Lighthouses & Lobster Rolls: 8 Reasons Fall is Perfect in Maritime Canada
Canada’s Atlantic provinces are always charming, but fall brings out their very best. The season combines dramatic coastal scenery with vibrant harvest flavors, and it does so at a calmer pace than the busy summer months. Here are eight reasons why fall is the perfect time to explore Maritime Canada, with insider knowledge from our Travel Experiences manager and Maritimes local, Jen Hirtle.
Maritime Canada is home to the highest tides on Earth. The Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick sees tides that rise and fall up to 53 feet (16 meters); higher than a four-story building!
1. Weather made for exploring and photographing
Fall in the Maritimes comes with a softer, golden light that transforms the scenery. From the craggy shores of Peggy’s Cove to the fishing boats of Lunenburg Harbor, the low angle of the sun makes colors richer and shadows longer. Average daytime temperatures range from 55–65°F (12–18°C), while evenings dip to a brisk 45°F (7°C), though this can vary greatly within one day. Whichever temperature, photographers often say this is when the Maritimes look their most cinematic, from the fiery treelines along the Cabot Trail or reflections of red and white lighthouses against calm Atlantic waters.
“Scenery-wise you are near water almost all the time, which I really appreciate because you have beautiful beaches and a great coastline. It kind of looks like Scandinavia. All the houses are bright colors because the fishermen used to paint their boat and house the same color, because it was cheaper for them. That’ss why a lot of the houses are these really pretty, bright colors.”
How would you describe the weather in maritime Canada during the fall? Is it ideal for visitors?
“It’s amazing. I actually think that September or October is the best time to visit, mainly ’cause the ocean’s actually warm enough to touch. However, it’s good to know that it is also hurricane season, and if the water is warm enough, the hurricanes may come up the coast. It’s not often that we get slammed with lots of hurricanes, but it does mean that the weather generally is quite unpredictable.”
2. The fall colors rival anywhere in the world
Forests of maple, birch, and oak burst into fiery red, gold, and orange from mid-September through mid-October. Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail is often compared to New England’s fall foliage routes, yet it offers a fraction of the traffic and a wider variety of coastal views. In New Brunswick, Fundy National Park offers dramatic panoramas of fall forests against the world’s highest tides, while Prince Edward Island’s red-soil farmland contrasts beautifully with its colorful treelines.
“If people are trying to see the colors of the leaves change, the chances of seeing that in September are probably going to be low. You want to aim for October, or even November now.”
3. Mouthwatering lobster paired with fresh fall produce.
“The lobster season moves around the Maritimes, so the lobster season is never in one place. It will only be like 3 months in this part of Nova Scotia, two months over here, three months over here that so it depending on where you’re traveling, you could hit the lobster season. Regardless though, there’s almost always good lobster available here.”
Fall in the Maritimes is the perfect time to enjoy lobster alongside the season’s harvest. Lobster chowder takes on extra depth with local potatoes and carrots, while lobster rolls are served with coleslaw made from fresh fall cabbage. In Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, lobster suppers often feature corn on the cob and pumpkin pie, bringing together the best of land and sea on one plate.
4. Seafood festivals and community initiatives bring coastal communities to life
Fall in the Maritimes bring unique events like The Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival in September, which celebrates oysters, mussels, and lobsters with cook-offs and tastings, while the always-on Nova Scotian Chowder Trail connects dozens of restaurants serving their spin on the iconic seafood dish. These events center live music, maritime storytelling, and gathering with locals at the heart of their traditions.
“Look out for the October Celtic Colours International festival in Cape Breton; a music festival filled with lots of different artists. There’s also lots of boating festivals. It’s a real salt of the earth place. Like blue collar workers, very friendly, very helpful.”
