Atlantic Canada's Tides and Parks

Day 1 - UK to Halifax

Arrive in Halifax, collecting your car hire before traveling to your hotel. Spending the rest of your day at leisure. 

Day 2 - Explore Halifax

Halifax is located on one of the worlds’ largest natural harbours and bears all the hallmarks of both a modern and historic city. You can discover its proud maritime heritage in the many museums and along the waterfront area, including the restored Historic Properties. Visit the Citadel that has guarded the city since the 18th century, the public gardens or sail on a harbour cruise.

We have included a walking and food tour of Halifax Harbourfront allowing you to get fully acquainted with the city. 

Day 3 - Halifax to Western Shore/Lunnenburg (75km)

Drive along the Lighthouse Route to the fishing community of Peggy's Cove. This picturesque fishing Village is surrounded by bear granite and coastal barrens with trails leading to its famous lighthouse.

Day 4 - Lunenburg to Kejmkujik National Park, Digby Country and Smiths Cove (158km)

In the morning, stop in Mahone Bay before you take the scenic, crosscountry drive linking the rocky South Shore with the lush Annapolis Valley. Relish the amazing views as you traverse intensive Woodlands dotted with lakes. Explore the Wilderness of Kejimkujik National Park along the centuries old Mi’kmaq canoe routes or follow the hiking trails into its forested heartland. Continue to Annapolis Royal once known as Port Royal and visit Fort Anne or one of the many small galleries or shops

Day 5 - Digby's Country/Smiths Cove

Explore this picture-postcard fishing port with its bustling harbor, home to the largest scallop fishing fleet in the world. Digby is the ideal base for a day trip to Brier Island famous for its whale watching tours where as many as 15 different species of whales can be seen in the Bay of Fundy.

We have included a whales and seabird watching cruise. You will join a scientific survey studying an area teeming with marine life. You will see many species including: humpbacks, fin and the rare and endangered right whales, as well as dolphins, porpoises and seabirds.

Day 6 - Digby to Fredericton (120km)

Enjoy your ferry ride across the Bay of Fundy to Saint John, a charming seacoast city known for the reversing falls and its historic market. Continue inland towards Fredericton. If time allows visit King’s Landing, a historic settlement, just outside of Fredericton.

Day 7 - Fredericton to Moncton (176km)

Today you can explore popular covered bridges enroute to Fundy National Park. Discover famous Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park where you have the opportunity to experience the world’s highest tides. Visit Fundy National Park or Fundy Trailpark, both known for an abundance of hiking trails.

Day 8 - Moncton to Charlottetown (164km)

We recommend to take the route towards Shediac, a small village best known as the Lobster capital of the world! Continue along the Northumberland coast of New Brunswick, celebrating a rich British and Acadian history. Near the base of the Confederation Bridge is the Cape Jourimain Nature Centre, a community-operated ecotourism and environmental education facility open to the public, displaying the cultural history and environmental diversity of the region. Cross to Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province, over the 13 km Confederation Bridge and arrive in the charming city of Charlottetown.  

Day 9 - Explore Charlottetown

Your day is at leisure to explore the Victorian homes and elegant squares of Charlottetown, Despite the 20th-century character the city displays today it still manages to evoke the feeling of a colonial seaport with quaint sections such as Great George Street and Old Charlotte Town. Visit Prince Edward Island National Park and the famous Anne of Green Gables House.

Day 10 - Charlottetown to Baddeck (272km)

Today’s journey takes you past Orwell Corner Historic site to board the ferry across the Northumberland Strait to Nova Scotia. Drive through tranquil scenery and small communities that continue to encompass Nova Scotia’s Scottish, Indian and Acadian identities. Arrive at the narrows of the ocean and eastern reaches of the Northumberland Strait - the doorstep of the island of Cape Breton near the tip of St Georges Bay. Continue on through gentle rolling fields of the bay area as it transitions into the beautiful Bras d’Or Lake lowlands. Arrive in Baddeck, often known as the gateway to Cape Breton Highlands.

Day 11 - Baddeck to Sydney (80km)

We suggest an early start today and to allow time to circle the famous Cabot Trail, one of the most scenic drives in Canada. Enjoy stunning views of sea-sept headlands, steep cliffs, and long beaches. Arrive in the mining town of Sydney in the late afternoon.

