Planning a trip to beautiful Cape Breton soon? This guide on the best things to do in Cape Breton Island is here to help you plan your trip!
I recently spent an incredible 4 days in Cape Breton with the Cape Breton Tourism board and got to experience the best that the island has to offer.
From incredible beaches to charming fishing villages, scenic hikes to cute lighthouses, whale spotting and so much more. This guide has everything you need to plan your incredible trip to Cape Breton.
*Please note that these are definitely not in order of preference, some of my favourite things to do are actually near the end of the list so be sure to scroll through them all!
And be sure to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. I share a lot of travel content on those that never make it to the blog!
Oh, and if you’re travelling to Nova Scotia soon you might also want to check out this post:
- 9 Best Restaurants and Places to Eat in Cape Breton (along the Cabot Trail)
- 34 Incredible Things to do in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia
Now, pack your bags and get ready for the trip of a lifetime! You’ll soon realize why I immediately fell in love with Cape Breton!
Getting around Cape Breton Island
Cape Breton Island features one of the most scenic drives in Canada, in fact, it arguably may be THE most scenic drive in Canada.
The only way to really see all of Cape Breton Island is by car or bus.
Your best option is either to rent a car and drive along the Cabot Trail yourself, or book yourself on a tour with Cabot Trail Discovery Tours.
We went with Cabot Trail Discovery Tours and I am SO glad we did.
Not only did that mean we didn’t have the stress of driving ourselves, but our tour guide Misty was able to show us so many local gems and favourites that we would have never discovered on our own!
By the way – if you’re traveling in a group or prefer a private experience they also offer Private Tours with Cabot Trail Discovery. This is what we did and I could not recommend the experience enough!
How much time do you need to explore Cape Breton Island?
Although some people drive the entire island and the Cabot Trail in just a day, I recommend taking at least 3 days (and 4 nights) to do it.
This way you’ll truly get to experience a lot of the sights that Cape Breton has to offer.
You’ll quickly see from this post that there are a ton of them!
Starting at Baddeck, you will drive headed north along the west side of the island and loop back down heading east.
I recommend starting your trip by spending a night in Baddeck, then along the way stay in Ingonish, and finally Chéticamp.
On your way back to Halifax I recommend spending one last night in Baddeck just for ease of travel! That’s what we did.
Where to Stay on Cape Breton Island
Before we get into the guide on things to do in Cape Breton Island, you’re definitely going to need to figure out where you’re going to stay during your visit.
Where to Stay in Baddeck: The Inverary Resort
The Cabot Trail loops in either direction starting at Baddeck, so this is a great spot to begin your journey.
It takes about a 4 hour drive to get to Baddeck from the Halifax airport if flying in.
Once you reach Baddeck spend the night at the Inverary Resort before departing on the rest of your journey to explore Cape Breton.
The Inverary Resort is a super cute and charming resort. You can see why this is such a popular wedding venue and destination!
They have lots to do on site including a golf course, pool, paddle boards, and kayaks.
I loved my stay at the Inverary Resort and it was a great place to start my time on Cape Breton Island.
Where to Stay in Ingonish: The Keltic Lodge
The Keltic Lodge is a beautiful and historic resort hotel located in the village of Ingonish and is a must stay at during your time on Cape Breton Island.
The Keltic Lodge sits on a strip of land jutting out into the water, so you’re surrounded by incredible views on both sides.
Beyond the unique architecture and incredible views, The Keltic Lodge features extremely comfortable and spacious rooms, a beautiful on-site golf course, pool overlooking the water, spa, and wonderful dining options.
You can easily see why the Keltic Lodge is such a popular event and wedding destination. We actually saw a few bachelor and bachelorette parties while we were here!
It’s definitely one of the hot spot resorts in Cape Breton and was my favourite place we stayed at during this trip!
Where to Stay in Chéticamp: Maison Fiset House
Since there is so much to do around the Chéticamp area I definitely recommend spending a night there to get the most out of your time in the area.
Maison Fiset House is a quaint little boutique inn that’s in a beautiful historic home in Chéticamp.
Here you’ll find the friendliest staff, comfortable and very spacious rooms, and an incredible breakfast to start your day.
I had one of my best sleeps in Cape Breton here at Maison Fiset House so I could not recommend it enough!
Now onto the list of the best things to do in Cape Breton Island!
