Yarmouth

Understand

Long connected to fishing due to its proximity to Georges Bank, the town is in the heart of the world's largest lobster fishing grounds and as a result receives Canada's largest lobster landings each year.

History It was inhabited by the Mi'kmaq First Nations (Indigenous) people, who called it Keespongwitk", meaning "Land's End" due to its geographic isolation being at the southwestern tip of the Nova Scotia peninsula. The region may have possibly been visited by Leif Ericson. An object known as the Yarmouth Runic Stone was found at the nearby village of Overton in 1812. It was interpreted by some to have been carved by Ericson, while others feel the markings are natural scratches gradually enhanced over the years. The stone is preserved at the Yarmouth County Museum & Archives. The region was visited in 1604 by Samuel de Champlain, who named it "Cap-Fourchu", meaning "forked or cloven cape." The first Europeans to make a settlement on these shores were the French Acadians in the mid-17th century. New England Planters settled at what is now the town of Yarmouth in 1759; the grantees were from Yarmouth, Massachusetts and they requested that Yarmouth be named after their former home. Yarmouth was founded in 1761 when a ship carrying three families arrived from Sandwich, Massachusetts. During the American Revolution, some in Yarmouth were sympathetic to the rebellion. Following the war, Acadians from the Grand-Pré district who returned from exile in 1767 settled in the Yarmouth area. After the American Revolution, substantial numbers of United Empire Loyalists arrived in 1785. Through the 19th century the town was a major shipbuilding centre, at one point boasting more registered tonnage per capita than any other port in the world. As wooden shipbuilding declined in the late 19th century, Yarmouth's shipowners re-invested their capital into factories, iron-hulled steamships, and railways. Tourism has been a major industry in Yarmouth since the 1880s when Loran Ellis

Getting there

By car From Halifax, take Highway 103 on the South Shore or Highway 101 on the North Shore.

By bus Mariner Shuttle. Shuttle service from Halifax. (updated Nov 2022) Straightline Shuttle. Shuttle service from Halifax. (updated Sep 2025)

By boat Bay Ferries, toll-free: +1-877-762-7245. May 19-Nov 10, departs Bar Harbor, Maine 2PM EDT, departs Yarmouth 8:30AM AST. International car and passenger ferry, daily 3.5-hour crossing between Yarmouth and Bar Harbor. International travel documents are required (see Bay Ferries web site for details). US$115/person + US$199/auto (one way, high season).

By plane 1 Yarmouth Airport (YQI IATA). serves private planes. The closest scheduled services are at Halifax.

Getting around

By bus Yarmouth Transit Service. Local transit, no service Sundays or holidays. (updated Nov 2022)

By taxi R & L Taxi, ☏ +1 902 742-8294. Sea Crest Taxi. +1 902 742-9114. Tri County Cab, ☏ +1 902 742-2323. Yarmouth Town Taxi, ☏ +1 902 742-7801.

See

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Yarmouth Branch, 341 Main St. Cape Forchu Lightstation. Dramatic, bold coastline and historic lighthouse now open to the public. Small museum and tea room. Cape Forchu was named by Champlain in 1605. Drive to Cape Forchu easily from downtown Yarmouth, passing the numerous fishing shanties and lobster pounds along the way. Chebogue Salt Marsh and Chebogue Point. The largest salt-water marshland in the province was once the home of a major Acadian French settlement. Firefighters' Museum of Nova Scotia, 451 Main Street, ☏ +1 902 742-5525. Killam Brothers Shipping Office, 90 Water Street, ☏ +1 902 742-5539. Pelton-Fuller House, 20 Collins Street, ☏ +1 902 752-5539. Sweeney Fisheries Museum, 112 Water St. Explores the Sweeney marine heritage through a number of exhibits including a simulation of a traditional fishing wharf with fishing, processing and ship repair sheds, wharf decks and a coastal freighter. Yarmouth County Museum & Archives, 22 Collins St, ☏ +1 902 742-5539. Local museum relating the town's history.

