Ever witnessed a tidal bore? How about strolled along a coastal path watching icebergs gently float by offshore? You may well have eaten fresh lobster before, but have you done so in the Lobster Capital of the World, savouring the morning’s catch?
The four provinces that sit along Canada’s Atlantic coastline offer diversity and incredible experiences in abundance. The country’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island combines with Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to form a bumper region of rugged coastal beauty, colourful villages and varied heritage. Add in rich marine wildlife, nautical traditions and fine seafood and there’s a lot of love about Atlantic Canada.
A whale of a time
At number one for a reason, whale watching is a must when visiting Atlantic Canada with multiple locations for doing so. Fin, minkes and the rare North Atlantic right whale can be spotted in the nutrient-rich Bay of Fundy, with occasional appearances by sei and blue whales too. But it’s crowd-pleasing humpbacks that tend to steal the limelight with blows rising 6-7 meters into the air, a tendency to breach and a graceful kick of the tail fluke as they dive. Take your pick of several whale watching locations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as well as encountering the world’s largest population of humpback whales off the coast of Newfoundland & Labrador. Summer is the best time for seeing humpbacks, though the whale watching season typically runs from May to September.
Footloose and fancy free
Nothing beats a good walk and like many places in Canada, opportunities to put your best foot forward are plentiful in Atlantic Canada. Clifftop treks with panoramic views, meandering forest trails, beach strolls and epic rambles through timeless scenery might all feature as you navigate through each province. Uncover ancient geology in Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park and step out towards the ocean on the Skyline Trail, one of several hikes along the scenic Cabot Trail driving route. Take it down a notch or two with a leisurely stroll through the sand dunes and rust-coloured beaches of Prince Edward Island, tackle a portion of the Island Walk that loops around the island or enjoy the sheltered cool of forested trails in Fundy National Park.
The tide is high
The stunning coastline around the famous Bay of Fundy boasts the highest tides in the world, which rise as much as 16m at the head of the bay. Witnessing the rise and fall of the tide is a New Brunswick ‘must-do’. Take in changing coastal views journeying through the connected Fundy Trail Provincial Park and Fundy National Park and head to Hopewell Rocks for the ultimate spectacle of how these tidal extremes transform the landscape twice daily. Here, sandstone sea stacks that have been sculpted by tidal forces dot two kilometres of shoreline. Paddle around these iconic rocks on a guided kayaking tour at high tide, then step out onto the ocean floor six hours later at low tide.
Fundy’s high tides also create the phenomenon known as a tidal bore, where a tumbling wave gushes upstream seemingly defying the laws of nature. This occurs twice daily on the Salmon River at Truro, Nova Scotia, and makes for an extraordinary rest stop if you time it right.
Big bergy bits
Frozen behemoths once attached to Greenland’s mighty icecap, the wondrous icebergs that float down the coast of Newfoundland & Labrador each spring and summer are remnants of ancient Greenlandic glaciers. These exquisite ice cathedrals form an incongruous backdrop to the province’s scenic coastline as they drift with the current along a route known as Iceberg Alley. From the northern tip of Labrador to southeast coast of Newfoundland, one of the top spots for an ice encounter is Twillingate. Gaze seaward from shore or hop on a boat trip to marvel at the varied shapes and hues of these glacial giants up close. Late May and early June are the time to visit, and you might get a tri-factor of sightings: icebergs, seabirds and whales.
Sea food, definitely eat it
The Maritimes, that is the three more southerly of the Atlantic provinces, are the place to dine on seafood. Be sure to savour a lobster roll or few on your travels, devour Digby scallops in Nova Scotia, and overdose on oysters in Prince Edward Island. You could really push the boat out and join a lobster fishing cruise from Shediac, which claims the title ‘Lobster Capital of the World’. This novel experience offers a unique interlude on route to PEI from New Brunswick. Seafood lovers should plan to visit PEI in September for the International Shellfish Festival, Atlantic Canada’s biggest kitchen party.
Cod is King in Newfoundland & Labrador, and you’ll find it on the menu in most restaurants—whether it’s fillet style, fish and chips, or even cod tongues—a local delicacy. Crab, scallop, and lobster are also in abundance, so bring your appetite.
Step back in time
There’s no shortage of history to delve into around Atlantic Canada, from the noon gun that keeps Halifax running on time to the inspirational setting for one of Canada’s most beloved fictional characters, Anne of Green Gables. The European heritage of the region is unmistakable with Scottish, Irish, French, English and Viking influences all found in its multi-cultural history. The name itself speaks of the Celtic influences of Nova Scotia, but you’ll also find British and French colonial history with the colourful wooden buildings of UNESCO-listed Old Town Lunenburg and the historic fortress of Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island.
Dive further into the past uncovering Viking legends at L’Anse aux Meadows Meadows on Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula. These early settlers, led by Leif Erickson, were the first Europeans to land in the New World and the reconstructed Norse settlement on the archaeological site brings 1000-year-old history to life.
Indigenous culture is not to be overlooked. Learn through storytelling and immersive experiences about the indigenous peoples that have inhabited this region for thousands of years. For a unique look at each First Nation, attend, attend one of the many powwows, a celebration of songs, dances, authentic food and artwork throughout the summer months.
And it’s not just the human history to discover. UNESCO listed Joggins Fossil Cliffs in Nova Scotia are acclaimed as holding the world’s best example of Coal Age fossils recording evidence of ecosystems that were thriving 354 to 290 million years ago.
While Gros Morne National Park, also a UNESCO site, showcases epic scenery that seems as old as time. Take in the majesty of Western Brook Pond, which was carved out by glaciers and get a glimpse of what lies beneath at Tablelands, where the earth’s mantle lies exposed. In New Brunswick, Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark is a 2,500km region with a geological history dating back 1 billion years.
Plan Your Trip
Our 18-day Atlantic Coastal Quest packs in the highlights of the Maritimes and Newfoundland in an in-depth self-drive. Drive the Cabot Trail, visit iconic sites like Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove, hike in Gros Morne, search for whales in the Bay of Fundy and hop aboard an Iceberg Watch boat trip.
You can reach the wild shores of Atlantic Canada in less than 6 hours’ flying time from the UK. Whether you choose to focus on one province or combine all four in an epic adventure, our experts will create a holiday that is as individual as you are. Call on 01737 214 250 or send an enquiry.