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Cape D’Or Lighthouse – What a Stay Looks Like
I didn’t appreciate the treat I was in for when I booked a one night stay in the lightkeeper’s cottage – a stone’s throw away from the Cape D’or Lighthouse near Advocate Harbour in Nova Scotia.
I’d left accommodation arrangements until the last minute – but sometimes the planets align and everything falls into place. This was one of those times.

Cape d’Or Lighthouse location
The Cape d’Or Lighthouse is about 6 km away from Advocate Harbour, a small community near Cape Chignecto, accessible via a well signed gravel road. From Halifax it’s a 2.5 – 3 hour drive.
Once you arrive at the parking lot it’s a hike down on a steep, boulder strewn hill to get to the lighthouse. Should you be unable to hike up or down the hill, Darcy the owner, will drive up and get you. At the end of your meal – should you eat there – the hike back up is a great way to burn off some calories.
Many people come just to see the lighthouse and the surrounding landscape. Others come for lunch or dinner and some like me come for a night or two.
The restaurant has been included for years in the book Where to Eat in Canada – and would have been again this year except that Darcy didn’t even think he’d be open so he asked to have his listing removed.

Dining at the Cape d’Or Lighthouse
On the night I was there for dinner there were just two other tables filled – but it was mid-week. My meal was superb from start to finish – and for $30 a bargain considering it included three courses – all of which were outstanding.
The view from the table is amazing and would make a great place to watch a storm; I settled for watching the tide roll in.


After dinner I had a bit of time to check out the scenery before the light faded. Ideally I would want to spend a whole day in the area exploring the cave and walking the beach.


The Lightkeeper’s Cottage
The accommodation in the lightkeeper’s cottage is simple but clean. It would be the ideal place to go to as a family as there are three bedrooms, a small kitchen and a living room. I shared it with one other couple but I had my own bathroom.
Darcy had contemplated closing a few years ago. He’s been running the place for a while and is contemplating a change – so go now – because this isn’t the sort of place you want to miss if you’re visiting Nova Scotia.
2025 update: The place is very much a going concern.
Visit the Cape d’Or Lighthouse website for more information and to book.
Rooms are $165 per night plus taxes (2025 prices) – with four rooms in total. It is possible to rent the whole cottage at a savings. Bring cash as plastic isn’t accepted. They are open from June until November.


Further reading on things to do in Nova Scotia
- Lobster and Beaches in Halls Harbour, Nova Scotia
- A 3 Day Hike on the Coastal Trail in Cape Chignecto Provincial Park
- Brier Island, Nova Scotia Guide
- Best Things to Do in and Near Shelburne, Nova Scotia
- One of Nova Scotia’s Great Day Hikes: The Hike to Cape Split
Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.

Please tell me if this gem is still operating? My Mother and I will be visiting this summer and a light house sleep over is on our list :0)
Cheers!
Margaret in British Columbia
@Margaret When I was there he had threatened to close it but I think it’s still open. Call and leave a message; I remember it taking a bit for me to get through. Here’s the # I found on the web – (902) 670-8314. The food is AWESOME!
Stayed at Cape D’or lighthouse a few years back with my sisters, it was absolutely fabulous and the food was awesome! Would love to go again!!
@Terri You better go back soon as he’s planning to close this amazing place.
Gorgeous! I do want to stay there now. The food looks great too 🙂 I always love seeing and reading about new places but then I realize how I keep adding places to go, where will all the time come from 🙂
@Anwar I am in the same predicament as you are – always finding and hearing about new places I’d like to visit. There’s nothing wrong with a long wish list though.
I cant say that I have ever stayed in a lighthouse before, it sure does sound magical.
That cave would be so good to explore, as long as low tide was around for some time!
The meals are such good prices, love the “bring cash” because there is no plastic allowed, smart guy that runs the Lighthouse.
@Lisa The lighthouse would be a great place to take a family for a couple of days. Fortunately you have several hours approaching and after low tide to explore the cave.
I love staying in quirky accommodations, and light houses are among the best. Just returned from a stay at the old lightkeeper cottage at Lista in Southern Norway where we were given the keys to the light house, to go up and down as much as we wanted all night long. It was wonderful. I’d like to return in autumn when the weather, the wind and the sea is a bit more rough and dramatic.
Cape d’Or looks wonderful too (and very reasonable) – and there’s even a restaurant! And Nova Scotia is just a hop across a wee expanse of water from here. Hm…
@Sophie I think you better go this summer in case he closes next year. And the way you hop around the world it would be no big deal.Your recent stay also sounds marvelous.