Best of the Canadian Maritimes

Intrepid Travel · 12 days

4.4

7 Reviews

View Map

Duration

12 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Experience the charms of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island on a 12-day exploration of Canada’s Maritime provinces.

Highlights

Walk the stunning coastal trails of Cape Breton Highlands National Park and follow the Skyline Trail mountain pass out to sweeping sea views.
Meet a Prince Edward Island fisherman and enjoy a traditional lobster and mussel dinner on his private property along the shore.
Meet with a Mi'kmaq guide at Lennox Island to learn how to make bannock (quick bread) and listen to traditional stories.
Hear the stories behind ‘Anne of Green Gables’ with a walking tour and visit through the Green Gables Heritage Place, where L.M. Montgomery drew her inspiration.
Cruise the waters of Shediac Bay on board a lobster boat, with a hands-on demonstration of lobster fishing and a delicious, locally caught meal.

Trip Details

Duration

12 days

Transportation

Private Vehicle

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Halifax, Canada

Finishes

Saint John, Canada

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Halifax

Welcome to Nova Scotia! Your adventure starts today in Halifax, with a welcome meeting at 5 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Halifax is an Atlantic Ocean port in eastern Canada and the provincial capital of Nova Scotia. A major business centre, the city is known for its maritime history and hilltop Citadel – a star-shaped fort that was completed in the 1850s. After your meeting, head out for an orientation walk with your leader to get your bearings, then maybe join your group for a welcome dinner to get to know each other.

Included Activities:

Halifax - Leader-led orientation walk

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Halifax

Today, head to historic Lunenburg on the South Shore – one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore Mahone Bay and nearby Blue Rocks on a leader-led walking tour and learn about this old fishing community that’s become a hub for artists and photographers. Enjoy some free time exploring the old town centre, which is a National Historic Site of Canada. And since Lunenburg was a rum-running town in the days of Prohibition, make sure you take the time to sample of the local brews. Head back to Halifax in the late afternoon and maybe meet later in the evening for dinner.

Included Activities:

Lunenburg - Mahone Bay & Blue Rocks
Lunenburg - Guided walking tour

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Halifax

Take a trip to Peggy’s Cove – a scenic fishing village that’s one of the most photographed places in all of Canada – for good reason! Rocky outcrops, the crashing Atlantic, colourful fishing boats and a classic, red-tipped lighthouse are what you’d expect to see on Maritimes postcards. Follow your local leader along the Peggy’s Cove Rock Walk, which meanders along the barren coastline that glaciers created some 12,000 years ago. After, maybe grab lunch in the village – perhaps a creamy seafood chowder or fresh lobster roll. This afternoon, you have the option to head to the Canadian Museum of Immigration or the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, soaking up some local history.

Included Activities:

Peggy’s Cove – Rock Walk

Optional Activities:

Halifax - Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier (21 CAD)
Halifax - Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (10 CAD)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Baddeck

Today, you’ll drive from Halifax to Baddeck, stopping at the Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Center along the way. Located in the heart of a development owned by Millbrook First Nation, the center tells the story of the Millbrook Mi’kmaq and the important role they played and continue to play in the Maritimes. Don’t miss the gift shop, which sells beautiful traditional arts and crafts! When you arrive in Baddeck, you’ll head out for dinner with your group, then enjoy a local ceilidh performance – a traditional gathering with Scottish roots, where musicians come together to play Cape Breton music.

Included Activities:

Millbrook - Mi'kmac Cultural & Heritage Centre
Baddeck - Celtic music ceilidh

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Cape Breton Highlands National Park / Cabot Trail

Today, you’ll drive along the Cabot Trail for a leisurely hike within Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The Skyline Trail is the park’s signature hike, which leads out to spectacular sweeping views over the sea. After completing your hike, continue your journey with a truly local experience at an oyster hatchery in South Harbour. Gain hands-on knowledge as you discover how oysters are grown, then try your hand at shucking them. Of course, you'll also have the chance to enjoy the fruits of your labor by tasting some fresh, locally grown oysters. If it’s a nice day for driving, your leader will take you further along the Cabot Trail – a 4 hours’ drive, but with plenty of beautiful stops along the way. Enjoy a picnic lunch while you’re out along the trail before returning to Baddeck for the night.

Included Activities:

Cape Breton Highlands National Park – Hike
Cape Breton Island - Oyster experience

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Charlottetown

If you’re an early riser, you can opt to start the day with a visit to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site to gain insight into the life and work of the inventor, scientist and teacher best known for inventing the telephone. Then, drive from Baddeck to Charlottetown – the capital of Prince Edward Island and the smallest provincial capital in the country. Perhaps head downtown and explore on foot when you arrive in the late afternoon. Stroll alongside the picturesque harbour or take in the leafy parks and Victorian-era streets lined with gabled houses. Tonight, join your group for an included farewell dinner and toast your adventure.

