Cape Forchu Lighthouse

06/11/2026

Do you recognize these views? 📸

The drive to Cape Forchu Lighthouse is filled with beautiful scenery, hidden gems and plenty of reasons to pull over.

Take the scenic route this weekend and tell us which stop is your favourite!

Open 10am to 4pm Friday through Sunday. Open seven days a week starting on June 17th!

06/08/2026

Light Keeping Was a Family Affair
Behind every lighthouse keeper at Cape Forchu was a family helping to keep the station operating. From tending the light and fog alarm to farming, fishing, and hauling water, lighthouse life was truly a shared responsibility.
Our attached article explores the remarkable stories of the families who cared for Cape Forchu Lighthouse from 1839 into the twentieth century, illustrating how teamwork, resilience, and dedication helped keep Nova Scotia's mariners safe.
The full article and historic photographs are attached.
Special thanks to Mike Cunningham, YCHS Lifetime Member, for his research and for sharing these important stories and family photographs.

06/06/2026

The forecast is looking pretty good from up here!

Come see us at Cape Forchu this weekend to climb the light, say hi to Grace, meet Herbert and take in the view from the top.

Open 10am to 4pm Wednesday through Sunday.

06/01/2026

Local History from the Cape Forchu Lighthouse
This week, we're remembering the remarkable story of Kate Smith, a young Cape Island woman whose courage shone during two of Southwest Nova Scotia's most dramatic maritime disasters.
When the steamship Express wrecked on Bon Portage Island in 1898, stewardess Kate Smith helped calm frightened passengers, comforted children, and ensured everyone reached safety. After the evacuation, she even returned to the damaged vessel one last time to make sure no one had been left behind.
Amazingly, just two years later, Kate survived the sinking of the City of Monticello near Yarmouth, one of the region's most tragic shipwrecks.
Standing watch over these same waters, Cape Forchu Lighthouse serves as a reminder of the many stories of courage, loss, and survival that are woven into our maritime heritage. Kate Smith's story is certainly one worth remembering.
📖 Researched and written by Mike Cunningham.

05/25/2026

🇨🇦🇺🇸 This Memorial Day, we’re sharing a fascinating story from Cape Forchu Lighthouse as a nod to our American neighbours and the shared history between our countries during WWII.
In August 1941, Cape Forchu lightkeeper Herbert L. Cunningham recorded an unusual journal entry noting that President Roosevelt’s yacht, the Potomac, and nine warships had anchored off Yarmouth. Locals believed the President himself might be aboard.
What they didn’t know was that Roosevelt had secretly departed days earlier to meet Winston Churchill at the historic Atlantic Conference in Newfoundland — a meeting that helped shape the future of the modern world. The Potomac was being used as a clever decoy to hide the President’s movements during wartime.
This remarkable piece of local history was researched and written by Mike Cunningham.
📖 The full article and pictures are included in the photos.

05/22/2026

It’s the wind that gets ya! Here on Cape Forchu, a good hat goes a long way. Our merch shop is stocked with windy day essentials for your next visit.

Open 10am to 4pm, Wednesday through Sunday. See you soon!

11/24/2025

Cape Forchu Lighthouse
Dumping Day 2025

11/24/2025

11/24/2025

The community is gathering to show their support for our fishermen and women.

11/23/2025

Join us at Cape Forchu Lighthouse Monday from 4:30am to 6:00am. The fleet of District 34 will set off at 5:00am. Refreshments and coffee by Blueberry Fields Cafe. Dress warm and take note that the water is shut off for the season, so plat accordingly.