THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Cape Breton Island
Things to Do in Cape Breton Island
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Cabot Trail, Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, Ports of Call Tours, Hiking Trails. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Cabot Trail, Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, Ports of Call Tours, Hiking Trails. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Book these experiences for a close-up look at Cape Breton Island.
Luxury Car Toursfromper adultC$165
Ports of Call Toursfromper adultC$202
Luxury Car Toursfromper adultC$65
Day Tripsfromper adultC$183
4WD Toursfromper adultC$160
Historical Toursfromper group (up to 4)C$425
Day Tripsfromper group (up to 15)C$10
Full-day Toursfromper adultC$173
Luxury Car Toursfromper adultC$125
Day Tripsfromper adultC$100
Hiking Trails
Scenic drive through a highland national park with captivating views of rugged coastlines, mountains, and ocean cliffs. Features historic sites and a variety of hiking trails.
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Speciality Museums
Historical site with well-preserved recreations of early Canadian life, educational tours, and costumed guides. Provides insight into the nation's heritage and First Nations history.
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National Parks
Scenic coastal drive with challenging roads, providing access to diverse hiking trails, dramatic vistas, and hidden beaches. Features rocky shorelines and popular spots like Skyline Trail.
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Hiking Trails
Scenic 8km loop trail with panoramic views of mountains and ocean. Features well-maintained paths, multiple lookout points, and seating areas for a leisurely pace.
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Historic Sites
Historic Sites
Outdoor museum in Cape Breton with period-costumed interpreters, traditional Scottish buildings, and Gaelic cultural insights. Set against Bras d'Or Lakes for a scenic and educational visit.
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Points of Interest & Landmarks
Cultural landmark by the cruise terminal with a scenic boardwalk, live Celtic music, local crafts, and a notable photo spot with a giant fiddle.
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Speciality Museums
Historical underground tours led by retired miners, alongside a mine simulator and exhibits, reveal the daily lives and challenges faced in the coal mining industry.
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Beaches
Scenic coastal park with diverse beaches, known for secluded spots and walking trails. Features Atlantic views, and a mix of sandy and rocky shorelines.
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Hiking Trails
Moderate trail through a rugged peninsula with coastal views and birdwatching, starting from Keltic Lodge. Enjoy a mix of evergreens and ocean lookouts on this scenic hike.
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Popular Cities in Cape Breton Island
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- James S9 contributionsAmazing and very doable in one day. Many people said you need to do a clockwise. I disagree. We did a counter clockwise. What’s the loudest to see the eastern side in the morning and the western side of sunsets. Also all of the turn off’s are on the right hand side for the most part, I made it easier going counterclockwise.
Skyline Trail was a wonderful hike. Our only complaint is that we didn’t see any moose at all.Written September 11, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - John-Cypress-TxCypress, TX523 contributionsThis should be on every Canadian’s bucket list, a fascinating piece of history well recreated. Even though it was the end of the season there were numerous “locals” telling you about life in the fort in the 1700s. Every one of them was in character and regaled you with colorful stories. The artifacts were incredible and you could easily spend days poking around the site.Written October 7, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- HemiChargerFair Lawn, NJ33 contributionsWe drove up from New Jersey (1000 miles) and it was well worth the distance. Absolutely gorgeous seascapes abound, along with pristine forests and abundant opportunities for recreation. Being remote, there isn't the usual tourist environment but there is still a lot of services. We camped at Broad Cove and it was great - highly recommended!Written September 17, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Eric S8 contributionsThe Skyline trail is the most famous trail in Cape Beton NP it is definatley worth a vist with the accessable boardwalks and amazing views. There were other trails less busy with great views that are worth exploring. the hype around this trail is very overblown but maybe do it then explore other less crowded trails that the visitor center staff recommend.Written September 25, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Julie DVancouver1,071 contributionsLots of information on him and all his achievements. Lots of information on how involved his wife was in his life and the community. We spent 2 hours here. I was disappointed that the garden area was so small though.Written October 8, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Aileen H6 contributionsThis living history museum begins in Scotland in the early 1800s, as many Scottish families were preparing to leave Scotland for Cape Breton. You travel from building to building, progressing through to the 1920s, learning what life was like for Gaels immigrating to Nova Scotia at that time. Costumed interpreters tell you about their “own” experiences and what life is like for them. Highly recommend this very interesting and well done museum.Written September 9, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mixa's TravelsOldsmar, FL4,154 contributionsYes, we joined the other cruise people and got a picture by the Big Fiddle. It's a little difficult to get all the fiddle in the picture. It does add some character to the cruise Port and creates photo op for visitors. There is also a nice group of vendors showing many local crafts at the Terminal.Written September 25, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Eileen108Mount Shasta, CA5,158 contributionsWhat a fun and unique tour! They opened it up special for us because we came on a cruise ship excursion on a Sunday in early April. The experience going inside the mines was fantastic! It was thrilling going in with a real retired miner (we had Rich) and being able to ask questions, and see the actual coal face of the mine. The two films they showed us (one of a miner talking about his experiences with his wife; the other a 'virtual mine' tour which was awesome) were also really well done and interesting - great job!Written October 4, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- wchan0725Toronto, Canada42 contributionsUisge Ban Falls is a pretty waterfall at the end of a short, 30-minute hike. It’s a convenient stop along Highway 105, a short drive north of Baddeck. The trail is more varied than a walk in the park but not particularly challenging, easy enough for families with kids. The falls are very picturesque, cascading down a rocky cliff into pools just deep enough to sit in and cool off on a hot day.Written July 10, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- LouPOrford, Canada219 contributionsWell... it's popular for a reason! The landscape is beautiful, the village is cute, but it is touristic, expect a lots of people.Written October 10, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TOTraveler75Toronto22 contributionsThis is a DO NOT MISS hike along the cabot trail. For us it was second only to the skyline trail on the east side of the peninsula. We walked there from the Keltic Lode and the scenery was spectacular.Written July 19, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- skinnybToronto, Canada78 contributionsThis was one of the nicest beaches we found on our trip East. The beach itself was clean, sand was soft, and the water was very warm. Definitely bring some waking shoes and water and walk the boardwalk to the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail nearby. It isn't totally exciting at first, but about 40 minutes or so along, you will come to the railway trestle bridge with views well worth the walk. Apparently the entire trail is great for biking since it's so flat (being an old railway line). I would have liked to go further if we had our bikes.Written August 27, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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