Included Activities:

Charlottetown - Leader-led orientation walk

Optional Activities:

Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site (Entrance Fee) (9 CAD)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Charlottetown

An orientation meeting will take place at 10am this morning to welcome any new travellers joining you for the next leg of your journey, then head out for a leader-led walking tour of the town. Your afternoon is free to wander on your own before regrouping in the evening for a special dinner. Head out along the stunning Points East Coastal Drive to meet a local fisherman and enjoy a traditional lobster and mussel boil on his private property.

Included Activities:

Points East Coastal Drive – Mussel and Lobster Shore Boil
Charlottetown-Leader Lead Walking Tour

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Charlottetown

Drive from Charlottetown to the Greenwich section of Prince Edward Island National Park – home to a rare parabolic dune system and miles of white sand beach. Located along the famous Points East Coastal Drive, Greenwich is the perfect place to discover the small towns, beaches and wildlife that make Prince Edward Island so unique. As you walk the dune trail and dip your toes in the surf, look out for rare coastal plant species and a variety of seabirds. Then, you’ll visit Skmaqn-Port la Joye-Fort-Amherst National Historic Site for views of Charlottetown’s harbour. This site commemorates the first permanent European settlement on the island! After, carry on to a local, family-run and family-owned winery for a tasting of their favourite drops.

Included Activities:

Prince Edward Island National Park
Saint Catherines - Winery visit and tasting
Skmaqn-Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Summerside

This morning, say goodbye to Charlottetown and start the drive towards Summerside, stopping at a few viewpoints along the way. Stop in Cavendish, where L.M. Montgomery famously drew her inspiration for the ‘Anne of Green Gables’ novels. Visit Green Gables Heritage Place and explore the area on a walking tour (with a focus on Anne, of course!). After, you’ll stop for an optional lunch at Cape Tyron Lighthouse before continuing to Lennox Island. Here, you’ll visit Lennox Island First Nation to meet with a Mi'kmaq guide for a tour of the cultural centre and St. Anne church. Learn about Mi'kmaq culture and history, as well as the traditional way of preparing bannock (quick bread) at a campfire. Settle in with a cup of tea and soak up the stories about life on Lennox Island. Then, check out the Bottle Houses – a village of buildings, including a tavern, a chapel and gift shop, that are literally made out of thousands of bottles. Tonight, you’ll spend the night in the coastal city of Summerside.

Included Activities:

Cavendish – Bottle House Leader Led Tour
Cavendish – Green Gables Heritage Place
Lennox Island First Nation Experience

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 10: Moncton

Enjoy a free morning exploring Summerside at your own pace. You may want to check out the local museums, galleries and cultural centres, or you can just wander through the neighbourhoods of historic homes. Then get your sea legs ready! Today you’re cruising the waters of Shediac Bay on a working lobster boat with local fishers. On the way to the bay, you’ll stop in Shediac Town – the ‘Lobster Capital of the World’ – to see the giant lobster. Then, get a hands-on lobster fishing demonstration and enjoy your delicious fresh catch on board. Afterwards, drive to Moncton and your hotel for the night.

Included Activities:

Shediac – Lobster Boat Cruise with Dinner

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 11: Saint John

Cross over into New Brunswick and make your way to the postcard-perfect Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park. Arrive for low tide and join a naturalist guide for a walk right out onto the sea floor and get up close to the towering sandstone formations known as the Hopewell Rocks, or Flowerpot Rocks. When the tide comes in, waters in the bay can reach up to 16 m, so a trip here is all about timing and your leader will make sure you get the most out of your visit. In the afternoon, take a quick detour to spectacular Cap Enrage with its charming lighthouse before continuing on through Fundy National Park. Tonight, you’ll stay in the historic seaport city of Saint John. When you arrive, head out for dinner with your group and cheers to an awesome adventure!

Included Activities:

Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park - Walk
Bay of Fundy - Cap Enrage

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 12: Saint John

With no further activities planned, your trip ends today and you’re free to leave at any time. Or, if you like, stick around and explore the city of Saint John and more of the Maritimes on your own. If you need help with booking additional accommodation, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $7,995

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 12 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Experience the charms of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island on a 12-day exploration of Canada’s Maritime provinces.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 24 May 2026

View Map

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

4.0

Roland

Traveled, June 2023

08/23/2023

Good trip, there were times, occasionally when I felt we spent a bit too long in places, and sometimes missed out on opportunities to visit places that we missed. Luc was a very good tour guide interesting, friendly fun and very helpful. Overall, as a whistle stop tour of the Maritimes it was highly enjoyable

4.0

Lynette

Traveled, June 2023

06/20/2023

An interesting part of Canada. Halifax and charlotte town my favourites. The history of First Nations French and English shaped a unique destiny

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

Book Now