| Activities |
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At Ocean Haven ~ Enjoy a short walk
down the beach road and walk along the mile long beach, easy public
access. You can stroll trails in the fields and woods. You can drive
up the mountainside and hike on lumber roads for miles. Maybe you'll
want to practice with your putter on the lawn. |
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Local Beaches ~ There are four accessible
beaches within a ten-minute drive. Our Belle Cote beach
is at the foot of our property and stretches close to a mile. Opposite
the harbour is the Margaree Harbour Beach. Along the coast, at about
five km south on Route 219 is the Whale Cove Beach, and at about
eleven km is the Chimney Corner Beach. |
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Salmon Fishing & Trout Fishing ~ The Margaree is one
of the few rivers where salmon catches have improved. Please ask
ahead to allow for suitable planning. You will require both a license
and a guide. Some guides have equipment to rent, some do not. June,
September and early October are prime times. |
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Whale Watching & Ocean Boat Tours ~ You may
see whales from our verandah in August. Whale Watching tours leave
Cheticamp, Pleasant Bay, Bay St.Lawrence, and Dingwall. The trips
typically run for two hours. All tours are good. We suggest Pleasant
Bay or Dingwall simply for the views of the coastline along the
Cabot Trail. |
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Hiking ~ Locally, there are a dozen or so casual
trails along the Margaree River. In the Margaree Valley, near Mabou
are smaller trails and many back roads where you can walk for miles
quite safely. The Highlands Park is the prime location for hiking,
on well established trails that range from 1 to 3 hours. |
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Canoeing ~ Local outfitters will take you 3Km-7Km
up the River to a launch point. You travel down river toward the
harbour. The many bends and fast pools in the river make for an
exciting run, you can spend a whole day on the water, if you wish.
You can land at several spots to rest or lunch. You will also find
great canoing on the South West Margaree River and Lake O’Law. |
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Kayaking ~ Most harbours offer launch sites for
kayaks and canoes. The Margaree River is an excellent route for
a day trip. Some rapids, but a great relaxing route; keep an eye
peeled for salmon fishermen. Along the coast are numerous locations.
A trip to Margaree Island is for the adventurous, as are trips along
the coast at Dingwall or White Point. There are rentals in Pleasant
Bay and Ingonish. |
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Museums ~ Locally you will find small museums
such as the Margaree Salmon Museum, Joe’s Scarecrow Outdoor
Museum, the Miner’s museum, the MacDonald Scottish Farm Museum,
an Acadian fishing museum, and a Whale Interpretive Centre. Further
afield, the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, and a recreation of a
working Scottish farm at Iona. |
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Dining ~ One of the greatest benefits of travelling in
Cape Breton is the opportunity to experience exceptional seafood.
Along the Trail, in each community, and along the road between,
you will find unique restuarants and eateries offering a wide range
of dishes, everything from shellfish to salmon. |
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Music ~ Cape Breton fiddle music and step dancing
are widely available. You must plan ahead to attend music events.
There are usually concerts Wednesday at Margaree, Thursday at Inverness,
and Saturday afternoon at Cheticamp. Adult dances are Tuesday evenings
in Glencoe, Friday at South West Margaree, and Saturday at West
Mabou. You will also find events at the Red Shoe in Mabou; the Glenora
Distillery in Glenora has music daily. Concerts are performed by
local fiddlers, step-dancers, and singers, both professional and
amateur . |
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Arts & Culture ~ The founding cultures of
Cape Breton: English, Scottish, Irish and French Acadian, remain
the primary cultural influences. The cultural history offers support
for genealogical research. Each culture has a wide range of arts
and crafts available in a host of shops in each community and on
along the Trail. |
