Save 15% on a Once in a Lifetime Experience with Adventure Canada
Price: $3,396 USD per person
(based on Cabin Category 1, Quad, Deck 4 on June 23, 2022 departure date)
Solo cabins with zero single supplement available based on availability
Savings: 15%
Departure Date: June 23, 2022
Photo: Margaret Atwood
Highlights:
- Explore with Margaret Atwood
- Explore remote areas of coastal Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, and the French island of Saint-Pierre
- Set foot on mystical Sable Island, home to one of the world’s largest colonies of grey seals, legendary wild horses, and rare birds
- Discover vibrant Mi’kmaw culture at Lennox Island First Nation, Prince Edward Island
- Experience Acadian food, music, and crafts in Chéticamp—a bilingual Maritime town
- Step back in time at the Fortress of Louisbourg and discover Cape Breton Island's fascinating colonial history
- Watch for northern bottlenose and other whales as we transit the Gully Marine Protected Area
- Discover North America’s oldest city, St. John’s, with its picturesque Battery, majestic Signal Hill, and dynamic old town
Expedition Costs Include:
- Passage aboard the Ocean Endeavour
- Applicable taxes and credit card fees
- Complimentary expedition jacket
- Contribution to Adventure Canada's Discovery Fund
- Special access permits, entry and park fees
- Team of expedition staff
- Guided activities
- Sightseeing and community visits
- All Zodiac excursions
- Port fees
- Predeparture materials
- Educational program
- Nikon Camera Trial Program
- Interactive workshops
- Evening entertainment
- All shipboard meals
Photo: A view of St. John’s cityscape from the Narrows, the only passage from the Atlantic Ocean to St. John’s Harbour
Expedition Costs Do Not Include:
- Commercial & charter flights
- Program enhancements/optional excursions
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Mandatory medical evacuation insurance *Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
- Possible fuel surcharges
- Pre- & post-trip hotel accommodation and administrative fee
Explore with Margaret Atwood! Since her childhood spent in the woods of Northern Ontario and Quebec, Margaret has been a passionate conservationist and a tireless advocate for birds. A deep believer in the power of getting people out into nature, Margaret has been travelling as a staff member with Adventure Canada for twenty years. Join her on this voyage of discovery.
Photo: Map of Atlantic Canada Explorer itinerary
Atlantic Canada Explorer Itinerary:
Day 1: St. John's, Newfoundland
Welcome to St. John’s—the vibrant capital of Newfoundland and Labrador. Sailing out of the historic port, Signal Hill keeps watch as we exit the world-famous narrows. The charming houses of the Battery are always a hit with shutterbugs. Watch for icebergs, whales, and seabirds as we sail!
Day 2: At Sea
We’ll be in full-on learning mode as our expedition team shares the fascinating history and ecology of Sable Island. On deck, we’ll be watching for marine mammals and seabirds in the rich waters of the northwest Atlantic.
Days 3-4: Sable Island, Nova Scotia
A sandbar as long as Manhattan—but only about a kilometre wide—Sable Island is home to many varieties of birds, including the Ispwich sparrow, the largest grey seal colony in the world, and the world-famous Sable Island horses. Unique weather conditions prevail at Sable Island. We'll maximize opportunities to walk the dunes, cruise the shores, and view the wildlife. We’ll also learn first-hand about Sable Island’s fascinating human history.
Day 5: The Gully Marine Protected Area
The Gully is a Marine Protected Area where the sea floor plunges two and a half kilometres into a submarine valley. The Gully is one of the most prominent undersea features in eastern Canada. Significant coral communities make for a diversity of both shallow and deep-water fish, which draw whales and dolphins. Join our onboard researchers to appreciate the abundance of marine life!
Photo: A humpback whale trap feeding in the Gully Marine Protected Area
Day 6: Fortress of Louisbourg
Built by the French in 1720, the fortifications at Louisbourg were captured by the British in 1745, later returned to the French, captured again in 1758, and then destroyed. Reconstructed in the 1960s and 1970s, the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site offers a telling glimpse into military colonial Canada.
Day 7: Bird Islands & Cape Breton Island
Conditions permitting, we’ll enjoy a Zodiac cruise at the Bird Islands, just off Cape Breton’s coast near Cape Dauphin. This critical seabird nesting and breeding area includes the largest colony of great cormorants in Canada. We’ll also be looking for black-legged kittiwakes, razorbills, Atlantic puffins, black guillemots, and perhaps Leach’s storm-petrels. Cape Breton Island is a bastion of Gaelic music and culture, “more Scots than the Scots.” Its rugged highlands and wind-swept coasts are home to the world-famous Cabot Trail and Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
Photo: Scenic view of the coastal mountains in Cape Breton on the seaside
Day 8: Chéticamp
Today we call in at the fishing village of Chéticamp, on the western shore of Cape Breton Island. A busy fishing harbour, rug-hooking museum, shops, and restaurants offer a taste of Acadian heritage. Nearby Cape Breton Highlands National Park is world-renowned for scenery and wildlife. If weather permits, we’ll hike the spectacular Skyline Trail.
Day 9: Prince Edward Island
Historic Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island is known as the birthplace of Confederation. A charming town and the capital of Canada’s smallest province, Charlottetown offers access to all of PEI within a relatively short drive. Optional excursions will include a visit to Green Gables—fictional home of the famous Anne— and Lennox Island First Nation.
Day 10: South Coast Newfoundland
The wild and windswept coast of southern Newfoundland is home to a few remaining outport communities. Visits here are often a highlight of our trips. There are many choices of unique bays and coves to explore via Zodiac or land excursions. Along the coast, the geology is outstanding, and the plant life is gorgeous. We’ll be on the watch for wildlife, too. We’ll make the most of every chance to explore this beautiful and remote coast.
Day 11: Saint-Pierre, France
Just off the shores of Newfoundland lie the islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon—an official territory of France. The colourful town of Saint-Pierre makes a charming finale to our trip. Winding streets with shops, houses, and cafés bring a taste of Europe to the east coast of North America.
Day 12: St. John's, Newfoundland
On the final day of our expedition, we sail back though the picturesque Narrows and into St. John’s harbour. We will say our farewells in North America's oldest city.
Photo: A Zodiac ride along the south coast of Newfoundland's rugged coastlines
Qajaq (Kayak) with Us
Adventure Canada’s Qajaq program provides a quiet, fun and relaxing way to reconnect with the marine environment. The Qajaq (the proper phonetic spelling of “kayak”) was invented by Inuit and is a feat of engineering whose design remains unchanged after thousands of years. Join us in a unique way through our qajaq program. Kayaking has become an increasingly popular mode of exploration. Paddling in pristine waters, near marine life, in the wilderness, or along a historic coast will overwhelm even the most seasoned adventurer. It is a rare opportunity, for few have experienced these magical places by qajaq. We offer safe, fun and unforgettable moments at water level. Limited space is available. Please book in advance, prior to departure, to avoid disappointment!
Price: $750 USD per person
Max Adventurers: 12
Fitness level: moderate fitness level, some kayaking experience required.
* We guarantee a minimum of two kayak excursions in this price. The fee will be pro-rated in case we are unable to offer a minimum of two excursions.
Adventure Canada is an award winning Canadian tour operator known for taking travellers to remote regions of the planet. Let's celebrate Canada together with Canadian Icon Margaret Atwood in 2022!