Peggy's Cove is a small coastal community on the eastern shore of St. Margarets Bay in Nova Scotia, known for its granite shoreline, working harbour, and distinctive lighthouse. Large exposed rocks surround the village, shaped by glaciers and Atlantic weather, while spruce and fir forests cover the inland areas. Fishing remains part of the community's identity, with lobster boats and other vessels using the sheltered harbour. Peggy's Cove is part of the wider coastal landscape west of Halifax, where rocky headlands, small coves, islands, and ocean waters create a setting closely connected to maritime life.
The community has longstanding Mi'kmaq connections, while later settlement was shaped by European fishing families and maritime traditions. Peggy's Cove grew as a small fishing village, with homes, sheds, wharves, and boats arranged around the harbour. The name is associated with the sole survivor of a shipwreck at nearby Lighthouse Route, although accounts of the story vary. The Peggy's Cove Preservation Area protects much of the surrounding landscape and aims to balance public access with the conservation of the community's natural and cultural character.
The Peggy's Point Lighthouse stands on a broad granite outcrop at the entrance to the village harbour and is one of Nova Scotia's best-known coastal landmarks. The surrounding rocks provide views across St. Margarets Bay, but the shoreline can be hazardous because of sudden waves and slippery surfaces. The nearby Swissair Flight 111 Memorial overlooks the ocean and commemorates the people who died in the aircraft disaster. Coastal roads and trails around the community lead past rocky headlands, small beaches, forest, and other viewpoints along the Atlantic shore.
Fresh seafood is central to Peggy's Cove, particularly lobster, scallops, haddock, and other species associated with Nova Scotia's fishing industry. Local food businesses serve seafood alongside regional dishes and baked goods, while nearby communities provide a wider range of dining options. Lobster fishing continues to shape the harbour, with traps, boats, and seasonal activity visible around the waterfront. The area's granite landscape is another defining feature: smooth, rounded rock surfaces extend directly into the sea, reflecting the effects of glacial movement and long-term coastal erosion. These features help explain why the village has retained such a strong connection to the Atlantic environment.