Baccaro Point Lighthouse
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, Baccaro Point Lighthouse marks the southernmost tip of mainland Nova Scotia.
Standing sentinel at the southernmost tip of mainland Nova Scotia, Baccaro Point Lighthouse has guided mariners along this rugged coast for nearly a century. The striking 45-foot wooden tower, built in 1934, replaced an original 1850 structure lost to fire. Long before roads reached this remote headland, early settlers hauled building materials along the beach to construct the first beacon—a testament to the vital importance of this light to sailors navigating the treacherous Atlantic waters.
Baccaro itself holds a special place in Nova Scotia history as the province's oldest recorded place name, derived from the Basque word baccolaos, meaning codfish. Basque fishermen worked these waters centuries before permanent European settlement, and their legacy lives on in the name. Today, the point draws birdwatchers who come to spot seabirds riding the coastal winds, as well as visitors seeking the raw, windswept beauty of Nova Scotia's southern shore.
The square tapered lighthouse continues to serve as both a working navigational aid and a symbol of Maritime resilience. Easily accessible by road, Baccaro Point offers sweeping Atlantic views, dramatic sunsets, and a tangible connection to centuries of seafaring history.
