Welcome to the shell-abration – the place lobster is the focal point. You would possibly even say it’s the lob-star! Not solely did I eat an unbelievable quantity of lobster the week I used to be on the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl, however I additionally heard so many lobster puns – it was lobsteriffic!
I traveled to South Shore, Nova Scotia, for every week in February…sure, February—to participate within the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl pageant. The South Shore Lobster fishing season runs from the final week in November to the final week in Might, and the South Shore Lobster Crawl occurs each February.
I’ve loved many summer time highway journeys to Nova Scotia, however this was my first winter go to. It might be chilly in February, however you received’t even discover it with the abundance of enjoyable actions and occasions in the course of the pageant. Really, it’s an ideal purpose to eat heat Lobster chowder!
Lobster Love
I’ve an unbelievable love of lobster, so after I heard of this pageant, I knew I needed to attend. I like the time and a spotlight it’s a must to absorb consuming lobster. Cracking the lobster and coaxing the meat out of the shells slows me down and places me within the current. I just like the problem and tactile expertise of it – I savor the meals extra that manner. The Nova Scotia lobster meat is nice and desires completely nothing with it, in my view, but I’m not one to show down slightly melted butter!
I’ve traveled throughout Nova Scotia and the Canadian Maritimes for lobster, however I had by no means been there within the winter months – or for a lobster pageant!
Winter is a superb time to go to Nova Scotia – it’s the low season for tourism, and so they typically have fairly delicate winters. Nevertheless, after I was there, we really did have an enormous storm – leaving the little fishing cities lined in a winter wonderland!
Regardless, touring to Nova Scotia in winter is a good way to flee the summer time crowds and get a way more native really feel for the communities within the low season. Positive – not the whole lot is open right now of yr, nevertheless the enjoyment and authenticity of touring within the offseason outweighs that for me each time.
Lobster Fishing Seasons in Nova Scotia
Lobster fishing happens off the coast of Nova Scotia year-round. It’s a ‘provenshell’ factor – Lobster fishing seasons are assigned by province all year long. This permits them to handle and preserve the lobster catch for future generations. And this is the reason irrespective of while you journey to Nova Scotia, you may get recent lobster – even within the winter. It’s lobster season someplace in Nova Scotia!
Lobster season in Southwest Nova Scotia runs from the final week in November to the final week in Might. Lobsters caught on this space (Districts 33 & 34) account for roughly 40% of all lobster caught in Canada yearly.
Why is Nova Scotia Lobster so Scrumptious
The colder the water a lobster lives in, the extra agency and succulent its meat is. As well as, chilly–water lobsters have huge claws (versus warm-water lobsters), and their claw meat may also be consumed. It’s usually thought-about to be the perfect meat on a Nova Scotia lobster!
Nova Scotia has an abundance of cold-water lobsters—and that chilly water is what makes them so good. As well as, the South Shore lobster, which is fished from November to Might, experiences the coldest waters of the yr. South Shore lobster is usually probably the most coveted lobster on the earth!
The place to Eat Lobster in Nova Scotia
There are such a lot of locations to eat lobster in Nova Scotia that it’s too many to record. I’ve made many journeys to Nova Scotia particularly for lobster, and listed here are a number of of my favourite lobster shacks and markets.
Nevertheless, one of the best ways to discover a place to get pleasure from a lobster-riffic meal is to take a look at the Nova Scotia Lobster Path. The path brings collectively a group of 25+ eating places, retail, and fisheries experiences that spotlight the lobster! From lobster rolls to lobster tacos, lobster poutine to lobster fondue, lobster dinner at an upscale restaurant to a country lobster boil on the seaside at sundown. Go to the Lobster path stops, gather stamps, and win prizes!
Lobster Details That Will Shock You
Probably the most shocking factor I discovered on the Lobster Crawl is that a lot of the Nova Scotia lobster is exported. A few of it goes to China…and await it…Maine! That’s proper – 60% of Nova Scotia lobster is exported to the US – primarily Maine!
• Lobsters take 6-8 years to succeed in market weight (~ 1 lb) and are able to dwelling 100 years.
• Lobsters should molt (shed their shells) to develop. Throughout their first yr, lobsters can molt as many as 10 instances.