The Best Things to do in Cape Breton Island
1. Stroll around Downtown Baddeck and the Marina
Baddeck is situated in the heart of Cape Breton Island and is considered the beginning and end to the famous Cabot Trail.
But beyond that, it’s also a super quaint and charming town to visit!
Stroll around downtown and check out the shops, or head to the marina and admire the incredible views.
Baddeck was my very first impression of Cape Breton Island because we arrived at night.
With it being a 4 hour drive from Halifax we couldn’t see anything by the time we arrived.
But imagine how I felt seeing these views the next morning!
It was everything I pictured the East Coast would be.
2. Enjoy a lobster roll at the Freight Shed: Waterside Bistro & Market
The Freight Shed is a very highly rated restaurant located just off the marina in Baddeck.
If there’s one restaurant you definitely do not want to miss during your time on Cape Breton Island this has to be!
The Freight Shed serves arguably one of the best lobster rolls on Cape Breton Island.
Whether for dinner or lunch, make sure book yourself in for a meal here to try it out!
You definitely won’t regret it.
3. Stay at the Inverary Resort
Although I mentioned it above, since this guide is mostly in order of how we did things during our visit I wanted to make it easier for you to get an idea of where you will be staying when.
The Inverary Resort is a fantastic place to spend your first night in Baddeck before heading off on the famous Cabot Trail.
While you’re here be sure to enjoy the on site pool, take in the beautiful lakeside views, make use of the golf course, go out paddle boarding, or spend time hiking the nearby trails!
4. Dine at the Lakeside Restaurant
The Lakeside Restaurant is the on-site restaurant at Inverary Resort and there’s no surprise (thanks to the name) that it has a beautiful lakeside view.
Here at the Lakeside Restaurant you can expect incredible seafood and Nova Scotian specialties like oatcakes and lobster.
You absolutely have to try the seafood mac & brie while you’re here. It was to DIE for! I split that and the lobster dinner with a friend of mine and they were both so good.
They also have an extensive wine list and have daily live music from 3-6pm.
If you’re looking for a super unique dining experience while in Cape Breton, you can also book this floating picnic table at the Lakeside Restaurant.
Imagine having a dinner out on the water on this!
5. Learn all about Alexander Graham Bell at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
Before leaving Baddeck you have to make a visit to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site!
This museum will give you a glimpse into the life and mind of Alexander Graham Bell.
You might be surprised to find out that Alexander Graham Bell played a pretty big part in many inventions, not just the telephone!
Although I am not usually a museum person I found this one fascinating and definitely felt like it was a worthwhile stop.
6. Drive along the extremely picturesque Cabot Trail
No one visits Cape Breton without driving along the famous Cabot Trail!
Although you can definitely do this on your own, we did the Cabot Trail with Cabot Trail Discover Tours and I’m so glad we did.
Cabot Trail Discovery Tours did all the work in driving us around the Cabot Trail and stopping at all the important stops.
If you would prefer to do a private tour (which is what we did) you can book a Private Cabot Trail Discover Tour here.
We saw so many incredible places we probably would have missed if we had done it on our own or done the group tour!
7. Have lunch at Salty Rose’s & the Periwinkle Cafe
Salty Rose’s & The Periwinkle Cafe is a cute little cafe and shop located along the Cabot Trail in Ingonish.
The building itself is one of the oldest and most charming buildings in all of Ingonish.
The Periwinkle Cafe features fair trade coffee and delicious local fare.
You’ll find all sorts of home baked goods, delicious sandwiches, and of course amazing seafood additions.
The shop itself features lots of carefully curated arts, crafts, jewelry and the likes made by all sorts of local artisans and creatives.
This is a great place to pick up a small souvenir for you someone you love back home!
8. Check out the Glass Artisans Studio & Gallery
Another great little shop to check out along the famous Cabot Trail is the Glass Artisans Studio & Gallery.
Here you’ll be able to admire a diverse gallery, flameworking studio, casting and cold working studio, and a glass blowing studio.
You’ll also be able to check out pieces by over 20 local artists, many of which who lived on site as artists in residence.
This is definitely a unique shop you won’t want to miss!
9. Little River Harbour
Location: 124 Little River Road, Englishtown
Little River Harbour is located in Little River just off the Cabot Trail.
The Harbour of Little River is a super cute spot and a real working harbour and fishermans wharf.
If you come here during the week you’ll get to see the fisherman at work and apparently it’s quite the experience!
