Yarmouth Villages
Historic harbours, Acadian culture, and the wild Atlantic—all in one welcoming corner of Nova Scotia.
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia is a small but bustling fishing port on Canada’s Atlantic edge, where the Gulf of Maine meets the open ocean. From mid-May to mid-October, it serves as the Canadian terminal for The CAT, a high-speed car ferry that links Yarmouth to Bar Harbor, Maine in just three and a half hours—making the town a key gateway between New England and Atlantic Canada. Stroll the waterfront to see brightly painted lobster boats, Victorian “captain’s houses,” seafood shacks and quirky maritime museums, all within easy walking distance.
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Just 11 km south lies Cape Forchu Lighthouse, perched on dramatic cliffs and encircled by coastal trails with sweeping sea views. After dark, the entire region falls inside the Acadian Skies & Mi’kmaq Lands Starlight Reserve—one of the best places in North America for star-gazing. Each July, the ten-day Seafest festival fills Yarmouth’s streets and wharves with schooner races, live music and, of course, piles of fresh lobster rolls. Add sandy beaches, nearby Acadian villages and year-round cultural events, and Yarmouth offers an inviting blend of maritime history, coastal adventure and warm Nova Scotian hospitality.
Where the CAT Ferry Docks and Adventure Begins
Step off the 3½-hour CAT ferry from Bar Harbor and you’re already on Yarmouth’s waterfront boardwalk, inhaling the tang of salt air and fresh-boiled lobster. From this colourful port town, quiet fishing hamlets and Acadian villages unfurl along the coast like beads on a string—each with its own stories, flavours, and festivals.
Meet the Villages
Yarmouth Town – Painted Victorian “captain’s houses,” seafood shacks, quirky museums, and live music that spills out over the wharves after dark.
Wedgeport & Arcadia – Tuna-fishing heritage, star-filled skies, and coastal trails where you’re more likely to meet a heron than another hiker.
Tusket & Argyle – Acadian roots run deep here. Sip small-batch beer at a riverside brewery, tour the 1830 granite courthouse, then follow the Taste of Tusket trail for chowder and rappie pie.
Cape Forchu & Overton – Drive the 8-km “Lobster’s Tail” route to Nova Scotia’s most photogenic lighthouse, climb the apple-core tower, and watch the sun melt into the Atlantic.
Top Things to Do This Week
- Climb Cape Forchu Lighthouse for 360° ocean views and a selfie you’ll keep forever.
- Feast at Seafest (July 12–17, 2025): schooner races, seafood cook-offs, and fireworks over the harbour.
- Night-sky safari: Yarmouth County sits inside a UNESCO-certified Starlight Reserve—pack a blanket and wish on shooting stars.
- Paddle the Tusket River at sunrise, then refuel with a bakery’s still-warm molasses buns.
- Day-trip to Maine on the CAT, or let the ferry bring America’s explorers to you—either way, passports get stamped and horizons widen.
Plan Your Stay
Sleep: beachfront cottages, boutique inns, and forest-fringed luxury lodges—browse availability or let our local concierges book for you.
Taste: lobster rolls in summer, digby scallops in fall, and Acadian meat pies whenever you need comfort food.
Explore: hiking, sea-kayaking, whale-watching, museums, festivals—our interactive map puts every trailhead and clam shack at your fingertips.
Insider tip: July and August rooms sell out fast—reserve six weeks ahead, especially during Seafest or long weekends.
Latest From the Blog
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(Fresh stories every Friday—subscribe for a heads-up.)
About Us
Latest From the Blog
- 48 Hours in Yarmouth Without a Car
- Stargazing 101: Best Spots & Gear
- How to Order Lobster Like a Local
(Fresh stories every Friday—subscribe for a heads-up.)
YarmouthVillages.com is written by locals who fish these waters, hike these trails, and know which wharf serves the hot chocolate that thaws a foggy night. We keep the info current, the opinions honest, and the welcome warm. Have a question? Reach out—community starts with conversation.