Canada's East Coast Wildlife Special

Your Canadian East Coast cruise will begin in the historic port town of Louisbourg in Nova Scotia, where after having arrived independently you will board your expedition vessel in the late afternoon. After settling in to your cabin and exploring your new surroundings you can join your new shipmates for a beautiful dinner of fresh local lobster as your ship sails out of the port, past the lighthouse and on to the Grand Banks.

The first stop on our East Canada adventure will be the long sandy beaches of one of Canada’s newest national parks, the scenic Sable Island. Located on the edge of the Grand Banks, Sable Island has a storied history as a graveyard of ships, with more than 350 ships falling victim to the treacherous currents and sandbars. We will take a walk around this historically significant area to discover its scenic and wildlife secrets. Having just 6 permanent human inhabitants, Sable Island is home to a herd of wild horses, one of the largest grey seal colonies in the world, and is an important stopover for numerous migratory bird species as they make their way to and from the High Arctic regions.

Today’s adventures will bring us to the heart of Cape Breton, and a village in Victoria County called Baddeck. Situated on the northern shore of Bras d’Or Lake, Baddeck is considered by many to be the beginning and end of the Cabot Trail. The summer home of Alexander Graham Bell, which is now a National Historic Site, the village is bustling and vibrant, yet maintains its quaint appeal. Throughout the summer, Baddeck is known for lively street festivals, fireworks, Celtic music and food. We will take our time to explore the village today, taking in the sites, smells and sounds of this picturesque point of interest.

Today we are anchored just offshore from Prince Edward Island, a very picturesque island famous for being the venue of the Charlottetown Conference in 1864 which eventually resulted in the confederation of Canada in 1867, and also for being the inspiration for the classic children’s novel “Anne of Green Gables”. We will make land close to the town of Greenwich to enjoy a day of exploring, with many different excursions and tours available. For example you could spend the day walking around historic Charlottetown or visiting the National Park in search of the famous Greenwich dunes that are home to a wide variety of bird species and uncommon marsh and woodland plants.

For a more active day you could choose to take a leisurely cycle along the Confederation Trail or the Coastal Drive, hop into the kayaks for a paddle in Rustico Bay, or enjoy a round of golf on one of the island’s celebrated courses. In the evening you will be welcomed back on ship to enjoy a dinner of locally sourced fresh Atlantic seafood as your ship makes its way north towards the Magdalen Islands.

Our next adventure takes us in to the Quebec region to the beautiful Magdalen Islands, home to unique fishing communities, scenic waterfronts lined with colourful houses and boats, and grassy meadows flowing along the sandstone shoreline. Located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Magdalen Islands have been naturally sculpted out of sandstone and are an excellent spot for activities, with kayaking or stand-up paddle-boarding through the sea arches and into the sandstone sea caves being a particular highlight. You could also enjoy a walk through the villages to discover the area’s unique combination of Quebecois and Acadian culture, take a cycle across the island’s gentle terrain, enjoy a whale-watching cruise in the Zodiacs, or simply relax on the beach soaking up the sun and taking in the sights.

At Bonaventure Island we drop the anchor near the town of Percé and explore the island by zodiac. This location has a rich natural, historic, and geological heritage. Sculpted over time by the sea, the island is situated at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula. The outstanding flora and fauna, including its famous colony of Northern Gannets, make this location a highlight. Almost 300 different species of birds have been recorded as visiting, migrating to, or living on Bonaventure Island. An afternoon visit to the community of Percé will provide a window into the rich fishing culture of French-Canada. Zodiac cruising, sea kayaking and stand up paddle boarding are all activities that can be undertaken here, weather permitting.

This morning we will sail through the mouth of the St. Lawrence River to Anticosti Island, a unique area where the river waters meet the Arctic and Atlantic waters to create a hive of birdlife and marine life activity. Here you can enjoy a Zodiac cruise along the cliffs in search of sightings of the whales and seals that frequent the waters along with several species of shorebirds and seabirds. We can also enjoy a hike along the beaches on the eastern end of the island to look for deer in the woods and bald eagles which are often spotted soaring along the coastline.

Today may well be one of the highlights of your voyage as we sail into the majestic Bonne Bay surrounded by soaring cliffs covered in a green blanket of tuckamore forest, in to the heart of Gros Morne National Park. As we make land at Woody Point we will be welcomed by a delegation from the community before enjoying a hike up to the fantastic interpretation centre. From here we have numerous options for guided walks including a trip to the World Heritage-listed Tablelands which will result in spectacular views over most of the park.

Make sure to have your camera on hand as you explore through the park to discover its unique landscape of dramatic rock ridges and boreal wetlands, and look out for sightings of moose and white-throated sparrows along the way. Other activity options here include thrilling kayaking excursions along the shores of Bonne Bay or a challenging bike ride along the twisting mountain road to Trout River.

This morning brings what may be another highlight for many as we visit Francois on the south coast of Newfoundland to enjoy a walk to a spectacular steep-walled rocky fjord that is a spectacle guaranteed to delight. The community of Francois was settled in the late 1700s and you will have time here to learn about the area’s rich fishing heritage and history.

The final adventure on our thrilling voyage through Canada’s spectacular Atlantic provinces will bring us to Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, a small group of islands off the south coast of Newfoundland which exude a distinctly French feel. The islands were first settled by the French in the early 17th century and today, the islands are the sole remaining vestige of France’s once vast North American empire. Strolling around the area one may forget that they are actually in Canada as the town has such a provincial French look.

During the day we hope, weather permitting, to enjoy our final Zodiac cruise to see the large puffin colony that resides here, and in the late afternoon we will re-board the ship to enjoy a special farewell dinner attended by the captain.

As we sail back across the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Cape Breton, arrival back into the historic port of Louisbourg will signal the end of our Canadian east coast adventure. Disembarkation will begin after breakfast and a transfer will be provided to the airport for those catching onward or homeward flights. For those wishing to spend more time here a transfer will be provided to a downtown location.