Atlantic Canada is the collective name for the four provinces that sit on Canada’s eastern Atlantic seaboard. These provinces provide a coastal wonderland of sweeping beaches, local characters, a rich and varied history of tradition and culture and some of the finest seafood you’ll find anywhere on the planet. These provinces also offer some of the shortest flying times from the UK to Canada.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is blessed with over 13,000 km of coastline, more than 150 lighthouses, including Peggy’s Cove (the most photographed lighthouse in Canada) and three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Halifax is the vibrant capital and is one of Canada’s best-kept secrets. It’s the perfect place to start your Atlantic Canada adventure. Begin with a visit to Pier 21, Canada’s Museum of Immigration, then meander through the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market. Further afield in the Bay of Fundy, marvel at the highest tides in the world, whilst a visit to the colourful UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Town Lunenburg will immerse you in a charming town of artisans, unique shopping, and traditional salty seafaring tales. For those who love a good road trip then look no further than Cape Breton Island, home of the scenic Cabot Trail.
Prince Edward Island
Although Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island is packed with attractions and sits perfectly alongside a holiday to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The island is linked to the former by ferry and the latter by the Confederation Bridge. Known for its vivid colours and gentle landscapes, Prince Edward Island is the perfect spot to meander through quaint villages, sample luscious seafood and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of its long, sandy beaches. Follow the 250-mile-long Confederation Trail, visit the Province House National Historic Site, the birthplace of the Canadian Confederation, and immerse yourself in the land of Anne of Green Gables.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is a blend of French Arcadian, British, Scottish, Irish and First Nations cultures that sits amidst a 400-million-year-old landscape. Experience the highest tides in the world at the Bay of Funday and Hopewell Rocks, where at low tide you can walk on the ocean floor. Head out to sea on a whale watching tour on the Bay of Fundy, the perfect spot to see finback, minke and humpback whales. Spend time in the vibrant city of Saint John and the more genteel atmosphere of Fredericton, the provincial capital. Stretching along the Arcadian Coast you’ll find the Kouchibouguac National Park where thickly wooded forest leads down to colourful salt marshes and golden ocean beaches.
Newfoundland & Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador are where Mother Nature reigns supreme over colourful fishing villages, a rich provincial heritage, and abundant wildlife and seabirds. It’s also a province with its own time zone and is only a five-hour flight from London!
St. John’s is one of the oldest and friendliest capital cities in North America. Vividly painted houses sit shoulder to shoulder, packed together on the steep hillsides and cascading down the narrow alleyways to the harbour. Experience the true spirit of Newfoundland amongst the traditional music bars and restaurants of George Street, which is closed to traffic during the evening, creating a vibrant party atmosphere.
Gros Morne National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was 485 million years in creation. A hike through the park will take you over the vivid red crust of the earth’s mantle while a boat trip will take you through fjords carved by glaciers millions of years ago. A visit to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, L’Anse aux Meadows, is to stand where the Vikings once stood over 1,000 years ago and, it’s the only authenticated Norse site in North America.
For many, however, Newfoundland and Labrador is synonymous with Iceberg Alley. At Twillingate, you’ll find a rugged coastline teeming with whales, dolphins, harp seals and seabirds. At the right time of the year, it’s also where you’ll see icebergs floating serenely past on the Greenland Current.
More From The Expert – Catherine Blackburn
Visit my website at Catherine Blackburn Travel, follow me on Facebook, or give me a call on 01295 231525
Further Reading From Catherine
- Canada
- Eastern Canada
- Canada: Gold Rush Pioneers
- Australia
- Scandinavia
- New Zealand
- South Africa & Safari
- Caribbean
- Alaska The Last Frontier
- Escape the Winter
- The Evolving Landscape of Travel in 2024: Exploring New Horizons, Sustainability, and Adventure
- California
- Christmas in Lapland
- Florida
- East Coast Cities of the USA
