Atlantic Canada: fjords, whales and green expanses
Replete with natural wonders: the four fantastic provinces of Canada’s East Coast
Red sandstone cliffs and small fishing villages add more colour to the green landscape of Atlantic Canada. Located on the east coast of Canada, the region covers the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. This region of North America is the fastest that can be reached from Europe. A tour of the provinces offers over 43,000 kilometres of coastline to explore. The landscape is diverse: from vast river landscapes and impressive national parks to freshly caught seafood on every corner, it boasts everything that nature lovers and gourmets could want.
Cliffs and Fjords: Gros Morne National Park
The Gulf of St. Lawrence separates Labrador and Newfoundland in the east. This is the province that juts out the farthest into the Atlantic Ocean. Situated on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland, Gros Morne National Park is probably the most famous national park in the region. 20 hiking trails run through this UNESCO World Heritage Site, over steep cliffs and past mighty fjords. If you’re lucky, you can also see moose, black bears and Arctic hares. The Tablelands are the park’s biggest attraction. There, you can see and touch a part of the earth’s mantle that is normally found far below the earth’s crust.
Icebergs, caribou and whales: Fogo
The small island of Fogo is located north of Newfoundland and can be reached by ferry. Only about 2,500 people live on the island – together with a lot of caribou. The Fogo Head Trail is the best way to get to know the island’s geography. Measuring almost four kilometres, the tour takes you past protruding rock formations and to lookout points that offer you views of drifting icebergs and even whales, if you’re in luck. The small fishing community of Town of Fogo Island on the east coast is also worth a visit. It is home to the Lane House Museum. Built in the 1830s, this is the oldest house on the island.
Following the trail of the Aurora Borealis
Labrador is a dream for anyone seeking authentic wilderness. Many areas of this Atlantic province are only sparsely populated. They therefore offer the best conditions for seeing the Northern Lights beyond the Arctic Circle. There are many organized tours that go hunting for the Aurora Borealis. The province is also considered one of the best places to observe passing icebergs. They can be viewed from land, boats or up close from a kayak. Anyone who believes that icebergs are only white will find the opposite is true in Labrador. Their colour palette ranges from snow white to bright blue.
The highest tides in the world: Bay of Fundy
About 80 percent of New Brunswick is covered by forests. Perhaps the largest of these lies in Fundy National Park. On the over 100 kilometres of hiking trails, you can see beavers building their dams and cascading waterfalls. Deep within the park, you’ll find small, remote lakes where you can go swimming. The trails continue to the rocky coastline and the Bay of Fundy. There, you can bear witness to the highest tides in the world. There are daily differences of between 13 to 16 metres between the high and low tides. On the shore, you’ll see the Hopewell Rocks, with shapes reminiscent of flower vases. Some of them even form arches and bridges.
A paradise for all seasons: Kouchibouguac National Park
From the heat of summer to the cold days of winter, activities like kayaking, geocaching, windsurfing, snowshoeing and tobogganing attract visitors to Kouchibouguac National Park all year round. Spanning over 239 square kilometres, New Brunswick boasts long sandy beaches, lagoons, wetlands and dense forests. The eponymous Kouchibouguac River flows through it. If you want to see everything, plan to stay several days – it is possible to stay in small wooden cabins and camp in the park.
Canada’s most mysterious island: Sable Island
Sable Island is a small island shrouded by fog in the middle of the Atlantic. You can get there by plane or boat. The only inhabitants are wild horses. Over 500 of them roam freely through the unspoiled nature of this crescent-shaped island. The town off the coast of Nova Scotia is considered one of the most remote in Canada. That’s why it was one of the most dangerous destinations for sailing ships. Numerous shipwrecks litter the shores of the island, once known as the “Cemetery of the Atlantic”.
Millennia of history: Kejimkujik National Park
Follow in the footsteps of the Mi’kmaq People in Southwest Nova Scotia. This is where you’ll find the Kejimkujik National Park. The story takes you through thousands of years of canoeing and through an area with more than 21 different forest species. That’s why we recommend a visit in the autumn to see the leaves changing their colours. During the day, you will discover pristine white beaches and turquoise lagoons along the protected coastal area. At night, the Dark Sky Reserve is the perfect place to observe the starlit sky.
Through the dunes: Prince Edward Island
You can reach Prince Edward Island from Nova Scotia by ferry. Travelling from New Brunswick, you’ll cross the 13-kilometre Confederation Bridge, the longest bridge in the world that spans ice-covered water. Prince Edward Island is the smallest province in Atlantic Canada. To the north, the National Park of the same name protects a large stretch of coastline, where red sandstone cliffs meet vast dune landscapes. The best way to explore the park is by bike, on the hiking trails or by boat. If you’re lucky, you’ll also get to see a group of seals or red foxes.
The Singing Sands: Souris and Basin Head Provincial Park
Close to the national park is the charming little town of Souris on the east coast of Prince Edward Island, once an important commercial port in the province. Today, the town is still known for its mussels, which are offered alongside other fresh seafood at and in restaurants along the harbour. Basin Head Provincial Park is near the town. It is famed for its crystal clear waters and “Singing Sands”. Whenever you walk over the sand, it makes a deep, swirling noise that really does sound like singing or humming, depending on the weather and time of day.
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