road trip to atlantic canada

Three road trips through Atlantic Canada

Things to do

Explore Atlantic Canada on an Eastern Canada road trip that makes the most of the close proximity of neighbouring provinces with some of the world's most scenic drives. Discover local businesses, from family-run restaurants to cute boutiques, as you drive between stunning scenery on one of these quintessential East Coast Canada road trips. Here's everything you need to know before you go. 

Scenic road trip: Halifax to Charlottetown via Saint John

Explore the most picturesque spots on a coastal route between Halifax External Link Title , Saint John External Link Title and Charlottetown External Link Title .

Distance : 977 km Timing : 5 to 7 days Suggested stops : Halifax External Link Title , Lunenburg External Link Title , Annapolis Valley External Link Title , Digby External Link Title , Saint John External Link Title , Hopewell Rocks External Link Title , Moncton External Link Title , Shediac External Link Title , Charlottetown External Link Title , Cavendish External Link Title , North Cape External Link Title , Summerside External Link Title

Halifax to Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia

Start your trip in Nova Scotia External Link Title 's cosmopolitan capital, Halifax External Link Title . Take a stroll and dine by the Halifax Waterfront External Link Title before driving to your first scenic stop in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Lunenburg External Link Title to explore the colourful colonial buildings. 

Drive two hours west to the lush Annapolis Valley External Link Title to indulge in an abundance of cideries and vineyards External Link Title for a day or two. Make time for a visit to the Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Centre External Link Title to learn about the culture and history of Millbrook First Nation and the Mi'kmaw people of the area.

Digby to Saint John, New Brunswick

Dig into famous scallops in the charming town of Digby External Link Title , known as " Canada's natural aquarium External Link Title " and catch the two-hour ferry to Saint John, New Brunswick External Link Title . 

Spend the night in Saint John External Link Title before taking part in high-octane adventures such as ziplining across the Reversing Falls Rapids External Link Title . These rapids are a unique phenomenon caused by the highest tide on earth: twice a day, the powerful tide from the Bay of Fundy External Link Title roars into the Saint John River, forcing it to change direction. Take advantage of the fast-changing tide to explore the Bay of Fundy and Hopewell Rocks External Link Title two different ways. When the tide is out, walk on the ocean floor to see the flowerpot rock formations close up (be sure to check the tide table). At high tide, take a guided kayak trip with Baymount Outdoor Adventures External Link Title to paddle where you stood just hours prior!

Moncton to Shediac

Make your way to Moncton External Link Title for a taste of New Brunswick local life - pick up locally made cheeses at Les Gourmandes External Link Title and enjoy as part of a picnic in scenic Centennial Park.  

In Shediac External Link Title , the "Lobster capital of the world", stop for a photo with the World's Largest Lobster and savour a lobster roll from Captain Dan's. External Link Title

Charlottetown to North Cape, Prince Edward Island

Cross Canada's longest bridge,  the Confederation Bridge External Link Title , to reach Prince Edward Island External Link Title . Pick up fresh produce in Charlottetown External Link Title for a taste of the island's bounty - on a Saturday, stock up at the Charlottetown Farmers' Market External Link Title . 

Drive 30 minutes northwest to curl up at  Cavendish Beach Cottage External Link Title s and take some time to explore the fictional home of Canada's favourite redhead, Anne of Green Gables, at Green Gables Heritage Place External Link Title . 

Head north to the tip of Prince Edward Island, winding along the red cliffs, to explore the North Cape External Link Title and its Black Marsh Nature Trail External Link Title , a 5.5-kilometre boardwalk. 

Summerside to Halifax

Heading back towards Halifax, stop in Summerside External Link Title to shop for locally made goods at Spinnakers Landing External Link Title or relax on the deck with fresh local seafood aplenty. 

Off-the-beaten path road trip: Halifax to Charlottetown via Fredericton

From sea caves and secluded islands to Acadian villages and ancient rock formations, discover the hidden gems of the Bay of Fundy and beyond taking in scenic Nova Scotia drives.

Distance : 1,658 km Timing : 12-14 days Suggested stops : Halifax External Link Title , Brier Island External Link Title , Grand Manan Island External Link Title , St. Martins External Link Title , Fredericton External Link Title , Kouchibouguac National Park External Link Title , Point Prim External Link Title , Murray Harbour External Link Title , Panmure Island External Link Title , Basin Head External Link Title , East Point External Link Title , Prince Edward Island National Park External Link Title , Charlottetown External Link Title

Halifax to Brier Island

Head out of Halifax to take two short ferries from Digby to your first overnight stop: the tranquil Brier Island External Link Title . Stay at the Brier Island Lodge External Link Title and enjoy this small island where the friendly fishing community is outnumbered by an abundance of wildlife such as whales and seabirds External Link Title .

Recommended add-on: Grand Manan Island

Return to the mainland to catch the larger ferry External Link Title across to New Brunswick where you can add on another island adventure: Grand Manan Island External Link Title . Step into a postcard by staying in a quaint cottage or camp out to photograph puffins (with Sea Watch Tours External Link Title in the summer).

St. Martins to Bay of Fundy

Follow the red cliffs of New Brunswick's coastline to discover the sea caves at St. Martins External Link Title on a kayak trip with Red Rock Adventures External Link Title . Spend a few days in Fundy National Park External Link Title to witness the record-breaking 12-metre Bay of Fundy tides as they transform the famous landscape.  

Fredericton to Kouchibouguac National Park

Head inland to spend a night exploring Fredericton. Get a taste of local history and beer on the Capital City Brewery Tour External Link Title which visits four different breweries and showcases the city's heritage architecture. 

Drive to the Acadian Coast to explore the richness of Kouchibouguac National Park External Link Title . There, the Mi'gmaq and Acadian cultures intertwine with natural wonders including a designated Dark-Sky Preserve External Link Title .

Point Prim to Charlottetown via East Point

Cross the Confederation Bridge External Link Title to Prince Edward Island to join the Points East Coastal Drive External Link Title . Start with a stroll around the Island's oldest lighthouse at Point Prim External Link Title . Meander your way to Murray Harbour to stock up on award-winning seafood chowder at Harbourview Restaurant External Link Title . Work it off with a swim from the white sand beaches of Panmure Island External Link Title .

Stop at Basin Head Provincial Park External Link Title where the high volume of silica and quartz in the sand makes it "sing" when you walk on it. Continue your journey with a guided tour of East Point Lighthouse External Link Title to witness two tides meet External Link Title .

Wander along the boardwalk at Prince Edward Island National Park External Link Title , where you'll find red cliffs that frame coastal bays and accessible beach areas External Link Title . In the summer months, local artist Maurice Bernard runs Sensational Sandcastles External Link Title in Malpeque to teach families how to create beautiful sand sculptures. 

Before returning to the mainland, treat yourself to a night in Charlottetown External Link Title .

Classic road trip with a twist: Nova Scotia to Newfoundland and Labrador

Step onto a storied land and take in the natural beauty of fjords and other fantastic sights along the rugged east coast of Nova Scotia and the wild west coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Distance : 1,450 km Timing : 9 days Suggested stops : Halifax External Link Title , Port Bickerton External Link Title , Guysborough Harbour External Link Title , North Sydney, Port aux Basques External Link Title , Corner Brook External Link Title , Gros Morne National Park External Link Title , Woody Point, L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site External Link Title

Halifax to North Sydney

Head to the rugged Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia and the historic Sherbrooke Village Museum External Link Title , where a heritage tour takes you back to the 1860s and pay a visit to Port Bickerton Lighthouse External Link Title as you drive along the coast. 

Stop to enjoy a sip at Authentic Seacoast Distillery & Brewhouse External Link Title and learn about the 300-year-old rum heritage of the region. Stay overnight in the majestic seaside SeaWind Country Inn External Link Title , before heading to North Sydney to catch the ferry to Port aux Basques External Link Title , Newfoundland and Labrador.

Port aux Basques to Gros Morne 

Book a cabin External Link Title to get some rest on the seven-hour sail across the Cabot Strait. Upon arrival, explore the grounds of Rose Blanche Lighthouse External Link Title and check-in at the Lightkeepers Inn B&B External Link Title . 

As you make your way up the western coast of Newfoundland and Labrado External Link Title r, discover the picturesque community of Corner Brook External Link Title , which is situated at the end of a fjord between the tumultuous Atlantic ocean and Newfoundland's highest mountains, the Long Range. Known as the gateway to Gros Morne National Park and the Humber Valley External Link Title , Corner Brook is also the ideal place to pick up locally made souvenirs External Link Title . 

As you enter the UNESCO Heritage Site of Gros Morne National Park External Link Title the spectacular scenery becomes increasingly dramatic with imposing mountains and deep fjords giving way to beaches, bogs, and barren cliffs. Choose from lakeside flatter hikes External Link Title such as the Stanleyville Trail, which takes in an abandoned logging town, or the more intense Lookout Hills Trail for panoramic views. 

Stay the night, or several, in Woody Point to get a taste of local life and cuisine on the Taste of Gros Morne External Link Title food tour. 

Recommended add-on: L'Anse Aux Meadows National Historic Site

Before returning to continental Canada, make your way north on an epic drive to the tip of the island and L'Anse Aux Meadows National Historic Site External Link Title for a Sagas and Shadows storytelling tour External Link Title . 

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How to Plan an Epic East Coast Canada Road Trip

By: Author Lora Pope

Posted on Published: March 7, 2024  - Last updated: July 5, 2024

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Planning an east coast Canada road trip? Let me help! I grew up in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and lived in New Brunswick for years. I’ve road-tripped the East Coast more times than I can count !

It’s one of my favorite parts of the world, so I created this guide to share all my favorite hidden gems with you.

While not as popular to visit as the Canadian Rockies, an East Coast Canada road trip should not be overlooked.

Humpback whales dancing below towering cliffs, fresh seafood, epic hiking trails, and the friendliest people you’ll ever meet are just some of the reasons to plan an eastern Canada road trip.

This guide will share all the best places to visit on an East Coast of Canada road trip to help you maximize your time.

It’s made for outdoor lovers and packed with incredible nature and wildlife experiences such as coastal hiking trails, boat tours, and wildlife watching.

The truth is, there’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ itinerary – It entirely depends on the time you have available and the activities that interest you most.

You would need at least two months to road trip around all the places I’ve suggested below. But don’t fret if you don’t have that much time – simply choose the ones that interest you most.

I’ve also included some sample routes at the end to help you create a perfect Canadian East Coast road trip itinerary.

Having a car is the best way to explore Eastern Canada! I use and love Rentalcars.com to find the best deals on car rentals in Canada.

New Brunswick Road Trip

Hooray, you’ve made it to your first Maritime province! Many people call New Brunswick a ‘drive-through’ province, but after living here for 18 months, I couldn’t disagree more.

New Brunswick has plenty to see, and it should be part of your East Coast Canada itinerary.

Québec City to Fredericton (593 KM)

Coming from Quebec, your first destination will be the capital of New Brunswick and my favorite city in the province, Fredericton.

Driving from Québec City to Fredericton takes an entire day, so plan to spend a night or two here to enjoy the city’s offerings.

🏠 Staying overnight in Fredericton? The Carriage House Inn is a super cozy, beautiful, and authentic old Victorian Downtown House to retreat after a day of exploring the city.

Visit the Garrison District, which hosts summer outdoor concerts, movie nights, and guided history tours. Then, walk across the Fredericton Railway Bridge.

No longer a train route, the bridge has become a sanctuary for pedestrians and cyclists. You can get spectacular views of the city and Saint John River below from it.

In the evening, enjoy a cold brew at one of the city’s craft breweries.

🚶‍♀️If you’re short on time, this two-hour historical tour of Fredericton is a great way to get acquainted with the city.

Fredericton to Saint John (112 KM)

After a night in Fredericton, head to Saint John ( not to be confused with St. John’s, Newfoundland ).

It’s just an hour’s drive to reach this charming coastal town. You can either stop in for lunch or spend the night in town.

The Chateau Saint John offers tastefully appointed rooms in a primate location for exploring the city’s historic landmarks.

One fun thing to do in Saint John is to take a boat cruise to see the reversing falls, a unique natural phenomenon where the Bay of Fundy collides with the Saint John River. 

Or you can join this walking tour of Saint Johns to discover the city’s most interesting streets and central market – the oldest continuing farmers market in Canada!

Saint John to Fundy National Park of Canada (111 km)

From Saint John, it’s an easy hour’s drive to my favorite place in New Brunswick, Fundy National Park .

You’ll want to spend at least two days here, camping or in a hotel near the park. It’s a paradise for hikers and waterfall chasers – I love hiking here during the summer time.

Fundy National Park to Hopewell Rocks (45km)

One of New Brunswick’s most famous attractions is Hopewell Rocks , home to the world’s highest tides . The tide rises and falls 40 feet or so – twice daily!

To fully appreciate this phenomenon, visit Hopewell Rocks at low tide to walk around on the ocean floor and see the unique rock formations up close. At high tide, take an ocean kayak tour. It was incredible to see the difference in just one day!

🎟️ Save time and get skip-the-line tickets to Hopewell Rocks here

Hopewell Rocks to Moncton (31 km)

After leaving Hopewell Rocks, take a half-hour drive to Moncton, New Brunswick’s most populous city.

You can spend the night here or stop for a few hours. An excellent spot for lunch is the Tide and Boar Gastropub, one of my favorite restaurants in New Brunswick.

Sray in the middle of Moncton’s entertainment district at this gorgeous boutique hotel. You’ll be steps away from the city’s best restaurants, entertainment, and bars.

While in Moncton, be sure to take a drive up Magnetic Hill. Park at the bottom of the hill, put your car in neutral, and it will start reversing up the hill on its own. It’s magic! Okay, really, it’s just an illusion caused by the landscape, but it’s a cool thing to experience, and kids will love it. There is also a water park near Magnetic Hill.

A great day trip or alternative destination to Moncton is Shediac; it’s just 20 minutes away. Shediac is home to Parlee Beach, which has the warmest salt water in Canada.

It’s known as the “lobster capital of the world”; this is the best place to get your first taste of fresh lobster.

For a taste of the local cuisine, check out this this small-group food tour in Shediac. You’ll sample everything from scallops to chocolates!

After you’ve filled up on seafood, head to Parlee Beach to watch the sunset.

Optional Route: Acadian Coastal Drive

If you have extra time on your east coast road trip in Canada and want to see an alternative side of New Brunswick, keep heading North.

New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in Canada, and the northern part of the province is where you can fully experience French Acadian culture.

Moncton to Kouchibouguac National Park (101 km)

From Moncton or Shediac, head North towards Kouchibouguac National Park. Spend a night or two here camping to soak in the pristine wilderness. The park has beautiful beaches, canoeing, hiking trails, and wildlife, including an adorable seal colony.

I had so much fun spending the night here camping with friends – we saw a huge colony of seals!

Kouchibouguac National Park to Miramichi (51 km)

Just half an hour from Kouchibouguac National Park is the town of Miramichi, which was my home for a year and a half. Miramichi is most famous for its fly fishing opportunities on the river.

Another fun thing to do in the summertime is to go on a tubing adventure down the river. In the evening, be sure to soak in the incredible sunsets.

One of the best places to stay in Miramichi is The Rodd. It’s set right on the river, where you can soak in the breathtaking river sunset. Plus, it’s a 5-minute walk from O’Donaghue’s Irish Pub – one of the best pubs in the city!

Miramichi to Miscou (138 km)

Keep heading North from Miramichi to Miscou, a beautiful island at the northern tip of New Brunswick. There, you can visit a picturesque white lighthouse.

Miscou to Caraquet (60 km)

Make your way to Caraquet, the heart of Acadian country. If your visit coincides with August 15th, you’ll be able to take part in some of the National Acadian Day festivities, which are sure to be fun .

There are several quaint B&Bs in Caraquet where you can spend the night. While there, be sure to visit the Acadian Historic Village just outside of Caraquet, where you can learn what life used to be like there.

🏨 Conveniently located off Route 145, this Caraquet property boasts quant rooms with a shared terrace. Acadian Historical Village is just 5 minutes’ drive away.

If you opt for the Acadian Coastal Drive, you’ll have to return south to Moncton/Shediac, which takes about three hours from Caraquet.

From there, continue your east coast trip to Prince Edward Island.

Prince Edward Island (PEI) Road Trip

At just 224 km long and 64 KM wide, Prince Edward Island (PEI) is Canada’s smallest province. But don’t be fooled by the size; PEI has some of Canada’s most beautiful landscapes.

Red cliffs along the blue Atlantic Ocean, golden sand dunes, and picture-perfect white lighthouses are just some of the gorgeous scenes you will find here.

PEI connects to New Brunswick via the Confederation Bridge. It’s a 45-minute drive from Shediac to the start of the bridge, and it takes about 20 minutes to cross over which is a really unique experience.

While driving over the ocean, be sure to appreciate the undertaking it took to build this bridge. It’s an impressive example of architecture and engineering.

PEI is a small island; you could see the main highlights in one day if you really wanted to. But I suggest staying at least a couple of nights as there are some wonderful things to do here.

The province is roughly divided into three sections, with three coastal routes you can make: North Cape Coastal Drive, Central Coastal Drive, and Points East Coastal Drive.

You’ll enter the province from New Brunswick at Boredon-Carleton, which is smack dab in the middle of the province, so you could do these scenic routes in any order.

Borden-Carleton to North Cape (121 km)

The North Cape coastal drive is 350 km and features a Canadian potato museum you can visit in O’Leary. PEI is very serious about potatoes! Cedar Dunes Provincial Park is another place worth checking out and a good option for camping overnight.

If you prefer to stay indoors, the West Point Lighthouse Inn and Museum is a unique place to spend the night in the North Cape.

PEI has 63 different Lighthouses, each one with a unique history. You could fill your whole time in PEI just searching for lighthouses; at least a few should be on your itinerary.

North Cape to Cavendish (129 KM)

After exploring the North Cape, head over to Cavendish, home of Anne of Green Gables. While that has never been an interest of mine, I know it’s a big attraction of PEI, so I can’t write this guide without mentioning it!

See the Green Gables House on this highly-rated tour, followed by a stop at a riverside restaurant with artisan preserves, fine teas, local pottery, and more.

Cavendish is home to Green Gables Heritage Place, which inspired the setting of the beloved tales.

Cavendish is also famous for its beautiful sandy beaches and red stone cliffs. The cliffs here are the best place to take in these stunning landscapes.

Afterward, head over to Cavendish Beach to soak in the sun along a 37-mile stretch of red sand. The red color comes from the high amount of iron in the island’s sandstone, which oxidizes and rusts when it comes in contact with air.

Cavendish to Charlottetown (38 KM)

After taking in the stunning natural landscapes of PEI, head to the capital of the province, Charlottetown.

Don’t expect big city lights; the population of Charlottetown is under 40,000. But that’s all part of its charm! There are several accommodation options in Charlottetown for spending the night.

Staying overnight in Charlottetown? Just two blocks from downtown, The Habour Inn features charming guest rooms , shaded patios, breakfast, and friendly staff to help you with anything you need.

Start your day in Charlottetown with an ice cream cone from Cows Creamery. It was voted Canada’s best ice cream spot and is one of my most treasured childhood memories.

In the afternoon, explore the local farmers market (it runs on Saturdays all year plus Wednesdays in the summer) or take a bike ride by the sea.

Later that evening, head out to Victoria Row. This pedestrian-only street is lined with a mix of bars, shops, and restaurants.

Charlottetown to Greenwich (58 KM)

Spend your last day in PEI exploring the Points East Coastal Drive. Be sure to stop in Greenwich, which is part of the PEI National Park.

This section is home to some incredible dunes and an extensive floating boardwalk that leads to a white-sand beach.

After a few days in Prince Edward Island, it’s time to visit Nova Scotia!

There are two ways to get to Nova Scotia from PEI. You can either go back via the Confederation Bridge through New Brunswick or take a 75-minute ferry from Wood Islands to Caribou, Nova Scotia.

I’ve always taken the Confederation Bridge because I find it more convenient, but the choice is up to you!

Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary

Nova Scotia, known as ‘Canada’s ocean playground,’ is a paradise for outdoor activities. Kayaking, hiking, and rafting are just some of the ways you can enjoy the natural beauty of this stunning province.

Charlottetown To Halifax (325 KM, via Confederation Bridge)

Start your journey in Halifax, the capital city of Nova Scotia. Spend at least a night or two exploring this vibrant city using this Halifax itinerary.

Staying overnight in Halifax? I loved my time at The Westin. It’s centrally located, across the street from the Halifax farmers market, where you can grab a delicious breakfast to go.

You can soak in the views of the harbor from the second floor of the Halifax farmers market and then head outside to walk along the pier.

The harbourfront comes to life during the summer with street performers, public art displays, and restaurants with outdoor seating.

Enjoy lunch here, and head up the hill to Citadel National Historic Site. From the top, you’ll get gorgeous views of the harbor below.

Rather than wandering around alone, get the most out of your visit to Halifax by joining a small-group tour and exploring the city in the company of a guide who can fill you in on the fascinating history.

In the evening, head out to Argyle Street for some live music and rest your head at one of these wonderful places to stay in Halifax.

Halifax to Peggy Cove’s (75 km)

The first stop after Halifax is just 45 minutes away. Peggy’s Cove is a quaint fishing village with a stunning white lighthouse.

It’s a paradise for photography, with the lighthouse that often reflects in the pools of water. The best time to visit Peggy’s Cove is during sunrise to avoid the crowds. Plus, the light is incredible during the golden hour. Some of my favorite photos from my time in Nova Scotia was my visit to Peggy’s cove at sunset!

If you’re tired of driving, join this Peggy’s Cove sunset tour from Halifax instead! Get a fully guided experience, with hotel pick-up and drop-off included.

Peggy’s Cove to Lunenberg (100 km)

Next up is Lunenberg, a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the most colorful towns in Nova Scotia.

Dating back to the 18th century, this historic town is full of charming architecture and gigantic tall ships docked in the harbor. Head over to the golf course across the harbor for the best views and photo ops of this picturesque town.

Lunenberg is the perfect place to spend the night relaxing by the sea. I loved my stay at the the Sail Inn – a turn-of-the-century bed and breakfast just 35m from the waterfront.

A more off-the-beaten-path place to explore nearby is Blue Rocks, a small fishing village just outside of the Lunenberg. Head there for sunrise – you won’t be disappointed.

Lunenberg to Kejimkujik National Park (90 KM)

Next up, make your way to Kejimkujik National Park for some of the most pristine kayaking opportunities in eastern Canada. Kejimkujik is also a great place to go camping and stargazing if you want to spend the night.

Kejimkujik National Park to The Shubenacadie River (308 km)

If you love adventure, you must try Tidal Bore rafting on the Shubenacadie River. I’ve been river rafting all over the world, but this is one of the most unique rafting experiences I’ve tried!

Twice a day, when the tide changes, the tidal bore temporarily reverses the flow of the river, creating incredible high-speed rapids. It’s the only place in the world where you can experience this! There’s even a Tidal Bore Rafting Resort where you can spend the night.

Shubenacadie River to Cape Breton Island (338km)

Although Cape Breton Island is part of Nova Scotia, it’s so unique that it almost feels like its own province.

After leaving the Shubenacadie River, head 338 km east (approx four hours of driving) to Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park is home to the Cabot Trail, which is continuously named one of the most beautiful drives in the world.

It’s only 298km in length, but you’ll want at least a couple of days to take it all in. Thankfully, there are plenty of unique places to stay along the Cabot Trail.

🏩 One of the most beautiful places to stay on the Cabot Trail is  the Keltic Lodge at the Highlands . It’s got stunning views from the property and is right next to Ingonish Beach.

One of the most beautiful places to stay on the Cabot Trail is the Keltic Lodge at the Highlands . It’s got stunning views from the property and is right next to Ingonish Beach.

With such incredible views along the Cabot Trail, you’ll be stopping every five minutes for photos. Plus, there are a ton of hiking opportunities along the way. Be sure to hike the Skyline Trail for sunset – it was my favorite hike on the island!

Cape Breton Highlands National Park to North Sydney (114 km)

After a few beautiful days in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, drive to the North Sydney ferry terminal.

This is where you’ll say goodbye to the mainland of Canada and catch an overnight ferry to the island of Newfoundland.

Newfoundland Road Trip

Many people don’t include Newfoundland on their trip t Eastern Canada, but it absolutely should be. I may be biased, but I truly believe Newfoundland has its own identity, unlike anywhere else in Canada.

While out of the way, it will be worth making the trip there. Here’s everything you need to know about planning a road trip through Newfoundland.

Need help planning your trip to Newfoundland? Get your itinerary reviewed or have one tailor made by me – a Newfoundland local!

There are two ferry options for getting to Newfoundland from the mainland. Both depart from North Sydney, Nova Scotia. One goes to Argentia on the East Coast of Newfoundland, and the other goes to Port aux Basques on the West Coast.

I recommend taking the Port Aux Basque ferry because it’s shorter, cheaper, and more reliable. The other ferry only runs during the summer months and is often canceled due to weather.

Port Aux Basque – Corner brook (219 km)

You’ll arrive in Port Aux Basque early in the morning, around 7 am (assuming the ferry is on time). Drive two hours East to Corner Brook, the largest city on the West Coast.

