This is an underrated gem in Canada! A lot of people don’t know about it, but once you get to Cape Breton Island, you’ll want to come back again and again.
There are many possible vacation activities in Cape Breton Island, especially if you love nature. It is one of the best places for hiking and camping in Canada, and there are several hiking trails that will take you through rugged mountains, coastlines, and rural farmlands.
There are several amazing places to visit in the island – such as the Gulf of St. Lawrence, famous for its migrating whales – and exploring them is a great way to spend your time there. It’s truly a beautiful place.
Read on for more fun activities and attractions in Cape Breton Island, Canada
The 92 Most Popular Things To Do In Cape Breton Island, Canada
92. Mica Hill Lake
5.0 (1 review)
Credit: Leah Luker, Google Maps
91. Chestico Museum & Historical Society
4.5 (2 reviews)
Location: 8095 Route 19 Harbourview Port Hood Nova Scotia
Tel: 902 787 2244
Web Address: http://chesticoplace.com/
90. Jigging Cove Lake
5.0 (2 reviews)
89. White Hill
2.0 (2 reviews)
Credit: Dennis Jarvis, License, Flickr
88. Ski-Tuonela
5.0 (3 reviews)
Credit: Kyle Bonnar, Google Maps
Location: 49864 Cabot Trail Road Baddeck NS
Tel: 902 295 7694
Web Address: http://skituonela.com/
87. North Bay Beach
4.6 (5 reviews)
Credit: Ken Heaton, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Ingonish Beach NS
86. Freshwater Lake
4.4 (5 reviews)
Credit: Pi3.124, License, Wikimedia commons
85. Corney Brook Trail
4.7 (6 reviews)
Credit: Diana Robinson, License, Flickr
Location: 18573 Cabot Trail Road Petit Etang NS
Web Address: https://pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ns/cbreton/activ/randonnee-hiking/lazare_corney
84. Franey Mountain
5.0 (7 reviews)
Credit: SUKHPREET SINGH, Google Maps
83. Greenlink Rotary Park Trail System, Maillard St Entrance
4.6 (9 reviews)
Credit: Ken Heaton, Google Maps
Location: 51 Maillard Street Membertou NS
Web Address: https://cbrm.ns.ca/recreation-facilities.html#trails
82. North Highlands Nordic
4.7 (9 reviews)
Credit: Stanley Orr, Google Maps
Location: 29483 Cabot Trail Road Cape North NS
Tel: 902 383 2479
Web Address: http://nhn.xcski.ca/
81. Saint Peter’s Church
4.5 (11 reviews)
Credit: cliff sobchuk, Google Maps
Location: 15114 Cabot Trail Road Cheticamp NS
80. Freshwater Lake Look-off Trailhead
4.8 (13 reviews)
Credit: Simon Lam, Google Maps
Location: 37639 Cabot Trail Road Ingonish Beach NS
Web Address: https://pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ns/cbreton/activ/randonnee-hiking/belvedere_freshwater_lookoff
79. Le Vieux Chemin du Cap-Rouge Trailhead
4.9 (13 reviews)
Location: 1762 Cabot Trail Road Pleasant Bay NS
Web Address: https://pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ns/cbreton/activ/randonnee-hiking/cap-rouge
