Atlantic Canada
A coastal
destination
With over 43,000 kilometers of diverse coastline, there’s something for everyone
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick share the Bay of Fundy, home to the highest tides in the world at 50 feet. Twice a day, over 160 billion tonnes of seawater flow in and out of the Bay with each tide cycle. At Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick, which have been carved by the power of the tides, you can walk on the ocean floor at low tide and kayak up to 50 feet higher at the same spot just six hours later. This is approximately the height of a four-storey building - it’s truly an unforgettable experience!
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The Bay is also a lush feeding ground for a variety of whales, including humpbacks, minke, pilot, fin, and the endangered North Atlantic Right whale, with only 400 remaining on the planet. In Nova Scotia, visitors can experience the power of the tides by meeting and riding the bore in a zodiac boat. Fun doesn’t even begin to describe this adventure.
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Explore the scenery with a leisurely coastal drive in Prince Edward Island. There are three mapped coastal drives along the Island’s shores. At Prince Edward Island National Park, it’s all about the beaches. Located on the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the province’s northern coast, the park is a collection of several natural areas that highlight the ecosystems found along PEI’s red rocky shores. Outdoors enthusiasts can hike along the park’s many trails or simply enjoy a day in the sun on the beach. The South Shore features the jagged red sandstone cliffs for which the Island is famous, and warm salt water for swimming. In the Eastern end of the Island, there’s a beach with “singing sands”, which squeak as you walk along due to its high quartz content.
Newfoundland & Labrador has a rugged coastline and a long seafaring history. The province is famous for iceberg viewing. Iceberg Alley is an area stretching from the coast of Labrador to the northeast coast of Newfoundland. May, June and early July are the best months for viewing. These 10,000 year old mountains of ice range in colour from snow white to deep aquamarine. The best ways to watch icebergs are by boat tour, kayak, and from land. After the excitement, indulge in iceberg water, vodka, rum, gin and yes even iceberg beer!
Fresh
Seafood
The freshest lobster, oysters, mussels, scallops, clams, crab, halibut and salmon make Atlantic Canada a haven for seafood lovers. Eateries encompass a wide range of culinary experiences, from roadside stands serving simple but so tasty fish & chips to renowned fine-dining restaurants where menus change daily to reflect the day’s best offerings from land and sea.
Whale
Watching
And Wildlife
Experiences
Festivals
Get ready for a toe-tapping good time, as Atlantic Canadians really know how to throw a party! In Newfoundland & Labrador, the Iceberg Festival starts first Friday every June on the Tip of the Viking Trail. It celebrates the coming of spring in the north and the annual arrival of icebergs. The festival features music, food, entertainment, history, culture, great hospitality and of course icebergs.
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In October, amid stunning autumn scenery rivaling New England colours, celebrate Nova Scotia’s Gaelic Culture at the Celtic Colours International Music Festival on Cape Breton Island. Over the years, artists have traveled from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, Brittany, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Germany, and Cuba as well as the United States and Canada to join the finest of Cape Breton's musicians, singers, dancers, storytellers and tradition-bearers for the annual Fall celebration.
Quality whale watching tours are available in Newfoundland and Labrador, in the Bay of Fundy between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, and off the coast of Grand Manan Island in New Brunswick. Atlantic Canada is also home to dolphins, sharks, seals, millions of seabirds and more.
From land, visitors can spot puffins, bald eagles, herons, piping lovers and other seabirds, moose, black bears, polar bears (in NL only), deer, caribou and more, all in their natural habitat. All four provinces offer quality wildlife viewing excursions, ideal for nature lovers and photographers.
Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, home to the fictitious Anne of Green Gables, is also home to one of Canada’s largest country concerts, the Cavendish Beach Music Festival. Past acts have included Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw and Keith Urban.
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The award-winning Harvest Music Festival in Fredericton, New Brunswick features top performers from the region, Canada and around the world. Whether it’s jazz, blues, folk, blues-rock, Cajun or world music, you’ll find it on a Harvest stage.
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Also in New Brunswick, experience renowned French Acadian “Joie De Vivre”, or love of life at the Acadian Festival in Caraquet.
Urban
Experiences
Outdoor
Adventures
For outdoor lovers, Atlantic Canada has the perfect adventure for every comfort level. There are several places to tackle a challenging hike, including the Fundy National Park in New Brunswick, the Skyline Trail in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia and Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland & Labrador. All three areas offer several options ranging from a leisurely stroll to a serious hike. The Confederation Trail offers cyclists and hikers over 250 miles of scenic beauty to discover.
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Golf enthusiasts will recognize Prince Edward Island as Canada’s number one golf destination. The Island is home to over 30 golf courses, including some of the top-rated courses in North America. The Island attracts both not only casual golfers but some of the biggest legends in the sport.
Halifax is the vibrant seaport capital of Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada’s largest city. Stroll Halifax’s waterfront boardwalk past historic sites, shops, restaurants and attractions. Learn the stories of the more than one million immigrants, refugees, war brides and evacuee children who arrived in Canada through Halifax at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. Discover the province’s seafaring heritage and connection to the Titanic at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Explore a rare example of Victorian public gardens in the heart of this modern city at the Halifax Public Gardens. Experience Alexander Keith’s Nova Scotia Brewery, one of the oldest working breweries in North America where costumed animators lead the way through music, stories and yes, beer. Take a city or harbour tour and then enjoy live music in one of many pubs and restaurants.
There are a total of eight national parks in Atlantic Canada, where holidaymakers can enjoy the natural beauty of the region and participate in sea-kayaking, canoeing, yoga on the beach, biking, of course, warm-water swimming and more. Those interested in RVing will discover many options in the provincial and national parks in the region.
For visitors travelling later in the season, in late September and into October, the temperature is still very comfortable for exploring, and there’s the added bonus of spectacular autumn foliage. The fiery reds and stunning yellows and golds rival those found in New England, but without the crowds.