The next few days will be camping in Gros Morne National Park , so stock up on supplies at a grocery store in Corner Brook. Sobeys or Dominion are the best options. There are some small stores in Gros Morne national park, but they are limited in supplies and more expensive.

Corner Brook to Gros Morne national park (85KM)

From Corner Brook, it’s just an hour’s drive to Gros Morne National Park , one of the main highlights of Newfoundland. Spend at least two nights here either camping in the park or at lodging nearby.

Rocky Harbour is the most convenient place to stay in the park if you aren’t camping. I recommend Bambury’s Hillside Chalets, cute saltbox homes with a 9.5+ rating.

With over 100 kilometers of pristine trails, Gros Morne is the perfect place to take a hike. Challenge yourself to go 800 meters up to the summit of Gros Morne mountain!

This hike is no easy feat, as the last two hours involve climbing up steep rocks. The views at the top are worth it – this is one of my favorite hikes in Newfoundland. It’s an all-day hike (16 km) that will take you between 6-8 hours.

If you want a real adventure, try backpacking the long-range traverse. This epic hike takes four nights but will take you to one of the most sought-after photos in Newfoundland. This trek is not for beginners – you must attend a backcountry briefing to receive a backcountry hiking permit for this trek.

For a less strenuous activity, take a boat tour through the fjord s  and marvel at the beauty carved out by the work of glaciers over thousands of years.

Optional route: Viking Trail

Another option is to continue your journey on a scenic drive down the Northern Peninsula, also known as the Viking trail , to the UNESCO world heritage site of L’anse Aux Meadows . Here you’ll find remains of an 11th-century Viking settlement.

I’ve done this route before, and it’s stunning, but you’ll need an extra couple of days. It’s about a three-hour drive from Gros Morne each way.

I recommend spending the night in St. Anthony, the largest town on the peninsula. It’s one of the best places to see icebergs in the spring!

Grenfell Heritage Hotel & Suites is a historic hotel in St. Anthony, centrally located in town. It offers fully equipped kitchens in the apartment rooms – we stayed here for a week and loved it!

Gros Morne National Park to Bonavista Peninsula (406 km)

After a few glorious days on the West Coast, you’ll continue your journey towards Newfoundland’s east coast through the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1).

It’s an easy drive as there is only one main highway across Newfoundland – just look out for moose along the way.

If you’re craving more adventure along the way, stop along the way in Grand-Falls, where you can go whitewater rafting on the exploits river. This is a great place to stop for lunch or spend the night to break up the journey.

Optional route: Central Newfoundland and Fogo Island

While driving across the province, you could take an optional detour to Twillingate and Fogo Island, home to some of the cutest small towns in Newfoundland. Fogo island has become a popular spot in recent years with the addition of the 5-star Fogo Island Inn.

We all wish we could stay at the Fogo Inn, but it’s not in most people’s budget. Instead, stay at one of The Old Salt Box Co. locations and enjoy sunsets over the ocean from your room.

There’s so much adventure in Central Newfoundland you could easily spend another week exploring this region!

Bonavista Peninsula

The Bonavista Peninsula is one of my favorite parts of Newfoundland.

With endless picturesque fishing villages, a lively arts scene, fantastic puffing spotting opportunities , and gorgeous hiking trails , you’ll be sure to love it here. Check out this video of some friendly puffins I met there last summer!

@explorewithlora Found in Elliston, Newfoundland #puffins #explorenl #newfiecheck #nlwx #newfoundlandersoftiktok #newfoundlandandlabrador #wildlifelover ♬ Fantasy – Alina Baraz / Galimatias

Trinity is a perfect place to spend your first night here, with several homey guesthouses to stay.

The Eriksen Premises is one of Trinity’s historic homes and a great place to spend the night. Antique wood décor is featured in all individually decorated rooms, and it’s next to restaurants and shops.

After a good night’s rest, take a harbor kayak tour where you can come up close with whales and icebergs, depending on the season.

Trinity is also home to some great hiking trails. Try the Skerwink trail, a 4.7-kilometer loop with beautiful coastal views.

Trinity to Bonavista (50 km)

Take a day to drive around the Bonavista peninsula or spend another night. Along the way, opt to visit Port Rexon Brewing for a delicious craft beer.

In Bonavista, take a hike in the stunning Dungeon provincial park, grab a cone at Sweet Rock Ice Cream, or head to nearby Elliston to spot puffins .

In the evening, enjoy a locally-sourced dinner at the Bonavista Social Club.

Trinity to St. John’s (258 km)

Continue driving east to St. John’s, the capital city of Newfoundland, and my hometown. It’s one of the oldest cities in North America!

Celebrate the end of your east coast Canada road trip by driving to Cape Spear and soaking in the ocean views. Congratulations, You’ve made it to the most easterly point in North America!

One of the most beautiful places to stay in downtown St. John’s is Blue on Water. This 4-star accommodation features beautiful interior designs and is steps away from top attractions.

Another option is the Cabot Guest House i n Georgetown, a charming neighborhood I used to live in. If you stay here, be sure to grab your morning coffee and bagel at the Georgetown Bakery.

St. John’s is a great city with tons of fun things to do. Hike up to historic Signal Hill, where you can get sweeping views of the St. John’s narrows.

Take a walk around downtown St. John’s, or visit the picturesque fishing village of Quidi Vidi, which has a brewery that you can tour.

In the evening, head to The Duke for the best fish and chips in the city, then George Street for a night on the town. With the most bars per capita in Canada, St. John’s has a lively nightlife and a great local music scene.

As a visitor, you must get screeched in to become an honourary Newfoundland. Christians Bar on George Street is a perfect place to do that.

The next day (assuming you’re not too hungover), take a stroll along a section of the East Coast trai l – there are over 336 kilometers of trail to explore that will take you through breathtaking towering cliffs with beautiful views.

During the summer months, the world’s largest population of humpback whales makes their way to Newfoundland’s coast to feed. It’s one of the best places to go whale watching in the world !

Whales can often be spotted while hiking on the East Coast Trail but for a closer look, join a whale-watching tour.

Want to see whales? I loved this boat tour that takes you to Witless Bay ecological reserve to see the world’s largest population of humpback whales, icebergs that are over 10,000 years old, and the charismatic Atlantic puffin.

If you’re a diver, you can also join a diving tour to see  WWII shipwrecks, reefs, wall dives, and more! Diving is a unique way to explore Newfoundland from the ocean floor.

Toronto to East Coast Road Trip

The focus of this post is on the Maritime provinces and Newfoundland. But since I know many of you will be planning an east coast canada road trip itinerary from Toronto, I’ve made a few suggestions for places to stop on the way below through Ontario/Québec before reaching New Brunswick.

There are MANY more amazing places to visit than outlined here, but they need a post of their own (and it’s coming).

If you’re starting from Toronto , make your first stop in Ottawa (a four-hour drive) or Montreal (a six-hour drive). Opt to stop at Thousand Islands National Park along the way.

Spanning across the border between Canada and the U.S., this park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Ontario .

You can either spend the night in the park or just stop on the way to see the islands.

There’s no better view of the thousand islands than from the sky! This 5-star rated tour takes you on a scenic twenty-minute helicopter ride over the islands. Perfect if you’re short on time!

After touring the thousand islands, continue on to either Ottawa or Montreal. They are just two hours apart, so either make a great place to spend the night if you’re coming from Toronto. It just depends on how much driving you want to do in one day!

I love Montreal because of its exciting nightlife and overall atmosphere. However, if you prefer a quieter city with beautiful parks and historic sites, Ottawa is a great option.

Staying overnight in Ottawa? Don’t miss the chance to stay at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier – it’s one of Canada’s most iconic hotels, adjacent to the Parliament Buildings and Rideau Canal. Reserve early, as it does book up!

Leaving Ottawa or Montreal, continue your drive towards the province of New Brunswick.

Fredericton (capital of New Brunswick) is about 8 hours East of Montreal, so you could get there in a day if you drove all day. But if you prefer to do more sightseeing along the way, a great option is to spend the night in Québec City.

With its picturesque cobblestone streets lined with bistros and boutiques, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Europe.

If you didn’t get the chance to stay at the Fairmont in Ottawa, there’s another opportunity in Quebec City! The Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac is situated in Old Quebec, boasting gorgeous views of the St. Lawrence river in a fairytale setting.

Itineraries for Best Road Trips to Canada’s East Coast

With two months, you would be able to road trip all of this Eastern Canada itinerary, including the optional routes I mentioned.

You could visit the main highlights in a month, but the trip would be very fast-paced with a lot of driving.

14-Day East Canada Road Trip Itinerary

• Days 1-3: New Brunswick – Start your journey in the picturesque province of New Brunswick. Spend your nights exploring the charming cities and natural wonders, including the Bay of Fundy, known for the world’s highest tides.
• Days 4-6: Prince Edward Island (PEI) – Cross the Confederation Bridge to PEI. Enjoy the island’s red sand beaches, visit the Anne of Green Gables house, and indulge in fresh seafood.
• Days 7-9: Halifax and Nova Scotia’s South Shore – Head to Nova Scotia, starting with its vibrant capital, Halifax, then explore the scenic South Shore, including Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Days 10-13: Cape Breton – Venture to Cape Breton Island, where the Cabot Trail awaits with its stunning coastal views. Enjoy hiking, local culture, and the Gaelic heritage of this unique region.
• Day 14: Return to Halifax – Conclude your trip with a leisurely drive back to Halifax, perhaps stopping at any spots you missed on your way to Cape Breton.

Alternatively, you could do Cape Breton (4 nights) and Newfoundland (8 nights).

If you just wanted to visit Newfoundland, you could fly into the province to save time. St. John’s has an international airport where you can rent a car .

Ten Days: Nova Scotia and Beyond

10-Day East Coast Canada Road Trip

• Days 1-3: Halifax and Surroundings – Explore Halifax’s rich history and vibrant culture before heading to the picturesque towns along the South Shore.
• Days 4-6: Cape Breton Island – Drive the Cabot Trail, immerse yourself in the island’s natural beauty, and experience the local music scene.
• Days 7-8: Prince Edward Island – Discover PEI’s lighthouses, beaches, and culinary delights.
• Days 9-10: New Brunswick – Visit the Hopewell Rocks and enjoy the coastal beauty before heading back.

Seven Days: A Province-Specific Journey

7-Day East Coast Canada Road Trip Itinerary

• Option 1: Nova Scotia – Dedicate your week to exploring Nova Scotia, from Halifax to the South Shore, and up to Cape Breton.
• Option 2: Newfoundland – Fly into St. John’s, rent a car , and explore the Avalon Peninsula, Bonavista, and perhaps a day trip to Terra Nova National Park.

Five Days: Quick Escapes

5-Day East Coast Canada Road Trip

• Nova Scotia Focus – Spend your days exploring Halifax, the Annapolis Valley, and part of the South Shore for a quick taste of Nova Scotia’s charm.
• PEI and New Brunswick – Combine these two provinces for a whirlwind tour of the Maritimes, focusing on the highlights like the Bay of Fundy and PEI’s central coast.

What is the best time of year to visit the East Coast of Canada?

While it’s possible to visit the East Coast year-round, I would not advise planning a Canada east coast itinerary around the winter months in Canada (November-April – yes, it can really go that long!), simply because the road conditions could be dangerous.

The Atlantic provinces are famous for their horrible winter storms making a maritime road trip unpleasant. Plus, the ferry to Newfoundland often gets delayed in the winter.

Summertime is the ideal time for a road trip, but it is also the most popular. The shoulder seasons are also great options. During the springtime, you will have fewer tourists and the possibility to see icebergs in Newfoundland.

During autumn, you can see beautiful fall colors, which will make the drive breathtaking, especially on the Cabot Trail. That said, you can expect some cold nights, and even days, if you are visiting the East coast during October.

Booking A Car Rental for an East Coast Canada Road Trip

If you’re booking a car rental for your road trip around the east coast, make sure you do early. Car rentals do book up in the summertime (especially if you’re picking it up in Newfoundland)!

I use and love Rentalcars.com , which searches local and international providers to find you the best deal. Plus, you can buy insurance directly through them, so you’re fully protected!

BEST CANADA CAR RENTAL COMPANY: Rentalcars.com

When booking your Canada car rental online, I recommend using Rentalcars.com. They search both international and local Canadian companies to find the best price.

Essential Items For an East Canada Road Trip

For your Eastern Canada trip, don’t forget to bring these items with you.

• Parks Canada Discovery Pass  – This will get you unlimited admission for 12 months at over 80 parks across Canada. This may be worth it if you plan to visit a lot of the national parks.
• Insect Repellant – they are fierce in the summertime!
• Road trip snacks
• Canadian cash  – Most places accept major credit cards and debit but in smaller communities, you may find places that only accept cash. Bring Canadian dollars as these places will probably not exchange American money.
• Roadside emergency kit
• Canada Road Map
• First Aid Kit
• Blankets and Pillows – it gets cold in Canada, even in the summertime! You never know when those will come in handy.
• Audiobooks for the road. I love  Audible   for this.
• A  car charger   for charging your devices
• A GPS  or download Google offline maps for your phone. Many rural places you will be driving through in Canada do not have cell phone reception.

FAQ: East Coast Canada Road Trip

Where should i go on the east coast of canada.

There are so many places to visit on Canada’s east coast! Some of the best places are Halifax, Peggy’s Cove, Gros Morne National Park, and Fundy National Park – check this guide for more information.

What is East Coast Canada known for?

It’s known for its friendly locals, fantastic seafood, incredible whale watching, the Atlantic Ocean, and beautiful landscapes.

Is Eastern Canada worth visiting?

Absolutely! While many people overlook the east coast for the Rockies, they are two completely different experiences. The east coast of Canada has some of the most breathtaking scenery in Canada, along with fantastic cuisine, friendly people, and endless outdoor adventure.

How long do you need to travel the East Coast Canada?

The duration of the East Coast Canada trip depends on your itinerary and interests. A minimum of 1-2 weeks is recommended to cover key highlights, but longer trips allow for a more immersive experience.

How to plan an East Coast Canada road trip?

To plan an Atlantic road trip, start by deciding on your must-visit destinations (read this post), create a flexible itinerary, book accommodations in advance during peak seasons, and ensure your vehicle is in good condition for the journey.

Where is the best place in East Coast of Canada?

The East Coast of Canada is filled with amazing places, but Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia is often considered among the best destinations due to its stunning landscapes.

Is it worth going to Nova Scotia?

Yes, Nova Scotia is definitely worth visiting. It boasts a beautiful coastline, rich maritime heritage, charming towns, and numerous outdoor activities that make it a captivating destination.

How long should you spend on PEI?

To fully experience Prince Edward Island, it’s recommended to spend at least 2-3 days. This allows time to explore the island’s beautiful beaches, scenic drives, and cultural attractions.

What is the largest city on East Coast of Canada?

The largest city on the East Coast of Canada is Halifax, which is the capital of Nova Scotia.

What cities are in East Coast Canada?

The East Coast of Canada includes cities such as Halifax (Nova Scotia), St. John’s (Newfoundland and Labrador), Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island), Fredericton (New Brunswick), and others, each offering its own unique charm and attractions.

Final thoughts: Road Trip East Coast of Canada

Embarking on a road trip along Canada’s East Coast is an adventure filled with awe-inspiring natural beauty, captivating history, and warm hospitality.

From the vibrant city life of Halifax to the rugged coastline of Newfoundland, this journey promises to be an unforgettable experience for any traveler.

As you traverse the scenic highways, immerse yourself in the rich maritime culture, savor the freshest seafood, and engage with the welcoming locals who make this region truly special.

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or a foodie looking for culinary delights, the East Coast of Canada has something to offer everyone.

Allow the beauty of the coastal vistas, the charm of the small towns, and the tranquility of the Atlantic waves to leave a lasting impression on your heart. Happy travels!

Planning a trip to the east coast of Canada? Check out these posts!

The Best Things to Do in Bonavista Newfoundland

11 Stunning Places on the Irish Loop Newfoundland

How to Plan a Newfoundland Road Trip Itinerary

Unique Places To Stay In Newfoundland

A Perfect Cabot Trail Itinerary in Cape Breton Nova Scotia

Where To Stay In Halifax Nova Scotia

The Best Places to Stay on the Cabot Trail

5 Best Places for Sea Kayaking in Newfoundland

A Perfect One to Three Day Halifax Itinerary

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Lora is a full-time digital nomad on a quest to visit every country in the world and pet as many dogs as she can along the way. Over the last 15 years, she has traveled to 70+ countries and six continents solo. She currently calls Puerto Vallarta, Mexico home and enjoys ending each day with sunset and tacos on the beach.

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Thankyou for this detailed itinerary! My sisters and I are planning an east coast road trip (around 19 days) next fall and the information you’ve provided is awesome.

Hi, How long did this trip take you? Thanks for all the intel!

Thank you for all of your excellent suggestions. We are planning an Eastern Canada road trip for September 2024. We are looking forward to the scenery, food and activities. We will be driving up from Louisiana and plan two weeks. Will there be plenty of options for decent hotel accommodations? Thank you!

Yes, there are many great hotels along this route that I have suggested.

Hi Lora, My 2 friends and myself would like to take a road trip for about 2 weeks next year (2023) to the East Coast and visit all four(4) lovely provinces. We all work together in the hospital and after the last couple years (with the COVID Pandemic) we all decided we REALLY need a break and a nice vacation. This road trip has been on our bucket list for quite a while now. We are hoping to save enough money by next year to do this amazing trip. A trip to be remembered!!!! Questions: (1) to visit all those wonderful places you mentioned and stay in nice B&B’s in all 4 provinces and really spend time with all the wonderful folks out East. Approx $$ for each person with our own single rooms. Just an approx $$. We will not hold you to that $$, just wondering and hoping we can make the trip re: our budget. (2) Approx in gas? (3) Do we stay in a motel/hotel/B&B along the way? Would you be able to plan our trip for us and do the bookings at the B&B or hotels? (4) We are thinking in May/June? Would you recommend those months? Oh … I should mention, we all live in the GTA area in Ontario and will be leaving from there. We are planning to rent a vehicle. Please help us make this trip a “dream come true” Thank You Lora!! :-))

Thanks for this info Lora! I am going to use this when I cycle and driveEast in a few days. All the best to you!

travelling in an RV, my main concern is heading over to NL, will the ferry take an RV, and any good parks in NL stay? And is the ferry wheel chair accessable?

Hello! And thank you for such detailed info for the East Coast .My husband and I are planning a short 9-10 day road trip to east coast. this coming week. We were planning to drive straight to New Brunswick. Any suggestions on where to go for camping that I don’t have to make reservation? possibly in the Saint John, we’re planning to go all the way to Nova Scotia with this 9 days trip. Please let me know just the important places that we should see. Hope you can help. Thanks in advance……..

Hi Lora, Thanks for such a wonderful travel guide. I am planning a road trip from Toronto to St. Johns or NFL by end of June. I will be traveling with family including Kids. I will leave the city on Thursday evening and so far I am planning the following Thursday | Home->Montreal Friday | Montreal->New Brunswick Saturday |New Brunswick->North Sydney, NS Sunday 7 AM | Channel-Port aux Basques, New FoudnLand Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday (11 AM Ferry) | Channel-Port aux Basques->North Sydney, NS B2A 3V2 Friday | North Sydney, NS-> Moncton, New Brunswick Saturday | Qubic City Sunday | Home (Pickering)

So I will have a total of 5 days in NFL and I need your help to plan these 5 days (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). We both can drive so driving is not an issue. We are interested in Whale watching and icebergs if still, we can see them.

Please guide me how I should plan these 5 days.

Hi Lora, I’m curious about your quoted time of 2 hours from Hopewell Rocks to Moncton? Google maps says it is a 30 minute drive, and now I’m worried I’m missing something? Thank you

Hi Lisa! Thanks so much for your comment. You are right, it’s just over half an hour to get between them so that was just an error on my part. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, it’s been fixed!

Do you have any other whale watching recommendations? We will only have a week with our 3 kids and are thinking of flying in to NB from Toronto to save time on the drive through Ontario & Quebec. We will likely just end up doing NB and PEI…maybe NS…think we’ll have time?

There is good whale-watching in New Brunswick by Saint Andrews by-the-sea! One week is enough to visit them but it will be rushed. I would spend at least half the week in Nova Scotia!

This is great – I may have missed this and will re-read your post, but how long did it take you to road trip across the east coast and as woman would you safe it is safe if I do it alone? Thanks for sharing this post and it is really very intresting east coast Canada road trip.

I’ve done it many times as short as 3 days to as long as 3 weeks, it just depends on how much you want to see! Yes, the east coast is extremely safe to travel I’ve done it solo many times.

Great article! I am planning about a 2 1/2 month trip for next summer and hoping to hit most of what you suggested. We will be traveling with a truck and trailer from about mid June to early September. Based on weather and crowds, I have two questions for you. Any idea for camping if reservations will be needed for National or provincial parks? And what would be your suggested order for the provinces coming from Maine? Was thinking of NB, NF, NS then PEI? Thanks, great article!

Hi Darlene, if you’re planning to visit the parks over the long weekends (Canada day, the first weekend of August, and labor day), I would make reservations as they can get really busy then. Otherwise, a few days in advance should be fine and the provincial parks usually have walk-in space (national ones can get busier in the summer). The order you suggested sounds perfect to me!

In the middle of October, are leaves still on trees on the east coast in NB and NS?

Yes they should be!

Hello and thank you for sharing your experiences. I’m planning a last minute roadtrip the first three weeks of Sept 2021.

I’m looking at starting from TORONTO and making my way out EAST and then driving back of course. Will be using personal vehicle and travelling with my spouse ( no kids )

Any recommendations itinerary wise ? I believe 3 weeks should be enough time to see and do a fair amount.

Thank you in advance for your time

3 weeks is enough time to see all four provinces! I would spend a week in Newfoundland, one in Nova Scotia and the other split between PEI and New Brunswick.

Hi Lora, thanks a lot for this information – it already helps me a lot 🙂 I will go to Canada in October and will spend there 4 weeks. I would have more time, but I think, it would get cold in November. What would you think? Yes it really depends on mother nature … 🙂

As the temperature is getting low during my trip from beginning October till end of October, could you recommend me a good starting point? Is it better to start in Toronto or in Newfoundland? Or doesn´t it make a difference?

I will come from a one-month-trip in Iceland, so I would get used somehow to colder weather, but maybe you have some advice for me ? 🙂

Hi! So glad you found the post helpful. It can definitely be cold in Atlantic Canada by November – even in October! It stays warmer in Ontario longer (I’ve experienced 20+ degree at end of October in Toronto), so I would actually start in Newfoundland and end in Toronto to make the most of the weather 🙂

Thanks so much for this perfect article, I’m planning for a small group 17 people 1st time ever driving from Toronto to Atlantic. This article perfectly giving me all ideas we can explore. Thanks

Thanks so much for your nice comment! I’m so glad you found it helpful.

Hi Lora, great article. We are thinking of taking a 2 week family road trip this summer from Toronto, do you think that’s enough time to explore the east coast? Thx

Thanks! Two weeks is absolutely enough time – there’s an example two week itinerary in the guide 🙂

Hi Lora, Excellent presentation and very nicely explained all relevant issues for travelling. I have sent you an email also seperately for guidance but I know you are very busy. In fact I want to visit Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI with a friend from Brampton. We will fly from Toronto to Sydney and back from Halifax. We will get a car rental for visiting other provinces. My preference is Cabot trail and other areas to be covered in 8 days. Kindly guide.

Hi, I would spend at least 2-3 days to drive the Cabot Trail – it’s so scenic you’ll want time to stop and soak it in. PEI is a very small province, you could see a lot in just two days. If you take the bridge from New Brunswick you’ll be close to Moncton, although I personally prefer Fredericton. It’s worth spending a day or two in Halifax as well, but that’s about all you could fit in!

Hi Lora, we are planning to visit Atlantic from Aug 14-Aug22(must be back to Toronto Aug 22), we are planning to stay 1 night in Quebec for example leaving Toronto to Quebec city on Saturday Aug 14 morning, stay a night in Quebec, then leave Quebec around afternoon Sunday, please advise the next beautiful stop we should stay for 1 or 2 nights? group of 20 people 8 kids ranging from 3-11 years old. Thanks so much

Thanks for so much great info! We are planning an -unfortunately- fairly rushed road trip in our camper van next month. Leaving from Muskoka on the 19th and we have to be home on the 29th. Staying near Quebec City the first night, somewhere close-ish to Fredericton the second night, then the weekend visiting friends in PEI. Monday morning we will board the ferry to NS and do a couple days on Cape Breton Island. We pretty much have to start heading towards Ontario on Thursday, or at the very latest, Friday. Two questions: 1) Is it fairly easy to “free camp” in PEI and Nova Scotia, or do we really need to book campsites? We are self-sufficient with a solar fridge, stove and composting toilet in a 19′ van. 2) If we do Cape Breton (Cabot Trail) over Monday-Tuesday, what’s the #1 thing you’d suggest for Wednesday/Thursday? Do we go west to Halifax/Lunenberg area? My concern is we might be burnt out from driving so much, but we also want to make the most of our time out there. Leaving from Halifax instead of closer to NB means a few extra hours of driving overall. I have been to Halifax/Peggy’s Cove/Lunenberg but my partner has not. Thanks in advance!

