We are thinking about spending a few days in Bar Harbor in July, taking the ferry to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and driving around for a few days and then returning on the same ferry. Any thoughts on the feasability of this plan?

Perfectly sound idea--we have done it a number of times. Do book ahead, re-mortgage you house and take Gravol/Dramamine.

I am being facetious, of course. But this is one of those good news, bad new stories. The CAT is a really big driver-saver, saves miles around (Bangor-Calais/St. Stephens-Moncton-St. John-Halifax). Bar Harbour is fun and The South Shore (Yarmouth-Lunenburg-Chester-Peggy's Cove) is a terrific intro to NS.

But the down side is, its pricey. And the Cat (a catamaran- sp?) is a big, vibrating flat ferry. On a great day, its all whales, dolphins and sunshine. On a rough day, its a drag.

Have a look at this fairly recent thread.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...armouth-ns.cfm

~Liz

Thank you for both replies. I did not factor in the vehicle fares on the ferry. It is a little more expensive than I first thought. This might be better to do when we have more time. We have to be on Cape Cod for the 2nd part of our vacation.

Please, please do not let the cost/effort put you off the South Shore/Lighthouse Trail part of Nova Scotia forever.
Come back another time.

Yes, Cape Breton is lovely but the Kejimkujik Park/Lunenburg/Mahone Bay/Chester/Peggy's Cove Route is absolutely wonderful. Varied from wild nature to authentic small towns and lighthouses (!) with some great restaurants. Yarmouth is the least lovely part and this puts some folks off exploring the rest: a GREAT shame.

Think Cape Cod before the tourists got hold of it...

LJ,

That's exactly why I try to discourage quick trips through Yarmouth! I wonder how many people that darn CAT has left with the impression that NS isn't worth a longer visit...

~Liz

Yarmouth area is not soooo bad. We really enjoyed several days in the area. Take a look at www.yarmouthandacadianshores.com. We spent a great night at Ye Old Argyler on the coast and several wonderful days at Trout Point Lodge--all within 45 minutes of the ferry terminal. You can always take the cat one way and the Digby - St. John ferry the other, which is less expensive.

Now that the CAT no longer operates between Bar Harbor and Nova Scotia....What do I do?

You drive around...or at least to Saint John, NB and then catch the ferry to Digby, NS.

Hey, don't spend too much time waiting for the "Cat", do to it's cost, it has been shut down and no longer operates between Maine and Nova Scotia. Also it's called the "Vomit Comet" here in Nova Scotia, due to the number of people getting off in Yarmouth with a green complection.

Why not drive thru New Brunswick, arrive in Amherst, Nova Scotia, and drive the sea coast highway ( Route 209 ) it's only @ 350 miles from Bangor, Maine, and won't cost nearly as much as the fairy's which I don't think even run anymore