IN JOHN CABOT’S WAKE YOUR VOYAGE TO NOVA SCOTIA CANADA IN JOHN CABOT’S WAKE YOUR VOYAGE TO NOVA SCOTIA CANADA In 1497, AFTER 52 DAYS 4 Italian explorer John Cabot spotted the telltale signs of land – soaring gulls, marine mammals, and an altered horizon. Many historians believe he soon lay anchor off the coast of what is now known AT SEA, as Nova Scotia. Though a path to Asia still eluded him, he had discovered the New World. He and his crew came ashore to replenish their fresh water and food stocks. They unfurled a British Royal Standard. Then — perhaps finding no pubs, golf courses, or festivals — they set sail and steered a course for home. 1 Today’s sailors tend to hang around a bit longer. If John Cabot arrived today, he’d have a much harder time leaving. Some of our most storied golf courses peer magnificently over the edge of the ocean. Thanks to the seas kissing our vineyards, our award-winning wines are the product of a terroir unlike anywhere else. And our luxurious seafood – served at refined urban bistros, quaint pubs, and waterfront huts on the dock – is on offer everywhere you travel. From the bustling modern port city of Halifax, to the living museums of fishing villages that dot the coastline, today’s discriminating sailor and cruiser will find an experience as diverse as it is unique. Indulge in a Maritime experience that you will remember long after you sail away. 2 Photo: Jarrell Whisken 3 Welcome to a multitude PRINCE EDWARD NEW BRUNSWICK ISLAND CHÉTICAMP of cruising destinations N in one stunning place. The Canadian Maritime province of Nova Scotia is almost completely NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIGHT BADDECK surrounded by water, but its diversity of experiences knows no CARIBOU PICTOU bounds. Our magnificent coastline, dotted with endless inlets, coves, BAY OF FUNDY CANSO CANAL SYDNEY NEW GLASGOW and harbours, stretches over 7,000 kilometres (more than 4,300 miles). TRURO The character of the landscape changes dramatically from end to end. BRAS D’OR LAKES LOUISBOURG Each unique region presents its own magic, its own experiences, its WOLFVILLE PORT HAWKESBURY ST. PETER’S own allure. But no matter what parts of the province you explore, ST. PETERS CANAL you’ll experience the exact same sense of wonder. DIGBY CANSO SHERBROOKE LISCOMB CHESTER HALIFAX LUNENBURG YARMOUTH LIVERPOOL SHELBURNE ATLANTIC OCEAN ATLANTIC OCEAN 4 AS ACCESSIBLE AS IT IS WONDERFUL PRINCE EDWARD They say to not judge a book by its cover. Depending on NEW BRUNSWICK ISLAND CHÉTICAMP where you approach Nova Scotia, you’ll meet a number N of various landscapes – wild, rugged shoreline, urban boardwalk, white sand beaches, or calm harbours. But the province has just begun to give up its secrets. Depending on the size of your vessel, steer a course for – NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIGHT BADDECK or launch your tender and explore – the numerous rivers CARIBOU that meander their way to sea. Use them to navigate PICTOU BAY OF FUNDY CANSO CANAL SYDNEY inland, and discover access to many experiences that NEW GLASGOW TRURO you’d never see coming from shore. BRAS D’OR LAKES LOUISBOURG WOLFVILLE PORT HAWKESBURY ST. PETER’S ST. PETERS CANAL HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE DIGBY This handbook presents the province of Nova Scotia to you CANSO as six distinct regions. Within each region’s pages you SHERBROOKE LISCOMB will find key details to make the most of your nautical CHESTER HALIFAX REGIONS visit – including the must-see sights, most-loved local haunts, and marina services information. You’ll also find LUNENBURG Halifax Metro yourself giving in to the charm of this magical place. South, Yarmouth & Acadian Shores YARMOUTH Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley The second section of this guide provides you with all LIVERPOOL Northumberland Shore the practical information you’ll need to plan your trip – Eastern Shore from customs, to marina, to environmental information. SHELBURNE ATLANTIC OCEAN Cape Breton Island & Bras d’Or Lakes 5 THE EXPERIENCES YOU FIND ARE LIMITED ONLY BY THE DAYS YOU CAN FILL. Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas. HALIFAX METRO Hop on the Check out Peggy’s Nova Scotia wine Cove, one of the DAY Explore Take in a DAY Take your tender DAY tour bus and sample DAY most photographed The Maritime Museum brewery tour or charter a ride to some Annapolis tourist attractions in 1 of the Atlantic. or three. 2 McNabs Island. 3 Valley wines. 