A Traveler's Guide to Cape Breton

Port Hawkesbury’s only Taste of Nova Scotia approved dining features a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere, and a menu to suit all tastes.

This hike is approximately 4 hours, spanning 10km (6 miles). A moderate to difficult hike, we recommend you tackle this hike prepared with water and snacks! Although there is a picnic area at the trailhead, there are no services along the trail.

KEZA is a family owned business which provides exciting whale watching adventure tours during Nova Scotia’s tourism season.

These tours will take you through oyster aquaculture and a salt marsh to a barrier beach where you can launch the kayaks into the sea and paddle to a nearby fishing harbour. Guided sea kayak tours, hourly rentals, and customer packages – including biking, guided hiking, and whale watching – are available.

A nice, even stroll along a babbling brook, through a mature hardwood forest with a scenic waterfall at the end.

This unique highland plateau bog is a self-guided trail with signs that explain the life you will see and experience there. The trail is a boardwalk that is wheelchair accessible and ideal for strollers.

Located on 230 acres of woodland overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Gampo Abbey is a Western Buddhist Monastery in the Shambhala tradition. Stop by to see the property or call to inquire about touring times.

Cape Breton’s Championship Golf Course in the centrally located town of Baddeck, Nova Scotia.

Set against a breathtaking landscape, this is golf as it was meant to be. A place that speaks to golf’s elemental and undeniable truth: that to play links golf is to experience the game in its most visceral sense.

Designated the “Official Celtic Music Centre of Nova Scotia” and the Official Cultural Archives for the County of Inverness, the CMIC offers an in-depth look into the history, culture and music of Cape Breton Island in an authentic and lively atmosphere.

The Port Hawkesbury Ceilidhs are held Tuesday nights at the Civic Centre (7:30-9:00pm) and feature local artists performing fiddle, piano, song, bagpipes, dancing, and more.

The Civic Center is Port Hawkesbury’s most popular venue for entertainment and community events. Visit their website for information on their facilities and upcoming events.

Pondville beach offers free parking, a change house and on site toilets. Enjoy the sand and surf!

Join Captain Greg for a day on the water! Opportunity to handle the sail, steer the boat, or just relax and enjoy. Visit their website for more details and booking information.

A 30 minute drive from the Maritime Inn Port Hawkesbury, Dundee Golf Course offers an 18-hole course and on-site dining.

Cape George Point Lighthouse is situated at Cape George Point in the Northumberland Shore region overlooking the waters of St. George’s Bay.

In the 1860s, timber, tall ships and gold brought prosperity to Sherbrooke’s people. Today, you can explore this amazing village with its 25 original buildings, to experience life as it was along the St. Mary’s River before the 1900s.

Keppoch Mountain is located on the western edge of Antigonish County and has 300 acres of wilderness to enjoy year round. With over 20kms of multi-use trails the Keppoch opens the door to awesome outdoor activities like cycling, cross-country skiing, geocaching, trail running, hiking and walking.

Pomquet Beach offers supervision for the months of July and August, and has on-site toilets and a change house.

Antigonish’s own not-for-profit community theatre hosts a variety of performances, including concerts, plays, and improv shows! Admission price varies by production.

The annual celebration of Cape Breton-based Gaelic music, gives locals and visitors alike up-close-and personal insight into this distinct and vibrant living culture, bringing the kitchen-ceilidh feel to the forefront.

For nine days in October, Cape Breton Island is alive with music, energy and excitement as people come from far and wide to celebrate our rich culture!

Interested in the art of distillation? The Steinhart Distillery is a half-hour drive from the Maritime Inn Antigonish and offers tours and tastings.

Come join us for the annual Highland Games Festival to see the Maritimes’ Finest in Scottish competitions, cultural activities, and entertainment events!

Located in charming Mabou, the musically gifted and world renowned Rankin Family owns this restaurant. A place of great food, and often, musical entertainment!