Lighthouses

There are 19 lighthouses in the Charlotte Coastal Region. These sentinels of safety have, for many decades, served fishermen and mariners by warning of the more dangerous areas of the bay and serving as a guide to safe waters, and they continue to do so today. Some of the lighthouses are precariously perched on rocks or small islands only accessible by boat; but most can be accessed by car, perhaps with a short walk.

Three lighthouses of particular note are Swallowtail, found in North Head on Grand Manan; East Quoddy Lighthouse, found in Head Harbour on Campobello Island; and the Cherry Islet Island Lighthouse on Deer Island. Be sure to take your camera and you will get some great pictures.

Swallowtail Light – As the ferry from the mainland docks in North Head, Swallowtail Light welcomes visitors to Grand Manan. Swallowtail Light is one of the few remaining wooden lighthouses in Canada and is set on a piece of land almost detached from the rest of the island – only to be reached by a footbridge. From Swallowtail spot seals, harbour porpoises and whales, as well as two herring weirs, and in the early morning witness simply breathtaking sunrises over the Bay of Fundy. Today, the light keeper’s house is empty and owned by the village, but the lighthouse is still owned by Transport Canada.

East Quoddy Lighthouse – stands majestically on the eastern tip of Campobello Island. It is also known more familiarly as the Head Harbour Lighthouse. With today’s technology, the lighthouse stands unmanned, but still guides fishing boats and other marine travelers to the safety of Head Harbour. Proudly looking out over the Bay of Fundy, the East Quoddy Lighthouse is reputed to be one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world. Built in 1829, mainly of wood, the tower at East Quoddy Lighthouse is designated as a classified heritage building. The rocky out cropping on which the light station sits becomes an island at high tide. It is only accessible for a two-hour period by foot at low tide. It is a photographer’s delight, so make sure you have your camera. The East Quoddy Lighthouse can also be seen from the Green’s Point Lighthouse just past the last turn off to the Deer Island Ferry.

Cherry Islet Island Lighthouse – is a jewel of a small lighthouse on Cherry Islet Island to the south of Deer Island. The lighthouse was established in 1824. It is visible from North Road on Campobello Island.

For further information on lighthouses in the Charlotte Coastal Region, visit www.quoddyloop.com/lights.htm.