Half-Day Small-Group Tour of Nova Scotia's South Shore
Description
The South Shore of Nova Scotia is known for its picturesque coastal scenery, the world-famous Old Town Lunenburg, known for it's, unique architecture, and colorful waterfront also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Bluenose II. Next up Mahone Bay for a photo of the Trinity Church's then coastline from Queensland onto Canada’s most beloved lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove perched upon granite worn smooth by the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Your Clean, Safe and Comfortable Tour Vehicle will be a Ford Transit 350 XLT High Roof 15 Passenger Van with 4 Guests Minimum to 10 Guests Maximum. The vehicle is equipped with a microphone to the speaker system and a large tablet to view Videos and Photos to augment your Tour experience so you have a Memorable, Unique Tour of Nova Scotia's South Shore. There is so much more to explore on Nova Scotia’s South Shore, add these must-do adventures to your vacation plans!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Lunenburg is a port town on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, Canada. Founded in 1753, the town was one of the first British attempts to settle Protestants in Nova Scotia in an effort to displace the French colonial Roman Catholic Acadians and indigenous Mi'kmaq. Old Town Lunenburg is one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Considered to be the best surviving planned British colonial town in North America, you can still see the tall ships moored off the port and hear the smith’s hammer, while guided tours tell tales of lives lost on the ocean. Lunenburg’s harbour-side streets are lined with unique shops and award-winning restaurants that blend with the well-preserved and colourfully painted historic homes, much of it like a living museum from the 18th century.
The Bluenose Lodge is a Victorian Inn. Situated at the entrance of "Old Town", Lunenburg. This tastefully restored Victorian Historic Inn. The Inn was originally built in 1863 as a single family dwelling for prominent sea merchant/builders by the name of Morash & Eisnor. In 1946, the home was converted to a Lodge.
The Lunenburg Academy was designed by H.H. Mott, a well known New Brunswick architect, in 1893. The building was completed in 1895 and opened for class on November 7, 1895. It was constructed as part of Nova Scotia’s shift from one-room schoolhouses to public Academies. The Lunenburg Academy was registered as both a Provincial Heritage Property and a National Historic Site in 1983. The building is now the only intact 19th century Academy building surviving in Nova Scotia. It operated continuously as an educational building from 1895 until March of 2012.
St. John's Anglican Church was the first church established in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is the second Church of England built in Nova Scotia, and is the second oldest remaining Protestant church in present-day Canada. Early on 1 November 2001, St. John's church suffered significant damage by fire. It was restored and re-dedicated June 12, 2005.
Visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic to explore wharf-side vessels and their extraordinary aquarium, and the famous Bluenose II, a replica of the original world-famous racing schooner on the back of the Canadian dime.(Varied Dates Bluenose II is in Port)
Mahone Bay is a town along the South Shore of Nova Scotia in Lunenburg County. A long standing picturesque tourism destination, the town has recently enjoyed a growing reputation as a haven for entrepreneurs and business startups. Mahone Bay boasts a simple yet extraordinary way of life. Experience it all from history to unique shops, artisans to culinary experiences, along the colourful and quaint streets. Recently named as one of Canada’s top ten most beautiful towns by culturetrip.com, Mahone Bay is a must-see town famous for its picture perfect Trinity Churches photo-op.
The Trinity Church's are three prominent churches: St James' Anglican; St John's Evangelical Lutheran; and Trinity United. It has become an iconic image of Nova Scotia, frequently photographed and featured on postcards and calendars.
Nova Scotia is home to over 160 historic lighthouses, but no beacon is as photographed as the one in the vibrant fishing village of Peggy’s Cove. Built in 1915, Peggy’s Point Lighthouse still keeps watch over surging ocean waves and working lobster boats. Amble over giant rocks worn smooth by the sea and share in the view. The rocky coastline and ocean water around Peggy’s Cove is dangerous. Rogue waves (unpredictable, rough waves) commonly splash up over the rocks, even on calm, sunny days. Stay off the wet, dark rocks and do not swim. The safest way to enjoy the view is to make sure you are walking on dry, white rocks.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Tour start times vary depending on the Tour and the day...IE: Cruise Vessel arrival & Bay of Fundy Tides on Annapolis Valley Tour....Normally Tours start between 8-10 AM... Guests have Two pick up options pick up at any listed Downtown Hotel's and Cruise Guests or driving Guests can meet at Pier 22 parking lot @ 1041 Marginal Road...Lots of very secure parking. See Parking fee (amount) in the exclusion section.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Tour Vehicle Ford Transit 350 XLT High Roof 15 Passenger Van
- Tour is Four Guests Minimum to Ten Guests Maximum for Guests comfort
- Seating is the First Confirmed has the First Choice of Seats in Vehicle
- When booking a travel itinerary, it can be frustrating to have to fill out unnecessary information. By putting "N/A" in the boxes that relate to either not being on a cruise or not staying at a hotel, you can quickly and easily indicate that those options don't apply to you.
