Waterfront Boardwalks (Yarmouth)

Yarmouth sits at the extreme south-western tip of Nova Scotia, where the Gulf of Maine and the Bay of Fundy meet, and the town has always faced the water. In the 19th century it was one of the great shipowning ports of the British Empire, with a fleet of wooden sailing vessels that traded around the world, and the grand houses of its main streets, built by sea captains and shipowners, still reflect that wealth. The waterfront remains the place to feel the town's connection to the sea, and strolling the harbour is among the simplest pleasures a visitor can have.

The waterfront here is a working harbour with a mix of walkways, wharves and paved paths rather than a single, continuous boardwalk. Visitors should not expect one long timber promenade as in some larger ports, but the paths along the shore give clear views across the water and are easy to walk. The town's ferry terminal, which receives the summer ferry from Maine, sits on the waterfront and brings travellers from the United States, and fishing boats, lobster traps and gulls give the harbour its character. Benches and viewpoints offer places to rest and watch the boats come and go.

A short drive from the waterfront, the Cape Forchu Lighthouse is the best-known landmark. The present lighthouse, built in 1962, has an unusual shape that has been compared to the core of an apple, a design intended to withstand fierce winds, and it stands on a rocky headland at the mouth of the harbour with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby are the Yarmouth County Museum and the Firefighters' Museum, which houses a collection of historic fire engines, and boat tours depart for the Tusket Islands, a scattered archipelago of several hundred islands to the east.

The region around Yarmouth is known as part of the Acadian Shores, where Acadian communities along the coast keep their French language, music and food traditions alive. Seafood is excellent, with lobster, scallops and chowder on many menus.

Weather can change quickly on this coast, with fog, wind and sea spray, so dress in layers and wear shoes with good grip, especially on wharves and uneven sections of path. Visitors should stay clear of wharf edges and slippery stones. The paths are free and open at all hours, and the harbour is at its best in the early morning and at sunset.

It suits strollers, photographers and travellers waiting for or arriving from the ferry.