• Lobsters aren’t naturally crimson. They flip crimson when they’re cooked. Usually they’re brown to olive inexperienced in coloration however have been recognized to be yellow and even blue!
• A lobster’s enamel are positioned of their abdomen and style with their legs.
• A feminine commercial-sized lobster would possibly carry 8,000 to 10,000 eggs. Solely .01% of these eggs really survive. Fishermen are required to place again any feminine carrying eggs.
• The biggest lobster ever recorded was caught in Nova Scotia in 1977 and weighed 44 kilos!
• Lobster moved from poor man’s meals (served in prisons)to one of the crucial coveted items on the earth in a span of 40 years.
Eat Lobster at one in every of my favourite locations on this 1 day Cabot Path Itinerary!
South Shore Lobster Crawl Competition
The pageant’s hub is Barrington, the Lobster Capitol of Nova Scotia. Nevertheless, the pageant has occasions all month lengthy that run from Peggy’s Cove to Barrington. Barrington’s shores are amongst the richest on the earth and lobster has been the financial spine of communities on this space because the 1800’s. It is smart to have a good time the area in its most necessary season.
Secondarily – the Lobster Crawl Competition is about rising tourism in a usually sluggish time of yr. The Crawl is comparatively new and is rising and altering every year. It’s as if the pageant itself molts – getting larger and higher every year! An increasing number of companies are collaborating because the pageant grows in reputation.
See Lucy the Lobster Predict the Climate
Transfer over Punxsutawney Phil, Lucy the Lobster is poised to take your climate job! At 8 AM on Feb 2nd in Barrington (forward of Phil waking up) we bought up early to witness Lucy the Lobster come out of the ocean and search for her shadow predicting extra weeks of winter or an early spring. This cute occasion brings out a bunch of locals, information channels, and guests to expertise the morning festivities. The vitality on the occasion is Claw-some! I loved the recent chocolate and even bought my Shell-fie taken with Lucy!
Month of Lobster Crawl Occasions
I like a great theme, and the South Shore is certainly on ‘lobster theme’ in the whole lot they do in February – it’s spectacular. There are lobster artwork courses, lobster cottages you’ll be able to keep at, lobster meals excursions, lobster trivia nights, lobster cookie adorning, and extra.
Along with Lucy the Lobster’s climate prediction, the large occasions of the month are a few of the meals competitions, such because the Lobster Roll Off and the Lobster Chowder Showdown. Native eating places and cooks compete for bragging rights in South Shore, and everybody wins since you’ll additionally get to attempt a few of the entries your self! They promote tickets to the meals occasions and the ticket additionally offers you an opportunity to style a few of the meals too.
Lobster Roll Off
Since I used to be a visitor of Nova Scotia Tourism on this journey, I used to be additionally requested to be one of many judges for the Lobster Roll Off. The thought was that since I used to be an outsider who beloved lobster, I’d be neutral—I didn’t know any of the eating places or cooks—or anybody for that matter!
Contemplating I watch an inordinate quantity of High Chef, I felt like I used to be meant for this meals choose function! I summoned my inside Padma Lakshmi and compelled myself to eat 8 completely different lobster rolls, judging them on presentation, style, and WOW issue. It was a tough job…however somebody needed to do it!
I beloved judging the competitors and the entire rolls. The winner for 2024 was the Emerald Gentle Restaurant workforce from Shelburne. They entered a singular surf and turf combo with lobster meat and steak within the roll. As well as, it had a reasonably large wow issue! I most well-liked the easier ones with numerous texture and custom, however they had been all nice.
Take a Tour
I’m naturally a curious individual – so after we took a tour of one of many huge lobster-holding services, I used to be fascinated! Fisher Direct’s trendy facility, positioned in Shag Harbour, is fitted with state-of-the-art know-how that permits them to effectively maintain, type, grade, and export reside lobster to wherever within the World. I had one million questions and beloved studying from the specialists and seeing how the lobsters discover their manner from the ocean ground to my plate! They provide these excursions throughout February for the pageant.
Let’s Eat!
The true pleasure of the Lobster Crawl pageant for me is the prospect to eat lobster! I usually desire my lobster ready steamed with perhaps slightly butter – hold it easy. Nevertheless, in the course of the pageant, I had the chance to attempt lobster ready in many alternative methods and even some new ways in which I had by no means heard of!