Hi Ashley, I have only camped at campsites but if you are a resident of Canada and self-sufficient you could camp on crown land for up to 21 days. I’m sure there is lots of it there, but I’m not an expert in this area.

If you have been to Halifax/Lunenberg and don’t want to add on the extra driving I would just stay on Cape Breton Island. Two days isn’t a lot of time there, the cabot trail is so beautiful I spent a week on it! Inverness or Baddeck are two nice spots on either side of where it starts. I am not super familiar with the part of Nova Scotia between Halifax and Cape Breton Island so can’t make specific recommendations for there, but I think you could easily spend more than two days in Cape Breton and enjoy yourself!

Hi Lora, thank you for all the information you have provided. We are from Alberta and have planned to visit the East Coast Aug 26 – Sept 7th and hoping to see highlights in all provinces. Will check out your article on vaccination status for all provinces. Quick question – is it worth the long drive from Montreal to New Brunswick or should we fly? Thanks for any info you can provide.

If you are flying anyway I would just go to New Brunswick. Montreal is a great city and Quebec City is a nice stop along the way but if you are limited on time and want to see all four provinces it’s better to just fly.

Hi Lora, Thank you so much for this great article. I would love to start planning a short east coast trip to Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and PEI at the end of august (August 19-29). I live in Ontario. Do you maybe have any more specific information about the border restrictions for people from other provinces? Thank you!

Hi Cloe, I just updated the article with the latest information. Border restrictions depend on your vaccination status – fully vaccinated travelers can visit all four provinces, but you will have to apply for a PEI Pass for PEI.

This is great – I may have missed this and will re-read your post, but how long did it take you to road trip across the east coast and as woman would you safe it is safe if I do it alone? Thanks.

I’ve done it in as little as 3 days and as long as a month! It really depends on how much you want to see but I’d recommend at least one to two weeks. It is safe to travel there as a woman alone – I did last summer! Atlantic Canadians are extremely friendly and helpful 🙂

Hi, thank you for all of the info. Ten of us rented an RV and have booked our trip for Sept 3-10. We want to eat fish, do a lot of water activities and sightseeing. Since we have only a week and have no wish to see Montreal. Can you help me choose best places. We are from Toronto and are so tired of being on lockdown.

Hi! Without stopping somewhere in Quebec it will be a long drive to New Brunswick (14 hours) but doable if you guys don’t mind a long day of driving. I would recommend spending most of your time in Nova Scotia by the coast, they have tons of water activities and delicious seafood.

Hello Lora! Your blog is so informative and what beautiful pictures! I want to plan an East Coast trip this summer but I’m waiting (and hoping) for some travel restrictions to loosen up so we can visit from Ontario. If not, then I will save this information for 2022! I have a question for you. I know you said that Newfoundland shouldn’t be missed but we only have 3 weeks and when I followed most of your itinerary that didn’t leave me much time for Newfoundland. Is there a place for whale watching in the other 3 provinces?

Thanks so much! Yes for sure, there are lots of places to go whale watching on the East Coast. You can go in St. Andrews by-the-sea in New Brunswick, as well as Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. I do think Newfoundland is the best place for it though! Really hope you can make it out to the east coast this summer!

This is very informative.

Was just wondering if you could suggest a perfect Canada East Coast road trip itinerary with RV Camper that last up to 16 days (3 adults)? I have seen and read many but l just don’t know how to manage that. The idea is to do a road trip from Montréal – Nova Scotia (16 days) or just Nova Scotia (16 days) suggesting probably “must see” places and camping possibilities. The road trip is planned for next year 2021 summer (hopefully by then the pandemic is under control). Wouldn’t mind if you can email me your ideas also per email.

Thanks for your time.

Cheers Mitch

Hi Mitch. You can definitely plan a great road trip from Montreal to Nova Scotia with 16 days. You’ll have to drive through New Brunswick anyway so I suggest spending a night or two there on the way and back. Fundy national park is a great place to visit! That should still leave you with 10 or more full days in Nova Scotia, so for the rest of your itinerary, it depends on what you are interested in seeing. I love Cape Breton island for the Cabot Trail, I’d recommend 3-5 days to do that. The Halifax area is great too, and there are a lot of fun day trips to small towns you can take from there.

Hi Lora, Thank you for such an informative post! You’ve helped me narrow down most of the places I wanted to go as I’m currently planning an Eastern road trip! I wanted to know what your estimated budget was for the entire trip, if you don’t mind my asking. Thank you again 🙂

That’s awesome, glad to hear! That’s so variable depending on how long your trip is, if you’re renting a car, camping or staying in hotels, solo etc. If you give me more details I can try and help!

I live in Vancouver and have never been to the east coast so this is all high on my bucketlist! Looks beautiful 🙂

Vancouver is a beautiful spot too!! Hope you can visit the East Coast sometime 🙂

I love all those rugged coastal views with the reflections in the waters and the lighthouses. I already love the West side of Canada, but I do really like the idea of exploring the Eastern coast as well. It looks like SUCH a fantastic area to hike, and then eat icecream.

p.s. My mum loves Anne of Green Gables…I wonder if telling her that would be a good way to lure her to Canada!? 😉

I love the West coast of Canada too, but the East coast is a completely different experience! Haha I think that would definitely get her there if PEI is on the itinerary!

This is a very informative guide. Definitely will refer to it in future when I go.

Glad you found it helpful! 🙂

Yay for road tripping! I haven’t had a chance to explore too much of Canada but would love to someday! I wanna visit the national parks!

Hope you can someday! We are lucky to have so many beautiful national parks 🙂

Your photos alone make me want to pack a bag and hit the road! I’d love to do a coastal drive of Eastern Canada and PEI has always been on my radar!

Happy to hear that!! PEI is gorgeous, hope you can visit sometime!

East Coast Canada Road Trip | 2 and 4 Week Itineraries

A trip to Canada’s East Coast is all about sea breezes, fresh lobster, colourful fishing villages, sweeping swathes of sandy beach, weathered lighthouses and majestic ocean panoramas.

Connecting them all are winding coastal roads, sometimes only a crash barrier away from the water itself.

A road trip on Canada’s East Coast is an exciting and unforgettable adventure, with beautiful views and interesting experiences almost everywhere you go.

Read on and create your own perfect East Coast Canada road trip itinerary. Here’s what to expect:

Day 1, 2, 3 and 4 – Halifax and Nova Scotia’s South Shore

• Day 5, 6,  7 and 8 – Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

Day 9, 10 and 11 – Prince Edward Island (PEI)

Day 12, 13 and 14 – new brunswick, days 1 to 6 – new brunswick, days 7 to 13 – prince edward island, days 14 to 19 – cape breton island, days 20 to 30 – mainland nova scotia.

• General road trip advice
• Essential items to bring
• History and culture of the Canadian Maritimes

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Planning the perfect East Coast Canada Road Trip

Spending the best part of five months exploring the Maritimes gave us plenty of time to reflect on what would be the ‘ultimate’ East Coast Canada road trip.

The truth is, there’s no such thing. It completely depends on your time limit and personal interests.

For that reason, I have created a two week East Coast Canada road trip itinerary that features all the highlights  and a four week beyond the beaten path route with more suggestions of things to do.

See which of the beyond the beaten path activities peak your interest. Then chop, change and add to the standard itinerary as you like according to your own interests and time restrictions.

The key to making the most of your East Coast Canada road trip is to not overload your itinerary.

Despite the provinces on the East Coast being some of Canada’s smallest, the driving distances are probably longer than you may expect. We spent a week driving Prince Edward Island from coast to coast and our mileage topped 2000km. 

Please note – Newfoundland is not included in any of the following suggested East Coast Canada road trip itineraries.

Two Week East Coast Canada Road Trip Itinerary

Road trip length: Approx 2200km

Ideal length of time:  Two weeks

This road trip is ideal if: You want to visit all of the iconic places shown on social media and talked about by family and friends. It’s also a great route for those short on time. This road trip can be condensed to ten days if necessary with the removal of a few activities and sights. 

Road trip overview: For a varied, fun and beautiful overview of the Maritime provinces, concentrate your time in these four areas – Halifax and Nova Scotia’s South Shore (3 nights), Cape Breton Island (4 nights), Prince Edward Island (3 nights), New Brunswick (3 nights). This road trip itinerary starts and ends in Halifax. 

The first destination of this East Coast Canada road trip is Halifax. A compact city situated on a picturesque harbour, Halifax is a great place to visit even if you don’t usually like cities. It’s also an ideal base for a wide range of day trips in the area. 

What to do in and around Halifax

• Halifax’s waterfront is a joy to walk and features several world class museums ( Pier 21 and the Maritime Museum ). Just behind downtown is the Halifax Citadel , a 19th century star shaped fort. Raise a glass and enjoy some local music on the excellent Alexander Keith’s Brewery Tour .
• Just south of Halifax are two of East Coast Canada’s most quintessential sights – the granite rocks and lighthouse of Peggy’s Cove and the colourful port town of Lunenburg . The latter is ideal for an overnight stay. If you don’t have wheels, consider a guided day trip .
• If you have time, continue on along the South Shore to see more authentic fishing villages and rugged coastline.
• The artsy yet regal small town of Wolfville is another welcome overnight or day trip excursion. Whether you choose wine tasting or history ( Grand-Pré ), be sure to see the beautiful view from nearby Look Off .

Where to stay in and around Halifax

The Prince George Hotel – Fabulous downtown location

Granville Hall Residence – Great value for summer visitors

Smugglers Cove Inn – Ideal location in Lunenburg

Micro Boutique Living – Modern and comfortable lodgings on Wolfville’s main drag

Day 5, 6, 7 and 8 – Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

Cape Breton Island, and specifically the Cabot Trail, offers some of the most magnificent views in the Maritimes.

Here, Nova Scotia’s highest mountains meet the sea. It’s a paradise for nature lovers. After exploring Cape Breton Island, head to Pictou to catch the ferry to Prince Edward Island. 

Things to Do on Cape Breton Island

• The Cabot Trail is a East Coast Canada road trip highlight for many. This scenic roadway across the Cape Breton Highlands may only be 298km in length but you’ll want at least a couple of days to take it all in.
• From the Cabot Trail, you can go whale watching, hiking, camping, kayaking and also try local Acadian, Canadian and Scottish cuisine .
• Other popular activities on Cape Breton Island include attending a cèilidh  in the Mabou area and visiting Alexander Graham Bell’s adopted home in Baddeck. 
• Fortress of Louisbourg , a living museum portraying French colonial life in the 18th century, with costumed actors and restored barracks, shops, restaurants, blacksmith and bakery.

Where to stay on Cape Breton Island

Gillies By the Sea – Comfortable waterside B&B in Port Hood

Auberge Doucet Inn – Good value option in Chéticamp

The ZzzzMoose & Zzzz Moose 2.0 – Cute cabins with private beach, south of Ingonish

Cape Breton Highlands National Park – Six frontcountry campgrounds and one backcountry option

Read Next: 7 of the Best Road Trips in Nova Scotia

Prince Edward Island is the East Coast’s archetypal sun, sea and sand holiday destination. Enjoy the slower pace of life on the island and short driving distances plus fresh, local cuisine and friendly locals. 

Things to Do on Prince Edward Island

• One of the highlights of visiting PEI has to be the white sand beaches of  Prince Edward Island National Park. Situated along the northern coast of the Island, there are various access points to this national park.
• A quieter sections of the park is Greenwich , featuring unique dune formations.
• For culture, head to quaint Charlottetown and discover the birthplace of Canadian confederation. Consider a guided bus tour to learn more about the city’s history from a local guide ( walking tour also available)
• Back towards the coast, visit the the house that inspired Anne of Green Gables in Cavendish

Where to stay on Prince Edward Island

1 West Inn Waterfront – Beautiful location in central Charlottetown

Around the Sea Rotating House – Unique property by the ocean not far from Cavendish

Prince Edward Island National Park – Camping and oTENTiks available at two large waterside campgrounds

New Brunswick is Canada’s only officially bilingual province and is best known for its coastal attractions.

The Bay of Fundy experiences the highest tides in the world and is simply awe inspiring. 

On Day 14, leisurely drive back to Halifax to finish your epic East Coast Canada road trip. 

Things to Do in New Brunswick

• After crossing the Confederation Bridge from Prince Edward Island, check out the Giant Lobster in Shediac (welcome to Lobster country!) and have a swim at beautiful Parlee Beach, home of the warmest saltwater in Canada.
• Cape Enrage is your next stop. Take in the panoramic views of the Bay of Fundy and visit the light station that has been in operation since 1838.
• Just a little further south is Hopewell Rocks , where it is easy to see the power of the huge Bay of Fundy tides (the world’s biggest). Time it right, and you can walk on the ocean floor next to the unique ‘flower pot’ rocks.
• Fundy National Park is something of a condensed version of New Brunswick, offering both dramatic coastal scenery and dense forest landscapes to explore. Take a day hike in the woods or along the beach. Check out the cute coastal village of Alma and cross an iconic covered bridge at  Point Wolfe.  

Where to stay in New Brunswick

1854, the Maplegrove Inn – Great location half way between Hopewell Rocks and Fundy National Park

The Artisan Suites – Close to Hopewell Rocks, highly rated on Booking.com

Fundy National Park – Choice between four front country campgrounds plus wilderness campsites

Four Week Beyond the Beaten Path East Coast Canada Road Trip

Road trip length: 5000km

Ideal length of time: Four weeks (28-30 days) minimum, six weeks is more relaxed

This road trip is ideal if:  You want to see beyond the highlights of the East coast Canada, get a deeper experience of the area and also get away from the crowds. This offers a little bit of everything for a well rounded East Coast Canada road trip at a slower pace than the two week itinerary. 

Road trip overview:  The required month may sound exaggerated but trust me, it is needed to truly give justice to this beautiful area of the world. Included in this East coast Canada road trip is hiking, paddling, panoramic lookouts, caves, boardwalks, beaches, historic sites and offbeat places. 

In addition to the previously mentioned sights, consider adding these destinations and activities to your itinerary – 

• Choose between exploring the lagoons and forests of Kouchibouguac National Park  or the Irving Eco-Centre coastal boardwalk at Boutouche. Or just do both!
• Head to northeast New Brunswick and take a drive on the Acadian Coastal Drive and discover a culture that many people have never heard about. Travel through quiet fishing towns, marsh, beaches and peat moss, spotting the distinctive Acadian tricolour flag (with yellow Stella Maris star) as you go.
• Be sure to check out the Village Historique Acadian which brings the 19th century to life with costumed actors, period food and interactive exhibits.
• Inland from the Acadian Peninsula is Mount Carleton Provincial Park , home of Atlantic Canada’s highest mountains. New Brunswick’s 5.8km Mount Sagamook Trail offers views of 10 million trees and the highest peak, Mount Carleton (820m).
• Make a stop at seaside resort town St Andrews By the Sea for waterfront cycling trails, cute boutiques, vibrant art galleries and general genteel feel. 

In addition to the previously mentioned sights on the two week East Coast Canada road trip itinerary, consider adding these destinations and activities to your route – 

• Travel to Prince Edward Island’s  most easterly point via gorgeous beaches and laid back country roads. Basin Head is a particular highlight, nicknamed the ‘singing sands’ beach. No, really, the sand actually squeaks when you walk on it! The water is also fairly warm here, making it an ideal place to have a beach day.
• Over on PEI’s west coast, explore more about Acadian culture at the Village Musical Acadien in Abram Village. There are two free music shows every day in the summer, performed by local Acadian artists. You can even try some authentic Acadian cuisine too, available in the on-site cafe at very reasonable prices. 
• When driving around the Island, be sure to keep an eye out for lobster suppers being served. These are a PEI tradition and usually include chowder, mussels, lobster, potatoes, bread rolls, salad and a dessert. The latter is often a piece of home baked lemon meringue pie.

For the ultimate beyond the beaten path adventure, consider a side trip to the gorgeous Magdalen Islands . Part of Quebec, this interconnected group of tiny islands sits in the Gulf of St Lawrence, a five hour ferry from Souris

Cape Breton is a surprisingly large island. It is easy to fill road trip days with historical sites, day hikes, live music, local cuisine and lookouts. 

• One of the day hikes you should not miss is the Skyline Trail on the Cabot Trail. This 6.5km out and back route culminates in epic ocean and highland panoramas. Moose are often seen in the area so have your camera ready.
• Consider camping at Cape Breton Highlands National Park’s only wilderness campground at Fishing Cove. This waterfront campground is reached by the short but sweet 12km return  Fishing Cove trail.
• The adventurous should definitely not miss a detour to Meat Cove , almost at the very northern tip of Cape Breton Island. A rustic campground perches on a cliff above the ocean, providing panoramic views along the rugged coast and onto the pebble beach below. 

Mainland Nova Scotia has an incredible amount to offer travellers who are looking to go beyond the beaten path.

The easiest way to do so is to take a circular drive from Halifax along the Southern Coast and then back up along the Bay of Fundy, exploring the bountiful Annapolis Valley on the way back to the city. 

Here are some of my top recommendations along this circular route of mainland Nova Scotia, plus a few others within each reach. For even more suggestions, check the map above. 

Interesting towns

• Only accessible via two car ferries (unless you happen to have a boat that is), Brier Island sits at the end of a long peninsula striking out into the Bay of Fundy. This isolation provides a wonderful environment for migrating birds and whales watching. Nature lovers looking to get firmly off the beaten track will love Brier Island.
• Hidden just off the highway in a river valley, Bear River is a tiny tidal village with a distinctive feature. Many of the rustic houses and shops are on stilts. It’s a lovely little place for a drive or a walk, perhaps even a tasting at North America’s oldest winery . 
• When driving along Nova Scotia’s coastline, be sure to leave the main highway and explore the small roads connecting tiny fishing communities. Cape Sable Island was a favourite and we also loved the LaHave Islands area (especially the local fishing museum in the latter). And, of course, seafood is usually plentiful in these areas. 

Read More: Brier Island, Nova Scotia’s Hidden Gem

Outdoor adventure

• The Cape Chignecto Coastal Trail  is the Maritimes’ premiere backpacking route. The 51km circular trail leads hikers along the Bay of Fundy to the top of towering cliffs and dramatic rock formations, to sandy beaches and rocky coves tinged with red. You’d definitely need to extend your four week East Coast Canada road trip to include this hike
• Much like the Skyline Trail on Cape Breton,  the Cape Split trail  (16km return) has a similarly dramatic finale, with the rugged tip of the cape falling into the Bay of Fundy

• The rugged coastline of Nova Scotia is particularly interesting for paddling, especially when as untouched as the 100 Wild Islands region   on the Eastern Shore
• Inland, canoeists can explore quiet, interconnecting areas of lakes and rivers. The most easily accessible in Kejimkujik National Park , where canoe rentals and guided tours are also available

History and culture

• Found at the very end of Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore, Canso is the site of the oldest fishing port in North America. Due to the strategically important location, the area was subject to numerous raids and used for as a base for preparation in the 18th century.
• The powerful tides of the Bay of Fundy continually reveal new geological wonders, including an incredible variety of fossils. Geologists have long been flocking to the Joggins Cliffs to make new discoveries, even before the fossil of the earliest known reptile (the Hylonomus lyelli) was found here. 
• A visit to the  Grand-Pré National Historic Site in Wolfville is an essential stop to help comprehend the devastation of the Acadian deportation.

• The Port-Royal National Historic Site with replica Habitation building recreates France’s first settlement in North America. Nearby Annapolis Royal played a pivotal role during the early colonisation of Canada. The town still features many historic buildings and a fort.
• Located on Nova Scotia’s South Shore is the Black Loyalist Museum , one of the most eye opening places we visited anywhere on Canada’s East Coast.
• Closer to Halifax is the Oak Island Visitor Centre , a must visit for anyone fascinated by the famed ‘money pit’ on this tiny island (reservation required tours).

General road trip advice for travelling Canada’s East Coast

Slow down . In general, the pace of life on the East Coast is relaxed.

• Though it may be tempting to try and rush around to see everything, take a lesson from the locals and take things slow.
• This is also important to remember when driving. While there are some high speed highways, many of the roads on the East Coast are winding and fairly narrow coastal routes. 
• Short on time? If you only have a week to travel Canada’s East Coast, consider limiting your trip to just one province or two at a maximum. You’ll probably have way more fun not rushing about!
• Large animals (such as moose) may be on the road at any time, but more likely at dusk and dawn.

The locals are friendly. It may sound like something strange to point out but most Canadians on the East Coast are genuinely considerate and obliging folks. You may experience this in a few different ways.

• We were regularly offered warm welcomes, road trip advice, destination tips and even free food and overnight hosting.
• Something else we noticed was vehicle drivers stopping to let pedestrians (or other vehicles) cross roads, even in busy places. 

The peak season is short.  The main tourism season on Canada’s East Coast is only two months long – the summer months of July and August.

• Even then, in some areas of Nova Scotia only five weeks of that period (late July and August) is actually considered ‘the busy time.’
• This does mean that June and September are great months to visit with generally good weather and fewer visitors. On the other hand, some attractions and accommodation will not be open yet. 
• If you’re planning to camp in any of the East coast National Parks, make a reservation early. 

Read Next: 27+ of the Best Beaches in Nova Scotia, Canada

Essential items to bring on your East Coast Canada road trip

• Bug spray.  The East Coast is a favourite with mosquitoes. Alongside insect repellent , it is also a good idea to bring or buy some kind of after bite lotion too . It’s never fun to be driven crazy with itching. If camping, I’d suggest a Thermacell repellent applicance or at least some mosquito coils to burn
• A Parks Canada Discovery Pass.  To get the most out of your visit, I’d recommend getting Parks Canada Discovery Pass. This offers free entry into all National Historic Sites and National Parks in the Maritimes. It pays for itself pretty quickly when travelling Canada’s East Coast. 

• Backroad Mapbooks . The most comprehensive guides I have found for navigation and travelling across East coast Canada are the Backroad Mapbooks series. They feature ALL the local roads (gravel ones included) as well as trails, camping spots, must see sights and more. The Nova Scotia edition is particularly useful.
• Ferry or bridge fares.  The Confederation Bridge is located towards the western side of Prince Edward Island and crosses over to eastern New Brunswick. The ferry to PEI  leaves from just north of Pictou in Nova Scotia to Wood Islands, on the western side of PEI. Ferry and bridge fares are only charged when leaving Prince Edward Island by whichever means you choose (the bridge is cheaper). 
• Canadian dollars.  Some of the more remote places in the Maritimes will only accept cash. My second related piece of advice may seem more obvious, but we noticed quite a few American visitors trying to use American dollars in Canada. A few shops will take them begrudgingly, but trust me, you won’t get good value for money at all. 

History and Culture of the Canadian Maritimes

The history of the Maritime provinces is probably more varied than you may expect. Here’s a brief lowdown; it will undoubtedly help put some of the experiences on your East Coast Canada road trip in perspective. 

The Mi’kmaq were the predominant residents on the East Coast until they were joined by the French in the early 17th century.

Fertile areas in Nova Scotia were quickly claimed by French immigrants. They called the land Acadie ( idyllic place) and themselves Acadian . The British eventually deported the Acadians, fearing their tentative alliance with the French ( click to read more about Acadians )

The French and British fought over this land for over a century, with the latter eventually succeeding to drive the other out.

The revolution in America brought thousands of Loyalists to the shores of the Canada’s East Coast, including a large continent of former black slaves (Black Loyalists) , who were promised freedom in exchange for fighting for the British. 

Scottish and Irish immigrants arrived in huge numbers in the 19th century, attempting to escape famine, overcrowding and discrimination. The Gaelic influence is particularly obvious in Halifax and around Cape Breton – think bagpipes, fiddles, tartan, whiskey, céilidhs and bilingual signs. 

Planning an East Coast Canada road trip? Tell me your plans in the comments below!

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One half of the Canadian/British couple behind Off Track Travel, Gemma is happiest when hiking on the trail or planning the next big travel adventure. JR and Gemma are currently based in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Monday 29th of January 2024

Really helpful ideas and tips. Planning a 3-4 week trip fall of 2024 with 4 other sisters (ages 51-74). Mostly interested in seeing how people live, quaint villages, trying seafood everywhere. Should be interesting and lots of laughs (if we don't kill each other). Thanks for sharing!

Hi Jackie, sounds like a fun trip! I hope you have a great time. I'm glad you found this guide useful (and let me know!)

Krista Hall

Tuesday 15th of August 2023

Looking to spend 4-5 days in PEI or New Brunswick with four Seniors(me included). Any thoughts or suggestions mid Septmeber 2023?Thanks so much, Krista Maryland USA

Friday 18th of August 2023

Hope you have a good trip! I suggest three days in New Brunswick and three on PEI in the two week itinerary, so for five days, I'd suggest three on PEI and two on New Brunswick. I personally think PEI has more to offer and with three days, you'll be on 'PEI time' for longer! I'd stay along PEI's northern coast and explore from there. In New Brunswick, I'd stay along the Bay of Fundy coastline.

