Fishing Villages, Harbourville & Hall's Harbour

 

Harbourville, the best kept secret on the Bay of Fundy, considered by many to be the crowning jewel among the working fishing villages on this side of the Bay. Its natural harbour provides sanctuary to a fleet of colourful boats and is home port to generations of fishermen and their families. A photographer's 'el dorado', visitors and tourists alike marvel at the breathtaking opening scene coming into Harbourville from high above on Highway 360. Rows and rows of lupines and quaint well kept homes and cottages are the gateway to a picturesque postcard harbour scene of unmatched beauty.

Hall's Harbour is a picturesque fishing community located along the shore of the Bay of Fundy. It lends its name both to the small fishing hamlet and to the wider community which takes up an area roughly 5 kilometers square. On the south, the area overlooks the Annapolis Valley, on the north overlooks the Bay of Fundy, on the east Sheffield Vault and on the west Chipman Brook. The area is very scenic and the hamlet itself has been declared a Nova Scotia Tourism Destination Area. The village is reputedly named after Samuel Hall, an American privateer in the American Revolution. Hall used the cove to raid settlements in the Annapolis Valley but was forced to flee and abandon his ship in the harbour by pursuing militia in 1779. Hall's Harbour was first settled in 1826 with the first wharf built in 1836. In later years, legend held that Hall left treasure behind, attracting treasure hunters who have left abandoned pits deep in the woods surrounding the harbour.

When we arrived at Hall's Harbour the tide was at low tide. We could not believe the amount of water that goes in and out of this harbour in a 24 hour period. We estimated the water line shown in the harbour entrance to be in between 20 and 30 feet. It was simply unbelievable. You have to see it to believe it.

 

Nova Scotia is well know for its Lobsters. While we were in Parker's Cove we stopped at a Seafood Market and discovered the grand daddy of all lobsters.