Day 1 Halifax to Moncton | 310 km/193 mi
Depart Halifax and travel toward the Bay of Fundy, a region famous for some of the most dramatic tides in the world. En route, stop at Joggins Fossil Cliffs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where towering coastal cliffs reveal an extraordinary fossil record from the Coal Age, dating back around 300 million years. Walk along the shoreline, explore the interpretive centre and see exposed layers of rock shaped by time, tides and ancient forests. Continue along the Fundy coastline into New Brunswick, arriving in Moncton, a lively bilingual city and gateway to some of the province’s most remarkable natural wonders.
Day 2 Moncton to Saint John | 211 km/131 mi
This morning, travel to Hopewell Rocks on the Bay of Fundy, where powerful tides have sculpted massive flowerpot-shaped sea stacks along the shoreline. At low tide, walk on the ocean floor beneath these remarkable sandstone formations; at high tide, the same landscape is transformed by rising water. Continue through the forested landscapes, coastal lookouts and quiet valleys of Fundy National Park before travelling on to Saint John, Canada’s first incorporated city, set on the southern New Brunswick coast.
Day 3 Saint John to Charlottetown | 317 km/196 mi
Leave Saint John and travel northeast across New Brunswick toward Prince Edward Island. Cross the Confederation Bridge, an impressive 12.9 km engineering landmark spanning the Northumberland Strait, before arriving on PEI. Continue through the island’s gentle landscapes of rolling farmland, red earth and coastal views to Charlottetown, the charming capital of Prince Edward Island. Settle in for a two-night stay, with the evening free to explore the waterfront, enjoy local dining or attend a performance at the Confederation Centre of the Arts.
Day 4 Charlottetown & Prince Edward Island | Exploring
Spend the day exploring Prince Edward Island’s classic coastal scenery, where red cliffs, white sand beaches, gentle dunes and green fields create one of Canada’s most distinctive island landscapes. Travel to Prince Edward Island National Park for views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, sandy shoreline and protected dunes, then continue to Green Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish. This beloved literary landmark celebrates L.M. Montgomery and the landscapes that inspired Anne of Green Gables, a story loved by readers around the world. Return to Charlottetown with time to enjoy its historic streets and relaxed island atmosphere.
Day 5 Charlottetown to Baddeck | 274 km/170 mi + Ferry
Depart Charlottetown and travel east to Wood Islands for the scenic 75-minute ferry crossing across the Northumberland Strait to Caribou, Nova Scotia. From here, continue across mainland Nova Scotia and over the Canso Causeway to Cape Breton Island, a region known for its Gaelic and Celtic heritage, coastal scenery and strong musical traditions. Arrive in Baddeck, a scenic village set beside the beautiful Bras d’Or Lake. If time permits, visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site to learn more about the inventor’s life, work and summers spent on Cape Breton.
Day 6 Cabot Trail Touring | 298 km/186 mi
Set out to experience the Cabot Trail, one of Canada’s most celebrated scenic drives. The route winds around Cape Breton’s rugged northern coast and through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, where mountains rise above the Gulf of St. Lawrence and ocean lookouts reveal sweeping views of cliffs, forests and shoreline. Have your camera ready for dramatic coastal vistas, highland scenery and fishing villages tucked between sea and mountain. Time permitting, consider a walk on the Skyline Trail, one of the park’s most famous hikes, with panoramic views over the coastline and surrounding highlands.
Day 7 Baddeck to Halifax via Louisbourg | 552 km/343 mi
This is a full touring day as you travel southeast toward the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, one of the most impressive historic attractions in Atlantic Canada. This reconstructed 18th-century French fortified town brings colonial life to the present through costumed interpreters, restored buildings and immersive exhibits. Walk the streets of the fortress, learn about daily life in the 1700s and experience the scale of this remarkable coastal stronghold. Afterwards, continue across Cape Breton and return to mainland Nova Scotia via the Canso Causeway. Travel through Antigonish and the rolling landscapes of northern and central Nova Scotia before arriving in Halifax, where your Enchanting Island Drive ends after a memorable journey featuring the dramatic tides of the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick’s coastal wonders, Prince Edward Island’s red cliffs and literary heritage, and Cape Breton’s celebrated Cabot Trail, Celtic character and historic Fortress of Louisbourg.
