Located on Canada’s East Coast, the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island boast Canada’s most spectacular and pristine coastline. Here you’ll find lush vistas and uncrowded beaches, breath-taking scenery and a vibrant and welcoming culture that will ensure you feel like a local in no time.
New Brunswick
See the Bay of Fundy
Few places on Earth are as awe-inspiring as New Brunswick’s world-renowned Bay of Fundy. A visit to this special place will reward you with magnificent tides, breath-taking coastline and long-lasting memories.
The Bay of Fundy tides are best explored at Hopewell Rocks, where you can walk around the famous “flowerpot rocks” at low tide then watch them slowly disappear as the tide rises. Bike along the Fundy Trail, set up camp at Fundy National Park or head out to sea on a whale-watching excursion.
Be at one with nature
Nature experiences in New Brunswick offer the chance to see whales, bears, shorebirds, inland birds and other amazing wildlife and marine animals.
Birding aficionados are wowed by the many species on display here – from Atlantic puffins and great blue herons to sandpipers and bald eagles.
A number of whale-watching excursions take visitors out to sea, where you can see these majestic marine animals, playful harbour seals and grey seals and other ocean life in their natural habitat.
Have fun at a festival
New Brunswick is home to many great summer events. Whether you’re sampling some local food and wine at culinary events or singing and dancing along at music festivals, you’ll celebrate with the locals and feel the pulse of the region’s vibrant cultural scene. Two notables include the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in Fredericton, Eastern Canada’s premier musical experience, and the Acadian Festival, the two week festival celebrating Acadian culture with the grand finale, Le Grand Tintamarre (the big parade) on 15 August, National Acadian Day. Ask us about events when planning your trip so you don’t miss out on any of the fun!
Immerse yourself in culture
Immerse yourself in the story of New Brunswick’s people, architecture and landscape. Each one of the region’s historic sites and heritage museums provides curious travellers with the tales of times gone by. A mixture of British, Scottish, Irish, French Acadian and First Nations, the people of New Brunswick love to share their province with visitors. In Canada’s only bilingual province, experience the renowned Acadian joie de vivre (love of life) where a warm welcome greets you everywhere you turn.
Jump into the past at a living history museum, where you may find yourself spinning yarn at Kings Landing Historical Settlement or sharing a traditional meal at Village Historique Acadien. Natural history museums include the New Brunswick Museum – which features three levels of history, natural sciences and fine art exhibitions.
Newfoundland & Labrador
Iceberg Experiences
When it comes to viewing icebergs, this is one of the best places in the world. On a sunny day, these 10,000-year-old glacial giants are visible from many points along the northern and eastern coasts. They come in every shape and size, with colours from snow-white to deepest aquamarine. Despite their arrival from the Arctic every spring, locals and visitors alike are in awe of them every time they come around! Essential for the trip, follow IcebergFinder.com, the premier place for finding the best icebergs surrounding Newfoundland & Labrador.
Take a hike
There's something about Newfoundland & Labrador that nurtures your mind, body, and soul – once you visit, you’ll understand how. Here you’ll find 29,000 kilometres of pristine coastline intertwined with beaches, sea stacks, and almost 300 hiking and walking trails, including historic footpaths between abandoned fishing communities. Along the way you may see seabirds, whales, and icebergs. Keep an eye out for moose and boreal songbirds too!
Take to the waters
As aforementioned, Newfoundland & Labrador is blessed with stunning coastline, including an abundance of breath-taking fjords, bays, guts, and inlets – not to mention the inland rivers, lakes, and ponds – in essence, it is the perfect place for adventuring on the water. See it all in our cruise tours. Ask us about a guided kayaking tour, where you can dip your paddle while watching breaching whales. In fact, the province is home to the world’s largest population of humpback whales. Don't forget to look for puffins, kittiwakes, and gannets that reside in the many cliffs, crags, inlets and islands around the coast, and on the ocean itself. View a spectacle of millions of birds nesting on the province's offshore islands and headlands.
Understand the origins of the Earth
Newfoundland & Labrador showcases some of the oldest rocks and fossils on the planet.
Visit St John’s “The Johnson GEO CENTRE” located on Signal Hill, and take a journey deep, deep underground amidst rock that’s more than 500 million years old. Get to know the volcanoes, earthquakes, and natural forces that shaped our world at this impressive geology centre. Journey to the southernmost tip of the Avalon Peninsula and take a guided tour at Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See fossils of creatures that lived more than 550 million years ago, when all life was in the sea. This is the best place on Earth to witness evidence of the planet’s earliest multicellular life.
Nova Scotia
Cabot Trail
Cape Breton Island, home to the famous Cabot Trail, is one of the world’s most scenic drives. The natural beauty of the area provides the perfect place for outdoor activities such as golfing, kayaking, hiking, cycling, and whale watching. Play a round of golf at the famous Highlands Links, peruse artisan shops along the trail, or just drive and take in this 300 kilometre (186 mile) highway that offers spectacular coastal views, highland scenery and warm Celtic and Acadian hospitality.
Peggy’s Cove
Nova Scotia is home to over 160 historic, and beautiful, lighthouses. You won’t find any as photographed as the one in the vibrant fishing village of Peggy’s Cove though! Built in 1915, Peggy’s Point Lighthouse still keeps watch over crashing ocean waves and working lobster boats. Climb over giant granite rocks worn smooth by the sea and delight in stunning ocean views.
We offer sightseeing day-trips to Peggy’s Cove, just speak to one of our team today to find the best option to fit in with your travel plans.
Travel in style with these railway journeys.
Eat Lobster
Nova Scotian lobster is arguably some of the best lobster in the world – eating it is a must-do when you visit!
If you want to pick your own lobster, you can visit the Hall's Harbour Lobster Pound and select it from a tank, or for something different, head to Northumberland Fisheries Museum to adopt a lobster. Replace with a summertime lobster adventure.
Visit Lunenburg
This UNESCO World Heritage Site – characterised by its narrow streets and charming architecture – is also the home port of Nova Scotia’s sailing ambassador, the Bluenose II. Wander Old Town Lunenburg’s distinctive waterfront with its colourful buildings and listen for the sea-stained tales of seafaring and rum-running.
Prince Edward Island
Hike the Confederation Trail
In 1989, Prince Edward Island’s railway was abandoned, and the Confederation Trail was born. The trail is perfect for walking and cycling in the summer and is used for snowmobiling in the winter. With beautiful rolling green landscapes, charming villages and seascape surrounds, the trail is the perfect way to explore Prince Edward Island.
The 435 kilometres of rolled stone dust trail has only gentle undulation, ideal for visitors of all fitness levels. Along the trail, you’ll find amazing food, stylish accommodation and fun activities.
See the setting of “Anne of Green Gables”
Lucy Maud Montgomery’s magical tales in her book “Anne of Green Gables” were set in a place people could only dream of visiting when it was first published in 1908. As time passed and the book grew in popularity around the world, millions of fans have discovered the land that captivated everyone’s favourite red-headed young lady, Anne. There are Anne-related attractions all over the Island.
Explore the Coast
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.
Canada’s Food Island
There are many advantages to a small island, especially this one. The land here is rich, producing a bounty of fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy products. PEI’s waters teem with fish, as well as lobster, oysters, and other shellfish. Ask almost anyone in the world where the best mussels come from, and they'll tell you: Prince Edward Island. Farmers and fishermen provide the ingredients and award-winning chefs turn those fresh ingredients into culinary masterpieces.
If you have been inspired to visit Atlantic Canada click here to discover our suggested itineraries or contact our experts on 0161 888 5632.