Do

Beaches There aren't any beaches in the town, but there are a few within a short drive.

John's Cove Beach, Highway 304 (just before you reach the Cape Frochu Lightstation). Sandy curve with views of Yarmouth Harbour Pembroke Beach, Pembroke Cove. Beach on the Atlantic Ocean and a birding destination Sand Beach, Chebogue Rd.

Cinema and theatre Empire Studio 5 Yarmouth, 136 Starrs Road, ☏ +1 902 742-7819. First-run cinema chain. Th'Yarc, 76 Parade St., ☏ +1 902 742-8150. Playhouse and arts centre.

Sport Yarmouth Links, 28 Forbes Street, ☏ +1 902-742-2674, [email protected]. Par 72 golf course (pro shop +1 902-742-2161) Back: 5,897 yards, Front: 5,523 yards.

Tours

Buy

There is an Atlantic Superstore, Sobeys, and Wal-Mart.

Eat

Budget Old World Bakery and Deli, Main St, ☏ +1 902 742-2181. Tu-Sa 9AM–10:30PM. (updated May 2017) The Shanty Café, 6B Central Street, ☏ +1 902 742-5918. M-Sa 6AM-8PM. The Shanty offers homemade Canadian and Cuban food. Vegetarian and other healthy options. Its mandate is to provide meaningful employment to individuals who face barriers to employment as a result of disability, mental illness, age, language, literacy, etc. Burgers $7.50, sandwiches $4.50-8.50, breakfast $3.50-6.50, haddock dinner $8-13. (updated May 2017) Jo-Anne's Quick-N-Tasty, Route 1, Hebron, ☏ +1 902 742-6606. Daily 10:30AM–7PM. Diner with excellent seafood. (updated May 2017)

Pizza Greco Pizza, 334 Main Street, ☏ +1 902 742-6666. Jake's Diner Pizzeria & Deli, 322 Main Street, ☏ +1 902 742-8882. Pizza Delight, 77 Starrs Road, ☏ +1 902 742-9393. Pizza Villa, 624 Main Street, ☏ +1 902 742-7776.

Mid-range

Asian New Century Restaurant, 77 Starrs Rd. daily 11AM-8PM. Canadian Chinese food. (updated May 2017)

Seafood Baileys Lick-A-Treat, 785 Hardscratch Road. May-Oct: W-Su 11AM-7PM. Mains $11-25. (updated May 2017) Rudder's Seafood Restaurant and Brew Pub, 96 Water Street, ☏ +1 902 742-7311. Daily 11AM–10:30PM. A five-minute walk from downtown. Known for its seafood, service and spacious wrap-around deck overlooking Yarmouth's waterfront. The 18th-century beamed ceilings and thick plank floors are part of the draw. Live entertainment most nights of the week. Windlass Restaurant, Kelley's Cove, ☏ +1 902 742-2290. Daily 11AM-8PM. (updated May 2017)

Splurge Blue Lagoon, 73 Starrs Rd, ☏ +1 902 742-1129. (updated May 2017)

Drink & nightlife

Bars & pubs Boston Pizza (Sports Bar), 134 Starrs Road, ☏ +1 902 742-5697. The Red Knight Tavern, 73 Starrs Road, ☏ +1 902 742-1129. Rudder's Seafood Restaurant & Brew Pub, 96 Water Street, ☏ +1 902 742-7311.

Tea rooms and cafés

Sleep

Rodd Grand Hotel Yarmouth, 417 Main St, ☏ +1 902 742-2446. Haley's Lounge and Ship's Bell Restaurant. Point of departure for "Experience Yarmouth by Rodd" bus and walking tours.

Go next

Digby and Pubnico Acadian Historical Village of Nova Scotia (Le village historique acadien), 91 Old Church Road, Pubnico-We