Nova Scotia has 3 seasons: Summer, Fall, and lobster!  Lobster season in Southwest Nova Scotia runs from the last week in November to the last week in May, and the lobsters caught in this region make up for 40% of all lobsters caught in Canada.  Because this has become a family tradition, going back generations, the Southwest region of Nova Scotia celebrates lobster season the entire month of February with the South Shore Lobster Crawl.  If you love lobster and want an inside look to a multi billion dollar industry then pack your bags and head to Nova Scotia this February! 

This is one of the most fun winter vacations you can take and if you are a big New England fan then you will definitely fall in love with Nova Scotia!

Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl Day 1:

Fly into Halifax.  There are 2 hotels I recommend: The Westin, and The Prince George Hotel.  Both have beautiful rooms and great restaurants to hunker down in  for your first evening in town!

Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl Day 2:

Explore Halifax! This darling Canadian city is full of friendly locals, great eateries, and a perfect blend of 18th and 19th century architecture. Great for exploring on foot, you can discover museums, galleries, libraries, and take in the views along the waterfront. To see all Halifax has to offer go read The Best Things to do in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl Day 3:

Start the lobster crawl by exploring the Southwestern region by heading to one of Nova Scotia’s most iconic landmarks: Peggy’s Cove.  The lighthouse sits up high on granite smoothed by the waves while the harbour is full of the colors and texture of a true fishing lifestyle:  red fish sheds with wearing paint, little cottages that dot the coast, and bright fishing boats waiting to take voyage again.

Continue along the Lighthouse route to explore the picturesque town of Lunenburg! Most tourists make it a point to stop in Lunenburg Nova Scotia, with its perfect views, beautiful wooden architecture, and historical churches, the town makes for a postcard setting.  To read more about the history and architecture of Lunenburg read: Architectural Series: Lunenburg Nova Scotia, Not Just Another Pretty Little Town.

While in Lunenberg we did a walking tour with Lunenburg Walking Tours, visited Iron Works Distillery, and had a fantastic lunch at The Grand Banker Bar and Grill.  This is an idea way to spend the day in this gorgeous little seaside town!

Moving along to Summerville Beach where we stayed at the Quarterdeck Resort and Grill!  Before dinner we opted for a painting lesson from Andre Hines and I {attempted} to paint a lobster boat!

Afterwards we enjoyed a leisurely dinner in the beautifully decorated Quarterdeck Grill.  I enjoyed Nova Scotian wine while eating dinner from a lobster inspired menu!

The next morning I enjoyed a cup of coffee and the sunrise from my deck.  The view from the Quarterdeck Resort is stunning!

Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl Day 4:

We continued our tour along the lobster crawl to Barrington  {Lobster Capital of the World} where we watched Lucy the Lobster crawl out of the cold wintery waters in search of her shadow to predict how much longer winter will last.  This is a big celebration and the whole town shows up to support Lucy on her journey!

After Lucy’s predictions we explored Cape Sable Island which is very reminiscent of a lot of Maine’s coastlines.  Harbors full of fishing boats and dinghys all reminding you of the hard work of a fisherman.

Moving right along we toured a Lobster Facility – Fisher Direct!  We were able to speak with the owner, Tyler Nickerson, and learn all about the state of the art technology that allows them to hold, sort, grade and export live lobster to anywhere in the world.  We also learned alot about how the fishing industry has changed in Canada and what the future brings.  It was an eye opening and fascinating experience to learn more on the back industry of the lobster trade!

Next up we learned how to make a Nautical Monkey’s Fist, which is a fancy name for a knot that is used quite a bit in home decor as well!  It isn’t as easy as you would think!  This knot is served as a weight for fisherman, making it easier to throw!

Lunch! We  ate lunch at Captain Kat’s Lobster Shack, obscurely located in a tiny strip mall, this lobster shack is the real deal.  Serving fresh lobster in a variety of ways, all of which were insanely good….so good that I wrote an entire post on it –  The Ultimate Lobster Feast at Captain Kat’s Lobster Shack!

After eating ALL the lobster it was time to head to our next resort – White Point Beach!  White Point Beach is a large property that offers cottages, vacation homes and guest rooms.  The resort offers quite a few activities year round, even in winter they offer surf lessons!

Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl Day 5:

The Great Canadian Lobster Fishing Feast!! This tour is offered exclusively through White Point Beach and it is one of a kind! We became members of the crew onboard a lobster fishing boat, the JKC with Captain Crouse and headed into the Atlantic to fish for lobster.  This gives you a true view of a day in the life of a lobster fisherman.

And it is no joke! The temps were below freezing the laws for which lobsters you can keep and which to toss back are strict.  From pulling up the traps, measuring the lobsters, early morning temperatures, and day after day of fishing, these guys work hard!  All you have to do for this tour is show up with adequate clothing, all the fishing gear is provided! 

After a morning on the water we headed back for lunch before sitting in on an event with Chef Alain Bossé, The Kilted Chef! Chef Alain talked about the North American Lobster, providing valuable information on how to cook it, and even key facts about the lobster life! Chef Alain is a delight to listen to and has a vast knowledge on Acadian receipes and even has cookbooks available – they can be found at www.kiltedchef.ca.

Then the main event of the lobster crawl!  Every year there is a lobster roll challenge where a number of South Shore operators offer their take on the classic lobster roll!  They actually let ME be a judge!  This was so much fun, and the locals take this very seriously, as they should, and I can’t recommend it enough! Pile into a room and watch each roll get judged to determine who can claim the best lobster roll in Barrington!

Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl Day 6:

Make the trek back to Halifax to check off more sights to see before leaving the next morning!

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