“The picnics, the lodging, the music, the laughs and the roar of the ocean will be treasured by me for a long time.” - Joyce Lindsay
Nova Scotia: Seakayak the South Shore
Six days visiting islands, beaches, and villages by seakayak. Nights in warm inns, with excellent cuisine.
Spend your days exploring the coves and crannies of Nova Scotia’s most inviting coast by seakayak, and your nights enjoying the warmth and comfort of small inns with fabulous cuisine. This trip parallels the South Shore Secrets cycling trip along the Lighthouse Route, giving you opportunities to compare notes with those who saw the shore from the other side! You will explore the islands and headlands of the Aspotogan Peninsula, the islands, villages, and beaches of Mahone Bay, the fantastic, deer-frequented beaches and remote fish stores of the LaHave Islands, and the coastal beauty of the Kejimkujik Seaside National Park. You will rest in sumptuous comfort in coastal communities such as friendly Hubbards, the opulent yachting village of Chester, the privateer town of Liverpool, and Lunenburg, a town so delightful UNESCO has added the whole thing to its World Heritage list! You will explore myriad reefs and islets around Stonehurst, paddle through a colony of seals near the Rackets, and follow a circuitous route through the islands of Mahone Bay, with occasional company from sailboats and marine life. This is an exciting adventure, combining days cavorting with the ocean, and nights with fine dining, the friendliness of small inns, and blissful comfort. Come and exercise your sense of adventure!
The Plan:
Day 1: We’ll pick you up in Halifax at 16:00, or meet in Chester/Hubbards 17:30 for a delicious introductory dinner. D (Meal inclusions shown for guided trips only. Self-guided trips include breakfasts).
Mecklenburgh Inn, Chester, www.mecklenburghinn.ca; or
Anchorage House & Cottages, Hubbards, www.anchoragehouse.com
Day 2: Paddle 10-15km.
Between Hubbards and Chester, there are seven beaches, five fishing harbours, ten islands – some inhabited, others not, and many miles of coastal beauty. You will sometimes feel as though you are exploring two worlds – one above the water; the other below. This is our home, and we look forward to sharing its treasures with you. BL
Same lodging
Day 3: Paddle 10-20km.
The islands around Chester have given rise to romantic holiday visions for centuries. Some are now inhabited, but many hide quiet, seldom trodden wilderness behind bars of sandy beach or rocky shorelines with breathtaking beauty, whether seen from a distance or as close as a kayak can get - and that’s close! One of them is home to a treasure pit still being searched for what might be Captain Kidd’s treasure. Come prepared to swim. These islands, on a sunny day, demand your total immersion! BLD
Alicion B&B, www.alicionbb.com; or
Boscawen Inn, Lunenburg, www.boscawen.ca
Day 4: Sea-kayak to the seal rookery ~10km.
This is one of the best seakayak experiences in Nova Scotia. You will meander through many islands – both inhabited and wild, and will be visited by dozens, maybe hundreds, of seals. Return to Lunenburg with time to enjoy wandering through this UNESCO World Heritage Site. BL
Same lodging
Day 5: Paddle the LaHave Islands.
Cross the LaHave cable ferry first thing this morning. After stopping to see Fort Point Lighthouse, and stocking up on lunch supplies at the delicious bakery, you’ll launch from Crescent Beach to explore the LaHave Islands. We frequently see deer here, and people are scarce. The white sandy beaches will tempt you to swim. At day’s end, you can stroll the white sand of White Point beach, swim in ocean, outdoor or indoor pool, or soak in the hot tub before dinner. BLD
White Point Beach Lodge, White Point, www.whitepoint.com
Day 6: Hike 10km (6 mi) to a deserted beach, or seakayak to deserted islands.
Whichever option you choose today, you are in for a treat. The hike takes you to Kejimkujik Seaside National Park, and a fabulously remote white sand beach. In spring and early summer we stay below the high tide mark to avoid disturbing nesting birds near the dunes, and we sometimes offer to help Parks Canada with monitoring and protection projects. The seals can also be good company here, especially if you like to swim in the surf! The kayaking takes you from a gorgeous string of beaches connected by trails to wilderness islands just offshore. After a wonderful day of activity, we transfer you back to Halifax in time for dinner. BL
The Details:
| Start: | Halifax 16:00, or Lunenburg 17:30 day one. |
| Finish: | Hubbards 16:00, or Halifax 17:00 day six. |
| Guided Cost: | $1795 (per person, includes 6 days, 5 inn nights, 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinner, sea-kayak and equipment, luggage handling, guide support). |
| Self-Guided Cost: | Not yet available. |
| Single Occupancy: | $395 |
| 2010 Guided Dates: | Aug 29-Sep 3; Sep 12-17. Call 800-672-0775 for updates or to start a new date. |
| 2011 Guided Dates: | Jun 5-10, 19-24; Jul 3-8, 17-22; Jul 31-Aug 5; Aug 14-19; Aug 28-Sep 2;Sep 11-16 . Call 800-672-0775 for updates or to start a new date. |
| Similar Trips: | Nova Scotia: Seakayak Cape Breton |
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice. 15% sales tax applies, but a 50% refund will be applied for non-Canadian residents.
