Atlantic Canada Explorer

Special Guest, Author Margaret Atwood

Since her childhood spent in the woods of Northern Ontario and Quebec, Margaret has been a passionate conservationist and a tireless advocate for birds. A deep believer in the power of getting people out into nature, Margaret has been travelling as a staff member with Adventure Canada for twenty years. Join her on this voyage of discovery.

Welcome to St. John’s—the vibrant capital of Newfoundland and Labrador. Sailing out of the historic port on the Ocean Endeavour, Signal Hill keeps watch as we exit the world-famous narrows. The charming houses of the Battery are always a hit with shutterbugs. Watch for icebergs, whales, and seabirds as we sail!

We’ll be in full-on learning mode as our expedition team shares the fascinating history and ecology of Sable Island. Get your binoculars ready out on deck, where we’ll be watching for marine mammals and seabirds in the rich waters of the northwest Atlantic.

A sandbar as long as Manhattan—but only about a kilometre wide—Sable Island is home to many varieties of birds, including the Ispwich Sparrow; the largest grey seal colony in the world; and the world-famous Sable Island horses.

Unique weather conditions prevail at Sable Island. We’ll maximize opportunities to walk the dunes, Zodiac cruise the shores, and view the wildlife. We’ll also learn first-hand about Sable Island’s fascinating human history.

The Gully is a Marine Protected Area where the sea floor plunges two and a half kilometres into a submarine valley. The Gully is one of the most prominent undersea features in eastern Canada. Significant coral communities make for a diversity of both shallow and deep-water fish, which draw whales and dolphins.

Join our on board researchers to appreciate the abundance of marine life!

Built by the French in 1720, the fortifications at Louisbourg were captured by the British in 1745, later returned to the French, captured again in 1758, and then destroyed.

Reconstructed in the 1960s and 1970s, the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site offers a telling glimpse into military colonial Canada.

Conditions permitting, we’ll enjoy a Zodiac cruise at the Bird Islands, just off Cape Breton’s coast near Cape Dauphin. This critical seabird nesting and breeding area includes the largest colony of great cormorants in Canada. We’ll also be looking for black-legged kittiwakes, razorbills, Atlantic puffins, black guillemots, and perhaps Leach’s storm-petrels.

Cape Breton Island is a bastion of Gaelic music and culture, “more Scottish than the Scots.” Its rugged highlands and wind-swept coasts are home to the world-famous Cabot Trail and Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Today we call in at the fishing village of Chéticamp, on the western shore of Cape Breton Island. A busy fishing harbour, rug-hooking museum, shops, and restaurants offer a taste of Acadian heritage.

Nearby Cape Breton Highlands National Park is world-renowned for scenery and wildlife. If weather permits, we’ll hike the spectacular Skyline Trail.

Historic Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island is known as the Birthplace of Confederation. A charming town and the capital of Canada’s smallest province, Charlottetown offers access to all of P.E.I. within a relatively short drive.

Optional excursions will include a visit to Green Gables—fictional home of the famous Anne— and Lennox Island Mi’kmaq First Nation.

The wild and windswept coast of southern Newfoundland is home to a few remaining outport communities. Visits here are often a highlight of our trips.

There are many choices of unique bays and coves to explore via Zodiac or land excursions. Along the coast, the geology is outstanding and the plant life is gorgeous. We’ll be on the watch for wildlife, too. We’ll make the most of every chance to explore this beautiful and remote coast.

Just off the shores of Newfoundland lie the islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon—an official territory of France.

The colourful town of Saint-Pierre makes a charming finale to our trip. Winding streets with shops, houses, and cafes bring a taste of Europe to the east coast of North America.

On the final day of our expedition, we sail back though the picturesque Narrows and into St. John’s harbour. Make sure to be on deck as we sail through the Narrows.

We will disembark the Ocean Endeavour and say our farewells. We would recommend you add in a few days here after your cruise to explore the city and surrounding area.

St. John’s, Newfoundland’s historic, vibrant capital has been an active fishing community since 1498, making it North America’s oldest European settlement. Architecture, shopping, night life and cultural attractions make St. John’s a sightseer’s delight.