Sadly we arrived on a weekend so we missed out on that, but it meant we had the whole place to ourselves which was also kind of nice.
By the way, here’s a fun fact for you! The community of Little River is home to the Nova Scotian Duck Tolling Retriever!
Because Little River is surrounded by tidal salt marshes, the Duck Tolling Retriever is the perfect companion there for hunting.
10. Spend an Afternoon Relaxing at the Beautiful South Harbour Beach
South Harbour Beach is a local favourite spot and if you aren’t a local (or haven’t read this post) chances are you would’t find it!
Since we did our tour of Cape Breton on a Private Tour with Cabot Discovery Tours we got to experience parts of Cape Breton that you would not normally get to see as a non local.
One of my favourite spots we visited was the beautiful South Harbour Beach!
To access South Harbour Beach you will have to park on the side of the road and hike through the woods a bit.
It is a short hike but totally worth it!
Just look at how incredible that beach is. It was easily my favourite beach on Cape Breton Island.
11. Check out the Incredible View at the Cape Smokey Lookout
Another incredible stop along the Cabot Trail that you have to make is the Cape Smokey Lookout.
This lookout is fairly new and has a spot you can pull off to off the side of the Cabot Trail.
Here you’ll get to see incredible views of Cape Smokey Provincial Park.
I was just so in love with all the lush greens of the landscape and rolling hills you could see here!
12. Stop for Ice Cream and a Picture with the Lighthouse at Neil’s Harbour
Neil’s Harbour is an unincorporated area in the Municipality of the County of Victoria on Cape Breton Island.
Originally settled by Acadians, Neil’s Harbour has approximately only 300 residents!
Although there are a few cottages here, most of the residents are in the lobster and crab fishing industry.
Neil’s Harbour is such an adorable little place to stop, not only to see the quaint little seaside houses and fishing boats dotting the water, but because they have a pretty lighthouse too!
The Neil’s Harbour lighthouse is now an ice cream shop and is a great place to stop for a sweet treat before continuing to explore Cape Breton.
13. Enjoy a Seaside Afternoon at Black Brook Beach
In the Cape Breton Highlands National Park you’ll find the beautiful Black Brook Beach which is a great place to stop to enjoy some afternoon sun and incredible views.
There are lots of sandy areas at Black Brook Beach to relax, as well as picnic tables should you want to bring a picnic lunch.
It’s also a great place to swim on a warmer day and there are change rooms and washrooms on site.
14. Visit the Beautiful Mary Ann Falls
Mary Ann Falls is a beautiful waterfall located near the Highlands National Park.
The hike to get to the falls is quite easy and only .8 km long.
Once you get to the end of the hike youll have to descend some wooden stairs to get down to the waterfall.
This is a great spot to swim too on warmer days, and we saw lots of people swimming when we visited!
15. Stop by Sew Inclined – The Funky Hat Boutique
Sew Inclined is a quirky little hat and clothing shop that’s been open in Englishtown for over 28 years!
The owner Barbara Longva is so passionate about sewing and designing clothes. She started designing clothing at the age of 5 and hasn’t looked back since.
Beyond being super fun and colorful on the outside (and just look at that shark car!) visiting Sew Inclined is a unique experience in itself.
Once you walk into the shop you’ll be greeted by Barbara herself who will hand pick a hat for you that she thinks suits you best.
She was the sweetest and so passionate about what she does!
16. Spend a night at the Incredible Keltic Lodge
The next spot you will be staying at along the Cabot Trail is the incredible The Keltic Lodge in Ingonish.
The Keltic Lodge sits on a strip of land jutting out into the water, so you’re surrounded by incredible views on both sides that will leave you feeling mesmerized.
It’s definitely one of the hot spot resorts in Cape Breton and was my favourite place we stayed at during this trip!
17. Have Dinner at the Purple Thistle Dining Room
The Purple Thistle Dining Room is located in the Keltic Lodge and is an upscale restaurant with amazingly delicious food offerings.
While you dine here you’ll get to enjoy the surrounding views of the Atlantic Ocean and the majestic Highlands which really can’t be beat!
For dinner I had the Halibut Florentine which was a fresh local halibut seared to golden brown. It was topped with a creamy Florentine sauce of mushrooms, spinach, and fresh crab and served on top of a pile of mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.