Day 12 - Sydney to Port aux Basques (30km)

Perhaps take a little time in the morning to walk the stunning boardwalk before departing for the ferry docks and your day-long crossing of the Cabot Strait. As the ferry sails across the Cabot Strait, keep a close watch for whales and dolphins. White puffins and birds of prey that live on the spectacular cliffs can also be seen. Experience the raw beauty of the Atlantic enroute to Port-aux-Basques, where you disembark the ship.

Day 13 - Port aux Basque to Norris Point (327km)

Today you follow the Trans Canada Highway towards famous Gros Morne National Park. Perhaps stop in picturesque Corner Brook for lunch and a look around the town before continuing to your hotel in the Gros Morne area. We highly recommend a stop at one of the visitor centers to learn more about the region and its attractions.

Day 14 - Norris Point

Enjoy a full day in Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site. Explore Western Brook Pond, take a scenic boat tour on Bonne Bay or perhaps walk one of the many trails in the park. Discover the Tablelands and learn about the fascinating geology of this area. You may wish to plan a picnic lunch at Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse and visit the small exhibit showcasing the heritage of the people and heritage of the area.

Today we have included a boat tour of Gros Morne National Park.Climb aboard a Catamaran and let the skipper and crew of the M.V. Emm-Cat fascinate you with many breathtaking views and visual treasures on this 2-hour boat tour. Live commentary throughout the tour highlights the geological wonders, the rich cultural history and the diversity of this fascinating bay, situated in the heart of Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One has the opportunity to view and photograph eagles, moose, whales, seabirds and much much more in this incredible setting.

Day 15 - Norris Point to Gander (365km)

Today you head east and cross the heart of the island, its towering forests and rocky outcroppings transport you to a primeval landscape. Stop in Grand-Falls Windsor, one of the major commercial centres in Central Newfoundland and visit the Salmonid Interpretation dCentre. Arrive in Gander, one of the most important airports during the Second World War.

Day 16 - Gander to Clarenville (146km)

En route to Clarenville you will experience the serenity and wildlife of Terra Nova National Park. Explore the pristine wilderness along the numerous hiking trails or navigate the coastline by sea kayak. From the hills and deserted beaches, observe minke, pilot and humpback whales close to shore, while dolphins and orcas can be seen cruising Bonavista Bay. Moose, black bears and foxes abound in the local forests and marshlands.

Day 17 - Clarenville to St Johns (198km)

A scenic drive along the Trans-Canada Highway brings you to St. John’s. Travel along Conception Bay where the romantic air of piracy and tall ships still lingers. The frequent mist lends a mystical aura to these parks and villages. Continue to the provincial capital of St. John’s where colorful streets complement the natural beauty of the surrounding hills.

Day 18 - St Johns

Today there is ample time to explore the city of St. John’s and the surrounding area. The city is one of the oldest in North America, the steep narrow streets of the old city leading to the rock of Signal Hill. Visit Cap Spears - the most easterly point of land in Canada and the oldest surviving Lighthouse in Newfoundland and Labrador. St. John’s is a vivid city with a vibrant night life and many festivals and events throughout the summer.

We have included a historical tour of St Johns and Cape Spear. Become acquainted with the city of St. John's and its surroundings, including Cape Spear, the most Easterly point in North America. This is the oldest colonised region in the new world and your local guide will regale you with its steeped history, legends & lore - all flavoured with their personal anecdotes and good humour from which Newfoundlanders are so famous. Enjoy the brilliant vistas from Cabot Tower and Signal Hill, one of the most recognisable skylines in Canada. Walk through a cliffside World War II gun battery, watch for whales and seabirds and visit the oldest standing lighthouse in North America. Other stops include Quidi Vidi Village, Jelly Bean Row, Government House, the Roman Catholic Basilica and an orientation of the shops and restaurants of the downtown core.

Day 19 - St Johns To Sydney (overnight ferry)

Bid farewell to Newfoundland and cross the Avalon Peninsula to catch the ferry in Argentia. Enjoy a cruise on the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 20 - Sydney to Liscomb Mills (262km)

Disembarking the ferry, travel southwards down the coast to Liscomb Mills. Enroute you may wish to stop at Sherbrooke Village, a living museum where costumed interpreters bring history to life. After getting settled, take some time to explore the town and enjoy the views of the windswept coastlines.

Day 21 - Liscomb Mills to Halifax

Embark on the last journey of your holiday, arriving into Halifax and checking in at the airport for your flight home.