78. Breton Air Inc.
4.7 (13 reviews)
Credit: Patrick Donnelly, Google Maps
Location: 280 Silver Dart Way Sydney NS
Tel: 902 789 2169
Web Address: http://bretonair.com/
77. Kellys Mountain
4.7 (14 reviews)
Credit: Grmike, License, Wikimedia commons
76. Margaree Salmon Museum
4.7 (14 reviews)
Credit: Margaree Salmon Museum, Google Maps
Location: 60 E Big Intervale Road North East Margaree NS
Tel: 902 248 2848
Web Address: https://margareesalmonmuseum.ca/
75. Kidston Lighthouse
4.1 (15 reviews)
Credit: WabbitWanderer, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Nova Scotia
74. Middle Head Hiking Trail
4.7 (17 reviews)
73. Warren Lake
4.9 (17 reviews)
72. Celtic Shores Coastal Trail, Troy, NS
4.7 (17 reviews)
Credit: Robert Groulx, Google Maps
Location: Celtic Shores Coastal Trail Troy NS
Web Address: https://celticshores.ca/
71. Fairy Hole
4.9 (19 reviews)
Credit: Ken Heaton, License, Wikimedia commons
70. Mabou Harbour Lighthouse
4.5 (20 reviews)
Credit: Dennis Jarvis, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Nova Scotia
Web Address: http://lighthousefriends.com/light.asp
69. Old Town Hall & Glace Bay Heritage Museum Society
4.2 (21 reviews)
Credit: Grady Bonner, Google Maps
Location: 14 McKeen Street Glace Bay NS
Tel: 902 842 5345
Web Address: http://oldtownhallglacebay.ca/
68. Lake Ainslie
4.8 (24 reviews)
Credit: Larry, License, Wikimedia commons
67. MacIntosh Brook Trailhead
4.7 (24 reviews)
Credit: Kimberly Brown, Google Maps
Location: 24150 Cabot Trail Road Pleasant Bay NS
Web Address: https://pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ns/cbreton/activ/randonnee-hiking/macintosh
66. Salmon Pools Trailhead
4.7 (26 reviews)
Credit: julia michel, Google Maps
Location: 16654 Cabot Trail Road Petit Etang NS
Web Address: http://pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ns/cbreton/activ/randonnee-hiking/saumons_salmon
65. Ben Eoin Provincial Park
4.6 (26 reviews)
Credit: Ken Heaton, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 5549 NS 4 Cape Breton Regional Municipality NS
Tel: 902 662 3030
Web Address: https://parks.novascotia.ca/day-use-parks-guide#beneoin
64. Dominion Beach
4.5 (28 reviews)
Credit: Vlad Litvinov, License, Wikimedia commons
63. Jost Heritage House
4.2 (28 reviews)
Credit: Jost Heritage House, Google Maps
Location: 54 Charlotte Street Sydney NS
Tel: 902 539 0366
Web Address: https://oldsydneysociety.org/jost-house/
62. Bell Bay Golf Club
4.5 (29 reviews)
Credit: Ryan Sull, Google Maps
Location: 761 NS 205 Baddeck NS
Tel: 902 295 1333
Web Address: https://bellbaygolfclub.com/
61. Whitney Pier Historical Society Museum
4.7 (30 reviews)
Credit: DM Hartigan, Google Maps
Location: 88 Mt Pleasant Street Sydney NS
Tel: 902 564 9819
Web Address: https://facebook.com/Whitney-Pier-Historical-Museum-165356416973698/
60. Cossit House Museum
4.2 (32 reviews)
Credit: Dennis Jarvis, License, Flickr
Location: 75 Charlotte Street Sydney NS
Tel: 902 539 7973
Web Address: https://cossithouse.novascotia.ca/
59. Baddeck Forks Golf Course
4.5 (32 reviews)
Credit: Baddeck Forks Golf Course, Google Maps
Location: 12 Baddeck Forks Extension Baddeck NS
Tel: 902 295 2174
Web Address: http://baddeckforksgolf.com/
58. Chimney Corner Beach
4.9 (35 reviews)
Credit: Diana Robinson, License, Flickr
57. Gampo Abbey
4.9 (37 reviews)
Credit: Sanjida Ali, Google Maps
Location: 1533 Pleasant Bay Loop Pleasant Bay NS
Tel: 902 224 2752
Web Address: https://gampoabbey.org/
56. North River Falls Trailhead
4.6 (38 reviews)
