault. “But now I can bring my elderly mother here without worrying about her footing.”
The project also introduced designated photography zones, helping to reduce congestion in popular vantage points and allowing photographers to capture shots without obstructing walkways. Drone usage, which has caused issues in the past, is now regulated with clear guidelines.
Officials say the improvements are part of a broader coastal strategy that includes other popular destinations like Lunenburg and Cape Breton. “We’re setting a standard for how we approach high-traffic natural sites going forward,” McIntyre added.
As autumn rolls in and the cove is bathed in golden light, visitors old and new are seeing Peggy’s Cove with fresh eyes—still wild, still wind-swept, but now more welcoming to all.