Monday 15th of May 2023

Hello Gemma My husband and I plan to do the east coast, for 4 weeks, leaving the Toronto area around May 29th. We have a 45 foot RV. Can we do your 4 week trip, in a 45 foot RV? Look forward to hearing from you!

Monday 22nd of May 2023

That is a good question. We have never travelled in anything close to a 45 foot RV so I wouldn't want to mislead you or give you inaccurate information. I know for sure that many people travel the Cabot Trail (on Cape Breton Island) in RVs, including larger ones.

Choosing campgrounds that would accommodation your rig is, of course, very important. I don't believe you would be able to stay at Meat Cove Campground, as mentioned in this itinerary (it is very compact). Brier Island does not have a campground.

The national park attractions usually have larger parking lots with space for RVs, so I would prioritise them. Some hiking trails on Cape Breton Island will be inaccessible due to the smaller lots.

Sunday 16th of April 2023

I would like a 3 week rv itinerary for 2 in a 20 fy camper with our small dog starting mid august to the end of September.

Wednesday 19th of April 2023

Sounds like a great trip! We don't currently put together custom itineraries but I would suggest looking at our 2 week itinerary as mentioned in this post and then choosing 2/3 places you'd like to spend additional time at.

Sunday 26th of March 2023

Hi Gemma I am looking to do a road trip from Peterborough Ontario to the east coast. leaving around the 14th of May to mid June. Any suggestions?

thank you for your time.

Tuesday 4th of April 2023

@Lori, it seems that Gemma is helping a lot of us.

I would be interested in that information as well.

From Toronto for a month. Be back in Toronto fist week of June.

Tuesday 28th of March 2023

I received the email from you and have now replied :)

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The Ultimate East Coast Canada Road Trip: 2 & 4 Week Itinerary

From towering cliffs, beautiful beaches, and colourful cities to welcoming locals and delicious food, there’s nothing quite like Canadian East Coast. It’s a prime region for an epic road trip in Canada!

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Located along the wild Atlantic Coast, the region comprises the four East Coast provinces of Canada: the remote Newfoundland & Labrador and the three Maritime Provinces of Nova Scotia , Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.  

Each province has its own charm and attractions, with an endless amount of things to see and do. We’d heard so much about this region, and in 2022, we finally set off on a 2 months East Coast Canada road trip to see the best this region has to offer. 

While we were lucky enough to spend 8 weeks on the East Coast, we know that most people won’t have that kind of time to explore the region. But don’t fret! It is definitely possible to see the main sights and attractions of the region on a 4-week or even 2-week East Coast Canada Road trip. We hope this guide will help you plan the ultimate East Coast Canada road trip no matter how much time you have!

Traveling Soon?  Here is a list of our favourite travel providers and accessories to help get you ready for your upcoming trip! Book Your Accommodation HERE Search for Great Tours HERE Get a Car Rental HERE Buy Travel Insurance HERE See our Favourite Camera Bag HERE Grab a Reusable Water Bottle HERE or a Filtration Straw HERE Order an eSim HERE

How Long Do You Need to Visit the East Coast

As mentioned before, we spent eight weeks on our East Canada road trip, which was just enough time to see most of the region. While it may look small and compact on a map, East Coast Canada is vast with long distances, so it’s best to allow plenty of time to get from one province to the next. 

To see the highlights of each province on a road trip, you’ll need at least 5-6 weeks. 

However, if you don’t have that much time to spare, you could spend 2-4 weeks in the Maritimes, visiting Nova Scotia, PEI and New Brunswick (excluding Newfoundland). This would give you enough time to see the main highlights of those three provinces, which are easily combined on an Eastern Canada road trip itinerary. 

Best Time to Go on an East Coast Canada Road Trip

The best time to explore East Canada is in the summer, with the shoulder season starting as early as April and ending as late as October.  

Eastern Canada is at its best in summer . This is when you’ll experience the best weather, with pleasantly warm days and not-too-cold nights. However, you may want to try and avoid the high season between mid-June and August, when the region can be extremely crowded, and prices tend to go up.  

If you want to avoid the summer crowds, the best time to plan your East Coast Canada itinerary is for fall . It’s far less crowded, and you’ll also get to enjoy the pretty fall foliage colours. Try to plan your Eastern Canada road trip for September/October for the best colours, but be prepared as the temperatures, particularly at night, can drop quite significantly this late in the year.

In winter , temperatures on the East Coast are freezing, and many businesses, tours and small towns almost completely shut down to visitors. There is still fun to be had on the East Coast in the winter, but it would be a very different adventure – one that we have yet to experience!

When is the Best Time for Whale Watching?

The Eastern Coast is known as one of the best places in Canada and in the world for whale watching. The Atlantic Ocean is home to several whale species that migrate through the region from April until October.

New Brunswick is a top spot for seeing humpback, fin and right whales. Newfoundland and Labrador offer visitors the chance to see humpback, fin and minke whales, while Novia Scotia is ideal for sightings of humpback, fin, right and long-filled pilot whales.

When Are the Most Popular East Coast Festivals?

Matching the glorious weather, most of the liveliest festivals on the east coast of Canada take place in summer. There are several great festivals, including TD Halifax Jazz Festival , Nova Scotia Summer Fest, Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Festival, Halifax Busker Festival, Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Festival Acadien and Halifax Seaport Beerfest, all during the summer months. 

How to Get to East Coast Canada

Whether you’re on an extended road trip from western Canada or arriving from international destinations, there are plenty of ways to get to the East Coast. 

By car from within Canada

Both Newfoundland & Labrador and New Brunswick provinces border Quebec . The French-speaking province acts as the only gateway to the region on any Eastern Canada road trip itinerary. If you are traveling by car from the West Coast or from Ontario, your route will have you passing both Montreal and Quebec City.  

Once you hit Quebec, you can start to get excited – the East Coast is not too far away!. 

From Quebec City to Fredericton in New Brunswick is 590 km or 6-hour drive.

Another popular starting point for an Eastern Canada travel itinerary is Ontario . While an Eastern Canada road trip from Toronto to reach the coastal provinces is quite lengthy, there are plenty of places to stop on the way. Keep in mind that Toronto to Halifax road trip distance is nearly 1800 km, so you’ll need to add a few days of driving the journey.

By car from the US

If you’re coming from the US, you could easily extend your North American East Coast trip into the Maritime provinces of Canada. A road trip from Boston to St John in New Brunswick is a 650 km or 7-hour drive via Portland in Maine on the main highway. 

Arriving by Plane

Halifax, Nova Scotia, has the region’s major air hub. Halifax Stanfield International Airport has frequent flights in and out of the region to both domestic and international locations. 

Other major airports include Saint John, New Brunswick, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and St. John’s, Newfoundland.  

Air Canada is the main carrier that flies in and out of the region, but you’ll also find ​​Delta Connection, Porter Airlines, United Airlines, and WestJet offering flights too.

Renting a car 

If you’re planning on flying into the region, we recommend arriving into Halifax, as it’s the most central city. From there, you can easily rent a car for your Maritimes road trip. We highly recommend having your own car for the entire trip around the region, as it makes getting around to all the destinations much easier. 

Alternatively, renting a campervan would also be a great option for those looking to camp out and explore more of the national parks. You can check out Canadream or Adventure Touring Canada for RV rental.

We did our East Coast Canada Road Trip in our self-converted Sprinter Campervan, Benji , a trusty home on wheels that we built during the pandemic. We loved exploring the East Coast in a campervan and think that road-tripping in an RV is the best possible way to experience this region. Our campervan was comfortable to drive and offered a lot more flexibility than getting around by car. We had a chance to experience camping in some of the East Coast’s best national parks and had an amazing time going off the beaten path!

Ok. Now let’s get to that itinerary!

Ultimate East Coast Road Trip Itineraries

An East Coast Canada road trip deserves as much of your time as you can possibly spare. We recommend at least 4 weeks to make this road trip around Atlantic Canada. 

Assuming that you’re beginning your trip in Halifax, you can divide your time between Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick quite easily. 

4 weeks will allow you to see the main highlights of the east coast in Canada without compromising too much.  If you’re building your own East Coast Canada road trip itinerary, here are our suggestions for how you spend your time in the region. 

4 Week East Coast Road Trip Itinerary

Here’s an example of a  4-week Eastern Canada itinerary to help you start planning your road trip!

Start in Nova Scotia: 1 Week

As one of the Maritime provinces, Nova Scotia has a beautiful coastline filled with dramatic views, historic lighthouses, delicious seafood and local vineyards. It’s also home to the Cabot Trail, one of the most beautiful road trips in Canada. A week is a minimum time you need to see the highlights of Nova Scotia. Here’s how.

Halifax – 2-3 days

Halifax is the charming capital city of Nova Scotia. Home to one of the world’s largest harbours, the city has a relaxing atmosphere and plenty of cultural and historical attractions to explore over at least a couple of days.

Things to do in Halifax:

• Halifax Waterfront: The bustling working port is one of the most visited attractions in the area. It’s home to a number of restaurants, cafes, and bars, as well as a few shops.
• Halifax Maritime Museum: This is Canada’s largest maritime museum, home to over 30,000 artifacts relating to maritime history, with a large collection of ship models, navigation tools, and wreck relics.
• Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse: No East Coast of Canada road trip is complete without visiting Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse. Located less than an hour southwest of Halifax, Peggy’s Point is one of the most iconic landmarks in Nova Scotia with the lighthouse being one of the most recognized around the world.

READ NEXT: 48 Hours in Halifax

Wolfville – 1-2 days 

Halifax to Wolfville: 92 km or 57 miles or 1 hour 10-minute drive

Wolfville lies in the beautiful Annapolis Valley . As the main city on the eastern end of the valley, it has both historic and horticultural significance as it’s home to several amazing wineries and nearby Acadian historical sites. 

Things to do in Wolfville:

• Wine tasting: Wolfville is located at the heart of Canada’s smallest and coolest wine region, producing crisp wines that pair particularly well with seafood. Lots of wineries offer wine tastings in the region, but our favourites were Luckett Vineyards and Lightfoot and Wolfville Vineyards .
• Grand-Pré National Historic Site: The Grand-Pré National Historic Site commemorates Acadian history and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The interpretive centre at Grand-Pré is surrounded by walkways and beautiful gardens.
• Domaine de Grand Pré: The oldest farm winery in Atlantic Canada. You can sample delicious reds and whites just down the street from the national historic site.

READ NEXT: Guide to Visiting Annapolis Valley

Tidal Bore Rafting – Stop

Wolfville to Tidal Bore Rafting Resort: 105 km or 65 miles or 1 hour 20 minute drive

One of the most unique things to do in Nova Scotia is to go rafting down the Shubenacadie River . The river’s rapids are powered by the dramatic tides of the Bay of Fundy, which moves more than 100 billion tons of water twice a day. 

We went Tidal Bore Rafting with Tidal Bore Rafting Resort and highly recommend it as a stop on any East Coast Canada Road Trip itinerary. They offer guided tours for all ages ranging from 2 hours to full-day adventures.

READ NEXT: Tidal Bore Rafting in Nova Scotia

Cape Breton Island – 2-3 days

Halifax to Baddeck: 351 km or 217 miles or 4 hours  

Take a few days to explore Cape Breton Island. Located at the northeastern end of Nova Scotia, it is known for its beautiful landscapes, great hiking trails and scenic route known as the Cabot Trail.

Things to do on Cape Breton Island:

• Cabot Trail: Widely considered to be one of the most scenic drives in the world, the 300km (185 miles) drive winds its way around Cape Breton National Park on the north cape of the island. We recommend spending at least 2-3 days taking in the sights of the Cabot Trail, including scenic lookouts and walking trails.   
• Skyline Trail: One of the best hikes in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park is this 7km (4.3 mi) walk with steps down to the headland, which opens up to a birds-eye view of the coast. We recommend going at sunset to witness one of the most beautiful sunsets on the East Coast.
• Baddeck: The start or finish of the Cabot Trail drive, this beautiful small town is home to a strong Gaelic heritage and culture. Located on the shores of Bras d’Or Lake, it’s a charming place for cultural immersion. 
• Ingonish: A popular town on the east coast of the island, it’s known for great hiking, and a stunning white sand beach.

READ NEXT: Our Suggested Cabot Trail Road Trip Itinerary 

Newfoundland – 10 days

To get to Newfoundland from Nova Scotia, take a ferry from North Sydney to Port Aux Basque with Marine Atlantic . The crossing takes about 7 hours and costs just over CAD $200 for a vehicle and two passengers. (Be prepared to pay a few hundred dollars more if you are crossing with a campervan)

This wild and rugged province is known for its unspoiled wilderness and stunning landscapes. Favoured by outdoor enthusiasts, it has plenty of activities to do and places to explore. If you’re planning to visit Newfoundland, allow at least 10 days to explore the region.

READ NEXT: Things to do in Newfoundland, Canada

Gros Morne National Park  2-3 days

Located in western Newfoundland, Gros Morne National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an absolute must-visit. The vast landscape of the park was formed over hundreds of millions of years. It boasts a variety of landscapes, including barren Tablelands, moody fjords and Newfoundland’s second-highest peak – Gros Morne Mountain.  

Things to do in Gros Morne National Park:

• Hike the Tableland Trail (4 km / 2.5 mi) : This easy loop follows the famous red rocky Gros Morne Tablelands landscape and is a must for hikers.
• Hike to Gros Morne Mountain (17km/10.5 miles return) : You can hike this trail just to the base of the mountain (first 4.5km) or all the way to the top with 500m in elevation gain. The difficult hike is through the beautiful Arctic-alpine terrain with rewarding views of the mountains. 

Fogo Island – 2 days

Take a Farewell Ferry to Fogo Island: 75-minute sailing time

Fogo Island is definitely one of the most special places to see in Newfoundland. A small community rejuvenated by Fogo Island Inn , this island is as rich in culture and stories as it is in its beautiful scenery. 

Things to do on Fogo Island:

• Hike Brimstone Head : Take the 2 km (1.2 mi) trail up the stairs to a gorgeous lookout that is known as one of the four corners of the earth. It’s particularly beautiful at sunset. 
• Stay at Fogo Island Inn : This beautiful luxury hotel operates as a social enterprise. It plays a huge role in the overall economic development of this small community. They offer an all-inclusive package with dining, tours and accommodation. A stay here is a very special experience, but be sure to book ahead. Despite the high price tags, it sells out almost every summer.

Twillingate – 1-2 days

Gros Morne to Twillingate: 420 km or 261 miles or 4.5-hour drive

You can experience the magic of icebergs in Twillingate, known as the iceberg capital of Newfoundland. The colourful fishing town is one of the quintessential Newfoundland points of interest, with rocky shores and stunning scenery. 

Things to do in Twillingate:

• Long Point Lighthouse: The lighthouse looks over Notre Dame Bay and is an amazing lookout point for icebergs and whales.   
• Iceberg boat tour : Seeing icebergs from the water is even better than seeing them from land. Get up close and personal on a boat tour from town.

Bonavista Peninsula – 2 days

Twillingate to Bonavista: 351 km or 217 miles or 4.5 hours

Located towards Eastern Newfoundland, the Bonavista Peninsula is worth a couple of days of your time. It is the site of the historic landing in 1497 by John Cabot. The peninsula is home to colourful small towns, photogenic streets and historic buildings. 

Things to do on Bonavista Peninsula:

• Stay in Trinity: The historic seaside village is one of the most picturesque in Newfoundland and the kind of place you want to enjoy for a while. Stay in town, enjoy the atmosphere and the food, and take some time to walk the streets. There are plenty of opportunities for photographs. 
• Visit Bonavista: Walk along Church Street, visit Cape Bonavista Lighthouse, and explore Dungeon Provincial Park.
• See Puffins at the Elliston Puffin Viewing Site: The puffins nest on a rock very close to shore, making this one of the best places to see puffins from land. For the best experience, bring binoculars and a zoom lens.
• Hike the Skerwink Trail in Port Rexton : This incredible trail is a 5.3-km coastal loop offering incredible views. It’s often considered one of the top walks in North America.

St John’s and around – 2 days

Bonavista to St John’s: 300 km or 186.5 miles or 3.5-hour drive

St John’s is an undeniably Newfoundland top travel destination. The city’s colourful jelly bean houses, winding streets, and historic harbour boast a history and culture that’s older than any other city in Canada.  

Things to do in St Johns:

• Signal Hill National Historic Site : Once home to military battles, Signal Hill celebrates the rich communication and military history and offers a gorgeous vantage point over the city. 
• Cape Spear Lighthouse : A National Historic Site and Newfoundland’s oldest surviving lighthouse. It’s an iconic symbol of marine history located at North America’s most easterly point.

READ NEXT: Things to do in St John’s, Newfoundland

Ferry back from Argentia

From Argentia on the Avalon Peninsula, you can take the ferry back to North Sydney in Nova Scotia. This crossing runs from June to September and is a much longer journey of 16 hours on a good day. It costs about double, around CAD $470 for a vehicle and two passengers but spares the long drive across the island.

Alt tag: east coast vacations canada 

Prince Edward Island – 4 days 

While it may be the smallest province, it’s worth visiting on your East Coast Canada road trip. PEI is known for its stunning coastal scenery, red sand beaches, rolling farmlands and fantastic food. There are plenty of things to do at this underrated destination. 

The island is connected to New Brunswick by the 13-kilometre Confederation Bridge , which is the longest bridge over ice-covered waters in the world.

READ NEXT: Things to do on Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown – 2 days

The province’s capital city is a vibrant destination home to a variety of cultural attractions. This includes art galleries, museums, and theatres. In addition, Charlottetown offers a great selection of restaurants and cafes, as well as plenty of shopping options.

Things to do in Charlottetown:

• Victoria Row: This is a pedestrian-only street in the heart of Charlottetown’s historic district. Lined with charming Victorian-era buildings, this popular spot has a variety of restaurants, cafes, and boutiques.
• Confederation Centre of the Arts: Home to a variety of cultural attractions, including an art gallery, a museum, and a theatre. In addition, its most popular attraction is the annual production of Anne of Green Gables, the Musical.

Green Gables – 1 day

Charlottetown to Green Gables: 40 km or 24.8 miles or 40-minute drive

For lovers of Anne of Green Gables, this place is a dream come true on the Canadian east coast. The area around Cavendish is home to white sand beaches and plenty of historical attractions.

Things to do in Green Gables:

• Visit Anne of Green Gables Museum: Dedicated to the life and work of Lucy Maud Montgomery, who wrote the series of novels. The museum contains exhibits on Montgomery’s life, as well as on the history of Prince Edward Island.
• Visit Green Gables Heritage Place : Used as inspiration for the fictional home of Anne Shirley, the house is open for tours from May to October.
• Spend a day on Cavendish Beach: This was our favourite beach in the area. It’s the perfect place to spend the day relaxing on the sand and swimming in the water.

North Point – 1 day

Cavendish to North Point: 130 km or 80 miles or 1 hour 40-minute drive

If you head north on the island, we recommend taking the N orth Cape Coastal Drive to North Point Lighthouse . Offering stunning views at the very northern tip of the province, the lighthouse and walking trail is one of the highlights of the region.

New Brunswick – 1 week

For nature lovers, New Brunswick is a dream come true. The scenic province is home to incredible beaches, lush forests and the famous Bay of Fundy coast. With vibrant cities, you’ll also get a balance of culture and history. 

Plan to spend at least a few days in New Brunswick. If you have time, it’s worth hanging around for at least a week.

Moncton – 2 days

Moncton offers a true taste of Atlantic Canada , combining the amenities of the big city with a small-town atmosphere. Surrounded by nature and the Bay of Fundy, Moncton is one of the best places to visit in Eastern Canada. It’s a great base for exploring further afield, with much to do in the area.

Things to do in and around Moncton:

• Witness the Tidal Bore: Head to the Bore Park in Downtown Moncton to witness the rise and fall of the world’s highest tides, occurring twice a day. It’s a chance to see one of the most unique natural phenomena.
• Shediac: Located just 30 mins outside of Moncton, Shediac is known as the lobster capital of New Brunswick . It’s a charming town best known for its lobster festival, which takes place every summer.
• Parlee Beach Provincial Park: The warm, calm waters make Parlee Beach a great spot to spend a day with the family. The beach is busy in summer, but it has plenty of picnic areas and a long sandy beach.
• Kouchibouguac National Park: About an hour north of Moncton, this coastal area offers year-round recreation. This includes camping, canoeing, skiing, hiking and biking.

READ NEXT: Things to do in Moncton, New Brunswick

Hopewell Rocks – day trip from Moncton

Located about an hour south of Moncton, Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park is home to a series of tidal rock formations along the coast of the Bay of Fundy. They can be reached by walking on the ocean floor at low tide. So, it’s best to time your visit and plan to stay for a few hours and appreciate the changing scenery.

Fundy National Park & Fundy Trail Parkway – 1 day

Located just an hour outside of Moncton, this national park is filled with hiking trails, historical sites, beaches and campsites. There’s a lot to do. But, you can try to fit in as much as possible in one long day. Otherwise, a couple of days is ideal.

Things to do in Fundy National Park:

• Fundy Trail Parkway: The road between the towns of St Martins and Alma, known as Fundy Trail Parkway, offers amazing scenery. There are plenty of stops on the way , so it’s best to take your time to soak it all in. It is not an all-seasons attraction, though; it is open from mid-May to mid-October only.
• Dickson Falls: Walk the moderate 1.5 km loop (0.9 miles) to the most photographed waterfall in the park. 

READ NEXT: Best Stops on the Fundy Trail Parkway

Saint John – 1-2 days

Situated where the Saint John River meets the sea, the large city is known for its Reversing Falls or Rapids. The historic city is also home to some of the best Victorian-era architecture in Canada. Saint John also features plenty of streets, bars and restaurants to explore.

Things to do in Saint John:

• Area 506 Waterfront Container Village: The container village is the newest addition to the Saint John waterfront. It’s a vibrant spot with dozens of colourful shipping containers stacked up with a variety of restaurants and shops inside. 
• Rockwood Park: Rockwood Park is one of the largest urban parks in Canada. It features extensive hiking and biking trails, lakes for swimming and fishing, rock climbing, kayaking, and hydro-bikes and a restaurant with a fantastic patio right on Lily Lake.
• Saint John City Market: Known as Canada’s oldest continuous farmer’s market, it houses local vendors selling fresh produce, seafood, crafts and art. It’s open every day except Sunday.

2 Week East Coast Canada Road Trip Itinerary

If you only have 2 weeks for an East Coast Canada Road trip, you’ll have to make a different choice and narrow down the destinations you can visit. 

Option 1: You can cut out Newfoundland and follow the above-suggested itinerary to spend roughly 2 weeks in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. This is the most common choice for East Coast travelers as it allows them to get the most variety in their 2-week road trip. Plus, Newfoundland makes for an excellent destination to visit on another trip. 

Option 2: Focus your East Coast Canada road trip itinerary on Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, leaving PEI and New Brunswick for another time

Option 3: Ditch the car and fly to Newfoundland. Spend 1 week split between Gros Mourne National Park, Bonavista Peninsula and St Johns (You can use regional flights to get from Gross Morne to St John’s). Then fly to Nova Scotia, pick up a rental car and spend a few days in Halifax and the Cabot Trail. Continue the road trip for a day or two in PEI and 3-4 days in New Brunswick, focusing on Moncton, Parlee Beach, and Hopewell Rocks over 2-3 days and then Fundy National Park over one long day.

Have More Time? 

If you have 6 weeks or more for your East Coast Canada trip itinerary, consider adding the following destinations to your list for each province.

Nova Scotia 

• Spend a few more days on Cape Breton Island , so you can hike more, see more sights and slow down a little.
• Add some extra time in the Annapolis Valley , including visiting the National Historic Sites in Annapolis Royal, trying the delicious scallops in Digby and going whale watching off Brier Island.
• Add a stop in Lunenburg , on Nova Scotia’s south shore just 100 km southwest of Halifax. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is known as one of the prettiest towns in the world. It is also home to the outstanding Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic.
• You could also add a short trip to nearby Blue Rocks , one of the hidden gems just down the coast.

Newfoundland

• Terra Nova National Park is often overshadowed by Gros Morne but is still worth a visit if you have extra time. Hiking and kayaking are popular activities to do in the forested area.
• Head to St Anthony and L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site in the north, particularly if your visit coincides with iceberg season, to explore the Viking settlement and stunning views of icebergs.
• Spend more time on the Avalon Peninsula, not far from St John’s. Follow the Irish Loop to check out Berry Head Arch, Ferryland Lighthouse and the cliffs at Mistaken Point.

Prince Edward Island

• Add a few more days to your East Canada itinerary to explore beaches along the Points East Coast Drive , including the Basin Head Provincial Park, known for its unique “singing sands” beach.
• Spend a couple of days in Summerside , the second-largest city on the island. It’s home to some delicious restaurants and trendy bars, as well as a nice stroll out to Indian Head Lighthouse.  

New Brunswick

• You can add a couple of days to your East Coast Canada road trip by enjoying a visit to St Andrew’s . A pretty seaside town is a popular place for vacations, with relaxing resorts and an old market square. 
• We would also highly recommend a couple of days in St Martins . It was our favourite destination in New Brunswick with a laid-back vibe, a beautiful beach adorned by impressive sea caves, two covered bridges, great hiking and fresh seafood.