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Plus receive latest offers, travel inspiration, and discover how your travels will make a positive impact. Together, WE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®. Subscribe Now5. See historic lighthouses against dramatic backdrops
There are more than 160 lighthouses scattered across the Maritimes, many dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse in Nova Scotia is perhaps the most photographed, its stark white tower perched on granite rocks. But others are equally striking in fall light: Cape Forchu Lighthouse in Yarmouth, known for its “apple core” shape, and Point Prim Lighthouse on Prince Edward Island, the oldest on the island and made of brick. Visiting in fall means fewer crowds and more time to take in these beacons that have guided mariners for centuries.
“There’s a really long history on the East Coast that that everybody kind of forgets once they go into Ontario and Quebec. Like one of the very first French settlements in North America was in the Maritimes. A lot of the first settlers were German, Swiss and Portuguese. My family settled there in, like, the 1760s, which, you know, in North American standards, is very early. If you go through Nova Scotia and up to Cape Breton, a lot of people still speak Gaelic. Because there’s a huge Scottish heritage there so there’s a Gaelic school, Gaelic singing, Gaelic everything, which is really interesting. And then when you’re in Cape Breton as well, you’ll be like this is Portuguese Cove and there’s all these little dots of like, the very first people that came into North America, all sitting around Nova Scotia. So you do feel that in the history.”
6. Smaller crowds make for deeper connections
By September the summer rush is over, leaving fishing villages and towns like Lunenburg (Nova Scotia) or Saint Andrews (New Brunswick) quieter and more relaxed. It’s easier to strike up conversations with locals, enjoy uncrowded restaurants, and explore historic streets without feeling hurried. This slower pace allows for a more personal connection to the Maritimes’ heritage and culture.
“You will find there are lots of independent shops and not as many chains or that kind of stuff, mainly because the Maritimes is very big on trying to keep things small and local. It feels remote at times, like you’re in Nova Scotia and you’re like, wow, I’m in the middle of nowhere.”
St. John’s, Newfoundland (often included in Maritime conversations), was founded in 1583 and is considered the oldest European-founded city in North America still standing.
7. Whale watching remains unforgettable
Fall is still prime whale watching season. The Bay of Fundy, famed for its record-breaking tides, attracts humpback, minke, and fin whales well into October. Off the coast of Nova Scotia, whale-watching tours out of Digby Neck often spot pods breaching against the backdrop of colorful cliffs. With fewer boats on the water compared to midsummer, sightings can feel even more intimate and memorable.
8. It’s harvest season
Fall in Maritime Canada means it’s harvest time. Farmers’ markets brim with local apples, pumpkins, and root vegetables, while coastal kitchens highlight the season’s best seafood. In Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, apple orchards open for tastings and cider sampling, and along the coast you’ll find hearty chowders and lobster rolls paired with fresh cranberry or pumpkin sides. After a bracing coastal walk, nothing feels better than a bowl of creamy seafood chowder or hot apple cider by the fire. It’s these little seasonal comforts and the combination of land and sea harvests that make fall one of the most flavorful times to visit.
“The fall is when like, everybody’s gardens are being pulled up as we move into the winter. Hodge-Podge is eaten a lot, which is fresh garden vegetables like garden peas, green beans, potatoes. You can throw some carrots in there if you choose. And then you parboil it and mix it with heavy cream and a lot of butter. It has to be from the garden. You can’t buy these things from the grocery store. That is a key factor; you have to almost taste the dirt.”
Cape Breton Island has one of the largest Gaelic-speaking communities outside of Scotland, and still hosts traditional ceilidh dances.
Why you should visit Maritime Canada in the fall
Whether it is fiery landscapes, fresh lobster, or the serenity of quiet coastal towns, fall brings out the very best of Maritime Canada. With expert guidance along the way, this season offers a chance to savor the region’s heritage, flavors, and natural beauty at their peak.
About Jason Brasier
I'm Jay – born in Italy, raised in South London. Having French sisters and Hungarian ancestors, I've always been fascinated with the world and its cultures, and I carry this curiosity into my writing for Insightful. My favourite destinations I've traveled to so far have been Italy, Peru, France and Brazil.
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