4 all of Canada. Start your day in Watch the artisans Ride across the Check out Pier 21, While you're there, Check out the Take a walking Nova Scotia’s capital city work at NovaScotian Harbour to Dartmouth Canada’s version of enjoy beaches, and Northwest Arm for a culinary tour through with an organic coffee Crystal, right on the to grab lunch. Ellis Island. a great view of the pleasant cruise among Halifax with Local from Smiling Goat. waterfront. Halifax Harbour. local yacht clubs and Tasting Tours. Point Pleasant Park. SOUTH, YARMOUTH & ACADIAN SHORES Stop in picturesque Pop into galleries, Take the boat to Chester. (Depending DAY folk art stores, DAY Shelburne and soak DAY Explore the DAY on your vessel, and specialty up the local boat- caves of Ovens you may need to 1 shops galore. 2 building culture. 3 Natural Park. 4 tender in to shore.) Step foot on land Hungry? Try Rudder’s Listen to the Visit the historic Take a drive through Explore the town and and spend the day Seafood Restaurant fishermen tell their racing schooner Mahone Bay and you’ll see why it exploring downtown (don’t forget some tales on the docks. Bluenose II find the best angle doubles in population Yarmouth. hand-crafted ale). on the Lunenburg for a photo of the during summer. waterfront. three churches. BAY OF FUNDY & ANNAPOLIS VALLEY Enjoy a mound of Head to a local DAY You’re in for a treat famous and fresh DAY beach, and roll up DAY Go tidal bore once you get on land Digby scallops, right your sleeves for rafting on the 1 in beautiful Digby. on the waterfront. 2 a clam dig! 3 Shubenacadie River. Play the challenging Get up early and Take what you dig Experience the tides Hike Cape Split Stanley Thompson- explore the town up back to your boat of the Bay of Fundy – and take in some designed Digby Pines of Digby. and enjoy the fruits of the highest and breathtaking views. golf course. your labour. lowest on earth. 6 CAPE BRETON ISLAND & BRAS D'OR LAKES Drive the Cabot Trail, Stop in Glenville Depart the lake from DAY DAY hailed as one of at the Glenora Inn DAY DAY Go salmon fishing DAY the north, set your course North America’s most & Distillery. on the Margaree River to starboard and you’re 1 2 scenic highways. (think Scotch!) 3 4 for the day. 5 Sydney bound. Of two entries to the Bras Stop frequently Golf, golf, golf. Among When the sun goes Sydney is the d’Or Lakes, we recommend to enjoy others, Cape Breton down, ask the city on the island and the historic one through the views. is home to Cabot locals where they offers many of the the St. Peters Canal. Links, the country’s go to check out same luxuries only Links course. some music. as Halifax. EASTERN SHORE Adventure seeker? Take your boat Be sure to visit the Grab your surfboard If you’re a diver, head down the Liscomb lodge’s dining room DAY and head to to Guysborough County DAY River to visit the for an incredible Lawrencetown Beach where there is said to be Liscombe Lodge (they meal with an 1 (or rent one there). 500 shipwrecks. 2 have a marina). incredible view. Something calmer? See the endangered Take advantage of Spend the night Rent a sea kayak and Piping Plover. the hiking trails or at the lodge or explore the grouping Martinique Beach just find a cozy seat on your boat in of small islands. is a protected by the river with a the marina. nesting ground. good book. NORTHUMBERLAND SHORE Anchor off Melmerby Visit the birthplace Kick back and Enjoy a day of world- Explore rivers and Beach and tender of New Scotland, relax with the class golf, luxurious Wind through lagoons by jet-ski, DAY ashore to one of DAY Pictou, where Scottish present-day DAY spa treatments, DAY villages with antique DAY break out the water- the province’s most settlers first landed in townsfolk at a and a round shops and rolling skis, or unload your 1 popular beaches. 2 1773 aboard Hector. local pub. 3 of skeet shooting. 4 coastal farms. 5 small sailing dingy. Cruise through the Venture over to See the Hector Cruise into Drive or bike Finish up at Finish the day Canso Canal locks and Pictou Island for replica at the Fox Harb’r Resort the Sunrise Trail. Jost Vineyard, one with a bonfire on round Cape George for beaches by day and Hector Quay and Marina. of the province’s the beach while the warm waters of the a spectacular Interpretive Centre. signature wineries. stargazing Northumberland Strait. sunset by night. into the night. 7 HALIFAX METRO CITY ON THE SEA 8 Few other cities get you closer to the action than this. When you dock in Halifax, you dock literally seconds from fine dining, pubs, museums, cafés, shopping, gardens, galleries, and more. Our historic waterfront is anchored by one of the world’s longest urban boardwalks. Its 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) spans the entire length of downtown, so all the luxuries, indulgences, and charms of the city are at your feet.