Canada's Maritime provinces—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island—offer some of the country's most picturesque landscapes, friendly communities, and delicious seafood. While attractions like Peggy's Cove, the Cabot Trail, and the Bay of Fundy certainly deserve their fame, the true magic of the Maritimes often lies in the less-traveled paths and quieter corners that many visitors miss.
In this guide, we'll take you beyond the tourist hotspots to discover the hidden gems that offer authentic Maritime experiences without the crowds. These special places showcase the region's stunning natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture in ways that the more popular destinations sometimes cannot.
Nova Scotia's Secret Shores and Forgotten Fishing Villages
The LaHave Islands
Just 90 minutes from Halifax, this archipelago of more than 20 islands offers a glimpse into traditional Maritime life that has changed little over generations. Connected by short bridges and causeways, these islands feature colorful fishing stages, artist studios, and pristine beaches often completely empty even in high summer.
Don't Miss: The LaHave Bakery, housed in an old riverside trading post, for artisanal breads and pastries. Afterwards, take the tiny cable ferry (one of the few remaining in Nova Scotia) across the LaHave River to explore Crescent Beach, a rare drivable beach that stretches for over a kilometer.
Cape D'Or
Near the town of Advocate Harbour along the Bay of Fundy, Cape D'Or features dramatic 200-foot cliffs overlooking the powerful tidal currents where the Bay of Fundy meets the Minas Channel. Unlike the more touristed Cape Split, this promontory offers equally spectacular views with a fraction of the visitors.
Don't Miss: Stay at the lighthouse keeper's cottage, now a charming inn, and watch the sunset paint the massive cliffs in golden light while listening to the constant churn of some of the strongest tidal currents in the world.
Little Harbor
On the less-visited Eastern Shore, this sheltered cove surrounded by spruce forests features a string of white sand beaches connected by scenic coastal hiking trails. The crystal-clear waters are significantly warmer than those on Nova Scotia's Atlantic coast, making it perfect for swimming.
Don't Miss: The Great Island Adventures sea kayaking tour that takes you around the offshore islands where seals frequently bask on rocky outcrops.
Isle Madame
Off the southeastern coast of Cape Breton, this island with strong Acadian heritage offers winding coastal roads, colorful fishing harbors, and a distinctly French atmosphere that feels worlds away from the more developed parts of Cape Breton.
Don't Miss: The Lobster Interpretive Centre in Petit-de-Grat to learn about the island's fishing traditions, followed by lunch at La Goélette Café for authentic Acadian dishes like râpure (potato pudding) and fricot (hearty chicken stew).
New Brunswick Beyond the Bay of Fundy
Grand Manan Archipelago
While Grand Manan Island itself is relatively well-known, the smaller islands in this archipelago—White Head Island, Ross Island, and Nantucket Island—remain wonderfully untouched. Accessible only by small boat services, these islands offer a glimpse into an older, simpler way of life centered around fishing and natural rhythms.
Don't Miss: The wooden boardwalk trail on Ross Island that winds through fragrant spruce forest to a hidden beach where you might spot minke whales feeding just offshore.
Miscou Island
At the northeastern tip of New Brunswick, this island is connected to the mainland by a small bridge. With its iconic red-and-white lighthouse, vast peat bogs that turn brilliant crimson in autumn, and miles of unspoiled beaches, Miscou offers solitude and natural beauty in equal measure.
Don't Miss: The Miscou Island Lighthouse, built in 1856, offers panoramic views of where the Baie des Chaleurs meets the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In autumn, the surrounding peat bogs turn a stunning red color.
Minister's Island
Near St. Andrews, this 500-acre island is accessible only at low tide via a naturally occurring sandbar. Once the summer estate of Canadian Pacific Railway magnate Sir William Van Horne, the island features a magnificent 50-room mansion, historic barns, and miles of hiking trails through varied terrain.
Don't Miss: Time your visit carefully with the tide tables! The tidal crossing is submerged under several feet of water at high tide. Once on the island, take a guided tour of Covenhoven, Van Horne's remarkable house filled with architectural innovations ahead of its time.
Campobello Island
While known for the Roosevelt Cottage (Franklin D. Roosevelt's summer home), the rest of this island—accessible from Maine but part of New Brunswick—remains largely undiscovered. The island's rugged shores, fog-shrouded forests, and colorful fishing villages offer a tranquil escape.
Don't Miss: Head to Herring Cove Provincial Park at low tide to walk across the ocean floor exploring tide pools teeming with marine life. The park's beach is also one of the best places to find sea glass in the Maritimes.
Prince Edward Island's Quiet Corners
The Points East Coastal Drive
While most visitors focus on the central part of PEI associated with Anne of Green Gables, the eastern shore offers red sandstone cliffs, historic lighthouses, and empty beaches without the tour buses.