Credit: Dennis Jarvis, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Nova Scotia
55. North Highlands Community Museum
4.7 (38 reviews)
Location: 29243 Cabot Trail Road Dingwall NS
Tel: 902 383 2579
Web Address: http://northhighlandsmuseum.ca/
54. Beulach Ban Falls
4.6 (40 reviews)
Credit: Dennis Jarvis, License, Wikimedia commons
53. World’s Largest Fiddle
4.6 (40 reviews)
Credit: Dennis Jarvis, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 74 Esplanade Sydney NS
Tel: 902 701 8648
52. St Patrick’s Church Museum
4.4 (45 reviews)
Credit: Vlad Litvinov, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 87 Esplanade Sydney NS
Tel: 902 562 8237
Web Address: http://oldsydneysociety.org/st-patricks-church-museum/
51. Sydney Mines Heritage Museum
4.2 (46 reviews)
Credit: Chinthaka Somaratna, Google Maps
Location: 159 Legatto Street Sydney Mines NS
Tel: 902 544 0992
Web Address: http://capebretonfossildiscoverycentre.com/
50. Ski Ben Eoin
4.9 (48 reviews)
Credit: Verne Equinox, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 5101 NS 4 Ben Eoin NS
Tel: 902 828 2222
Web Address: http://skibeneoin.com/
49. Ingonish Beach
4.8 (48 reviews)
Credit: Mrlayance, License, Wikimedia commons
Web Address: http://parkcanada.ca/
48. Salt Mountain Trail
4.8 (51 reviews)
Credit: Michelle Scrivener, Google Maps
Location: 89 Provincial Park Road Whycocomagh NS
47. Le Portage Golf Club
4.4 (53 reviews)
Credit: Le Portage Golf Club, Google Maps
Location: 15580 Cabot Trail Road Cheticamp NS
Tel: 902 224 3338
Web Address: http://leportagegolfclub.com/
46. Le Buttereau Trailhead
4.6 (53 reviews)
Credit: Jeremy Martell, Google Maps
Location: Nova Scotia
Web Address: http://pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ns/cbreton/activ/randonnee-hiking/buttereau
45. Port Hood Beach
4.7 (54 reviews)
Credit: Martin Cathrae, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 40 Court Street Port Hood NS
Web Address: https://novascotia.com/see-do/outdoor-activities/port-hood-beach/2167
44. Centre de la Mi-Carême
4.1 (57 reviews)
Credit: Asrar Haq-Montford, Google Maps
Location: 51 Old Cabot Trail Road Grand Etang NS
Tel: 902 224 1016
Web Address: http://micareme.ca/
43. Acadian Trailhead
4.7 (60 reviews)
Credit: Andrew Nemirovsky, Google Maps
Location: 16648 Cabot Trail Road Petit Etang NS
Web Address: https://pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ns/cbreton/activ/randonnee-hiking/acadien_acadian
42. Chapel Point Battery Site
4.5 (61 reviews)
Credit: Ken Heaton, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Church Street Amber Dr Sydney Mines NS
Web Address: http://fortwiki.com/Chapel_Point_Battery
41. Mary Ann Falls
4.7 (67 reviews)
Credit: Dennis Jarvis, License, Wikimedia commons
40. Port Hood Station Provincial Park
4.7 (67 reviews)
Credit: Manon Casgrain, Google Maps
Location: 8657 Nova Scotia Trunk 19 Port Hood NS
Web Address: https://parks.novascotia.ca/day-use-parks-guide#porthoodbeach
39. Membertou Heritage Park
4.7 (73 reviews)
Credit: Tammy Gray, Google Maps
Location: 35 Su’n Awti Membertou NS
Tel: 902 567 5333
Web Address: http://membertouheritagepark.com/
38. Mira Gut Beach Municipal Park
4.5 (75 reviews)
Credit: Harsimran Sidhu, Google Maps
Web Address: http://nsls.ns.ca/mira-gut-beach
37. Lake-O-Law Provincial Park
4.8 (83 reviews)
Credit: Mubarik Ahmad Siddiqui, Google Maps
Location: 1101 Road Margaree Valley NS
Web Address: https://parks.novascotia.ca/day-use-parks-guide#lakeolaw
36. Amoeba Sailing Tours
4.6 (90 reviews)
