New Brunswick Lighthouses
Beacons of light and safety, lighthouses dot our coasts and tell the story of our past.
New Brunswick is home to over 60 lighthouses, many on inland rivers. For lighthouse lovers, there is no better way to spend summer vacation than exploring these magnificent historical and cultural attractions.
Just ask Michelle Girouard, a photographer passionate about lighthouses. She has visited over 30 in New Brunswick alone. Even though they all are special in their own way, Michelle’s favourites are the Miscou Island Lighthouse, the Bouctouche Bar Lighthouse, and the Head Harbour Lighthouse on Campobello Island. Thanks to Michelle for sharing her incredible photos for you to enjoy!
Swallowtail Lighthouse - Grand Manan, NB
Oak Point Lighthouse - Oak Point, NB
Miscou Island Lighthouse
Miscou Island, NB
Originally constructed in 1856, still in use today.
It is open to the public, and visitors can climb to the top and experience stunning views of the sea and sand. The wire stays you see in the photo stabilize the structure after it was moved in 1946 due to the eroding shoreline.
Portage Island Lighthouse
Shippagan, NB
Constructed in 1869.
Originally constructed on Portage Island to guide boats into the Miramichi Bay, it was purchased by The New Brunswick Aquarium and Marine Center and moved to their site in Shippagan in 1986.
Hay Island Lighthouse
Hay Island, NB
Constructed in 1905.
In 1905, an enclosed pyramidal tower replaced the pole light that served as the front range light. The lighthouse is no longer in use; however, it is a tourist destination and is part of the Île-aux-foins Park.
Cape Spencer Lighthouse
Cape Spencer, NB
Originally constructed in 1873.
Located southeast of Saint John, the original wooden structure was replaced with a concrete tower in 1918, 1971, and 1983.
Ritchie Wharf Park Lighthouse
Miramichi, NB
Constructed in 1854.
This lighthouse, part of the waterfront park in Miramichi, is a bit of a mystery. Anyone with information on its history, please comment below. It could be associated with the William Merry House, built by the lighthouse keeper between 1854 and 1860.
Point Escuminac Lighthouse
Escuminac, NB
Originally constructed in 1841.
The light tower shown in the photo is the structure that exists today. It was built in 1966 and is a recognized Federal Heritage Building. It serves as an aid to navigation and also a weather station.
Oak Point Lighthouse
Oak Point, NB
Constructed in 1902.
This Lighthouse is situated at the northern end of Long Reach, a wide, straight section of the Saint John River that runs along the west side of the Kingston Peninsula.
Green’s Point Lighthouse
L’Etete, NB
Constructed in 1903.
L’Etete passage was a busy thoroughfare used by vessels en route to St. Andrews, St. Stephens, and St. George. The Coast Guard Monitoring Station has been a vacation rental property since 2002. The Green’s Point Light Association operates the property and helps fund its maintenance.
Saint John Coast Guard Base
Saint John, NB
Constructed in 1985.
The Coast Guard built a ‘faux’ lighthouse in 1985 as part of its base station. The base was sold by the City of Saint John in 2008 as part of a waterfront development project, and the fate of the lighthouse appears to be undetermined.
Cape Tormentine Lighthouse
Cape-Tormentine, NB
Constructed in 1907.
Located at the end of the former Cape Tormentine ferry wharf, this lighthouse, with its square wooden tower and sloping sides, remains standing today at thirty-two feet.
Anderson Hollow Lighthouse
Harvey Bank, NB
Originally constructed in 1889.
The original structure was built in 1889 on the Anderson Hollow wharf. The lighthouse in this photo was built in 1903 and has been relocated three times. The tower is closed to the public, but the site is open to tourists at Harvey Bank Heritage Shipyard Park.
Cap Lumière Lighthouse
Cap-Lumiere, NB
Constructed in 1865.
An active lighthouse marks the harbour entrance into the Richibuctou River, which has two significant sandbars. Richibuctou was the third-largest shipping port in New Brunswick in the early 1800s.
Quaco Head Lighthouse
St. Martins, NB
Originally constructed in 1835.
The first lighthouse was an octagonal tower with an attached dwelling that could be reached by foot at low tide. In June 1881, a fire destroyed the buildings. A new lighthouse was constructed in 1883, and the present Quaco Head Lighthouse was constructed in 1966.
Photo credit: ExNB Photo Contest
Grande Anse Lighthouse
Grande Anse, NB
This lighthouse is the Visitor Information Centre at Grande-Anse. Stop by on your journey to take advantage of their free services and make your trip the best. They offer travel assistance and itinerary planning, information about upcoming events, attractions and festivals, and even have a gift shop.
Head Harbour Lighthouse
Campobello Island, NB
Constructed in 1829.
New Brunswick’s second oldest lighthouse is only accessible at low tide, as it resides on an island in the Bay of Fundy, and you have to go on foot. Back in its day, this lighthouse helped ships navigate through the fog, shifting tides, and rocks. It is still operational today, but no one is manning the lighthouse as before.
Pointe Sapin Lighthouse
Pointe-Sapin, NB
Constructed 1903.
This lighthouse sits next to a beach north of Kouchibouguac National Park, making it the perfect day-trip destination. It has a salt-shaker style with a square white pyramidal-shaped wooden tower and a red lantern.
Swallowtail Lighthouse
Grand Manan, NB
Constructed in 1860.
Perch on the tip of Grand Manan Island, this lighthouse is the first thing you will see when you take the ferry. This active lighthouse still has its original tower, a stunning 360-degree view, a welcome centre, a gift shop and tours to the top of the lighthouse in the summer.
Pendlebury Lighthouse
St.Andrews, NB
Constructed in 1833.
This is New Brunswick’s oldest mainland lighthouse, at nearly 200 years old. A restoration project was taken on to save the lighthouse in 2010 and it still stands today as one of St. Andrew’s greatest treasures.
