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Where to see the stars within the Acadian Skies & Mi’kmaq Lands

Nova Scotia offers some of the darkest, clearest night skies that you’ll find anywhere in North America which makes us the perfect place to experience stargazing!

Experience the stars from within the Acadian Skies & Mi’kmaq Lands Starlight Preserve, the first region in North America to earn a Starlight certification from the Starlight Foundation, an organization supported by UNESCO. Located within the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve, which also includes the Tobeatic Wilderness Area and nearby Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site.

Looking for ways to experience the starry nighttime skies in Nova Scotia? From camping and glamping to a certified Starlight Resort Hotel, however you do it, the night sky here is absolutely unforgettable.

Here are some of the best places to view the night sky in and around the Acadian Skies & Mi’kmaq Lands region in Nova Scotia.

Trout Point Lodge

Nestled in forest with limited lights to interrupt your stargazing, Trout Point Lodge offers star watching enthusiasts the opportunity to learn about the night sky with the staff astronomer.

Treat yourself to an overnight stay with fine dining and stargaze from our stargazing platform that offers 360-degree views of the sky.

Trout Point Lodge stargazing platform

Deep Sky Observatory

Have you seen the Milky Way? The rings of Saturn? The spiral arms of distant galaxies? Come and discover the night sky the way it was meant to be seen. Let your guide at the Deep Sky Observatory introduce you the vast and beautiful universe from the dark skies of Quinan in the Yarmouth & Acadian Shores region during their Nocturnal Sky Theatre Experience.

Extend your astro-tourism adventure when you book an overnight stay in one of their Sky Bubbles!

Deep Sky Eye Observatory
Deep Sky Observatory Sky Bubble

Ellenwood Lake Provincial Park

Plan your perfect camping getaway at Ellenwood Lake Provincial Park. Explore the many activities available in the park by day and then sit back and explore the starlit sky from the comfort of your campsite, by night.

Starry skies over Ellenwood Lake

Port Maitland Beach Provincial Park

This expansive sandy beach near Yarmouth, Nova Scotia is a popular spot for swimming in the summer months and is known for its gorgeous sunsets. Pack a picnic and head here to catch a spectacular sunset, then stick around for some amazing stargazing!

An Aerieal view of Port Maitland Beach in Nova Scotia at sunset
Sunset at Port Maitland Beach

Wedgeport Nature Trail

Located within the only UNESCO Starlight tourist certified area in North America, the Wedgeport Nature Trail includes a public, wheelchair-accessible viewing platform with tables and benches for you to experience the star-lit sky from.

Starry sky over the Wedgeport Nature Trail

Mavillette Beach Provincial Park

While popular with swimmers and surfers alike, this 1.5 km long sandy beach and its accompanying boardwalks also provides the perfect location to stargaze near the town of Yarmouth.

Milky Way visible at Mavillette Beach

Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site

Canoe, hike, and explore Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site by day then relax under the millions of stars visible to the naked eye from the comforts of your campsite, oTENTik or Oasis glamping accommodation.

Stargazing by the campfire at Keji

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