Swallowtail Lighthouse

Why vote for us?

Swallowtail Lighthouse, lit in 1860, is Grand Manan’s iconic lighthouse and one of the most visited and photographed lighthouses in New Brunswick and the Maritimes. The time has come to replace the ninety year-old shingles on both the lighthouse and Keeper’s house.

By far the largest capital initiative ($500,000) ever undertaken for Swallowtail, the project has a number of critical objectives.
a) To protect the historic infrastructure from the effects of time, weather and climate change for the next fifty years.
b) To utilize only Federal Agency approved and Coast Guard specified materials to ensure the historic status of the property is protected.
c) To reduce the ongoing cost of repairs and maintenance of the historic property to ensure its long-term financial viability.
d) To ensure the aesthetic appeal and authenticity of the property, which is widely used for local, regional and provincial tourism marketing and adds millions of dollars annually to the tourism economy.

Community impact

Swallowtail has a one hundred and sixty three year history with the community of Grand Manan. Many of the island’s families can boast a connection to a Swallowtail lightkeeper, or to sailors on ships saved by the light. Today, the families of Grand Manan’s inshore fishermen still trust the light and foghorn to bring their fishers home safely during inclement weather. Our community is proud of Swallowtail.

Swallowtail is Grand Manan’s iconic lighthouse, one of the most photographed in New Brunswick and the Maritimes. It is a key tourism draw, and welcomes over 16,000 visitors to the lighthouse and island each season. A mainstay of the local and regional tourism economies, the lighthouse also draws artists, writers and photographers year-round, and provides an important link for arts and culture.

The lighthouse peninsula creates summer jobs each year for the island’s youth. Jobs at Swallowtail teach and hone skills such as customer service, visitor engagement, retail merchandising and basic accounting, which will stand our young people in good stead as they go forward in their lives and careers.

About this place

Swallowtail is a stunning historic (circa 1860) lighthouse located on a wind and sea-swept peninsula on the northeastern coast of Grand Manan Island. With panoramic views across the Bay of Fundy, the peninsula is a marvelous place for hiking and picnicking while observing the marine mammals, seabirds, fishing boats and superb scenery!

The 55-foot high octagonal lighthouse is anchored to the rocks with steel cables to protect it from nor’east winter gales! The cedar shingle-clad building is painted in the traditional white with red accents, and is home to a Lighthouse Museum. Tours are available seasonally, May through October, to the top of the light tower.

The fully restored Keepers House sits adjacent to the lighthouse and provides accommodation for lighthouse staff and participants in our Volunteer Lightkeepers Program.

The lighthouse is 1,200 feet from the Welcome Centre & Gift Shop parking lot, and is accessed by 54 concrete steps, a high wooden bridge (maintained by the Coast Guard) and a gravelled dirt path.

At the Welcome Centre & Gift Shop you are greeted by friendly and knowledgeable staff who will answer your questions and provide information.