Activities

Activities

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.
Belle Cote Beach

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.
Salmon Fishing 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.

Whale Watching
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.
Biking and Hiking

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.
Canoeing

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.

Kayaking

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.
Blacksmith 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.

Lobster Dinner 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.
Ceilidh 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 .

Kitchen Party 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.