Reviews(124)
Paul is an excellent guide, giving us plenty of time at each stop and providing background information about what we were going to see. I also enjoyed the in-car videos about the Halifax explosion and the story of Gander in 2011; and I now know a lot more about lobsters!
Thank you quiller003 for taking a minute to review your Tour of Nova Scotia's South Shore....Ecstatic to hear you had a Memorable Tour of this Unforgettable Province...Merci Beaucoup for your kind words
Excellent trip experience overall! Our guide and driver, Paul, did a fantastic job organizing everything flawlessly. He was professional, punctual, very considerate, and made the journey incredibly enjoyable. Highly recommended to solo travellers who wish to explore the charm of Peggy's Cove and Lunenberg but can't drive by themselves.
Thank you Yanjie D for taking the time to review your day with me exploring Nova Scotia's Beautiful South Shore including Lunenburg, Mahone Bay & Peggy's Cove...Delighted to hear you had an Excellent Trip & Enjoyable Experience...Merci Beaucoup for your kind words
Paul meet us at the cruise ship pier for an easy start to our day. We loved Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove. Paul drove along the delightful seashore for part of the distance between Halifax and Peggy’s Cove. Paul was knowledgeable and told great stories.
Thank you Rebecca_f for taking a moment to review your Tour of Nova Scotia's Beautiful South Shore...Delighted to hear you had a Memorable time exploring Nova Scotia...Merci Beaucoup for your kind words
Overall it was great experience. Our guide, Paul, made the trip pleasant and organized from beginning to the end. He is knowledgeable about everything related to the city. The schedule was balanced. 100% recommend.
Thank you Vicky X for taking the time to review you Tour of Nova Scotia's South Shore including Lunenburg, Mahone Bay & Peggy's Cove...Elated to hear you had a Great & Enjoyable Tour...Merci Beaucoup for you kind words
Tour guide was knowledgeable in the local history and shared little known areas of interest! Vehicles were new, clean and sound system was great. Highly recommended this tour and guide!
Thank you Lesa_J for taking a moment to review One of the Two Tours you did with Me....Delighted to hear you enjoyed exploring Nova Scotia's Beautiful South Shore including Lunenburg, Mahone bay & Peggy's Cove...Merci Beaucoup for your kind words...
The tour was relaxing and illuminating. We got to see Peggy's Cove at a time when the massive cruise ships and bus loads of tourists weren't there. It was very windy, but quiet and we could walk around. You get a sense of the power of North Atlantic. Only six other people were there before us and we were able to get the money shot of the lighthouse without anyone else around. The town itself was graphic. Paul played us documentaries of the Titanic sinking (new evidence it was caused by a fire burning before it sailed) and of the 1917 Halifax Explosion as we drove to the different locations. He also gave a restaurant recommendation at Lunenburg. Paul showed us some of the main sites, suggested photographic shots, and gave us a couple of hours to explore and get lunch. Finally, we drove to Mahone Bay to see the three churches. Paul is very knowledgeable, helpful and up front. I've been on tours where the guides gave information that was not exact or misleading. He communicated clearly and followed up. Paul knows his history and I recommend taking one of his tours.
Thank you Maria M for taking a moment to review your Tour of Nova Scotia's South Shore...Delighted to hear you had Memorable Tour of some of Nova Scotia's Most Iconic Towns...Merci Beaucoup for your VERY kind words...