No matter how much time you have to spend on the East Coast, we can guarantee you that you’ll love your experience. We found the region to be so different from other parts of Canada. We loved East Coast Canada’s laid-back vibe, great beaches, amazing lobster and incredible scenery all along the coast. 

An East Coast Canada Road Trip is a bucket list item for every Canadian and a highly recommended trip for any traveler visiting Canada. 

About The Author

Oksana & Max St John

2 thoughts on “the ultimate east coast canada road trip: 2 & 4 week itinerary”.

Thank you for your recommendations. Very helpful for planning. So much to do see and experience. Planning on taking a camper van. Any suggestions on campgrounds? is boondockkng allowed? Do reservations have to be booked in advance during summer? And ferry reservations too? Thanks again.

Yes to booking in advance! It gets very busy on the East Coast in the summer. So book campsites and ferries in advance. We didn’t do a lot of boondocking while on the East Coast. Used a lot of Harvest Host stays and campgrounds in state parks and national parks. If you want more advice, follow through to individual articles we have on traveling in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, PEI and New Brunswick. You’ll find some campground, hotel, restaurant and other recommendations there!

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An Epic Canadian Maritimes Road Trip Itinerary And Map

If you’ve ever glanced at a map in your life, you’ll see Canada is a big place. Stretching 7,800kms from coast to coast (and we have a third coast too!), we’ve got a lot of landscape all fit into this beautiful country of ours. Each one is unique in its own way, allowing cultures to grow around the landscape. In the Canadian Maritimes, it’s no different. The Maritimes, or Canada’s east coast, has developed its own way of life, and if you visit, you’ll see that it’s a vibrant and hardy way to live.

The Canadian Maritimes is made up of four (or five) provinces: Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Sometimes, parts of Quebec, especially the eastern portions can be included in the broad term of “Maritimes.”

In this epic Canadian Maritimes road trip itinerary, I’ll focus on New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. I should note, again, Canada is a FREAKING LARGE country. Coming from Toronto, we stretched the road trip for 10 days, but there is so much more to see and do in each region.

Road Trip Essentials

I’ve said it twice, so why not a third time, Canada is significant. Not only does this have a role in the amount of time you have to explore, but also you should also take it into account when planning your trip. There are stretches of roadways that don’t have gas stations, rest stops, or places to find food. And there are places along the way that you may lose cell phone signal. On the flip side, there will be many picture-perfect stops to pull over and have a pit stop picnic.

Here are some tips to make your Canada road trip go smoothly:

Tip one: bring along a cooler to keep some fresh food cold. It will be a nice change to make a fresh sandwich or bite into a crisp apple rather than buy junk from a gas station.

Tip two: keep any roadside assistance numbers handy, written down in the front console or glove box. You never know if your phone will run out of juice when you need it.

Tip three: if you get below half a tank of gas, plan to see how far until the next gas station. Not only will this give you relief, but running out of gas is the worst. I once chugged into a Manitoba gas station with a “9 km” gas range left on my car – basically fumes. It caused a lot of anxiety not knowing where the next station was and if we were even going to make it.

Tip Four: have a good selection of music, podcasts, audiobooks, or whatever suits your ears. As I mentioned above, cell signal disappears in parts of the Canadian Maritimes, so you won’t have access to streaming services, and even radio stations are silent.  

Now onto the fun stuff. Here are the best stops for an epic road trip through the Canadian Maritimes.

Canadian Maritimes Map and Road Trip Itinerary

New brunswick.

New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in Canada, and its landscape blew me away. It is a very underrated province, but it is more and more available for visitors to sink their teeth into. The province has embraced its Acadian heritage and the fact that it is situated on two of the most incredible waterways – Gulf of the Saint Lawrence and Bay of Fundy – definitely helps its cause.

New Brunswick isn’t a large province, especially in comparison to its neighbor Quebec, but it has a range of landscapes like the northern edge of the Appalachian Mountains, the rugged and hardy coastline of the Bay of Fundy, and the fertile arable land of the east.

There are many treasures to discover here.

1. Kouchibouguc National Park

Try saying Kouchibouguac five times fast. While you may not be able to pronounce this place correctly, you’re sure to enjoy its soft white sand. The national park is situated along New Brunswick’s eastern Acadian Coast and is home to a range of ecosystems, including a beautiful beach-ready for lounging.

2. Saint Andrews by the sea

If the quaint name doesn’t make you want to jet set all the way here, then the charming village will. It was voted top destination in Canada in 2017 by USA Today and has ranked high in many top 10 lists.

Saint Andrews by the Sea is not only a picturesque town but a jumping-off point for many whale watching and scuba diving tours. The best way to experience the town is to sit in one of the many restaurants along the water and feast in local, fresh-caught seafood.

3. Saint John

Not to be confused with St. John’s, Newfoundland, Saint John is Canada’s oldest incorporated city. It’s situated strategically in the Bay of Fundy, and Saint John has become a place that soldiers mustered many times over the history of the New World.

It’s full of rich Canadian and American history, as many loyalists fled to this city during the American Revolution. The history means there are many old buildings to discover. Walk through the loyalist cemetery, become a soldier at Carleton Martello Tower, and enjoy fresh finds at Saint John city market, the oldest continuing farmers’ market in Canada.

4. Fundy National Park

Fundy National Park is the crown jewel of New Brunswick. Here you can experience some of Canada’s largest tides in the Bay of Fundy or go inland to see the thick forests.

New Brunswick is known for its covered bridges, so Fundy National Park is the perfect spot to find some Instagram-worthy locations. It’s also a great place to get out and take a hike. There are plenty of waterfalls within the park and trails ranging from easy to demanding lead to these amazing places. The more accessible one is Dickson Falls Trail – a moderate 1.5-kilometre loop that takes you to the most photographed waterfall in the park.

5. Hopewell Rocks

If you’ve ever wanted to walk on the ocean floor, then this is the place to do it. The Bay of Fundy sees the world’s largest tides, measuring a difference of 15 feet. Hopewell Rocks are rock formations that have been etched away by the tide.

During low tide, you can walk along the ocean floor and explore a world beneath the water. During high tide, you can rent a kayak and take in the formations from above.

Prince Edward Island

There’s no doubt that Prince Edward Island – known as PEI for short – is an iconic Canadian location. This little island province is known for its red sandy beaches, delicious seafood, and its relaxed way of life.

Prince Edward Island is the birthplace of Canada, although the province didn’t join confederation until a few years after its independence. Until the 90s, PEI was only accessible by ferry or plane. Then engineers decided to build the longest (13 kilometers) bridge that spans over ice-covered water, connecting PEI to the mainland.

When in PEI, remember to live on island time and take it easy, because there’s so much to explore!

6. Argyle Provincial Park

If you want to experience the red shores that makes PEI famous, then Argyle Provincial Park is just for you. The day use park is located along the red sands shore drive, about 30 minutes from Charlottetown. You can also walk along the ocean floor here when the tide is low.

7. Cows Creamery

There’s no better place to enjoy a tasty treat on a warm summer day than Cows Creamery. There are many locations around PEI (and the Maritimes), but the origins of all that delicious ice cream come from Cows Creamery in Charlottetown, PEI.

You can take a factory tour to see how their ice cream, butter, and cheese are made. All their ice cream is made with local milk and high-quality ingredients. Go hyper-local and get yourself the PEI strawberry – you won’t be disappointed.

8. Charlottetown

The capital city of PEI, Charlottetown, isn’t very large in terms of city size, but it offers so much history. Explore the Province House National Historic Site, where the idea of Canada was formed, take a stroll in the beautiful Victoria Row, enjoy the sunshine at one of Charlottetown’s many waterfront parks, and take a dive into some delicious fresh seafood.

During the summer months, the Chip Shack in Charlottetown is the place to go for a delicious lobster roll and local Cavendish potatoes. PEI is known for its potatoes that are grown right in the hardy red soil that covers the province.

9. Prince Edward Island National Park

Not only is Prince Edward Island National Park a beautiful place to take a hike or enjoy a beach, but you can camp right on the shore. At the Cavendish campground you can wake up with stunning ocean views, and it’s a perfect way to spend your nights. Don’t forget to take in the towering sand dunes and red cliffs that make up this park.

Look for the red and white lighthouses that dot the northern landscape.

10. Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables is an iconic Canadian literary tale from the early 1900s. The author, Lucy Maud Montgomery, grew up on the island and created a beautiful story about her experiences.

Today, you can explore Montgomery’s home and the Green Gables, which is a national historic site. You can even find Anne herself wandering through the little farm.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia has a lot going for it. Not only does it have an incredible landscape, but it also has an incredible food scene. It’s rich in cultural history and has so many places to explore on an epic road trip of the Canadian Maritimes. Have a look at how stunning this Maritimes province is in the following video:

In Nova Scotia, Halifax especially, you’ll notice many places that pay homage to the past – like Pier 21, where thousands of immigrants landed for the first time in a new country, or the Titanic museum – where you can learn about the incredible story of the Titanic, or Grand Pre – a UNESCO World Heritage site that shed light on the diaspora of the Acadians. In Nova Scotia, you’ll find it all, including the heart and soul of the Canadian Maritimes.

It takes a particular person to be able to live and survive in the Canadian Maritimes, and Nova Scotians are a hardy bunch. Here are some places to explore in this Canadian province.

11. Halifax

There’s no doubt that Halifax is a stunning coastal city. From its delicious eats to the waterfront and buildings, there is so much to see and do in the city. Since you’re on an epic road trip of the Canadian Maritimes, it’s time to park your car and stretch your legs.

In the city, you need to check out the masterpiece that is the Halifax Public Gardens, the historical citadel that protects the city, the historic properties along the harbor, the lively waterfront, and, of course, the Alexander Keith’s brewery, which opened over 200 years ago.

12. Peggy’s Cove

It’s easy to see why thousands of tourists flock to Peggy’s Cove each year. The lighthouse is one of the most famous in Canada and the town surrounding it is equally as impressive.

Peggy’s Cove has a striking landscape that has been worn rough by the wind and sea. It can also be very dangerous. You’ll see many signs here warning people away from the shore. One sign reads “Injury and death have rewarded careless sight-seers here. The ocean and rocks are treacherous. Savor the sea from a distance.

13. Lunenburg

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia is a quintessential Canadian Maritimes experience. The old town was built around fishing and sailing. It is also the home of another Canadian icon – The Bluenose II. Due to its colorful architecture and historic settlement, the town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

14. Grand Pre

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site is Grand Pre, a monument to the Acadian people who settled here and were eventually deported in the 18th century. The Acadians settled in the area, using dykes and sluice systems to farm the land. But a war between the French and English meant the New World was up for grabs. Thousands of Acadians were deported, and many died. Grand Pre tells their story.

An epic Road trip through the Canadian Maritimes

Whether you want to see the cities, the history, the ocean, or the landscape, the Canadian Maritimes has it all. From the red soil island of PEI to the historic Nova Scotia, to the breathtaking New Brunswick , you’ll find yourself wishing to stay here forever.

Keep reading: Newfoundland to The Yukon Road Trip Itinerary

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The Best 10-Day East Coast Canada Road Trip

The East Coast of Canada is packed with amazing places to visit, from Prince Edward Island to Peggy’s Cove to Newfoundland. One of the best ways to see all of the coolest spots is by taking a fantastic East Coast Canada road trip.

Once upon a time, we actually lived on the East Coast of Canada – more specifically, in Halifax – so we know this part of the country inside and out! We can confidently say that there is so much to see on an East Coast Canada road trip.

It’s important to note that this guide is just a structured suggestion of a 10-day East Coast Canada road trip itinerary. It is by no means the only acceptable option out there. So feel free to adjust this guide to fit your preferences, whether that means taking stops out, putting some in, or switching up the order.

Days 1-2: Gaspé Peninsula

This fantastic East Coast Canada road trip itinerary begins on the gorgeous Gaspé Peninsula. Most people completely overlook Gaspé Peninsula and instead head to Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland. And that’s a shame, because Gaspé Peninsula is such a gem!

Between the incredible mountains, stunning seaside views, little Quebecois towns, and four national parks, there’s so much to see on the Gaspé Peninsula. In other words, you’ll have to narrow down your list of things to do to fit it all into two days! If we had to pick a few favorite things to do, we would recommend checking out Percé Rock, popping by Forillon National Park, and saying hello to the birds at Parc National de l’Ile-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé.

Day 3: Kouchibouguac National Park

There are quite a few stunning national parks in this part of Canada, so we’d be remiss to leave them out of this East Coast Canada road trip itinerary. This first national park we’ve decided to dedicate an entire day to is Kouchibouguac National Park.

Kouchibouguac National Park is a 238 square kilometre area known for its various ecosystems, including salt marshes, sand dunes, forests, barrier islands, and more. And since there are so many different types of ecosystems, there is a lot to explore.

If you’d like to head to the water, you can canoe your way towards a wonderful grey seal colony. Just remember to respect their space! If you’d prefer to stay on land, you can picnic on the picture-perfect sand dunes. And if you happen to visit during the winter, you can even put your skiing skills to the test.

Days 4-5: Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is the smallest Canadian province – and this little area is one of the best stops on an East Coast Canada road trip. Despite the fact that Prince Edward Island is an island, you can easily drive your way into this Canadian province.

Many visitors spend a week or more exploring everything that Prince Edward Island has to offer. But since you’ll only have a couple of days before continuing on your road trip, you can pick your favorite spots.

Literature lovers will enjoy a trip to Green Gables Heritage Place, which is a recreation of the home in Anne of Green Gables . If you’re more of a history buff than a fiction reader, you’ll want to visit Charlottetown. In 1864, this small city hosted the Charlottetown Conference, which eventually led to the official formation of Canada.

And last but certainly not least, if you’d prefer to head out into nature, Prince Edward Island doesn’t disappoint on that front either! One of the most beautiful sights on the island is the red sandstone cliffs. You can find these all around the island, including at Prince Edward Island National Park, Cape Tryon, and Port-la-Joye-Fort Amherst National Historic Site. And don’t forget to visit Cavendish Beach, which boasts gorgeous red sand!

Days 6-7: The Bay of Fundy, Fundy National Park, and Saint John

Located on the Bay of Fundy, Fundy National Park has so much to offer. The Bay of Fundy is most well-known for having the highest tides on earth. At low tide, you can walk along the ocean floor, but at high tide, it soars up to 16 metres! This makes for some incredible white water rafting opportunities, which we highly recommend.

But there’s more to Fundy National Park than just the Bay of Fundy. You can take a weird food tour by foraging for ocean edibles, try your hand at geocaching, and hike to Third Vault Falls.

Once you’re done at Fundy National Park, you can spend some time in Saint John. While you can certainly opt to rest and recover from the first few days of this amazing East Coast Canada road trip, you can also head out on the town. After all, there’s no shortage of things to do in Saint John either! Zipline across the Reversing Falls Rapids, explore Irving Nature Park, and pop by Saint John City Market.

Day 8: Lunenburg, Peggy’s Cove, and Halifax

Day 8 of this East Coast Canada Road Trip is packed with a few different stops that are close together. First up, Lunenburg.

Lunenburg is such an underrated little town in Nova Scotia. With its friendly people, historic buildings, and adorable shops, it’s the epitome of small town charm. And that’s certainly something that you’ll want to experience if you get the chance! As a matter of fact, one of the best things to do is simply walk around the adorable town center, pop into cute shops, and dine at local eateries. And if you have a little bit of extra time, you can also visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, hop aboard Bluenose II , and stop by Blue Rocks.

Then, there’s Peggy’s Cove. This lovely small town and natural landscape are unlike any other place in Canada. With colorful boats, smooth boulders, foggy skies, and a towering lighthouse, it looks like it was plucked straight out of a painting!

And last but certainly not least, there’s the city of Halifax. When we lived in Halifax, we were always finding new things to do. But some of our favorites were the calm, easy activities, like walking along the waterfront and listening to live music at one of the city’s exciting pubs.

Days 9-10: Cape Breton Island

Your second-to-last stop on this East Coast Canada road trip itinerary is the lovely Cape Breton Island. Like Prince Edward Island, you can easily drive your way onto Cape Breton Island.

Once you arrive on Cape Breton Island, you’ll be astounded by its beauty. With the sparkling waters, stunning ocean cliffs, and sleepy fishing villages, it looks like it belongs in a storybook! But luckily for you, this picture-perfect island is real and ready for you to explore!

The best way to explore Cape Breton Island is by following the Cabot Trail. This trail loops around the majority of Cape Breton Island, and, along the way, there are loads of wonderful things to see and do. As a matter of fact, most of these wonderful stops are perfect for nature lovers. You can walk to Uisge Ban Falls, go kayaking in the North River, and hike the famous 7.5-kilometre Skyline Trail.

If nature isn’t your top priority, don’t worry! There’s so much more to see on Cape Breton Island. Foodies can take a captivating tour of The Glenora Distillery and stop for a scoop at the adorable Lighthouse Ice Cream Parlour. And animal fans can take a whale watching tour from Neil’s Harbour.

Days 11-13: Newfoundland

Newfoundland is a large island off the coast of Eastern Canada. But this island actually isn’t connected by roads, like the other two islands on this itinerary. So you may be wondering, how can I get to it on my East Coast Canada road trip? There are ferries!

There are two ferries to Newfoundland, both of which depart from North Sydney on Cape Breton Island. One ferry takes you to Argentia, Newfoundland, and the other takes you to Port aux Basque, Newfoundland. Both of these ferries allow you to take your car along for the ride.

When you reach Newfoundland, there is so much to do. If you like the outdoors, you’ll definitely enjoy hiking through Gros Morne National Park. If you’re a sommelier in the making, take a tour of the Auk Island Winery. And if you’re an animal lover, keep an eye out for awesome wildlife, including whales and seabirds.

To round out your road trip, you have a couple of options. First, you can head back to the mainland via the same ferry you took to get to Newfoundland. This is the best option if you’re using your own car. But if you’ve rented a car, you can return it in Newfoundland and take a flight out of Gander International Airport instead.

If you’d like to stick around in Newfoundland a bit longer, check out this longer Newfoundland road trip itinerary!

So what are you waiting for? Are you ready to hit the road and take this amazing East Coast Canada road trip? Let us know how your adventure goes in the comments!

Looking for other bucketlist destinations in Canada? Check out our guide!

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Best of Atlantic Canada Two-Week Travel Itinerary

Two weeks is an excellent length of time for visiting each of Atlantic Canada’s four provinces and not feeling too rushed along the way. You could just spend the entire two weeks in the three Maritimes provinces, or only explore the far reaches of Newfoundland and Labrador, but this itinerary has it all.

Nova Scotia

After arriving in Halifax, settle in at a historic downtown B&B such as The Halliburton. Spend the afternoon taking in sights such as Halifax Citadel National Historic Site and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic , and make dinner reservations at a waterfront restaurant.

Drive south through Peggy’s Cove (take the obligatory lighthouse photo) and Mahone Bay (browse the arts and crafts shops, eat lunch at Rebecca’s Restaurant ) to Lunenburg. There’s plenty to see en route, but arrive in time for an afternoon walk through the UNESCO-protected core of downtown, which is filled with colorful buildings. For the views alone, the Salt Shaker Deli & Inn is my favorite Lunenburg lodging.

Drive across to Annapolis Royal to explore the historic town and visit Fort Anne. Stop in Digby for a meal of plump Digby scallops and board the afternoon ferry for New Brunswick and an overnight at one of the lodgings within walking distance of Fundy National Park .

New Brunswick

Mornings are a delight in Fundy National Park, so plan on a coastal hike and then drive through to Fredericton. Here, the Historic Garrison District packs in the past (and art lovers will want to schedule a stop at Beaverbrook Art Gallery ), but the highlight of this day will be watching Loyalist history come to life at Kings Landing Historical Settlement. There’s no advantage to staying right downtown, so reserve a room at On the Pond.

Drive up the Saint John River, making a crossing at the Hartland Covered Bridge, then soaking up the wilderness of Mount Carleton Provincial Park en route to Miramichi. You’ll learn about Acadians and their struggles at Village Historique Acadien.

Prince Edward Island

Drive to Prince Edward Island via the Confederation Bridge. Check in early to Charlottetown’s Shipwright Inn and spend the afternoon on a rural jaunt through Cavendish, passing through Prince Edward Island National Park and stopping at Green Gables Heritage Place.

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Rise early to catch the ferry from Wood Islands to Caribou. Learn about the arrival of the early Scottish settlers at Hector Heritage Quay in Pictou, then drive through to Baddeck, on Cape Breton Island. Squeeze in a visit to Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site . Most rooms at Baddeck’s Water’s Edge Inn have balconies with views of the sun setting over the lake.

Spend the day driving the famously scenic Cabot Trail, choosing between hiking coastal trails, relaxing on the beach, and a whale-watching trip. Catch the evening ferry to Argentia (reserve a cabin for extra comfort).

Newfoundland

You’ll wake to your first views of Newfoundland as the ferry pulls into Argentia. There’s plenty to see on the way to the capital, including the archaeological dig at the Colony of Avalon . Once in St. John’s, head to The Rooms to learn about local history and Signal Hill National Historic Site for the views. Make reservations at Mallard Cottage for dinner.

Still feeling energetic? The lively downtown bars of George Street come alive after dark.

Head west, stopping at Trinity, a tiny fishing village where little has changed in over a century, en route to Gros Morne National Park , where during the long days of summer you have time for a walk through the Tablelands and can still be at Lobster Cove Head in time to watch the sunset. Gros Morne Cabins are a centrally located base in Rocky Harbour.

Join a morning boat tour of Western Brook Pond and drive north along the Northern Peninsula. Make sure to stop at Port au Choix National Historic Site and the thrombolites of Flowers Cove en route to Southwest Pond Cabins in L’Anse aux Meadows. Dinner at the Norseman Restaurant is a must.

Visit L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, then drive to St. Barbe and put your feet up for a couple of hours on the ferry crossing to Labrador. Head north along the Labrador Straits to Mary’s Harbour. Park your vehicle and pack an overnight bag for the short boat trip to Battle Harbour, an “outport” (remote fishing village) that was abandoned in the 1960s, but where restoration efforts include a restaurant and an inn.

Return to the mainland and spend the day exploring this remote stretch of coast. Red Bay National Historic Site should definitely be on your itinerary, as should the lighthouse at L’Anse Amour. Catch the ferry back to St. Barbe and continue south to Port-aux-Basques in time for the evening ferry back to Nova Scotia.

Head Back Home

Arriving in North Sydney around dawn, you have plenty of time to make an afternoon flight home from Halifax. If you’re not flying out until the following morning, take Marine Drive along the Eastern Shore and spend the night along this remote stretch of coast, where Sherbrooke Village is a historical highlight and where the beaches of Taylor Head Provincial Park are perfect for a walk.

Andrew Hempstead

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Our 3-Week Maritime Canada Itinerary: What to See (AND skip)

by Jessica | Aug 22, 2022 | Our Journey to FI , Travel | 7 comments

We just got back from (what felt like to us) an epic 3-week road trip up to Maritime Canada! If you aren’t familiar with the term “Maritimes,” this means the Atlantic provinces of Canada. This includes New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia.

This was our first big road trip in our new campervan . In fact, three weeks is the longest vacation we’ve ever taken, at least since we graduated from college and started working. We know this is the first of many and that we’ll extend the trips to longer lengths over time.

We thought 3 weeks was a perfect amount of time to visit Maritime Canada! We had a wonderful time, but it also left us wanting more time to experience these beautiful places. If you have less time, I’d encourage you to stick to fewer destinations and really savor each one.

And, if you live in another part of the country, I’d also encourage fewer destinations. Your drive to the Canadian border will likely be longer than ours was (which clocked in at about 6 hours). 

In this post, I’ll share:

• Our 3-week Maritime Canada Itinerary
• What to see AND what to skip
• What we’d do differently next time we go there (which will hopefully be soon!)

3-Week Maritime Canada Road Trip Itinerary

For this itinerary, I’ll break down the time spent in each region or province. I’ll include where we slept as well as key activities you could consider!

For your reference, here is our brief itinerary:

• Day 1 – Travel day through NH and Maine on our way to Canada
• Days 2-6 – New Brunswick
• Days 7-11 – Prince Edward Island
• Days 12-17 – Northern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island
• Days 18-21 – Southern Nova Scotia
• Days 22-23 – Travel days through Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Maine, and New Hampshire on our way back to Boston

Let’s get into more details so that you can plan your own road trip to the Maritimes!

Day 1 – Travel through NH and Maine on our way to Canada (1 day)

Whenever you take a road trip, you need to account for the travel time to get to your intended destination. We knew that we didn’t want to drive more than 4-5 hours in a day (if we could help it), so we decided to stop in Maine on the way up. 

In Maine, we opted to stay overnight at a Harvest Host . Harvest Hosts is a membership where we pay about $85/year to have access to over 3,000 free camping locations. The locations include wineries, breweries, farms, etc.). If you want to participate in this membership, you need to have a self-contained RV (which basically means that you need a bathroom inside the rig). 

If you have an RV and want to check out Harvest Hosts, click here to get 15% off your first year . 