Methods to Eat Lobster on the South Shore Nova Scotia
With Beer at Boxing Rock Brewery in Shelburne: Boxing Rock is a social hub of Shelburne. The large area has a bunch of scrumptious craft beers, and in the course of the crawl, they serve up some scrumptious lobster meals. Strive their chowder and lobster dip and their barrel-aged beer—it was scrumptious. And don’t miss the brand new Shuck Off Lobsteriffic Blonde beer, which is refreshing. While you go, you should definitely learn up on the origin of their title…it’s an ideal maritime story!
For Breakfast at Kiwi Café in Chester: Lobster is on the menu year-round! You should definitely attempt the scrambled eggs with lobster and freshly baked bread, and spend a while on the cute reward store stuffed with lobster items.
Expertise the Wow Issue Lobster Roll at Emerald Gentle Restaurant: It was the winner for a purpose…it’s scrumptious! However – ensure you save room for dessert. I attempted each one in every of their desserts…sure – you learn that proper…all of them – and I couldn’t decide a favourite! This cute restaurant is comparatively new and is an ideal addition to Shelburne for some upscale eating.
Go Conventional at Captain Kats in Barrington: You’ll be within the lobster temper as quickly as you stroll into Captain Kats with its maritime décor. Select your lobster recent from the tank – however don’t select Lucy! Lucy the lobster really lives within the ‘spa’ at Captain Kats for the remainder of the yr after the climate predictions. This particular restaurant in Barrington was opened to honor a tragic accident within the fishing group. You’ll be able to’t get extra native than this.
Strive creamed Lobster on the Salt Banker on Cape Sable Island: This was new to me – creamed lobster sounded a bit bizarre, however what’s to not like about butter, heavy cream, vinegar, and lobster? This dish began as a staple that fishermen would put together on board after they had been out at sea and can be usually served at Christmas time within the area. It’s historically served on toast. It’s wealthy and scrumptious and value each calorie! Observe it up with the Salt Banker’s selfmade ice cream.
Kilted Chef recipe for Conventional Creamed Lobster
Indulge within the Lunenburger on the Grand Banker in Lunenburg: The Grand Banker Bar and Grill is within the coronary heart of historic Lunenburg. That’s the place you’ll discover their signature dish, “The Lunenburger”: 6 ounces of hand-formed recent native floor beef, smoked mozzarella, smoked bacon, child spinach, generously topped with Nova Scotia lobster (all knuckle and claw meat), and tarragon butter sauce. Served on an area artisan bun and picked with a bacon-wrapped scallop! All I can say is – go hungry!
Nova Scotia South Shore Winter Issues to Do
So perhaps you’ll be able to’t eat lobster 24/7 – darn. However don’t fear, there are many different issues to do in between meals.
Take a drive round Cape Sable Island and stroll alongside Hawk Seashore. Do some chook watching, or simply watch the waves roll in. Additionally, you should definitely cease at a ship harbor on the island (there are a lot of) and take a look at the well-known Cape Islander fishing boats. The boat was designed and constructed on Cape Sable Island in 1907. It has been modified from its unique design over time to adapt to the present-day necessities of the fisherman, however the hull of the boat has remained mainly the identical.
Go to the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in Birchtown. The museum honors black loyalists who arrived in 1783, making Birchtown the most important free black settlement in North America at the moment. The historical past there’s beautiful and one thing you hear little or no about usually.
Try Shelburne’s historic waterfront buildings. It’s as if time has stood nonetheless on Dock Road. You’ll discover an ideal espresso store, the Dory Museum, and the Museum by the Sea. After I was there, it snowed in a single day, and Dock Road was lined in snow and so quiet—I beloved it! It’s simply another excuse to go in winter!
Take a strolling tour of Outdated City Lunenburg. This UNESCO-recognized city was based on shipbuilding. The tour is crammed with fascinating historical past and 18th-century and Victorian structure. Its colourful properties and church buildings will transport you again in time.