A wonderful day out, lucky enough to be just us that day. Paul was informative, helpful and full of local and historical knowledge. There was so much I didn't know about or realise about Halifax and the surrounding area. Even though the weather was horrendous the day we went along the south shore he did all he could to accommodate me being able to take pictures and see the coastal road. I understand he does historical tours around the city and just wish I had enough time to be able to have done this - well a good excuse to come back and visit.
Thank you Tanya E for taking a moment to review your Tour of Nova Scotia's South Shore...Sorry about the weather BUT Happy to hear you still had a wonderful day despite the conditions...Hope to see you again in the Future...Merci Beaucoup for your VERY kind words..
Trip involved a long van ride in traffic and road construction. We got off late because driver waited on a tardy couple and shortened trip as one party had an early on board time. Too many ships at same time and most places were packed so we just drove around and took photos from van. Return via coastal road was behind a school bus. Driver was nice.
Thank you Robert_M for taking a minute to review your Tour Of Nova Scotia's South Shore...Sorry you didn't enjoy your Tour Experience it wasn't much fun for me either due to the points you have made....Unfortunately it seems you have blamed me for things that are out of my control...#1 Long Drive...Yes it is a long Drive to Lunenburg an hour plus with NO ISSUES which we did first to keep you away for the Cruise Bus Crowds as October 22, 2025 there where Three Cruise Vessels visiting Halifax and that worked out fine and you had lots of time for Lunch & Sightseeing before the Buses showed up...**There are Three days in October where there are Six Vessel visiting Halifax and agreed that is WAY TO MANY VESSELS in One Day** and then the drive to Peggy's Cove again along the Coast is also a hour plus nothing I can do about these Two Towns/Village are NOT side by side also Traffic and Road Construction again out of my Control...#2 The Tardy Couple where on your same Cruise Vessel that you where on and was Tendered in the Harbour and again I have to give the Guests some Grace time to get to Shore and Yes Tender Guests can be a Logistic Nightmare...#3 Yes some guests on other Cruise Vessels had to be back before You BUT I got them back in Time again I don't make the Port Call Times I wish I did because they ALL would have more significant time in Halifax...#4 Having to follow a School Bus that was dropping off Children on a road with No passing Lanes again out of my Control....Also the Tour was not shortened it was the Full Six plus hours as we started at 9.30 AM and Finished at 4.30 PM and Yes I did cut some corners due to the issues you have mentioned...The only part of this review that I had control of was "Driver was Nice"...Thank you for that!!!
One of the few tours that offers both the very touristy village of Peggy’s Cove and the even more beautiful one of Lunenburg without forgetting Mahone Bay. Visit times at each stage are perfect. Videos during the trip are a plus.
Beautiful day exploring the South Shore of Nova Scotia...Thierry...One of the few tours that offers both the very touristy village of Peggy's Cove and the even more beautiful village of Lunenburg, not to mention Mahone Bay. The visiting times at each stop are perfect. The videos during the trip are a plus....My response: Merci Thierry d'avoir pris un moment pour revoir votre visite de la côte sud de la Nouvelle-Écosse... Ravi d'apprendre que vous avez eu une visite mémorable... Merci beaucoup pour vos aimables paroles....Thank you Thierry for taking a moment to review your visit to the South Shore of Nova Scotia... Glad to hear you had a memorable visit... Thank you so much for your kind words
Paul picked us up at the agreed location and was already waiting for us. Paul contacted us again the night before. Everything was great!!! Note: when you leave the terminal, walk past all the people waiting with name signs and keep slightly to the left. He will be waiting for you there. Very nice, new, and well-maintained Ford bus. Good for about 14 people. There were 10 of us on September 15, 2025. Paul explained a lot. He also has an oversized screen in his Ford bus where he played various very informative YouTube videos. Very careful driving throughout the day! Compliments. Great stops. Always drove slowly at important spots so we could take photos. Great guy. Would definitely do it again. Plenty of time in Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg. @ Paul personally: PLEASE leave Lunenburg an additional 15 minutes earlier next time. You know what I mean. ;-) You were a great guy and explained a lot. Stay just the way you are and all the best to you!! My best regards, Ralf
Danke Schön ralfsteinhauser for taking a minute to review you Tour of Nova Scotia's Beautiful South Shore...Elated to hear you had a Wonderful Trip exploring ALL that the South Shore has to offer...Besten Dank for your kind words!!