In Maine, we stayed at Stone Tree Farm and Cidery . It was a beautiful, quiet location in Unity ME. 

When traveling through Maine, here are some of the activities that you could consider:

• Stop for amazing donuts at Holy Donut in Portland or Scarborough, ME. 
• Play disc golf at one of Maine’s many disc golf courses .
• Hang out and go for a swim at St. George Lake State Park .

Days 2-6 – Explore New Brunswick (5 days)

Our first real stop was New Brunswick. We spent most of our time along the southern coast near the Bay of Fundy, which famously has the highest tides in the world. We spent the first few days exploring Fundy National Park before heading up to spend time with friends (who we met through the blog) in Shediac. 

Sadly, we ended up having a bunch of warning lights come on in the van on our way to Shediac. Fortunately, we were only 20 minutes away from a Mercedes dealership when it happened. Luckily, it was just a faulty sensor that was easy to replace. But, we did end up spending one night sleeping in the Mercedes parking lot and an extra day in New Brunswick while we waited for the part. 

Here are the places we stayed in New Brunswick:

• 3 Nights – Pointe Wolf Campground at Fundy National Park (highly recommend)
• 1 Night – Mercedez-Benz dealership in Moncton, NB (would not recommend…)
• 1 Night – “Mooch-camping” in the driveway of friends we met through the blog in Shedia, NB (I always highly recommend staying with friends!) 

Over the 5 days we spent in New Brunswick, we did a lot of fun activities:

• Fundy Trail Parkway : We drove the beautiful Fundy Trail Parkway , a scenic drive with many overlooks and short hikes along the Bay of Fundy. 
• Fundy National Park: In Fundy National Park , we did a ton of hiking! Our favorite hikes were Dickson Falls, Shiphaven, and hiking down to Pointe Wolf Beach.
• Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park: This provincial park is famous for its flowerpot rocks (you’ll recognize them in the photos below). We spent a full day here. We kayaked in the morning at high tide (with Baymount Outdoor Adventures ) and walked the ocean floor in the afternoon at low tide. 
• Parlee Beach Provincial Park: Had we not had the van issue, we’d never have had the opportunity to go to this beach with our friends! It was incredibly beautiful and boasts the warmest waters in the Atlantic north of Virginia! 

For us, traveling in a van means that we make the vast majority of our food. Yet, I am happy to share that we ate one meal out at the Muddy Rudder in Alma, New Brunswick. Before the trip, I was bummed that I wouldn’t be able to eat poutine in Canada (since potatoes make me sick).  But, the Muddy Rudder made me poutine with sweet potato fries!

Days 7-11 – Explore Prince Edward Island (5 days)

After getting the van repaired, we headed to Prince Edward Island a day and a half later than we had hoped. We adapted our schedule and still had a wonderful time.

We decided to explore both the eastern and central parts of the island. PEI is such a small island and everything is fairly close together. Once we got onto the island, we never drive more than an hour to get from one place to another. 

First, I’ll share where we slept:

• 1 Night – Red Point Provincial Park on the Eastern shore of PEI (HIGHLY recommend! I’ll share more below).
• 1 Night – Bogside Brewing through Harvest Hosts (This spot was just okay). 
• 3 Nights – Stanhope Campground at Prince Edward Island National Park (This was a great campground, but would not recommend it if you have a dog). 

Over five days on PEI, we did a lot of fun activities and saw a lot of beautiful sites. Here are a few I’d recommend:

• Hike the Greenwich Dunes at PEI National Park : This was hands-down the most beautiful hike we did on the Island. It’s a 2.7-mile out and back trail across the dunes, boardwalks, and floating bridges. 
• Go to Basin Head Provincial Park Beach: We spent some time on this beach experiencing the “singing sands,” which was really just a squeak with each step because of the high silica content. It was fun and beautiful. We were there on a cloudy day, so it wasn’t very busy. 
• Hike or bike the Robinson Island Trail System in PEI National Park: This was a 2-mile loop around Robinson Island with many beautiful vistas and views of mainland PEI. 
• Bike along the PEI National Park Bike Trail from North Rustico to the Cavendish Cliffs and Avonlea Village: This 15-mile (out and back) bike trail goes along the northern/central coast of PEI. You’ll stop along the way to see beautiful vistas of the coastline and cliffs. You’ll end the ride at the Anne of Green Gables tourist sites. To be honest, we didn’t care at all about seeing this touristy stuff. We just stopped for ice cream! We rented bikes from Outside Expeditions in North Rustico.
• Play Disc Golf at Hillcrest Farms: This was the highlight of PEI for Corey (and the main reason we went there in the first place. This disc golf course was ranked the 2nd best in the WORLD in 2021. If you are into disc golf, you’ll definitely want to check it out. 

We did end up eating out a few times during our time on PEI. Here are a few of the places we enjoyed:

• Cows Ice Cream: Some people say Cows is the best ice cream in Canada. We couldn’t say because we haven’t had all the ice creams in Canada, but It was pretty darn good. 
• Bogside Brewing: While this wasn’t a great place to sleep, they did have awesome food and great cider. The brewery hosted two restaurants – pizza and BBQ. We had the BBQ, which was very good. We’ve heard that the pizza is some of the best on the island. 
• Fin Folk Food: One day, we headed to the beach and saw this fish shack nearby. We decided to get lunch and did not regret it!

Days 12-17 – Explore Cape Breton Island in northern Nova Scotia (6 days)

After leaving PEI, we headed over to Nova Scotia to Cape Breton Island. We had heard that driving the Cabot Trail and visiting Cape Breton Highlands National Park was going to be the highlight of our trip. They were right. It was the highlight of the trip. We were absolutely amazed at the beauty that we saw around every turn. 

When we were in Northern Nova Scotia, we slept in the following places:

• 1 Night – Caribou-Monroes Island Provincial Park – this was a stopover halfway between Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton (this campground was fine but we wouldn’t go out of our way to stay here again). 
• 2 Nights – Broad Cove Campground which is in the eastern part of Cape Breton Highlands National Park (HIGHLY recommend)
• 3 Nights – Cheticamp Campground which is in the western part of Cape Breton Highlands National Park (would NOT recommend; see more on this below) 

During our 6 days in Cape Breton, we saw and did so many incredible things. Here are some of the highlights:

• Explore the Cabot Trail: The Cabot Trail is a 186-mile highway that weaves through Cape Breton Highlands National Park and along the shore of the Atlantic and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. We stopped at all the overlooks. Our favorites included: Lakies Head, Green Cove, Beulach Ban Falls, Wreck Cove, Cap-Rouge, and La Bloc. Because the Cheticamp campground was so bad, we would often just drive to an overlook or another beautiful spot to hang out when we weren’t hiking rather than go back to the campground. 
• Hike in Cape Breton Highlands National Park: We hiked every day we were there! Our favorite trails were the Freshwater Lake Look-Off, the Coast Trail from Black Brook Beach, MacIntosh Brook Waterfall, the (famous) Skyline Trail, and Le Buttereau. Since I’m still recovering from my foot surgery, all of these are easy or moderate hikes of less than 4 miles. 
• Stop in Inverness to walk their boardwalk: Someone we met recommended we do this! It was on our way off of the island, so, of course, we made a quick stop. We walked along a beautiful boardwalk with the beach and crashing waves to our left and a beautiful golf course to our right. 

There were very few restaurants (or really much civilization) up near Cape Breton Highlands National Park. So, we only visited one restaurant called Mr. Chicken in Cheticamp, NS. We ate their famous fried chicken for dinner one night. To be honest, it was just okay. But, we also got ice cream there (as it’s one of the few ice-cream shops in the area), and we’d highly recommend it for that. 

Days 18-21 – Explore Southern Nova Scotia (4 days)

After leaving the majesty of Cape Breton Island, we decided to explore southern Nova Scotia. This included visiting a famous lighthouse, strolling around a town that’s also a UNESCO heritage site, and visiting our fourth national park of the trip. 

When we were exploring Southern Nova Scotia, we stayed in the following places:

• 1 Night – We “mooch-camped” in friends’ (who we know through the blog) driveway in Dartmouth, NS (on the outskirts of Halifax). (We always recommend staying with friends!)
• 1 Night – Lightship Brewing through Harvest Hosts (HIGHLY recommend; this was one of the coolest places we stayed on the whole trip, not just one of the best Harvest Hosts)
• 2 Nights – Jeremy’s Bay Campground in Kejimkujik National Park (It was a nice campground, but I’m not sure we’d recommend it. See below for more!) 

Our favorite activities in Southern Nova Scotia were:

• Visiting the Lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove: This iconic lighthouse is one of the most visited and most photographed places in Nova Scotia. You can spend hours exploring the rocks and watching the waves and tide. 
• Strolling through Lunenburg: Lunenburg is one of the only urban communities that’s designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Visiting here, you’ll see brightly painted houses that were built in the 18th century still standing. There was also some awesome food and drink here!
• Explore Kejimkujik National Park: Located on the shores of Kejimkujik Lake, there were so many things to do, including hiking, biking, swimming, canoeing, and other water sports. They even have dozens of backcountry campsites that you can rent a canoe (rentals located inside the park) to get to. Our favorite hike was to Peter Point, a small, secluded beach. 

Day 22-23 – Drive from Nova Scotia to Boston with a stop in New Brunswick (1.5 days)

This is the boring part. After leaving Southern Nova Scotia, we took one and a half days to drive back home to Boston. On the way, we slept at Granite Town Farms Wild Blueberries in St. George, NB through Harvest Hosts. It was an okay place to stay – a few notches above a Walmart parking lot, but it served our purpose. 

We stopped to play Disc Golf both days (in Nova Scotia and in Maine) and got home with enough time to unpack, clean the van, and hang out with some friends.

What You Absolutely Must See in the Maritimes!

We hinted at the things we absolutely loved (and didn’t) above. And, I want to tell you more about why we loved and didn’t love things. Here’s the inside scoop. 

Nova Scotia

#1 – the cabot trail.

We recommend spending at least three days exploring the Cabot Trail and Cape Breton Highland National Park (we spent 5 days).

While driving the Cabot Trail, stop at all the overlooks (or even spend hours hanging out at them, as we did). Our three favorite hikes were the Skyline Trail, the Coastal Trail from Black Brook Beach, and the Freshwater Lake Lookoff. If you want to camp, we’d definitely recommend staying at Broad Cover Campground on the easter side of the park. 

#2 – Lunenburg

The other thing we’d highly recommend doing in Nova Scotia is to stop in Lunenburg! If you have a Harvest Hosts Membership, we’d definitely recommend staying at Lightship Brewing. If you don’t, we’d recommend a visit there.

You get to enjoy great food and beer or cider while overlooking the harbor and town. To be clear, we didn’t feel like we needed to spend more than an afternoon and evening here to get the full experience. 

Prince Edward Island

#1 – greenwich dunes in pei national park.

This was my favorite hike on Prince Edward Island. It is a must-see!

#2 – Stay at Red Point Provincial Park

If you are into camping, I’d recommend staying at Red Point Provincial Park near Souris, which is on the northeastern side of the island.

When you stay here, make sure you book one of the spots that are right on the water (9, 10, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, or 26). If you can’t get one of these spots, you may want to skip this campground. 

#3 – Get Cows Ice Cream

As shared above, Cows has been voted the best ice cream in Canada. It is somewhat commercialized, and I’d compare it to Ben and Jerry’s in the United States. But, the ice cream is very good! You’ll find locations in Charlottetown and Cavendish. 

#4 – Play Disc Golf at Hillcrest Farms

As shared above, Hillcrest Farms was voted the 2nd best disc golf course in the world in 2021 (coming in right after Maple Hill in my home state of Massachusetts). Corey loves disc golf and playing this course was one of the highlights of his trip. 

New Brunswick

#1 – visit the hopewell rocks provincial park.

There is a kayaking adventure company ( Baymount Outdoors Adventures ) right within the park, and I’d recommend doing their high tide kayaking tour. We had the opportunity to kayak right next to these incredible rock formations on the highest tides in the world. Then, just a few hours later, we were walking the ocean floor 40-50 feet below where we had kayaked earlier in the day. It was incredible! 

When you go here, you’ll want to make sure to visit at both low and high tides. When you pay for admission to the park, your pass is good for two days for this exact reason. If you can’t see both low and high tide in one day, you definitely want to go back the next day! 

#2 – Drive the Fundy Trail Parkway

This 19-mile scenic drive goes right along the Bay of Fundy directly south of Fundy National Park. The parkway and its trails, overlooks, and bike paths are maintained by a nonprofit organization. 

#3 – Hike the trails at Fundy National Park

Fundy National park was a beautiful place to visit! My favorite thing was when we hiked down to Pointe Wolf Beach and both low and high tides! It was incredible to see the difference just a few hours apart! 

What to SKIP in your trip to the Maritimes

Whenever we travel, we think it’s important to share the things that we didn’t like and what we would have done differently. That way you can avoid our mistakes and enjoy your trip even more. Let’s talk about what we’d skip. 

#1 – Cheticamp Campground in Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Walking to the bathroom on the first night, we heard someone say, “ This isn’t a campground; it’s a parking lot.” And, we thought that described Cheticamp quite well. It’s a glorified parking lot with firepits (at most – not all – campsites) and a few trees. One night we made a campfire, and our firepit was ten feet away from the car of the people at the next campsite.

In fact, we were so disappointed with this campground that we actually did some research to see if we could find another campground instead. Unfortunately, it was the weekend so everything was already booked. We compensated by spending as much time hanging out in beautiful locations as possible and only coming back to the campground to sleep. 

If you want to stay on the western side of the Cape Breton Highlands, we recommend looking into Mkwesaqtuk/Cap-Rouge Campground or Corney Brook Campground instead.

#2 – Kejimkujik National Park

I hesitate to put this on the list of things to skip because it was actually a pretty good place to stay. My main reason for skipping it is that it just felt like “normal camping.” It wasn’t distinct from the camping we can easily do within a few hours of our home.

If you happen to be in southern Nova Scotia, you’ll definitely enjoy your visit here. But, if you don’t have another reason to visit southern Nova Scotia, I’d recommend skipping it. 

One thing to note is that Kejimkujik National Park is Nova Scotia’s only Dark Sky Preserve. We did not get to experience this because it was cloudy for our entire visit.  Had we gotten to see the stars it’s possible we might feel differently. But, we did have the opportunity to do some star gazing on Prince Edward Island, which was fairly dark as well. We even saw some shooting stars there one night. 

#1 – The Scenic Coastal Drives

Do NOT take the scenic coastal drives on Prince Edward Island, unless it happens to be on your route anyways. The PEI tourism board makes it sound like these are amazing ways to see the sites. When I read about it, I was definitely picturing something like the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia or the Fundy Trail Parkway in New Brunswick. 

In reality, you’ll just be driving through farmland most of the time. Once in a while, you might drive through a pretty area. But, it’s not worth driving an extra distance.  I’d recommend simply choosing the places you want to go and driving straight to them. You’ll see the same number of cool things doing that. 

#2 – Staying at PEI National Park ( if you have a dog)

When planning our trip to PEI, we did not realize that dogs weren’t allowed on any national park beaches in PEI. And, they are very strict about it.

For three days in PEI, we stayed at Stanhope Campground which was within PEI national park. It would have been a lovely place to stay had we been able to take our dog to the beach. Unfortunately, we had to leave the national park and find a public or provincial park beach, so that we could take our pup. 

In the future, we would choose to stay at a provincial park, so that we could enjoy the beach without needing to drive 20 minutes. 

The only thing we’d have skipped in New Brunswick was sleeping at a Mercedes-Benz Dealership. I am hopeful that this will not happen to you in the future! But, if you have a Sprinter van and have engine trouble in New Brunswick, please know that there is an MB dealership in Moncton. And, they will let you stay overnight in their parking lot. 

What We’d Do Differently Next Time in Maritime Canada

There are a few things that we wouldn’t necessarily skip, but we’d do differently. 

#1 – Spent more time in PEI and less time in Southern Nova Scotia

Southern Nova Scotia, specifically Kejimkujik National Park, was the least exciting part of our trip. If we could do it over again, we’d spend less time in southern NS and more time exploring PEI. We would have loved to explore Charlottetown and Summerside, PEI’s two largest “cities.”

We missed out on a few things we had hoped to do since our trip was shortened because of our engine issue. Even having one more day wouldn’t have allowed us to see everything we wanted to. We’ll definitely be back to PEI at some point. 

#2 – Bring my Bike

There are so many awesome bike trails in PEI that we didn’t get to experience because we only rented bikes for one day. When I go back to PEI, I’d want to bring my bike, so that I can bike the Confederation Trail System . It’s a decommissioned railway line that extended for hundreds of kilometers from east to west with branch trails going north and south as well. 

#3 – Arrive at Peggy’s Cove in Southern NS earlier

When we arrived at Peggy’s Cove (Nova Scotia’s most iconic lighthouse) around 9 AM, it was already packed with people. There were even multiple tour buses. 

During the visit, I learned that the visitor center allows RVs to stay overnight in their parking lot. If I come back through southern Nova Scotia again, that is exactly what I’ll do. This will allow us to be the first people there in the morning.

#4 – Check the event schedule for each Harvest Host

We made the mistake of not doing this for our first two Harvest Hosts . When we arrived at Stone Hill Farm and Cidery, we were informed that karaoke was about to start. Luckily, there was a poor showing and only two songs were sung. The rest of the evening was relaxing and quiet. 

When we arrived at Bogside Brewing, we learned that there was a live band. We had seen on the Harvest Host App that the brewery closed at 10, so we didn’t think this would be a problem. Then, we saw the fine print. On the bottom of their sign below the closing times, it said, “ or until the party ends.” The band was actually pretty terrible and played until around 11:30 PM. 

In the future, we will look to see what events are being held at the Harvest Host locations to ensure that we aren’t taken unawares. 

We LOVED Maritime Canada and Will Definitely be Back!

Not only were the sites incredibly beautiful, but we also met some really fun and incredibly nice people. We enjoyed hanging out with some new friends we met through the blog in all three provinces!

When I go back to the Maritimes, here’s what I’d love to do most:

• Spend more time exploring Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick and its counterparts in Nova Scotia (Burntcoat Head Provincial Park and Cape Chingneto Provincial Park). 
• Drive the Cabot Trail during the peak of fall foliage! It was already one of the most beautiful drives in the world. The only thing that could make it more beautiful would be the fall foliage!
• Stay right on the water at Red Point Provincial Park in PEI for many days in a row!

Have you been to the Maritimes? What else would you suggest doing?

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Looks like an amazing trip. What a world of opportunity this van has opened for you two. Best of luck on your next trip!

Thank you! We are absolutely loving it.

Well it sounds like a mostly successful trip!! So glad you got to kayak around the Hopewell rocks, for sure one of my favourite things I’ve done in NB, along with Fundy park. I had to laugh at your recommendation to NOT camp at the MB dealership. So glad that you were able to get your issue fixed and back on the road within a day! I was super excited to hear that you were traveling to my “home turf” and I’m glad you enjoyed it. Luckily we had pretty good summer weather too. I’m so tempted to go out and get my own travel van…maybe I should try a rental first to see how we like it. – T in NB 🙂

I would definitely recommend renting a van to see how you like it! We absolutely love it though and would highly recommend it!

Just came across you site today and thank you for your itinerary and great description. We are in the early stages of planning our trip from Tampa, FL to Acadia NP and then up to Maritime Canada and we will definitely leverage what you shared in your blog.

We are a disc golf family so a big plus to including your dg highlights as well.

I’m so glad you found this helpful! There are a TON of awesome disc golf courses in Maine too! They are everywhere!

Thank you so much for such an informative article – really appreciate you taking the time to add all of these details. We are visiting this area of Canada in the Summer and will be renting an RV and will be following your recommendation.

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28+ Amazing Activities: Epic Atlantic Canada RV Road Trip

Tips for visiting new brunswick, nova scotia, newfoundland, and pei..

Last updated Apr 18, 2023

Canada's easternmost provinces are each bucket-list-worthy destinations. There are so many amazing places and people that make up New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. But, we couldn't decide on just one province, so we embarked on an epic nine-week Atlantic Canada RV road trip.

It was more beautiful, exciting, rejuvenating, and life-changing than we ever could have expected!

We walked on the gooey ocean floor in New Brunswick, drove the famed Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia, were serenaded by locals in Newfoundland, and found a new perspective in Prince Edward Island. Plus, a whole lot of wonderful adventures in between.

If this isn't on your list of places to experience, it should be – regardless of if you visit in an RV or not. But, for RVers, it is particularly nice because of all the wonderful camping options and scenic drives.

We've included an overview of each province, what we loved about it, tips for what to see, and where to camp. Want an entire list of everywhere we stayed? Check out our RV Camping Reviews page .

Table of Contents

Things to Do in New Brunswick, Canada

Our first introduction to Atlantic Canada began in the province of New Brunswick. This area is known for its high tides, beautiful wooded areas, and whale watching.

Overall, we found it relaxing and enjoyed the varying landscapes – from farmlands to beaches. When we crossed over from Maine, there was no line so the border guards happily chatted with us about best places to see. Way less stressful than we anticipated!

We also ended our Atlantic Canada trip in Northern New Brunswick, after looping around all the other provinces, and before heading on to Quebec !

Favorite Place in New Brunswick: Hopewell Rocks

We loved Hopewell Rocks from the first moment we got there because it had RV parking! Can I get an amen? But the really impressive part is the tide viewing.

You can see the famed tides of the Bay of Fundy at their highest as they cover most of the rocks below. Then go back about 6 hours later to walk on the ocean floor where the water once was. The sea levels rise between 32 and 46 feet here!

Other Top Destinations & Activities in New Brunswick

Waterfall at st. george gorge.

The waterfall at St. George Gorge was our first stop in the province. We parked at the visitor center (which doubled as a farm stand) and had a lovely stroll over. There is a bridge below the falls with a tiny viewing area (fits 1-2 people).

Fundy National Park

More views of the tides and awesome hiking options. Don't miss Dickson Falls! While the parking here was very sparse, and even more sparse for our Winnebago View, we were able to park and hike to the beautiful Dickson Falls.

Kouchibouguac National Park

Kouchibouguac National Park is a great spot for biking, hiking, nature viewing and beach chilling. They also host fun indigenous cultural events here and have a unique opportunity to ride in a canoe to visit a grey seal colony!

Best RV Camping Sites in New Brunswick

Harvest Hosts Wineries : We were surprised to find out that our Harvest Host membership would still be useful in Canada! We happily enjoyed multiple winery overnights during our visit.

South Kouchibouguac Campground : This national park campground is very chill, spacious and close to all of the fun activities the park has to offer.

The Shire Campground : This quirky, unforgettable place was a highlight of our trip. We got to enjoy great views while having a few drinks with other travelers and listening to all of their amazing stories. We wouldn't recommend taking larger than a Class C RV here though.

Cool Things to Do in Nova Scotia, Canada

We listened to a group playing bagpipes at the visitor center when we arrived in Nova Scotia – an accurate first impression of this culturally infused province. And as we journeyed along the Cabot Trail during our Atlantic Canada road trip, we heard more of the music that has been passed on through generations. We even took a mini fiddle-playing lesson!

In the southern portion, we learned more about the history at the many National Historic Sites – where they make learning a unique experience! That cultural infusion mixed with the insanely amazing views makes Nova Scotia a must-visit. Plus, summer is the absolute best time to visit Nova Scotia. The weather is great for hiking!

Our Favorite Place in Nova Scotia: Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Cape Breton Highlands National Park is a must-see section of the Cabot Trail with so many beautiful hikes, you will really want to plan a few weeks to check out as many trails as possible. We got in about six, but definitely wish we had more time there!

The Skyline Trail is a must, of course! But there are many other great hikes through forests, along coasts, and even through a bog.

Other Top Destinations & Activities in Nova Scotia

Celtic music interpretive centre.

This place hosts daily lunch ceilidhs most seasons (with live traditional music, singing, and dancing). They have delicious, fresh seafood too! And there is also a small museum/interpretive centre on site where you can learn more about the music, take a fiddle playing lesson, and learn to dance a jig!

Fortress of Louisbourg

Brooke shot a cannon. Enough said! To top that off, Buddy go to play the role as Prisoner of the Day and was paraded through ton and put in the Iron Collar. But really, the Fortress of Louisbourg is a blast, and they make learning about the history of the area a ton of fun. The national parks in Nova Scotia and historic sites are a must-visit!

Halifax Walking Tour

This was a great walking city! We were able to park at the Citadel in our RV, then wander down to the waterfront to take in the views. Watching the craftsmen at the nearby crystal factory work their magic was mesmerizing! And on the way back, we stopped by the public gardens for a lovely stroll. It was the perfect day – there were even people lounging in the grass on the hill around the Citadel.

Peggy's Cove Lighthouse

Sunset at Peggy's Cove Lighthouse is a must. And we had no problem sleeping in the RV overnight at the nearby visitor center. Regardless if you stay all night, we'd suggest parking here to avoid the congestion closer to the lighthouse.

Kejimkujik National Park

An official dark sky preserve with lots of trails and a calm river to paddle around on, plus beaches? Perfection! Kejimkujik National Park is the perfect place for some relaxation while in Nova Scotia. This is one of the little-known Nova Scotia national parks and a great quiet getaway.