My friends had the Pescatore pasta, Keltic Salmon, and the New York Striploin. We all loved our dishes!
For dessert we decided to share the Lemon & Lavender cheesecake which was so good we wish we had each ordered our own!
18. Have a Snack at Danena’s Bakery & Bistro
Danena’s Bakery & Bistro, originally established in 1982 by Danena & Larry Cook, has become a must visit spot for eats and treats along the Cabot Trail.
Here you’ll find the best in sweet & buttery Scottish baked goods, as well as tons of home cooked and wholesome food recipes.
Although Danena herself is no longer here, her daughters run the bakery and have done a great job keeping it the same place the local’s have grown to love.
At Danena’s you can expect excellent service & hospitality, authentic Scottish baked goods, along with a fine selection of fresh wholesome food. Enjoy!
19. Experience an unbelievable sunset at the Skyline Trail
If there’s one place you absolutely have to visit to catch an unbelievable sunset while in Cape Breton, this is it.
The Skyline Trail is easily the most famous hike along the Cabot Trail, and for good reason!
Located in Cape Breton’s Highlands National Park, the Skyline Trail is an easy and fairly flat 7km round trip hike.
It will take you through the woods and to a boardwalk with the most incredible views of the cliffs, roaring ocean below, and stunning view of the winding Cabot Trail through the rolling green hills.
This is definitely a once in a lifetime kind of view and you’ll feel like you’re not even in Canada!
Pro tip: Do not step off the boardwalk. The vegetation here is very fragile and you can get fined massively if you do and are caught. It’s not worth the risk!
20. Enjoy Fish & Chips at the Red Shoe Pub
The Red Shoe Pub is another local favourite on Cape Breton Island so if you’re hoping to get a true authentic taste of what the local’s love you’ll want to have a meal here!
We stopped for lunch at the Red Shoe Pub which was the perfect time to enjoy their casual dining.
I had a local wine and the fish and chips which was delicious!
The Red Shoe Pub also features local entertainment every evening and you can check the schedule for that on their website!
21. Book yourself an Unforgettable Helicopter Tour of Cape Breton
There’s nothing quite like witnessing a new place from a bird’s eye view, and Cape Breton is no exception.
With the incredible landscape of rolling hills, lush green forest, sandy beaches, cliffs, and waterfalls all surrounded by the ocean… seeing Cape Breton from above is truly an unforgettable experience.
You can book a helicopter tour of Cape Breton through Celtic Air Services which is the best helicopter tour company in the area.
The flights with Celtic Air Services leave from Chéticamp and will definitely leave you in awe!
This I hands down one of the best things to do in Cape Breton Island!
22. Have dinner at L’Abri Cafe, Restaurant et Bar
Looking for another incredible meal in a great setting to have while in Cape Breton? Look no further than L’Abri Cafe, Restaurant et Bar.
Located in the traditional Acadian fishing village of Chéticamp, which is along the Cabot Trail, L’Abri features all sorts of delicious dishes.
Here you can expect everything from the tastiest seafood to traditional Acadian dishes like Fricot Acadien (chicken and potatoes in a classic and hearty Acadian broth) served with house made multigrain sourdough bread.
If it’s a nice day out be sure to ask for the patio, it’s lovely out there!
23. Stop by the adorable Chéticamp Lighthouse
You can’t visit Chéticamp without checking out the Chéticamp Harbour Lighthouse!
The Chéticamp Lighthouse is painted in the Acadian flag colors making it oh so instagrammable and the perfect place to stop for a photo.
While you’re here take some time to stroll along the boardwalk too and just take in the peace and quiet.
24. Spend a night at Maison Fiset House in Chéticamp
Your second last spot to stay at (if you’re spending one last night in Baddeck on your way back to Halifax) will be in Chéticamp.
We stayed at the charming and quaint Maison Fiset House which was the perfect boutique inn.
25. Go on an Incredible Whale Watching & Seal Cruise
One of the absolute best things to do in Cape Breton Island is hands down doing a whale watching cruise.
Going into our whale watching expedition with Capt. Mark’s Whale Watching and Seal Cruise I wasn’t expecting much.
In fact, it was my first time doing a whale watching tour at all and I figured chances of seeing any whales were pretty slim.
Little did I know Captain Mark is a literal PRO at whale spotting and he’s been doing this for well over 30 years (don’t quote me on that – it may actually be much more).
