The sun sets on the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton

Cape Breton Island

Learn More About Cape Breton Island

Pjila’si! One hundred thousand welcomes! Bienvenue! Ciad mille failte! These words of welcome have long been offered to visitors as they arrive in Cape Breton, ready to explore a place filled with outdoor adventure, scenic drives and breathtaking views, and the freshest seafood imaginable.

From its storied history and culture to music, talented artisans, and friendly locals, a new discovery awaits you around every turn.

Explore Cities & Towns on Cape Breton Island

Explore cities & towns by clicking the points on the map.

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Towns on Cape Breton Island

Sydney

The capital of Cape Breton Island, walk the waterfront, take in a ceilidh at a local pub, and have your picture taken with the world’s largest fiddle.
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St. Peter’s

Home of the St. Peter’s Canal National Historic Site which joins the Atlantic Ocean to the Bras d’Or Lake.
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Cape North & Area

Pristine coastline dotted with beaches and sheltered coves perfect for kayaking and offers expansive mountain views.
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Baddeck

The start and end point of the famous Cabot Trail, Baddeck is a favourite spot for travellers and sailors alike.
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Louisbourg

Step back in time within the fortified walls of Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, the largest military reconstruction in North America.
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Ingonish

Home to Highlands Links, Keltic Lodge and Atlantic Canada’s first gondola at Cape Smokey near the entrance of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
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Isle Madame

Discover Isle Madame where you’ll find comfortable places to stay, welcoming cafés and beaches, lighthouses and more to explore!
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Iona and Area

Experience Scottish Gaelic culture at Highland Village, a living history museum that overlooks the Bras d’Or Lake.
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Chéticamp

Discover vibrant Acadian history and culture near the entrance of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
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Inverness

Golf at two of the top golf courses in the world at Cabot Cape Breton, swim in warm beaches including Nova Scotia’s first wheelchair accessible beach.
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Top Experiences on Cape Breton Island

Two cyclists take a rest and are standing with their bikes looking out at the water.

Celtic Shores Coastal Trail

Hit the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail which stretches from Port Hastings to Inverness with multiple trailheads in between, for four seasons of adventure.
Walk, hike or bike sections or all of this 92 km multi-use trail all year round and in the winter months, cross-country ski, snowshoe or explore the trail by snowmobile

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Skyline Trail

Easy, flat, 6.5 km (return) trail, located inside Learn More
Panoramic view that overlooks the Northumberland Strait, winding Cabot Trail, and Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Interpretive panels highlight vegetation and wildlife found along the trail

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Two people stand in front of a reconstructed fortress.

Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site

Immerse yourself within the largest reconstruction of one of North America’s busiest 18th-century seaports
Fire a cannon, become a prisoner, or taste Fortress Rum aging in barrels onsite
Stay the night in a period home or fully equipped 18th-century-style tent within the walls of the Fortress

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Inverness Beach

Go swimming in some of the warmest ocean waters in the province this summer!
The beach is lifeguarded and fully wheelchair accessible with mobility mats from the parking lot to the beach, and sand chairs, sand walkers and swim chairs available to reserve onsite
Stroll the boardwalk through natural sand dunes that overlook the beach and watch as golfers play nearby at Cabot Links

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A blue gondola moves up a mountain looking out onto water views.

Cape Smokey

This year-round mountain playground offers four seasons of fun and adventure in Ingonish
Ride Eastern Canada’s first (and only) gondola to the top and have a snack at the mountain top snack shop
With tons of snow and a panoramic view from the top, Cape Smokey is a popular ski destination in the wintertime

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Frequently Asked Questions

Cape Breton Island, located in Nova Scotia, Canada, is a popular destination known for its stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Cape Breton Island:

There are 4 ways to reach the Cabot Trail. Take Route 19 to Margaree Forks on the Cabot Trail; take Highway 105 to exit 5 in Whycocomagh, turn onto Route 395, turn right onto Route 19 to Margaree Forks on the Cabot Trail; take Highway 105 to exit 7 onto the Cabot Trail; take Highway 105 to either exit 11 onto the Cabot Trail or exit 12 (to Englishtown Ferry), Route 312, and right to the Cabot Trail.

The Cabot Trail takes approximately 5 ½ to 6 hours to drive.

This is a question we get so often we wrote a full blog post about this, have a read, and decide for yourself what way suits you best.

Yes! There are EV stations at Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site and Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, Cape Breton Highlands National Park, and other locations throughout Cape Breton. For a full list of EV stations in NS refer to https://www.plugshare.com/

There are only two propane fill ups in Cape Breton for RVs. Canadian Tire, Reeves Street, Port Hawkesbury and Canadian Tire, Blower Street, North Sydney.

There is a free dumping station located in Lennox Passage (Highway 104, exit 46). Campgrounds may be able to accommodate for a fee.

Yes! Meat Cove is approximately 30 kilometres from Cape North. At Cape North turn onto Bay St.Lawrence Road, then turn onto Meat Cove Road. The last 8 kilometres to Meat Cove is unpaved.

Featured Packages on Cape Breton Island

A group of people are walking the woods in winter after exiting a side by side on a TNT group tour.

TNT’s Cape Breton Team Building/Group Tour

$850

Escape the screen and experience the natural beauty of the Cape Breton Highlands on an exciting side-by-side group tour.

Baddeck
May 1, 2025 – December 15, 2025

Several hills and valleys are dotted with trees that are changing into fall colours. At the bottom of the hills there is a river that winds through the photo. It is a sunny day but there are lots of fluffy clouds in the sky.

TNT ATV/UTV Shore Excursions to Cape Clear

$1,750

Specialty ATV/UTV TNT shore excursions for CRUISE from Port of Sydney via Hunter's Mountain to iconic Cape Clear with trailside lunch – times are base

Sydney
May 1, 2025 – December 15, 2025

Two people sit in a hot tub on a deck while the sun sets over the ocean.

Oceanfront Gourmet Getaway

$999 – $1,199/Per Couple

Relax in an oceanfront cottage with private hot tub & barrel sauna. Savour two delicious meals, prepared by a local chef & delivered to your cottage.

Dingwall
August 20, 2024 – December 31, 2025

A bright red keep is stopped on the side of the road with two people standing through the moon roof taking pictures of the backdrop of changing fall colours.

The Margaree Mountaineer with Lunch

$160/Per Person

Experience the Cabot Trail like never before with an exciting on/off-road Jeep tour of the Margaree Valley, with lunch provided by a local café.

Margaree Centre
January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2025

Two side-by-sides travel through a muddy trail with lots of puddles.

Cape Breton TNT Trail Tour

$660

Let us guide you from the base of Crowdis Mountain Wilderness area to one of Cape Breton’s best views, Cape Clear. At over 1,500 feet in elevati…

Baddeck
May 1, 2025 – December 15, 2025

Download Regional PDF

Words of welcome have long been offered to visitors as they cross the Canso Causeway to Cape Breton, ready to explore a region where history lives and breathes.

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