Credit: Dennis Jarvis, License, Flickr
Location: Bras d’Or Lake Baddeck NS
Tel: 902 295 7780
Web Address: https://amoebasailingtours.com/
35. Middle Head Trailhead
4.8 (104 reviews)
Credit: Masha Goldfarb, Google Maps
Location: 383 Keltic in Road Ingonish Beach NS
Web Address: https://pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ns/cbreton/activ/randonnee-hiking/middlehead
34. Franey Trailhead
4.9 (106 reviews)
Credit: Javenny Francis, Google Maps
Location: 49 Franey Road Ingonish NS
Web Address: https://pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ns/cbreton/activ/randonnee-hiking/franey
33. Coxheath Hills Trailhead
4.7 (108 reviews)
Credit: Shane Patelakis, Google Maps
Location: 1580 Coxheath Road Sydney NS
Tel: 902 539 7254
Web Address: https://hikecapebreton.ca/eastern-cape-breton-trails/coxheath-hills/
32. The Lone Shieling
4.5 (118 reviews)
Credit: Dennis Jarvis, License, Flickr
Location: 24543 Cabot Trail Road Pleasant Bay NS
Tel: 902 224 2306
Web Address: https://pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ns/cbreton/activ/randonnee-hiking/loneshieling
31. St. Peters Canal National Historic Site
4.6 (121 reviews)
Credit: Dennis Jarvis, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 112 Toulouse Street Street Peter’s NS
Tel: 902 535 2118
Web Address: https://pc.gc.ca/fr/lhn-nhs/ns/stpeters/index
30. Marconi National Historic Site
3.8 (132 reviews)
Location: 15 Timmerman Street Glace Bay NS
Tel: 902 295 2069
Web Address: https://pc.gc.ca/marconi
29. West Mabou Beach Provincial Park
4.8 (143 reviews)
Credit: Carole Y Gauthier, Google Maps
Location: 1757 Little Mabou Road Port Hood NS
Web Address: https://parks.novascotia.ca/day-use-parks-guide#westmaboubeach
28. Point Michaud Beach Provincial Park
4.8 (145 reviews)
Credit: Adi Caciula, Google Maps
Web Address: https://parks.novascotia.ca/day-use-parks-guide#pointmichaudbeach
27. Low Point Lighthouse
4.7 (147 reviews)
Credit: Ken Heaton, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 56 Lighthouse Road New Victoria NS
Web Address: http://lighthousefriends.com/light.asp
26. Black Brook Cove Beach
4.8 (176 reviews)
25. Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail
4.8 (187 reviews)
Location: 561 Havenside Road Louisbourg NS
Web Address: https://facebook.com/Louisbourg-Lighthouse-Coastal-Trail-573458949340263/
24. Cabots Landing Provincial Park
4.7 (193 reviews)
Credit: James Nicholson, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1904 Bay Street Lawrence Road Saint Margaret Village NS
Tel: 902 662 3030
Web Address: https://parks.novascotia.ca/park/cabots-landing
23. Petersfield Provincial Park
4.9 (213 reviews)
Credit: Derek Ellison, Google Maps
Location: 1N2 1126 Westmount Road Sydney NS
Web Address: https://parks.novascotia.ca/day-use-parks-guide#petersfield
22. Uisge Bàn Falls Provincial Park
4.7 (229 reviews)
Credit: Ken Heaton, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 715 N Branch Road Baddeck NS
Web Address: https://parks.novascotia.ca/park/uisge-ban-falls
21. Chéticamp Visitor Centre
4.6 (236 reviews)
Credit: Anita Jang, Google Maps
Location: 16648 Cabot Trail Road Cheticamp NS
Tel: 902 224 2306
Web Address: https://pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ns/cbreton/visit/heures-hours
20. Mira River Provincial Park
4.5 (248 reviews)
Credit: Candace Dixon, Google Maps
Location: 439 Brickyard Road Albert Bridge NS
Tel: 902 563 3373
Web Address: https://parks.novascotia.ca/
19. Ski Cape Smokey
4.5 (251 reviews)