Don't Miss: The Greenwich section of Prince Edward Island National Park features a unique floating boardwalk over rare parabolic sand dunes—a geological formation found in only a few places in North America.
Victoria-by-the-Sea
This picture-perfect fishing village is often overshadowed by more famous PEI destinations. With its chocolate shop, pottery studios, and playhouse housed in historic buildings, Victoria-by-the-Sea feels like stepping back in time to a more genteel era.
Don't Miss: Take a chocolate-making workshop at Island Chocolates, housed in a historic general store, then enjoy dinner with sunset views at the Lobster Barn Pub & Eatery on the harbor.
Murray Harbour and Beach Point
At the southeastern tip of the island, this working fishing community remains authentically Maritime without the trappings of tourism. The harbor filled with colorful fishing boats and the long beach with views to Nova Scotia offer quintessential PEI scenery minus the crowds.
Don't Miss: Book a "Tong and Taste" experience with a local fisherman to learn about traditional oyster harvesting methods, then sample your catch fresh from the water.
Cedar Dunes Provincial Park
On the less-visited western shore near West Point, this park features a beautiful lighthouse (where you can stay overnight), a sheltered beach with unusually warm waters, and a tranquil campground nestled among fragrant cedar trees.
Don't Miss: The West Point Lighthouse Inn allows you to sleep in an active lighthouse. Book well in advance for this unique experience, and don't miss the fascinating lighthouse museum on the ground floor.
Unique Maritime Experiences Off the Beaten Path
Island-Hopping by Bicycle
Some of the most rewarding Maritime experiences involve leaving your car behind. The Confederation Trail on PEI (built on a former railway line) allows cyclists to explore the island's interior farmland and forests, while Nova Scotia's Rum Runners Trail connects scenic coastal communities from Halifax to Lunenburg.
Our Recommendation: Rent bicycles in Charlottetown and pedal the Confederation Trail to St. Peters Bay, stopping at village bakeries and craft shops along the way.
Seafood Experiences Beyond Restaurants
While Maritime restaurant seafood is excellent, the most memorable experiences often come from direct interaction with the people who harvest from the sea.
Our Recommendations:
- Join a "Catch and Cook" lobster experience with Bay of Fundy Adventures in New Brunswick
- Visit the wharf at Neil's Harbour, Cape Breton during the afternoon to purchase seafood directly from fishing boats
- Take a traditional clam dig on PEI's north shore at low tide, guided by local experts
Maritime Music in Authentic Settings
Skip the polished tourist performances and seek out community halls, church basements, and small-town pubs where local musicians gather for kitchen parties, ceilidhs, and impromptu jam sessions.
Our Recommendations:
- The Red Shoe Pub in Mabou, Cape Breton, owned by the Rankin Family and hosting nightly traditional music
- The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse in Charlottetown for informal sessions where local musicians drop in
- Community halls throughout Nova Scotia's South Shore on Saturday nights often feature local square dances
Planning Your Off-the-Beaten-Path Maritime Adventure
Best Time to Visit Hidden Gems
One advantage of exploring lesser-known destinations is more flexibility with timing:
- Mid-June to early July: The weather is warming, but tourism hasn't reached its peak
- September to mid-October: Perhaps the ideal time, with warm sea temperatures, brilliant fall colors, and harvest festivals, but fewer crowds
- Winter (for the adventurous): While many tourist services close, winter offers a completely different Maritime experience—think empty beaches, cozy inns with fireplaces, and the chance to see coastal villages in their authentic off-season rhythm
Practical Tips for Exploring Hidden Maritime Gems
- Rent a car: Public transportation is limited in rural areas of the Maritimes
- Check operating seasons: Many smaller attractions and restaurants in remote areas may have limited hours outside of July and August
- Book accommodations in advance: While less visited, the best small inns and B&Bs in hidden gem locations often have limited rooms that fill quickly
- Bring cash: Some smaller establishments in remote areas may not accept credit cards
- Be flexible: Weather, tides, and the rhythms of fishing communities may require adjusting plans
- Talk to locals: The friendliness of Maritimers is legendary—ask for recommendations at local cafes, shops, and gas stations
The true magic of the Maritimes lies in these hidden corners where life moves to the rhythm of the tides, where communities maintain traditions passed down through generations, and where the landscape remains as breathtaking and untamed as it has been for centuries. At Svezhaya Manka, our Maritime Treasures tour packages include many of these special places, combining iconic sights with off-the-beaten-path experiences for a more authentic Maritime adventure.
Whether you're watching the sunset from a little-known lighthouse, savoring just-harvested oysters at a fisherman's kitchen table, or walking an empty beach with only seabirds for company, the hidden gems of Maritime Canada offer memories that will stay with you long after the more famous attractions have faded in your mind.
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