Remarkably friendly locals, mouth-watering fresh seafood and epic coastline views: these are just some of the things that Canada’s eastern coast is best known for. Along your way through what’s known as the ‘Maritime provinces’ you’ll see everything from rugged cliffs to dense green forests, endless farming fields and pristine beachfronts. Maybe even a wild moose or two, if you’re lucky! To really make the most of this precious Atlantic coast, it’s best to set aside a week or two and travel by car or campervan.

So, roll down your windows, and turn the radio on: it’s going to be a heck of a ride!

Saint John & Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick

Day 1: Whether your point of origin in Canada is Montreal or Quebec City, the logical first stop on your trip is the quiet portside city of Saint John, in the province of New Brunswick. As the second biggest city in the Maritime provinces, Saint John is home to over 70,000 people and is situated on the north shore of the famous ‘Bay of Fundy’. Take a stroll along the Old Port and appreciate its unique architecture as you watch the ships come in and out, and wonder where they’re going next. If you’re feeling peckish, take some time to linger over a meal at one of the charming restaurants that line the waters edge before heading over to the Saint John City Market to chat with some hospitable locals and pick up a souvenir or two.

Day 2: Just a couple of hours from Saint John by car, the Fundy National Park is set to impress you. Setting aside at least a day to tour the incredible wild flora and fauna that this park has to offer is absolutely essential for any true sightseer. With its incredible forest views and gorgeous hiking trails, you’ll find it hard to keep track of time here as you explore the grounds. Stop to sip some fresh spring water from the crystal clear streams, and don’t be afraid to go for a quick dip in the cool rock pools that rest underneath the waterfalls, should you come across any on your trek. In the late afternoon, head over to Hopewell Rocks for a couple of hours to witness the largest tidal variation in the world! At low tide, you can literally walk along the red ocean floor, while at high tide, the area is completely engulfed by water. This unmatched natural phenomenon is sure to impress children and adults of all ages.

Prince Edward Island (PEI)

Day 3: Strap yourself in, activate the cruise control function and enjoy the drive from the Bay all the way up to the second maritime province on your itinerary. Be bold and get off the beaten track; bypass the busy highway toward PEI and instead combine routes 133 and 950 near New Brunswick’s ‘Cap-Pele’, in order to really appreciate this scenic coastal ride onto the Island province. You’ll see beautifully designed maritime homes, untouched beaches and some truly impressive natural landscapes, so take it easy and don’t be in too much of a hurry. To make the journey over to PEI, you’ll venture across the impressive Confederation Bridge. Spanning 12.9 km over the waters of the Northumberland Strait, it becomes the world’s longest over-ice bridge in the winter months, yet is remarkably impressive all year round.

Day 4: The first stop for most will be the Island’s laidback capital of Charlottetown. Slow down for a moment and take in a cup of coffee at one of the many quaint cafés that dot the city streets. Pick up a local newspaper, check and see what’s happening locally during your stay, and get a feel for how people live out their days in this relaxed province. Once you’re feeling refreshed, take the back roads through the farming communities as you head up to North Rustico Harbor to enjoy your first taste of the delicious seafood on offer across the Maritimes. PEI is particularly well known for dishing up some of the country’s best lobster and mussels, so don’t be scared to over-order. After all, calories don’t count while you’re on holiday, remember? If you can roll yourself out of the restaurant, consider spending the afternoon on one of the relaxed tours that the island has to offer, including fudge and ice-cream excursions, clam-digging expeditions and seaside arts and crafts workshops. Visit www.tourismpei.com/pei-experiences for more information.

Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Day 5: Time is flying! It’s day five, and time to get on the road again. Make your way off the Island either over the Confederation Bridge or using the car-ferry at Wood Islands, and begin the journey to the third province on this whirlwind Canadian road trip: Nova Scotia! First on the itinerary is the picturesque Cape Breton Island. Take the coastal route and make your way up to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The drive itself will take the breath out of your lungs, causing you to clutch the edge of your seat as you curve around the winding, cliff-side roads known as the ‘Cabot Trail’. Have your camera at the ready and snap some great pictures to get your mind off the rising sensation of vertigo building up in your chest. Don’t plan too much today — just enjoy the amazing scenery and take it slow, stopping at every lookout that takes your fancy, before settling in to your wilderness campsite for the night.

Day 6: Perhaps the most famous hike in the park – and one of the easiest — is the ‘Skywalk’. Hence, it’s generally a good introductory hike that’s appropriate for most fitness levels and ages. It’ll take approximately three hours to complete, and offers unmatched views of the coastline and natural vegetation. For the more advanced hiker, try out some longer, more difficult hikes after consulting the options available in your park map. After a long day full of physical activity, set aside the time to cook a wonderful dinner meal with your friends or family at the campsite, and maybe even toast some golden marshmallows for dessert in a designated campfire pit.

Day 7: The northern shores of Cape Breton offer some of the country’s best whale-watching locations, where you can see a variety of species including Pilot, Finback, Minke and even Humpback whales, along with some seals and eagles if you’re lucky. Popular departure points for these unforgettable whale-watching adventures include Pleasant Bay, St. Lawrence Bay, and New Haven. Try to opt for the smaller, locally-owned tour companies as they tend to be more intimate and informative, and help to support these small communities. Maybe the captain will even invite you up onto the front deck for an up close and personal view of these magnificent creatures as they swim alongside your boat.

Take your time driving back down the eastern side of the Island, and stop to grab another delicious seafood lunch at one of the roadside vans you come across. Their food tends to be simple, cheap, authentic and delicious! If you’re planning to head across to the province of Newfoundland to spend a few days exploring Gros Morne National Park, now is the time to cross over on the ferry from the North Sydney port. If not, continue down the coast and stop at one of the many campsites along your route for the night.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Day 8: Wake up slowly, pack up the tent, eat a hearty breakfast and drive down toward Halifax — the last stop on this east coast road trip. With a population of about 415,000 people, Halifax is a beautiful portside city that is sure to be the icing on the top of your journey. As the clouds roll in and out of the port, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment as you reflect on the week that was. Visit the old Citadel, where you can walk through the grounds of the impressive military fort that has defended the town since its establishment in 1749. Take a trip to the ‘Pier 21’ Immigration Museum, too, where you’ll be invited to experience what the arrival process and every day life was like for the hundreds of thousands of immigrants who decided to call Canada home from 1928 to 1971. As the day winds down, sit and order a final meal at one of the harbor side restaurants, and watch the sun go down on this epic coastal adventure.

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself turning over that napkin mid-meal and asking your waiter for a pen: there’s so much to see in this vast and varied country, that you’ll need to plan your next Canadian road trip ASAP!

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