Go to the Fisheries Museum in Lunenburg. That is one in every of my favourite museums in Nova Scotia. It’s stuffed with historical past and knowledge on the fishing business. You’ll even be capable to discuss to retired fishermen from the group to get first-hand tales of the treacherous waters. That is additionally the place the well-known Blue Nostril ship docks.
Go to the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove. This is among the hottest vacationer spots in the summertime in all of Nova Scotia. Nevertheless, within the winter – we had been the one individuals there! It’s a good time to have this iconic vacation spot to your self!
Take a dip on the Hydrothermal Spa at Oceanstone Resort. There’s nothing higher than stress-free after an enormous lobster meal within the scorching swimming pools or saunas at Oceanstone Resort! The outside spa has a ‘thermal circuit’ you’ll be able to observe from sauna to chilly plunge pool to scorching tub that may depart you feeling refreshed and relaxed.
The place to Keep for Lobster Crawl Occasions
Because the Lobster Crawl occasions happen throughout South Shore, I’ve supplied some choices in numerous cities. I recommend a number of days in one in every of these locations and use it as an anchor…sure…yet one more pun.
Starboard Inn & Portside Lounge – Barrington
Starboard Inn Chalets & Motel is positioned on Nova Scotia’s scenic South Shore within the lovely seaside group of Barrington Passage. Take pleasure in many close by seashores and ocean views, or stroll the stress-free path throughout from the Motel to the ocean.
Verify costs and availability for The Starboard Inn | Learn critiques for The Starboard Inn on Journey Advisor
Loyalist Inn & Suites – Shelburne
Escape the hustle and bustle of on a regular basis life and immerse your self in small-town appeal on the Loyalist Inn. This central location gives a variety of facilities to make your keep as snug and pleasing as attainable.
Verify costs and availability for The Loyalist Inn | Learn critiques for The Loyalist Inn on Journey Advisor | Seek for different inns in Shelburne
The Quarterdeck Beachside Villas & Grill
The Quarterdeck is one in every of Nova Scotia’s hidden treasures. Centrally positioned on Nova Scotia’s South Shore, the Quarterdeck is only a 1.5-hour drive from Halifax, Yarmouth, and Annapolis Royal. Perched on spectacular Summerville Seashore, a mile from one of many province’s nicest white-sand seashores, the Quarterdeck has been a well-liked journey vacation spot for greater than 85 years.
Verify costs and availability for The Quarterdeck Resort | Learn critiques for The Quarterdeck Resort on Journey Advisor
Lunenburg Arms Lodge and Spa
Nestled within the coronary heart of historic Outdated City Lunenburg on the South Shore area of Nova Scotia, Lunenburg Arms Lodge & Spa means that you can savor the sights of the gorgeous seaside city as you bask in an distinctive leisure expertise.
Verify costs and availability for The Lunenburg Arms | Learn critiques for The Lunenburg Arms on Journey Advisor | Seek for different inns in Lunenburg
Oceanstone Seaside Resort – Peggy’s Cove
Nestled right into a seaside group minutes from Peggy’s Cove, you can see a premier resort vacation spot for relaxation and leisure. Keep at their superb inn rooms or cottages good for bigger teams. All have a kitchen and nice entry to mountaineering trails. You’ll be able to even see the ocean out of your window.
Verify costs and availability for the Oceanstone Seaside Resort | Learn critiques for Oceanstone Seaside Resort on Journey Advisor | Seek for different inns in Peggy’s Cove
Winter is an ideal time to go to Nova Scotia. It’s simply as lovely within the snow as in the summertime. Not solely will you could have the favored locations, inns, and eating places to your self, however you’ll additionally get a few of the finest cold-water Nova Scotia recent lobster!
Try my winter gear packing record – it can hold you heat in Nova Scotia winter!
The Lobster Crawl pageant lived as much as my expectations in each manner – with each single calorie. And fairly actually – I by no means bought uninterested in consuming lobster. A number of days on the Lobster Crawl pageant, and these tasty crustaceans will claw their manner into your coronary heart! It’s an ideal winter foodie trip that is filled with tradition and alternatives to satisfy and work together with locals in a significant manner.
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10/22/2024 09:47 am GMT
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Disclosure:
I used to be a visitor of South Shore Tourism and Nova Scotia Tourism for this journey. Nevertheless all lobster love and opinions expressed are mine!