La Have was an important centre for the Mi'kmaq people, who traded with the Europeans. Samuel de Champlain called there in 1604 on his first trip to Acadia. Henry Hudson made landfall there in 1609 on his voyage on behalf of the Dutch East India Company. Despite being shown hospitality by the Mi'kmaq, Hudson's crew staged an unprovoked assault on the Mi'kmaq settlement. As a result, the Mi'kmaq staged a raid on the next Dutch ship to visit 1611.
LaHave was the capital of Acadia from 1632, when Isaac de Razilly settled on a point of land at the mouth of the LaHave River, until his sudden death in 1636. During this period a fort was built along with a chapel, a store and houses for the workmen in the village. Within twelve months of Razilly's arrival, La Have was a thriving trading post, the centre for a small farming community in the area, and a major port of call for the large fishing fleet. At one point there were five hundred transient fishermen in the settlement.
The Lahave River today has it’s small village by the same name nestled at the entrance of the river adjacent to the Lahave River bakery which is not to be missed. In fact the bakery has a floating dock that you can use for the night or to stop by for a visit.
The river is navigable by large boat for about 8 nautical miles which will take you up to the town of Bridgewater where there is a larger town and a small marina. Before you enter the river there are several great white sand beaches that you can reach by car or boat. The river contiues for another 50 miles past Bridgewater and was once quite famous for it Salmon. Fly fishermen would travel in to fish the river.