Location: 38696 Cabot Trail Road Ingonish Beach NS
Tel: 902 517 0371
Web Address: http://capesmokey.ca/
18. Gypsum Mine Lake, Accolade Hostel Retreat Campground
4.8 (272 reviews)
Credit: Gypsum Mine Lake, Accolade Hostel Retreat Campground, Google Maps
Location: Cheticamp Back Road Cheticamp NS
Tel: 902 292 1530
Web Address: http://accoladens.net/info/gypsum-mine-lake.php
17. Battery Provincial Park
4.6 (273 reviews)
Credit: Mike Corrigan, Google Maps
Location: 10110 NS 4 Street Peter’s NS
Tel: 902 535 3094
Web Address: https://parks.novascotia.ca/content/battery
16. Louisbourg Lighthouse
4.7 (275 reviews)
Location: 555 Havenside Road Louisbourg NS
Tel: 902 733 2844
Web Address: http://louisbourg.ca/louisbourg-lighthouse/
15. Egypt Falls
4.8 (289 reviews)
Credit: Joel Brooks, Google Maps
Location: 150 Pipers Glen Road Scotsville NS
Web Address: https://facebook.com/pages/Egypt-Falls/623512031015230
14. Highland Village Museum
4.8 (311 reviews)
Credit: Richard Martin, License, Flickr
Location: 4119 Highway 223 Iona NS
Tel: 902 725 2272
Web Address: https://highlandvillage.novascotia.ca/
13. Wentworth Municipal Park
4.6 (389 reviews)
Credit: Tom MacDonald, Google Maps
Location: 744 George Street Sydney NS
Tel: 902 563 5510
Web Address: https://makinwavesfestival.ca/wentworth-park/
12. The Big Fiddle
4.5 (401 reviews)
Credit: Dennis Jarvis, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 74 Esplanade Sydney NS
Tel: 438 995 0694
11. Casino Nova Scotia Sydney
3.9 (436 reviews)
Location: 525 George Street Sydney NS
Tel: 902 563 7777
Web Address: http://sydney.casinonovascotia.com/
10. Two Rivers Wildlife Park
4.6 (475 reviews)
Location: 4581 Grand Mira North Road Huntington NS
Tel: 902 727 2483
Web Address: http://tworiverspark.ca/
9. Skyline Trailhead
4.8 (1,116 reviews)
Location: 19713 Cabot Trail Road Pleasant Bay NS
Tel: 902 224 2306
Web Address: https://pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ns/cbreton/activ/randonnee-hiking/skyline
Our Top picks
8. Cape Breton Highlands
3.7 (3 reviews)
Credit: Pi3.124, License, Wikimedia commons
7. The Cabot Trail
4.8 (100 reviews)
Credit: Tony Webster, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 18283 Cabot Trail Road Petit Etang NS
Tel: 902 425 5781
Web Address: http://cabottrail.travel/
6. Cape Breton Highlands Links
4.4 (210 reviews)
Credit: Dennis Jarvis, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Middle Head Peninsula 247 Keltic in Road Ingonish Beach NS
Tel: 902 285 2600
Web Address: https://golfcapebretonhighlands.ca/
5. Skyline Trail
4.9 (260 reviews)
Credit: Kelly Wang, License, Wikimedia commons
4. Inverness Beach
4.8 (266 reviews)
Location: 158 Beach No 1 Road Inverness NS
Web Address: https://novascotia.com/see-do/outdoor-activities/inverness-beach/1707
3. Miners Museum
4.8 (529 reviews)
Credit: Dennis Jarvis, License, Flickr
Location: 17 Museum Street Glace Bay NS
Tel: 902 849 4522
Web Address: http://minersmuseum.com/
2. Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
4.5 (1,362 reviews)
Location: 559 Chebucto Street Baddeck NS
Tel: 902 295 2069
Web Address: https://pc.gc.ca/bell
1. Cape Breton Highlands National Park
4.9 (2,855 reviews)
Credit: Pi3.124, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 37637 Cabot Trail Road Ingonish Beach NS
Tel: 902 224 2306
Web Address: https://pc.gc.ca/capebreton
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Cape Breton Island, Canada! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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