Digby, Nova Scotia: History, Things to Do and Travel Guide
Digby is a Bay of Fundy town in Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy and Annapolis Valley region, set on the west side of Annapolis Basin. It is known for its scallop fleet, waterfront streets, ferry connection to Saint John, whale-watching access and a history shaped by Loyalist settlement, shipping and fishing.
Travellers should give Digby more than a fuel stop. The harbour, museum, scallop meals, ferry terminal, nearby lookouts and Bay of Fundy routes all connect to the way the town started and how it still works.
How Digby Started
Nova Scotia Archives’ place-name record says Digby is situated on the west side of the Annapolis Basin. It records the Mi’kmaw reference to Digby Neck as Oositookun, meaning “an ear.”
English settlers from Brandywine in New England arrived on the western shore of the basin in 1766. Another group moved from Annapolis in April 1766, and both groups called their settlement Conway after a British army general.
The name changed after the American Revolution. In 1783, large numbers of Loyalists from New England arrived, settled and renamed the place Digby in honour of Admiral Robert Digby. A post office opened in the home of Andrew Snodgrass on November 14, 1784.
The town’s transport role grew with road, rail and ferry links. The archive record says the railway between Digby and Annapolis was completed in 1891, opening direct Halifax-to-Yarmouth rail traffic. Regular ferry service to Saint John, New Brunswick, began with the Sally in 1784, with later vessels continuing the route.
Digby incorporated as a town on April 26, 1890. The archive record describes it as a major Nova Scotia seaport and a centre for distribution, shipping, fishing and general commerce, while also noting the finnan haddie industry started by William Blizzard in 1883.
What Digby Is Like Today
Digby today is a small town with a population attached to this page of 2,152, but its visitor role is larger than its size. The waterfront is the main orientation point, with wharves, restaurants, shops, tour operators, accommodations and views across Annapolis Basin.
The Town of Digby presents the community as the “Scallop Capital of the World,” and the harbour still supports a working scallop fleet. That title can sound like a slogan, but it matches what travellers see: boats, seafood menus, waterfront businesses and a local calendar shaped by the fishery.
The ferry keeps Digby’s old transport role alive. Bay Ferries operates the ferry between Digby and Saint John, New Brunswick, across the Bay of Fundy, making the town an important entry or exit point for travellers moving between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Digby is also a base for the wider Fundy coast. Whale-watching trips commonly depart from nearby Digby Neck and the islands beyond, while local drives lead toward Point Prim, Annapolis Basin views and historic communities along the western shore.
Things to Do and Places Nearby
Start at the waterfront. Walk the harbour, watch the scallop boats, choose a seafood meal and give yourself time for the basin view. The town’s visitor experience begins here.
Visit the Admiral Digby Museum for a deeper town story. Tourism Nova Scotia lists the museum in the historic Woodrow/Dakin home, with collections connected to Admiral Robert Digby, Loyalist settlement, shipping, fishing, household life and local genealogy.
Drive to Point Prim when you want a wider look at the basin mouth and Bay of Fundy light. It is a simple scenic add-on rather than a full-day stop.
Plan carefully around the ferry if Digby is part of a two-province route. Bay Ferries schedules, sailing times, booking rules and weather can shape the whole day, so confirm details before building accommodation or whale-watching plans around an arrival.
Use Digby as a launch point for whale-watching and Fundy drives. Digby Neck, Long Island and Brier Island take time, but they are the logical extension of a Digby stay when marine wildlife, lighthouses and coastal scenery are the priority.
Look for scallop and waterfront events before travelling. The town’s food identity is strongest when the harbour, restaurants and local calendar line up, but dates and programming change.
Quick Facts
- Province: Nova Scotia
- Region: Bay of Fundy and Annapolis Valley
- Community type: Town
- Population: 2,152 in the 2021 Census
- County: Digby County
- Water setting: Annapolis Basin and Bay of Fundy
- Main visitor areas: waterfront, scallop fleet, Admiral Digby Museum, ferry terminal and Fundy coast routes
- Historic themes: Mi’kmaw place-name context, New England settlement, Loyalists, seaport commerce, ferry service, railway and fishing
- Official website: https://digby.ca/
Travel Notes
Digby is easiest to visit by car, especially if you plan to continue to Digby Neck or board the ferry. Downtown and waterfront areas are walkable once parked.
Book ferry space, whale-watching trips and summer accommodation ahead in peak season. Fundy fog, wind and tide conditions can affect views and marine outings, so keep a flexible schedule.