We saw SO many whales (and seals) during our whale watching cruise and I would hands down recommend you definitely book your whale watching tour with Capt. Mark’s Whale Watching and Seal Cruise.
26. Visit the Centre de la Mi Carême
Also located not far from Chéticamp is the Centre de la Mi Carême.
At Centre de la Mi-Carême, visitors can learn more about the celebration of la Mi-Carême through short theatre pieces, they can partake in mask making and rug hooking workshops, speak with interpretive guides on site that are there to answer any of your questions, as well as visit the boutique where you can shop all sorts of products made by local artisans.
To tell you a little bit about it, Mi-Carême (Mid-Lent) is a celebration involving masks and disguises. La Mi-Carême is one of the oldest Acadian traditions and is still celebrated every winter to this day!
You’ll have to head to the Centre de la Mi-Carême to learn more about it though. I don’t want to ruin it for you as the story is really fascinating!
27. Take in the Stunning Views at Whale Cove
Although it’s not along the Cabot Trail, Whale Cove features some pretty stunning views and is definitely worth the pit stop while touring Cape Breton Island.
Here you can expect panoramic views of the surrounding cliffsides, crashing waves below, and fields as far as the eye can see.
You might even be lucky enough to catch a view of a whale or two here!
28. Visit Chimney Corner Beach
Another great beach that you have to check out while on Cape Breton Island is Chimney Corner Beach.
It’s not far from Whale Cove so you’ll be able to do them both in one go.
Chimney Corner Beach is another local favorite and once you get there you’ll easily see why!
It’s a massive and beautifully sandy beach that’s hidden from the road so it offers lots of privacy.
It’s a very clean beach and offers safe shallow swimming that’s great for kids.
There’s also lots of rocky areas to explore!
29. Check out the Incredible Beulach Ban Falls
Although I didn’t get to check out Beaulach Ban Falls myself this trip, I definitely had to include it on the list because just look at it!
The name “Beulach Ban” is Gaelic, a language spoken by the original Scottish settlers of the area.
When you reach the base of the mountain, you can drive to the falls which makes it an easy spot to visit with the whole family.
30. Go for a Hike and a Swim at Gypsum Mine
My second favourite hike in all of Cape Breton (only second to the Skyline Trail) was the hike to Gypsum Mine!
The Gypsum Mine Quarry & Trail is a 2.6km (out and back) trail that leads you to a secret swimming spot: an old Gypsum quarry.
The waters here are so stunning and I wish I had the time to swim!
You can also climb up the rocks above to get an incredible view but be careful as it is quite steep. There are ropes to use to climb up but do so at your own risk.
31. Try Moon Mist Ice Cream (A Nova Scotian Classic!)
Moon Mist Ice Cream is a Nova Scotia classic and an absolute favourite amongst kids there.
Although the flavours to me as an adult were a pretty wacky combination, you can’t go to Cape Breton without at least TRYING a small sample of Moon Mist ice cream.
Moon Mist ice cream is a mix of banana, grape, and blue bubblegum ice cream.
It’s loaded with flavour as you can imagine, and they say it’s truly out of this world.
I’ll let you be the judge on that!
32. Enjoy an all you can eat Lobster Dinner at Baddeck Lobster Suppers
Since you started your journey along the Cabot Trail in Baddeck, and the Cabot Trail is a loop, you will be finishing your journey here too.
Spend your last night in Cape Breton enjoying a classic all you can eat lobster dinner at Baddeck Lobster Suppers.
There really is no better way to toast to an amazing time in the East Coast!
Each all you can eat meal comes with unlimited bread, mussels, and chowder followed by your main of choice and dessert.
If lobster isn’t your think don’t worry! They also have snow crab, steak, and salmon in the all you can eat menus!
Final Thoughts
As I’m sure you can see from this post, there are just so many incredible things to do in Cape Breton Island.
Although I only spent 4 nights here (which might be difficult to tell based on how much we did – it was an intensive trip!), I could have easily spent much more time here.
No matter what your interests are, there is something on Cape Breton island for you.
By the way, if you’re planning a trip to Nova Scotia soon you might also want to check out this post:
- 9 Best Restaurants and Places to Eat in Cape Breton (along the Cabot Trail)
- 34 Incredible Things to do in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia
I hope that if you’ve never been, this post has inspired you to add beautiful Cape Breton to your Canadian travel bucket list!
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