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East Coast Road trip from Ottawa to NB, PEI, NS (14 days door-to-door)

East Coast Road trip from Ottawa to NB, PEI, NS (14 days door-to-door)

Old Apr 17th, 2016, 06:40 PM
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East Coast Road trip from Ottawa to NB, PEI, NS (14 days door-to-door)

Hello Everyone,

I am a new comer in Canada and to vacation travel and finally I have gathered some courage to travel for the first time in Canada with my wife. I have planned to drive from Ottawa-ON to east coast in 14 day (door-to-door), in early June this year.

With my research so far, I am intending to travel to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and (may be) PEI. (QC is going to be on my way, won’t mind investing a day or two at any really good once on the way)

I am not into fishing or hunting however, enjoy Scenic Drives, beaches, hiking, Kayaking (I have not done Kayaking before however really want to do it in this trip if possible). I have also never experienced camping or cottage before and if somehow possible would prefer over hotel/motel stay. (I have limited budget therefore, do not want to spend money on taking a lot of guided tours, fine dining, flights, etc.)

I will much appreciate guidance from the experienced travelers here about a few specific questions below right after each topic, and a suggestive itinerary for this trip please:

The places I have shortlisted in NB:
1. The Moncton / Hopewell Rocks - Where to stay and how many days???
2. The others, I have noted from NB tourism site: Parlee Beach Provincial Park, Lamèque Island, Miscou Island.

I do not want to repeat any of the similar style places, so not really sure how much the above worth and I am missing any really good once – Would really appreciate your help to pick, including where to stay and how many days, etc. answers

The places I have shortlisted in NS:
3. Cape Breton Island, Cabot Trail, (Where to stay and for how many days???)
This is where I have planned a full Day Kayak Guided Tour with: http://northriverkayak.com/tour/guided-full-day-tour/
4. Bay of Fundy (I think Bay of Fundy and Hopewell Rocks is one and same, right?)
5. At my current knowledge, I am unable to list any more in NS – Would appreciate if you could suggest a couple more worth my time

The places I have shortlisted in PEI:
6. Souris Beach Provincial Park
7. The bridge to PEI

I didn’t think the above is worth 14-2=12 days as yet.

Looking forward to hearing some very valuable insights from you,

Thank-you in advance,
Coolsun is offline  
Old Apr 17th, 2016, 06:41 PM
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Sandeep
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Old Apr 22nd, 2016, 11:30 AM
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Hi Coolsun

Welcome to Canada!

If I were you I would skip visiting NB, just drive through and spend more time on PEI as it is prettier. But I'm a little partial...

While on PEI, East and North Shore are more scenic.
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Old Apr 22nd, 2016, 02:55 PM
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Hi, for Hopewell Cape, all you need to do is basically see the rocks at both high and low tide (LOW tide if you can only go once, so that requires no more than an overnight stay perhaps somewhere nearby.


I have never done kayaking either, but I'm sure that if I were to do so, I would find someplace that offers guided experiences not far from Truro, NS... because I am rather fascinated by the rivers turning around and flowing UPstream when the powerful tides come in.

(Kayaking might be just wonderful when done anywhere, but if I'm gonna dare myself out there that first time, it is gonna be for something amusing like the tidal bore )


I believe that Quebec (city) is definitely worth a night on the way, and a night on the way back (IF convenient to your schedule).


I tend to suggest 3-ish nights staying near Baddeck, NS, and on one of the days, you make a round-trip circuit of the Cabot Trail.


As for "Bay of Fundy"... yes, when you go to Hopewell Cape, it is the awe of the Bay of Fundy which makes the experience what it is (uh, especially if you don't get off of the beach in time.

However, there are various spots around the Maritime provinces bordering the bay where you can walk far out onto the tide flats at low tide, and really (teach yourself about the tides there).


I recommend printing out tide schedules for the entire window of your trip for perhaps 3 or 4 spots around the bay, definitely including Hopewell Cape, from this website:

http://bayoffundytourism.com/tides/times/



IF you click on my name you can sort back through many posts on tourism in the Maritimes, and find additional details which might help you. From that you can perhaps add a few more main interests to help fill-in your 12-ish days.
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