Wine Tasting in the Annapolis Valley

Nova Scotia has a wine region, who knew? Don't miss a stop at the breathtaking, newly built tasting room at Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards. We loved the wine and the views!

Best RV Camping in Nova Scotia

Cheticamp, Cape Breton Highlands National Park : This was a great place to base our Cabot Trail explorations on the west side with fun activities and nearby trails. However, we do suggest splitting your time between a few of the park's great camping options to avoid too much backtracking.

Jeremy's Bay Campground, Kejimkujik National Park : This wooded, quiet park was beautiful and puts you close to tons of trails and nearby beaches. Don't forget to go out at night to see the stars!

Boondocking at the Visitor Center at Peggy's Cove : Quiet, convenient, and easy to get to (much more so than the closer parking lot).

Things to Do in Newfoundland, Canada

It may sound overdramatic, but Newfoundland will probably be one of the great loves of our life. It was not just one thing, place, or moment that stole our hearts. The unique energy and beauty there was unlike anything we had experienced, and it made a lasting impression on us.

So, if you have time and can justify the ferry cost, then add Newfoundland to your Atlantic Canada road trip itinerary right now! The best time to visit Newfoundland is definitely in the summer to enjoy the top highlights, but shoulder season can also be nice.

Our Favorite Place in Newfoundland: Gros Morne National Park

It is no secret that we love to hike. So, Gros Morne National Park was a haven for us. We hiked up mountains, along coasts, and on the barren exposed mantle of the Tablelands area.

Plus, this area has adorable fishing villages with delicious fresh seafood, fun kitchen parties with great local talent, sandy beaches to lounge on, and lots of unique activities put on by Parks Canada. This Newfoundland national park is an absolute must!

Other Top Destinations & Activities in Newfoundland

Atving adventure.

Check out Newfoundland like a local! We highly suggest an ATV tour with Pirate's Haven.  They may even take you to their secret beach-side picnic spot if you are lucky!

L'Anse Meadows

This Viking settlement is not just a fun reenactment, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the remains of an actual Viking village were found. Go for the history, stay for the views.

Whitewater Rafting

Whitewater Rafting on the Exploits River in Central Newfoundland offers a relaxing, fun time. Paddle, swim, and picnic your way down while admiring the beautiful views.

Twillingate

Twillingate is perfect for iceberg and whale watching! Go to Long Point Lighthouse for a wide-open view of the ocean and its many treasures. Then, stop at Auk Island Winery to taste some delicious Iceberg wine!

Elliston & Bonavista Lighthouse

If you want to see Puffins, you have to check out these places during nesting season. You can get extremely close to these adorable birds, and it is 100% free! Nesting season is mid-May through mid-September at the latest. We could really just watch these birds for hours.

Terra Nova National Park

Don't miss a trip to Terra Nova while you are in Newfoundland. There is a ton of great hiking with stunning views, but you will want to make sure to get out on the water as well.

From hiking to kayaking, and whale tours or fishing, Terra Nova National Park really has a bit of everything. We were really impressed with the national parks in Newfoundland!

Avalon Peninsula

Whale watching at St. Vincent's along the beach is a must. But if you want a closer look, take a whale and puffin watching tour  at nearby Witless Bay Ecological Reserve.

Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site

Cape Spear Lighthouse is the easternmost point in North America, and the wide-open ocean views are breathtaking.

Signal Hill National Historic Site

This is the perfect place to admire the beauty of St. John's without getting stuck in the hustle and bustle of city life. There are also some great ocean views and trails at Signal Hill National Historic Site. Of course, there are many other St. John's Newfoundland things to do, but we tend to stick to the scenic areas!

Best RV Camping Spots in Newfoundland

Pirate's Haven ATV-friendly RV Park : Great stop in Robinsons on the way to Gros Morne from the ferry terminal. Don't miss an ATV tour while you are there or a relaxing sunset walk.

Boondocking in Twillingate : Seriously amazing places to park along the coast! Just find an open side-of-the-road area with no rules against it and you should be good.

Celtic Rendezvous by the Sea RV Park : This campground in Tors Cove had perfect ocean views for whale watching and was conveniently located near awesome tour options.

Boondocking at Port au Choix : We looooved staying by this gorgeous lighthouse. Watching the waves at sunset was magical.

Getting To Newfoundland by RV

The only way to bring your RV to the island is via Marine Atlantic's ferry. It is about 7 hours from North Sydney, Nova Scotia, to Port aux Basques, Newfoundland. The ferry is pretty costly compared to smaller voyages, but well worth it, especially if you plan to stay in Newfoundland for an extended trip.

Plan to spend at least C$500 round trip if you are bringing your RV. You can also rent a two-bed cabin for about C$60, which we were happy to have on such a long journey. There is also a restaurant on-site with limited hours.

If traveling with a pet, you have the option to board them or leave them in your vehicle with windows cracked. For more details about the logistics of getting to Newfoundland read this blog post .

Places to Visit in Prince Edward Island

We saved the beach locale of Prince Edward Island for the last stop of our Atlantic Canada RV Road Trip. We planned to use this time to rest up from all of our epic adventures, but it turned out to have some of the best activities of our trip!

I even got to check parasailing off my bucket list – something I've wanted to do since I was 5! And the bike riding was top-notch.

Our Favorite Place in Prince Edward Island: Greenwich Dunes, PEI National Park

After walking along the boardwalk, over marshes and through the majestic dunes, you reach a serene beach. How can you not fall in love? If you aren't up for a day of lounging in the sand, there are multiple other beautiful trails at Greenwich Dunes in PEI National Park – some perfect for biking as well!

Other Top Destinations & Activities in Prince Edward Island

Prince edward island national park.

Miles of great biking trails, multiple beautiful beaches, perfect seaside hikes, and amazing views around every corner. Yes, please!

Eating PEI potatoes

Like anyone needs an excuse to devour French fries. Just don't leave the island without sampling its claim to fame.

Get out on the Water

Whether you go kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, or parasailing – seeing Prince Edward Island from in, or over, the water is a must. If not in the water, enjoying the views from one of the many Prince Edward Island beaches is also really nice!

Rossignol Estate Winery

Rossignol Estate Winery is the perfect place to enjoy a glass while strolling through the gorgeous vineyard. And the wine is quite tasty, award-winning even! There are actually quite a few Prince Edward Island wineries to visit and enjoy.

Basin Head Provincial Park

I loooove to lounge on the beach on a sunny day. And after a few days of adventures, I couldn't wait to get my toes in the soft sand. There are many gorgeous Prine Edward Island beaches, but one of the best and most beautiful was Basin Head Provincial Park. It is known for its “singing sand” which squeaks when you walk on it.

Marine Rail Park

Stop here before or after driving across the famed Confederation Bridge for some awesome photo opps. The 8-mile-long bridge is the longest in the world that crosses over ice-covered water. With its curved shape, it makes for a great photo subject!

Best RV Camping Spots in Prince Edward Island

Red Point Campground : Very close to beach access, amazing sunset views and close to some great attractions – wineries, distilleries, lighthouses and parks.

Cabot Beach Campground : Close to a large beach that was far less busy than some of the rest and superb sunset viewing! Only a short drive to PEI National Park.

How to Get to Prince Edward Island

We highly suggest driving from New Brunswick so you can experience the amazing eight-mile Confederation Bridge! There is also a relaxing ferry option from Wood Island, Nova Scotia. You only pay on your way back, but it is about $50 more to take the ferry as opposed to the bridge.

We took the ferry to the island and drove off via the bridge. Since we didn't have to pay to take the ferry on, it was a very easy and quick process. The crossing only takes about 90 minutes.

Suggested Itinerary for an Atlantic Canada RV Road Trip

For our trip, we spent the majority of our time in Newfoundland because we craved the remote areas and epic boondocking spots. We loved the rest of Atlantic Canada, but Newfoundland is definitely the least touristy (at least outside of the St. Johns area). Definitely adjust accordingly depending on your time and interests.

While New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island were really nice, our favorite activities were in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. If we only had a few weeks, I'd choose to base ourselves in either province with a few days stopping at other top activities on the way.

I'd say if you don't have more than two weeks, it would be challenging to do Newfoundland and another province because it would be a lot of driving. Getting over to Newfoundland is costly and time-consuming, so it makes sense to spend a lot of your time there if you do plan to make the trip!

With all the amazing Newfoundland national parks and other activities, you certainly could stay busy for weeks.

The 9-week Atlantic Canada itinerary we followed

Week 1 : St. George & Fundy National Park/Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick Week 2 : Northern Nova Scotia/Cape Breton Highlands National Park Week 3 : Robinsons & Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland Week 4 : Central Newfoundland (Twillingate, Terra Nova National Park, etc.) Week 5 : Avalon Peninsula & St. John's, Newfoundland Week 6 : Northern Peninsula & more Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland Week 7 : Southern Nova Scotia (Louisbourg, Halifax, Kejimkujik) Week 8 : Prince Edward Island Week 9 : Northern New Brunswick (Kouchibouguac National Park)

If we could do it all again, we would plan a few more weeks in Newfoundland and a few more days in Northern Nova Scotia and PEI! Otherwise, we wouldn't change a thing.

Tips for RVing in Atlantic Canada

• Before crossing the border for your Atlantic Canada trip, make sure you have all of the necessary paperwork and know all the rules – like no guns, fireworks, felonies etc.
• Know how tall and wide your RV is in meters and how much it weighs in tons! You don't want to guess last minute.
• Finding places to fill your on-board propane can be a bit of a challenge, so do some research before you get too low!
• Costco only takes Mastercard, Canadian debit cards (NOT U.S.), and cash. So, you'll likely need some moolah if you want to get your bulk shopping on.
• Redbox isn't a thing. Plan accordingly.

The support we received from Parks Canada , as well as local tourism companies was overwhelming. We would like to thank the following companies for helping make this trip so memorable and giving us so many great tips to share: Tourism Prince Edward Island, Marine Atlantic, Go Western Newfoundland, Adventure Central Newfoundland, Molly Bawn Whale & Puffin Tour, ONadventure Wilderness Tours, Happy Adventure Tours, Inn at the Pier, Outside Expeditions, and Gros Morne Theatre Company. As always, all opinions are our own.

Read more about other wonderful destinations in Canada .

About the Author: Brooke Baum

Brooke is a freelance writer, editor, and content manager for various blog sites. After five years of full-time travel with her husband Buddy, they made the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii, their permanent home base. However, they still travel regularly and are always planning their next trip.

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I found this site when Googling for RV trips in the Maritimes. Planning a trip in Sept. 2018. Good pictures and advice.

Hi! What would you estimate your total kilometers traveled to be? I’m trying to work out how many kilometers I need to buy with an RV rental?

I’d guess around 8,500 km for our Atlantic Canada road trip. We didn’t list it all out, but we had a total over that time period that we had noted elsewhere. Hope that helps! -Brooke

What time of the year did you take this trip?

We began the trip in early July.

I will be using your site for our 60 day trip to the Maritimes this summer. We have a 45 foot Class A RV with a tow vehicle. Can you give me any advice on roads or places to avoid or even camp and go certain spots by our vehicle only?

Hi Brenda, I wish I had more insights but this was a few years back now and since we were in a smaller RV without a car, we weren’t paying as much attention to any roads that wouldn’t be ideal for a larger RV. You should be fine if staying on the main road. I do believe we ended up on a forest road that looked like a short cut that ended up being a dirt logging road, so you may just want to do a double check if it looks like you’ll be going off the main road at any point. I did create this list of every campground we stayed in: https://www.trailingaway.com/rv-camping-reviews/#NFL-C As you’ll see, this was 2017 so I’d call around to check these are still open and they are SO FRIENDLY up there, I’m sure if you ask about roads to avoid when you call campgrounds they will happily give you lots of info! We are still friends with the Pirate’s Haven folks and can’t wait to get back up there to see them again. Parks Canada may be another good resource to check-in with. I spoke to them before our trip and they were super helpful. Hope you have a lovely time!!! It’s one of our favorite things we’ve ever done.

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Budget Breakdown: The Cost of an Atlantic Canada Road Trip

After having travelled abroad for over 8 months, I was excited about the prospect of exploring more of my own country. Atlantic Canada is the most easterly region of Canada, comprising the four provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island (PEI), Nova Scotia and Newfoundland & Labrador. This part of Canada offers red sand beaches, amazing seafood, breathtaking scenery, and the friendliest folks in the country. In this post, I will go over my budget breakdown of my Atlantic Canada road trip!

Below is the route that we took in our Atlantic Canada road trip. We started in St. John’s, Newfoundland and finished in Nova Scotia’s capital, Halifax.

We booked flights with Air Canada from Toronto Pearson to St. John’s and returning from Halifax. In total, the tickets cost $392.95 CAD per person. Travelling in other parts of the world made me realize just how much expensive it is flying within Canada (insert Arthur’s fist meme here).

For all you non-Canadians, flights to and within Canada are generally not cheap. We have a lack of budget airlines, and airline taxes make tickets expensive compared to other countries.

Food & Drinks

Seafood is quintessential for this region. Dishes like lobster rolls, fish and chips, or seafood chowder are found in most menus. But aside from seafood, each province is known for their own specialty. PEI is renowned around the world for their potatoes, which is said to have a unique flavour due to the rich red soil. Berries such as partridgeberry (similar to cranberry) are grown all over Newfoundland and makes great pies! Nova Scotia has the donair which is a variation of the doner kebab consisting of spiced ground beef, vegetables, and a distinctive sweet sauce, wrapped in flatbread. With a strong french community, traditional Acadian cuisine can be found all over New Brunswick.

In this region of Canada, you will find smaller mom and pop restaurants. The prices are not cheap but reasonable for the quality and service that you get. Apart from cooking your own food, there is not much option to eating on a budget. Usually you will have to resort to fast food chains. Chains like Tim Horton’s, Robins, and McDonald’s are your best bet.

Here is what I ate and what they cost:

• A seafood feast of lobsters, a lobster roll, fried clams at Lobster Deck in Shediac, the “Lobster capital of the world”. $83.91 CAD
• Fish & Chips at around $13 CAD for 2 pieces
• Seafood Chowder Poutine for $15 CAD and small Steamed Blue Mussels Jardiniere for $10 CAD at The Blue Mussel Cafe in PEI.
• Donair at Johnny K’s Authentic Donairs . $11.15 CAD
• Donair pizza $24.60 CAD
• Fried chicken at Mary Brown’s, a fried chicken chain based out of St. John’s, Newfoundland. $15.86 CAD
• Partridgeberry pie with ice cream. $4 CAD
• Two scoops of ice cream at Shediac, NB $6.64 CAD
• Beer in the many bars in St. Johns $5.99 CAD

I have made a separate post on my Top 5 Eats in Atlantic Canada!

Transportation

With a lack of public transportation available, Atlantic Canada is best explored by car. It’s the best way to find yourself in quaint villages, deserted beaches, amazing viewpoints, and plenty off-the-beaten-track places.

As in the name of this blog post, we rented a car for the entirety of our trip. We rented a full size vehicle (Ford Fusion) with Hertz for $1,275.76 CAD . It was quite expensive as we picked it up from St. John’s and dropped it off at Halifax. For the 3,936 km that we drove, we filled up the gas/petrol 7 times amounting a total of $294.72 CAD .

I booked the car using Rentalcars.com . I find it the best for finding the best deals in Canada. I found that they show more rental companies and better prices compared to other sites like Expedia and Kayak.

Another big chunk of expense was the overnight ferry that we took from Port-aux-Basques, Newfoundland to Sydney, Nova Scotia. The 8 hour ferry with Marine Atlantic cost $255.99 CAD .

Also, if you are planning to drive in and out of Prince Edward Island, there will be a toll for using the Confederation Bridge. Driving from PEI to New Brunswick on Canada’s longest bridge will set you back $47.75 CAD .

As I was travelling with two other people, my share was only a third of each of the listed price.

Accommodation

When it comes to budget travel, Canada isn’t really a big hostel destination. Especially in Atlantic Canada, hostels are few and far in between with at most only one hostel in each city. Dorm beds are somewhat comparable to Western Europe or Australia starting at around $35 CAD per bed. Camping is a great alternative to sleep on a budget, and a great way to immerse yourself in our country’s natural beauty.

Travelling with others, I find Airbnb to provide the best bang for your buck for accommodation.

Here are the accommodations that we paid:

• St. John’s, NL $55.45 CAD per night for a 3 bed in a basement
• Gros Morne National Park, NL $158.03 CAD per night for small 4 bed chalet
• Ferry from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia $145.48 CAD per night for a 4 bed cabin
• Cape Breton, NS $37.26 CAD per night (per person) for a dorm bed in HI Cabot Trail Hostel
• Moncton, NB $69.87 CAD per night for a 2 bed in a basement
• Halifax, NS $45.16 CAD per night for a 1 bedroom in shared apartment

For those who have not tried Airbnb yet, sign up with my referral link and you will get $45 CAD off your home booking! You will also be supporting this website, win-win!

The best thing about Canada is its amazing landscapes. Atlantic Canada is no different with breathtaking views of the ocean, beautiful national parks, and luscious forests. Best of all, most of these scenes can be viewed for FREE or for minimal costs. Here are the activities that we saw in our Atlantic Canada road trip:

Newfoundland

• Signal Hill National Historic Site – This site offers sweeping views overlooking St. John’s and the Atlantic Ocean. It was also the site where Guglielmo Marconi received the world’s first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901.
• Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site – The lighthouse sits at the most easterly point in North America!
• Skerwink Trail – This 5.3-km loop coastal trail offers breathtaking views from cliff tops overlooking the ocean where you can see whales, icebergs and sea stacks. Unfortunately for us, it was really foggy and we didn’t see much.
• Cape Bonavista Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site – One of the best places to see icebergs and whales in Newfoundland. There were also amazing landscapes to be seen in this area.

Gros Morne National Park

One of Newfoundland’s most spectacular nature spots has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 due to its unique natural and geological features. We spent three days here exploring the many sights found in this park such as:

• Gros Morne Discovery Centre – Here is a great place to start off your visit in the park. They have great displays teaching visitors the history and the significance of the park along with suggestions on what to see during your stay.
• Tablelands – Hike at the site where two ancient continents collided, exposing Earth’s mantle. This is also the site were scientists proved the theory of plate tectonics, making it a big reason why this park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
• Green Gardens – One of the more popular hikes at the Gros Morne National Park. This 9 km return trail takes you through a number of diverse landscapes from green forest to volcanic sea coast.
• Western Brook Pond- This fjord was carved out billions of years ago by receding glaciers. You can either hike around or take a boat tour. We did the latter and definitely recommend it! On board, we were able to get better views of the spectacular fjords, waterfalls, towering cliffs, and even some wildlife sightings (black bear). The boat tour is $65 CAD per person.

Nova Scotia

• The Cabot Trail – This is one of Canada’s (or perhaps the world’s) most impressive drives. The trail loops around Cape Breton Island and goes through Cape Breton National Park, alternating between oceanside stretches and forest covered hills.
• Cape Breton Highlands National Park – We hiked the Skyline Trail on the North East side of the park. This 7 km (return) hike leads to a boardwalk on steep cliffs giving panoramic views of the winding Cabot Trail and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Entrance fee to the park was $15.27 CAD for our group.
• Lunenburg – Walk around this beautiful and historic town. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors to Lunenburg can have a great idea of what towns looked like under British colonial times.
• Tour the deck of Bluenose II – This is the replica of the original fishing schooner Bluenose, which is on the Canadian dime (10 cent coin). The ship spends most of its time in the harbours of either Lunenburg or Halifax harbour. You can find the schedule of the boat here!
• Peggy’s Cove – The lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove is famous for being one of the most picturesque in the world.
• Stroll the Halifax Waterfront – One of the best waterfronts in the country, there are endless amounts of boutique shops, street vendors, sand some of the city’s best restaurants. Go here for sunset for beautiful colours shimmering on the water.

Prince Edward Island

• Charlottetown – Walk around this quaint provincial capital, the birthplace of Canada. There is the beautiful Victoria Row, a street filled with many boutique shops and delicious restaurants.
• Cavendish Beach – The province is known for its red sandy beaches, and this is one of the best beaches to check out.
• Basin Head Provincial Park – best known for the “Singing Sands”, in which the white sand “sings” as you walk through it, due to a high silica content.
• Canada’s Smallest Library – Fitting that the country’s smallest province is home to its smallest library. This fun sized shack houses about 1,800 books.

New Brunswick

• Hopewell Rocks – Walk on the ocean floor thanks to the Bay of Fundy’s low tides. The Bay of Fundy is home to the world’s highest change of tide – up to 17 m (56 ft) tidal change takes place here. If you have some more time, check out the difference between high tide and low tide. Entrance is $10 CAD .
• Shediac – This French-Acadian community is known for two things: warm beaches and lobster. The saltwater beaches are some of the warmest water north of Virginia. The town claims itself as The Lobster Capital of the World for its lobster fishing and processing plants.

If you have some time for shopping, head to the Halifax Shopping Centre, where they have a free $5 gift card promotion for visitors. Just follow these steps!

• Step 1: Head to guest services.
• Step 2: Present an out of town ID.
• Step 3: Profit.

The Sum of the Atlantic Canada Road Trip

Our Atlantic Canada road trip lasted 11 days, and I spent a total of $1,946.37 CAD . That amounts to $176.94 CAD per day.

The tourist season here is remarkably short. Summer’s compact high season runs from early July to early September. When we went in June, we were surprised to find that many attractions were not open for the season yet.

As you can see, transportation costs made up the biggest chunk of my spend–this was mostly due to the car rental. Due to the lack of public transportation and having the flexibility to go wherever (for the most part) you want, renting a car is a must for this region in Canada… especially as the best sights are the natural landscapes.

Something that took getting used to while travelling back home was that the stated price is not the price that you will pay. The additional sales tax (15%) and sometimes tip (15-18%) in restaurants add a significant $$$ to your overall spend.

My food and drinks spend was quite higher than average as we mostly ate out at restaurants and eating the local delicacies. Seafood is more expensive than other kinds of meat.

Ways to save Money

• Prepping your own food is always cheapest, whether that means packing simple eats for breakfast e.g. fruit, granola bars, or tortilla wraps with your simple choice of filling such as tuna or peanut butter. Farmers markets exist in most major cities, and can be great for stocking up on fresh produce and locally farmed eats.
• If your route and schedule permits, have the same pick up and drop off point when renting a car. This saves you from paying a one-way fee.

Whao, what a traveler you are and l ‘am just plain jealous of you, to say the list!

Just like you, I’m excited about the prospect of exploring more of my own country (I’m also from Toronto but been living in Germany for a long time and never done such road trip b4).

I have a question and maybe tips from you: I am planning doing a 16-Day RV Montreal – Nova Scotia Road Trip next year summer (starting from Montreal – NB-PEI -NS(last stop, Halifax).

In Cape Breton Island: which route would be better, clockwise or counterclockwise and where do they each start and ends?

Maybe you can suggest routes, a must-see along the routes, things to ignore etc. Remember just 16 Days…

Thanks and cheers Next

Thanks for your kind comment. In terms of my suggestions:

If you have never been to Montreal , take at least 3 days to explore the city. You have your big sights such as Old Montréal, Notre-Dame, Saint Joseph’s Oratory, and Parc du Mont-Royal. Don’t leave the city without eating some poutine and Montreal Smoked meat. My favourite spots are La Banquise and Schwartz’s.

Next should be Quebec City . Take another couple of days there to explore the old town. Its nice to just walk around and get a feel of the vibe. There is also the citadel and different forts to see. I haven’t been to Quebec City in a long time, so I am sure there are more things to do here.

After, you should head towards New Brunswick . The only places I have been in the province are the ones I listed in my blog post. However, I would suggest either checking out Fredericton and Saint John if you want to get a more bigger city feel or drive on the coast for more nature and smaller port towns. The coast is also where there are strong Acadian roots, so you get more of the Acadian culture.

I would then follow the similar itinerary that I had (except Newfoundland). All the sights that I pointed out are must see. What I suggest seeing on top are exploring more of Bay of Fundy, particularly Fundy National Park, where there are more coastline experiences and waterfalls to see. As for Cape Breton Island, I think either way is fine, there are pros and cons to each way. The Cabot Trail starts at Margaree Harbour (West end) to Baddeck (East End)

I think what’s great is that you have time on your side. 16 days is more than enough time and makes it a lot enjoyable to see different sights. You can also take it easy

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Sorry, for the double post, just in case…

Thanks for your reply and suggestion(very good ones..) except that with poutine! l will try to keep away from it (don’t tell the Québécois- just between you and l ) 🙂 I will certainly go for the smoked meat ..

Actually, this is my planned itinerary for now:

My starting point is already Montreal(budgeted 2 days for it ) not including the 16 days planned and endpoint Halifax, also 2 days not including part of the 16 days!!! The 16 days start counting from Québec city:

Montreal – Québec City – Matane – Gaspe Peninsula – Perce – Kouchibouguac National Park – Fundy National Park – Charlottetown – Cape Breton Island – Halifax.

Will try to take your advice and figure out anything “must see” in between.

I did mention it’s a RV 16 Day itinerary. So lots of driving and campinggrounding.. Will need to find out more about the possible campinggrounds (conviniency) to each stop.

Maybe you have an idea?

Sounds like a great itinerary!

I haven’t had the opportunity to RV/vanlife across Canada yet, so I cant really add any tips on that. However, I hear the iOverlander app is great at finding the best camping spots along with some places thats free to camp.

Hope you have a great trip!

Thanks man and many happy cheers…

you can”t afford to get on nlfd when it cost a person $160.00 to get on the ferry for one person and there car and if you want a bunk it”s a another$160.00 only to go 99 kms is this wright to the people they should put the fix link from lab to nl

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Atlantic Provinces

Travel guide.

• Things to Do
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• Regions in Brief
• In One Week
• In Two Weeks

Suggested Itineraries in Atlantic Provinces

The eastern provinces of Canada are big, yet intimate. You can be a long way between major destinations only to find yourself suddenly overwhelmed with joy when you happen upon a small wooden church, fish stand, a rock outcropping -- and you end up staying longer there than you intended. I've seen it happen time and again.

So I have two pieces of advice. First, leave a bit of flexibility in your itinerary, because the provinces are full of these little unexpected surprises. You'd hate to leave Lunenburg without jumping onto a whale-watching boat, or right on the eve of the fisherman's festival, right? Second, allow yourself time for the long drives -- better yet, bring a companion who can share the load. Except when in Prince Edward Island, you'll log a lot of hours on the road to complete these tours. The provinces are big, and superspeedways are rare.

The range of possible itineraries in eastern Canada is practically endless (you could do a kayaking itinerary, or a French-towns itinerary, for example), but I've focused on a few of my favorite places in this chapter. Even a month is not enough to see all of the Maritime Provinces, but the four itineraries in this guide touching on the "greatest hits" of each province should get you started.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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Off the beaten path Road Trips

Newfoundland and Labrador is much larger than most travellers realize. Our Road Trips will guide you through every nook and cranny of this place. Enjoy the routes exactly as they’re written, switch things up and drive in reverse order, or create a custom route of your own using the trips as inspiration. How lost (or found) you want to get will be up to you. If you plan on driving from the mainland to the island of Newfoundland, Marine Atlantic can get you there. Start exploring your ferry options.

Explore Road Trips by Region

Stretching from the ferry port of Channel-Port aux Basques to the Viking site at L’Anse aux Meadows, the west coast of the island of Newfoundland offers travellers a wide range of natural and cultural experiences. Don’t miss the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Gros Morne National Park and L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site), as well as glacier-carved fjords, hiking trails, ancient indigenous sites, national and provincial parks, beaches and sand dunes, theatre festivals, museums, and cultural events.

Granite Coast Drive

Travel the rugged coast, laden with history and lore, from Basque whalers to present day.

45 km + optional ferry

South Coast Adventure

From Burgeo, you can travel via ferry to access special communities along the south coast.

Codroy Valley International Wetlands

By car or by foot, one of the best birdwatching trails anywhere.

Three Rivers/Sandy Point Lookout

Great salmon fishing and an incredible view of St. George’s Bay.

Caribou Trail

Your pathway to the interior, and to the dunes of Sandbanks Provincial Park at Burgeo.

150 km + optional ferry

French Ancestors Route/La route des ancetres francais

Where the province’s French heritage still lives, in name and in spirit.

Captain Cook’s Trail

See where one of the world’s best-known explorers learned his trade.

Admiral Palliser’s Trail

Scenery and history combined in this drive along the north shore of Humber Arm.

Humber Valley

Salmon fishing in summer; skiing in winter. It’s an adventurer’s paradise.

Viking Trail

Follow the footsteps of the Vikings, and marvel at the wonder of Gros Morne National Park.

Grenfell Drive

Named for the famed medical missionary, this route follows the coastline of the old French Shore.

Main River Run

A Canadian Heritage River that will challenge even the most experienced paddler.

With two seacoasts and forests in between, central Newfoundland offers an outdoor experience with unique history, Old English and Irish words and customs, aviation history, and music sure to get your toes tapping. Hike to see icebergs and whales, camp in Terra Nova National Park on the coast, and explore the 5,000-year human history of the area, including the Beothuk. Explore remote communities accessible only by ferry. Discover what inspires our artist and songwriters. It’s all here.

Dorset Trail

The 1,500-year-old Dorset Soapstone Quarry at Fleur de Lys was the first of many mines built in this rugged area.

Green Bay & the Beothuk Trail

The Green Bay area is no stranger to plentiful icebergs and whales that frequent the coastal communities along this route each year.

300 km + optional ferry

Exploits Valley

Salmon have been caught here for over 5,000 years. Bring your waders and become part of history.

Coast of Bays

A land of fjords and inlets that the French settlers along this coast named “Bay of Hope”.

Tiny isolated villages, some without streets, where time is caught in the past.

Fortune Bay Adventure

A short sea cruise along the rugged north shore of Fortune Bay.

Kittiwake Coast: Road to the Isles

The heart of Iceberg Alley. Endless shoreline, and a web of interconnected islands, villages, and outports.

Kittiwake Coast: Islands Experience

Two beautiful islands, connected by ferry, and a common heritage of the sea.

115 km + ferry

Kittiwake Coast: Road to the Shore

Lumsden, Deadman’s Bay, and Cape Freels – hidden gems and three of our best sandy beaches.

Kittiwake Coast: Road to the Beaches

A land of and castles and sandpipers – here at Eastport on Bonavista Bay.

90 km + optional ferry

Eastern Newfoundland is synonymous with the fishing industry. Learn about this way of life in the large museums of Bonavista, and in smaller ones throughout the region with a more local focus. But there’s much more here than fish. How about a round of golf near two salmon rivers, or walk along a coastal trail so magnificent it has won international acclaim? There’s a theatre festival in Trinity that’s been entertaining travellers for decades with local productions, local stories, and local stars. There are beaches and boat tours, history and heritage – and even a ferry boat ride to France.

Discovery Trail

In 1497 John Cabot made landfall here. People have been discovering its beauty ever since.

Heritage Run

The legendary land of the wooden ships and iron men of the deep–sea fishery.

482 km + optional ferry to SPM

The Avalon Peninsula looks a piece from a jigsaw puzzle, with its deep bays separating long fingers of land. Almost completely surrounded by water, it’s where the first European settlers put down roots. It’s full of history and home to the provincial capital, St. John’s, North America’s oldest city, which has a well-deserved reputation for food, music, and good times. The region – which National Geographic calls a top coastal destination – is full of great places to see whales and seabirds, go sea kayaking or hiking, or enjoy sightseeing in centuries-old seaports.

Osprey Trail

The sea hawks are here for the capelin, everyone else comes for the beach.

Visit the most accessible seabird colony in North America and the old French capital.

Baccalieu Coastal Drive

Where classic outport communities and favourite pirate haunts dot the coastline.

Admiral’s Coast

For day-trippers from St. John’s, a perfect excursion “around the bay”.

Killick Coast

For generations it’s been a wonderful place to drop anchor and admire the sea.

80 km + optional ferry

St. John’s Metro

One of the oldest cities in North America, and a centre of culture, history, and entertainment.

10,000 whales, a million seabirds, and an endless wealth of Irish heritage.

Labrador is the home of the Innu and Inuit, and was visited by Basque whalers, European fishermen, and possibly even the Vikings. You cannot visit this inspiring region without being forever changed. The trip across Labrador, The Big Land, is a trip through a rugged and wild environment. You can catch the ferry to Labrador from St. Barbe on the island's northern peninsula, where you’ll begin your journey along the Expedition 51° highway to the unforgettable and historic southern coast. It’s also possible to drive to Labrador from the mainland of Canada via the Québec-Labrador Highway. This Expedition 51° route will take you past the mining centres of Labrador City and Wabush, through the hub of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and continues on to the South East coast. Happy Valley-Goose Bay is also the jumping-off point for the ferry service to Northern Labrador.

Expedition 51°: South

Discover the history and explore the unspoiled environment.

807 km + optional ferry

Expedition 51°: Central

The land, air and sea travel centre for all of Labrador.

North Coast

A boat ride like no other: from central Labrador to the Inuit and Innu communities of the north coast.

Expedition 51°: West

Discover The Big Land along the Freedom Road and beyond.

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Start Booking your Newfoundland & Labrador Adventure

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Newfoundland Discovery | Atlantic Canada Road Trip

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INTRODUCTION

This popular two-week Newfoundland road trip takes you through the best of Canada’s easternmost province.

Visit two unesco world heritage sites, uncover fascinating viking history and learn about the atlantic way of life from the locals themselves., along the way you'll encounter abundant wildlife and scenic national parks, plus enjoy a boat trip in bay bulls to search for whales and the atlantic puffin. , visit the colorful clapboard houses of trinity, marvel at ancient icebergs (may-june) and spend time exploring gros morne national park. .

You've never seen Atlantic Canada quite like this!. 

Itinerary at a Glance

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 St. John’s | Arrival Arrive in St. John’s and pick up your rental vehicle. You may have a late arrival so the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 2 St. John’s Sightseeing A morning of sightseeing in St. John’s. Discover ‘the Rooms, museum art gallery & archives. Drive up Signal Hill for spectacular views and take a trip out to Cape Spear National Historic Site, the most easterly point in North America. Visit one of the provinces most photographed places, Quidi Vidi Village just 3 km from St. John’s. You may want to stop at Quidi Vidi Brewery for a pint. (breakfast included)

Day 3 Avalon Peninsula - Whale Watching, Puffins | 66 km/42 mi Spend the day exploring the stunning coastline and the little villages of the Avalon Peninsula. Start your day driving to Bay Bulls for a boat excursion to see whales and the Atlantic Puffin - if you are lucky you may even spot an iceberg (May/June only). From Bay Bulls follow the Irish Loop to Ferryland, the home of the original Colony of Avalon founded by George Calvert, later Lord Baltimore, in 1621. The site of the Ferryland settlement is now being excavated, and archaeologists have uncovered over a million artifacts from the stone constructed buildings including gold rings, Portuguese ceramics, and other unusual objects. (breakfast included)

Day 4 St. John’s to Trinity | 269 km/167 mi Today embark on your journey to the Bonavista Peninsula, known for its scenic and rugged coastlines. The peninsula also contains some of the oldest settlements in Newfoundland, particularly the towns of Bonavista and Trinity. Before settling in to your accommodation for the night, you may want to drive 20 minutes south of Trinity to New Bonaventure and visit the Random Passage Site. Constructed in 2000 for the filming of the international TV mini-series “Random Passage”, the site today provides the opportunity to step back in time and experience what life might have been like in a fishing outpost in the early 1800s. (breakfast included)

Day 5 Trinity Explore the enchanting village of Trinity with its restored white and pastel coloured clapboard houses. Set along a dramatic coastline you will discover a sense of Newfoundland’s history and nature. Join the Trinity Pageant, a walking theatre that meanders through the village enticing viewers to live the history of the area. If you’re feeling active, hike the short but steep 20-minute trail up Gun Hill behind the village for spectacular 360 degree views of the village and surrounding areas. (breakfast included)

Day 6 Bonavista Peninsula Now that you have a sense of the area, venture to Port Rexton today and hike the Skerwink Trail. This very walkable trail will take you along the rugged coastline for a spectacular view of the surrounding villages set against the ocean. In the afternoon, head north to the town of Bonavista, where you can visit the Ryan Premises National Historic Site, a 19th century replica fish processing factory. In this small village you will also find the red and white striped Bonavista Lighthouse, and the Matthew Legacy, a replica of John Cabot’s ship which voyaged across the Atlantic to discover land in 1497. (breakfast included)

Day 7 Trinity to Twillingate | 309 km/192 mi Enroute to Twillingate, pass through Terra Nova National Park. If you feel the need to commune with nature, a stop will introduce you to coniferous forests, ponds, and a plethora of walking trails. Continue towards Twillingate. In Boyd’s Cove make another stop at the Beothuk Interpretive Centre and visit an ancient Beothuk village discovered by archaeologists in the 1980s. Arrive in Twillingate then grab your camera and head out on the ocean with the afternoon Iceberg Watch boat tour, where you will have an opportunity to see icebergs, whales, sunsets and many other spectacular views that the beautiful island of Twillingate has to offer. (breakfast included)

Day 8 Twillingate to Norris Point | 428 km/266 mi Bound for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gros Morne National Park, words do not give the vistas justice. The park is populated by little villages, bare topped mountains, and forests inhabited by moose and caribou. (breakfast included)

Day 9 Western Brook Pond Cruise The morning is free to explore the area with your rental car. Enjoy a boat tour of the freshwater fjord of Western Brook Pond. The landlocked fjord is a rare sight. Carved by glaciers, and home to plenty of waterfalls and wildlife, it’s worth the trip alone. The rest of the day is free to explore the sites of the Gros Morne National Park.

Day 10 Gros Morne National Park Enjoy a day exploring all of Gros Morne National Park on your own viewing glacial valleys, intriguing rock formations, magnificent sea arches and numerous types of wildlife. Don’t miss the internationally known Tablelands, a rare outcrop of the Earth’s mantle pushed skyward half a billion years ago.

Day 11 Norris Point to St. Anthony | 356km/221mi Heading toward St. Anthony, make a stop in Port Au Choix and Port Au Choix National Historic Site where three ancient cemeteries of the Maritime Archaic People were discovered. The Visitor Centre gives great background to this culture with exhibits and artifacts. Continue to St. Anthony, the ‘Iceberg Capital of the World’. Along the rugged ocean coastline you can witness the majestic wonder of whales and icebergs (note that the peak iceberg season is typically May/June and early July)

Day 12 St. Anthony - L’Anse aux Meadows Visit the L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site comprising the remains of the earliest European settlement in the Americas. The colony of Vinland was excavated in the 1960s and the artifacts are on display supported by a film. Walk to the original village and discover the full scale replicas of Norse buildings. Return to St. Anthony for the night. (breakfast included)

Day 13 St. Anthony to Norris Point | 356km/221mi Make your way back down the peninsula to Norris Point, your base at the doorstep of Gros Morne National Park with restaurants, shops and beautiful views of Bonne Bay and The Tablelands. Watch for Jenniex House as you drive in for fantastic views of both, with the latter designated a World Heritage Site in 1987 to acknowledge its geological diversity and striking barren shapes. Located just off the Viking Trail, Norris Point is in the heart of Western Newfoundland’s booming tourism visitation area and is well equipped with natural landforms, adventure activities and a relaxing small-town feel. (breakfast included)

Day 14 Norris Point to Deer Lake | 73 km/45 mi Upon check-out of your hotel drive to Deer Lake Airport where your Newfoundland discovery ends. (breakfast included)

Package Includes:

• 3 nights accommodation in St. John’s
• 3 nights accommodation in Trinity
• 1 night accommodation in Twillingate
• 4 nights accommodation in Norris Point
• 2 nights accommodation in St. Anthony
• Whale Watching Cruise
• Iceberg watch boat cruise
• Western Brook Pond Cruise
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Cape Spear Lighthouse
• Castle Hill
• Gros Morne National Park
• L’Anse aux Meadows
• Terra Nova National Park
• Port au Choix
• Ryan Premises
• Signal Hill

Hotel Information | Moderate Grade

• St. John’s - Leaside Manor | Deluxe Suite | Breakfast Included
• Trinity - Artisan Inn | Standard Room | Breakfast Included
• Twillingate - Harbour Lights Inn | Standard Room | Breakfast Included
• Norris Point - Neddies Harbour Inn | Queen Room
• St. Anthony - Grenfell Heritage Hotel | Double Room (Breakfast included)

Not included:

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Arrange a call with a Canada Travel Designer and bring your vacation one step closer!

DATES & PRICING

Departs from St. John’s: Daily Moderate Grade (Tour Code: SD96P)

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Iceberg Alley Newfoundland Road Trip

6 Days / 5 Nights

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15 Must-Do Experiences in Atlantic Canada

By Stephanie Hood

Intriguing and alluring, Atlantic Canada (featuring New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island) calls travelers seeking authentic experiences in spectacular landscapes. From driving the world-famous Cabot Trail and kayaking along the coast to savoring local seafood and getting 'screeched in' by a local, follow along for 15 must-do experiences in Atlantic Canada. May this list inspire future travel plans and give you something to look forward to.

1. Witness the World's Highest and Lowest Tides

New Brunswick's Bay of Fundy is home to the world's highest and lowest tides, and Hopewell Rocks is the best place to witness its entirety. With the highs and lows happening twice a day, every day, you can kayak on the surface one moment and walk the ocean floor the next. The Rocks Provincial Park opens for the main travel season mid-May and continues to mid-October.

A good-to-know is that the time between high and low tides is 6 hours and 13 minutes. Tide tables are available to help plan your visit, or you can chat with one of our experts when booking our Wonders of the Bay of Fundy or History & High Tides packages.

2. Spot 10,000 Year-Old Icebergs

Plan to visit the northern coast of Newfoundland & Labrador in late May or June and you'll likely see massive icebergs cutting through the Atlantic Ocean. Breaking off from the ancient glaciers of western Greenland and Canada's Arctic, these behemoth's date back 10,000 years and can weigh as much as 10 million tons.

Unsurprisingly, such a sight attracts travelers from all over the world. Our Iceberg Alley Newfoundland tour ensures the very best viewing locations, plus you'll witness whales and the Atlantic Puffin on a boat excursion, wander small villages and feel utterly enchanted by coastal beauty. All in all, it's the perfect six-day drive to get a taste of Newfoundland & Labrador.

3. Road Trip the World-Famous Cabot Trail

The Cabot Trail is a bucketlist road trip that you simply must experience in Nova Scotia. Showcasing the natural beauty of Cape Breton Highlands National Park, this 186-mile highway follows the coast and delivers spectacular views with every curve. Get out of the car to discover one of 26 trails , ranging from easy strolls to challenging hikes, there are ample lookouts in every direction.

Looping the entirety of Cape Breton Island, the full drive takes approximately five hours, though we recommend setting aside at least a day as this doesn't account for stops (which, really, are the best part). Even if you're used to driving steep grades and curves, take it slow. There is much to see and less experienced drivers may hold you back in the single-lane sections.

4. Walk Into a Real Life Storybook

Designated as a World Heritage Site in 1985, Green Gables Heritage Place welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to the charming setting that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery's book, Anne of Green Gables. Located in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, fans can feel the story come to life as they visit this and several other museums and sites that share more of the story.

Another way to get to know Anne is by attending a show in Charlottetown. Anne of Green Gables - The Musical holds a Guinness World Record as the longest running annual musical, with 3.3-million viewers (and counting) since it first staged in 1965.

5. Enjoy Live Acadian Music at a Ceilidh

A ceilidh (pronounced 'kay-lee') is an exuberant old-school kitchen party in Nova Scotia where people play the fiddle, piano, bagpipes and guitars and dance, sing or tell stories. It's a great way to immerse in the community and feel the rhythm and way of life, and a trip to Atlantic Canada simply wouldn't be complete without attending one (or at least listening to some live music).

Online event calendars can often tell you when and where a ceilidh is happening, but if you can't find your way into one, there's always live acts. Visit The Carlton Music Bar & Grill in Halifax to toe-tap into the night, or come for the 9-day Celtic Colours International Festival that occurs on Cape Breton Island each October.

6. Whale Watch for 12 Different Species

Summer and early fall are the best times to go whale watching in Atlantic Canada, a place where 12 different species share the same waters. Have your breath taken away as one breaches the surface, and brace yourself for the loud smack and plume as their large body re-enters the sea. It's a majestic sight that awakens you to the beauty of mother nature, and is not to be missed.

Curious what you could see on a tour? Minke whales, pilot whales and fin whales are often sighted, as are the endangered North Atlantic Right whales. Humpback whales, blue whales and white-sided dolphins tend to be seen in the late summer months.

7. Find Your Acadian Joie de Vivre

Both French and English speaking, Acadians form one of the oldest and most important francophone communities in Canada. Arriving in North America some 400 years ago, they now make up one third of New Brunswick's population and celebrate their culture through their own music, literature and art.

Well known for their spirit, Acadians celebrate their culture each year on August 15, National Acadian Day. Communities big and small get decked out in blue, white, red and yellow (the colors of the Acadian flag) and take part in festivities like the Tintamarre. At this infectious parade, you can dance to the sounds of bells, horns, pots and wooden spoons to show your joie de vivre!

8. Swim in Canada's Warmest Salt Water

You may or may not believe it, but Canada's warmest salt water is along the Acadian Coast in New Brunswick. From about Dalhousie to Murray Corner, the waters can rise to 84 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius) in the summer, which is warmer than anything north of Virginia (and anywhere else in Canada).

This is all thanks to a combination of shallow water and The Gulf Stream flowing all the way up from Florida. The best places to dig your toes into the sand? Kouchibouguac National Park, Parlee Beach and Murray Beach provincial parks, plus Bouctouche Dune and Aboiteau Beach. Ask our experts to make time for one on your trip!

9. Drive Across the Longest Bridge in Canada

If you find yourself on our 18-day Grand Maritimes package, 14-day Atlantic Charm package or 11-day Acadia Adventure , you'll have a chance to drive across Canada's Confederation Bridge. At 8 miles (13 km) in length it's regarded as the longest bridge in the country, and the longest bridge in the world that spans over ice-covered water.

Connecting New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, the bridge makes travel through the Maritimes all the more convenient. While long, it takes only 10 minutes to drive across, with a speed limit of 50 mph. Don't forget to snap some pictures while you have the chance , with ocean as far as the eye can see, it's a pretty spectacular crossing.

10. Experience the Singing Sands

Bringing you back to the beach (this time on Prince Edward Island), there is even more to see... or should we say hear? The beach at Basin Head is famous for its "singing sands", named for the high density of silica and quartz that squeaks when you walk on it.

While the sound is certainly mesmerizing it isn't the only draw to the beach, where sandy stretches, a boardwalk, play area, food and shower facilities make for an easy day of family fun. Pack a picnic lunch and take some time to explore the Fishery Museum, open 9-5 through the summer season.

11. Dig into World-Famous Shellfish

Calling all seafood lovers to Prince Edward Island! If you don't know, now you do: this tiny Canadian province is home to some of the planet's finest seafood. Dig into a smorgasbord of oysters, lobsters, mussels, clams and scallops at the International Shellfish Festival. Held this year from September 17-20, it's part of the larger PEI Fall Flavours Festival and showcases the ocean's salty best.

If your dates don't happen to align with the festival in September, don't fret. There are plenty of incredible seafood restaurants in the province that you can visit throughout the year. Try The Cork and Cast in Charlottetown to dine in a floating food court, or Dave's Lobster for what the Globe & Mail has dubbed "the best lobster rolls "In. The. World."

12. Explore a 1,000 Year-Old Viking Site

An archaeological site on the northernmost tip of the Great Northern Peninsula in Newfoundland, L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site has ancient and important stories to tell. With signs of Norse presence dating back 1,000 years it's the first known Viking encampment, showcasing the remains of what we know to be the first European arrival in North America.

While there, meet resident Vikings as part of your tour, explore the reconstructed encampment and listen to Vinland Sagas in the main hall. Try your hand at Norse iron forging, dying, wood working and textile weaving, or see original excavated artifacts as well as a replica faering boat. Consider our 8-day Viking Trail Newfoundland package to spend a full day at the site.

13. Get Close to the Sunken RMS Titanic

Considered one of the greatest marine disasters in recorded history, the sinking of the RMS Titanic occurred 700 nautical miles east of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Multiple ships from the area were sent to recover the bodies at sea, over one hundred of which are now buried in the city's Fairview Lawn Cemetary (including one very popular J. Dawson).

Travelers can learn more about the ship's past at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic , where pieces of the wreckage, records and artifacts like a child's shoes are permanently on display. Follow the story of Titanic's creation and demise, plus the key role that Halifax played in the disaster. It's unlikely that you'll ever feel quite as close to the wreckage as you will right here in Halifax.

14. Be the First to See Sunrise in North America

The average person sees 30,000 sunrises in their lifetime, but not all can say they were the first. As the most easterly point in North America, Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site in Newfoundland is the first place in the continent to greet the sun each morning, making for special memories (and beautiful photos!) that are more than worth waking early for.

Jutting out into the North Atlantic Ocean, Newfoundland actually has its own time zone an extra half-hour ahead of Atlantic time. Use this to your advantage with a visit to the Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site to learn the story of its keepers. For 150 years, generations of the Cantwell family would work to keep up the light as a beacon of safe passage.

15. Get 'Screeched In' by a Local

Before ending a trip in Newfoundland, you need to become an honorary Newfoundlander. The province's 'screech-in' tradition is nonobligatory, however it's a unique and fun thing to do involving a shot of screech (rum), a short recitation and the kissing of a cod (yes, that would be a dead fish). A few members of our team have been officially 'screeched in, so we're experts for a reason!

More than just a bit of fun, this is a great way to mingle with locals and share a laugh as you stumble through the steps. Ceremonies tend to take place in bars, at whale watching tours, in restaurants or people's homes, serving as a warm reflection of the hospitality you'll find in Atlantic Canada.

Feeling inspired?

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