What better place to fulfil some bucket list adventure activities than Nova Scotia! With plenty of choices from novice to expert level, on land, water and even in the sky, combine some incredible outdoor experiences with stunning scenery, wildlife watching, quaint local towns and villages and fantastic cuisine, including an abundance of fresh seafood. It’s really the perfect holiday – either as a fly-drive or travelling by RV and staying on local campgrounds.

Day 1 - Arrive in Halifax

Halifax is located on one of the world’s largest natural harbours and bears all the hallmarks of both a modern and historic city, and has something for everybody. The best place to start is on the Waterfront – rent a bike and explore the city at your own speed, or join a guided city bike tour. Alternatively take to the water and get e different perspective on the city, either from a kayak, tall-ship sailing tour or on the Harbour Hopper – an amphibious tour on land and water. For something unique take a Heli-Picnic Island escape – a thrilling helicopter journey from Halifax Harbour to Sambro Island, where you can indulge in a locally sourced picnic on a private beach. You’ll find plenty of evening entertainment here as well, with unique cocktail bars, local craft breweries and live music in many of the pubs.

Stay two nights in Halifax.

Collect your car and head to the working fishing village of Peggy’s Cove where you can grab a snack or some local seafood and take a photo of the lighthouse – one of the most photographed in the world! The 119km Rum Runners Trail runs between Halifax and Lunenburg and you can rent bikes at various locations along the route and explore the attractions and seaside artisan stores by pedal power. Or take a guided sea kayaking or stand-up paddleboard tour of the coves and islands, and have the chance to come up close to seals, porpoise and seabirds. The seafaring town of Lunenburg boasts a colourful waterfront, narrow streets and captivating architecture. Old Town Lunenburg is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Nova Scotia’s famous racing schooner, Bluenose II.

Stay one night in Lunenburg. If you want to try a glamping adventure, plan to spend a second night and join an island hopping kayaking experience and then overnight under the stars on a private island beach.

Day 4 - Lunenburg to Kejimkujik National Park, approx. 55 miles

Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, offers visitors the opportunity to hike one of the 15 trails through woodlands and along waterways or to canoe one of the waterways used by the native Mi’kmaq. Discover rock engravings known as petroglyphs, evidence of the presence of the Mi’kmaw people for thousands of years. Explore these traditional waterways by canoe. Canoe rentals and tours are available within the park. The trails are open throughout the year, giving lots of opportunities to spot the park’s wild inhabitants, such as deer, foxes and the endangered Blanding’s Turtle. When the sun sets, visit the Sky Circle and gaze at the incredible night sky through an on-site telescope, binoculars, or with the naked eye.

Either stay the night in the park – you can rent camping equipment and stay on one of the many campsites, or stay in a rustic cabin – or stay just outside the park at Mersey River Chalets.

Day 5 - Kejimkujik National Park to Digby, approx. 40 miles

Drive along the Digby Neck for whale watching in the Bay of Fundy. This is Nova Scotia’s premier eco-tourism destination. Long Island and Brier Islands lie just beyond this narrow strip of land as it casts out into the rich waters of the world famous Bay of Fundy. The waters at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy are important feeding areas for many species of cetaceans, seals and a wide variety of seabirds. Take a thrilling zodiac boat adventure out into the Bay of Fundy to spot some of the 12 species of whale that can be found in the bay. Guided by naturalists and researchers, these tours offer an amazing opportunity to learn more about these incredible creatures.

Stay one night in Digby.

Day 6 - Digby to Wolfville, approx. 85 miles

Hike Cape Split Provincial Park, an iconic provincial coastal landmark overlooking Bay of Fundy with mesmerizing tides. Enjoy a moderately challenging backcountry hike as the trail opens out to a look-off 60 metres (200 ft.) above the rugged coast of the bay. After your hike, explore Nova Scotia ‘Wine Country’. Wolfville is perfectly nestled amongst the majority of Nova Scotia wineries in the Annapolis Valley. The Wolfville Magic Winery bus is the perfect hop-on, hop-off option to travel between wineries such as include Lightfoot & Wolfville, Grand Pre Winery, Luckett Vineyards, L’Acadie Vineyards and Gaspereau Vineyards. You can also book an exclusive guided winery tour or drive your own self-guided winery tour.

Stay one night in Wolfville.

Day 7 - Wolfville to Urbania, approx. 65 miles

Experience the one-of-a-kind outdoor adventure, Tidal Bore Rafting! As the 100 billion tonnes of water rushes into the Bay of Fundy at high tide, there is only so much space for it to travel and therefore the great tides actually reverse the flow of rivers that would typically flow into the Bay. Nowhere else in the world can you find this kind of experience! For a unique experience try the "Fundy Tides & Fireside Adventure" at Tidal Bore Rafting Resort. Take a thrilling Zodiac ride on tidal bore waves, feel the rush of mud sliding, float in the world’s highest tides, and savour a sandbar wine and seafood tasting! Back on land, indulge in an authentic lobster boil before a bonfire with live music and a Nova Scotia rum flight, and an overnight stay in a charming cottage.

Alternatively take a tidal bore rafting trip on the Shubenacadie River and then head into the town of Truro to spend the night.

Day 8 - Urbania to Advocate Harbour, approx. 100 miles

Travel to the north side of the Bay of Fundy and explore Cape Chignecto Provincial Park, Nova Scotia’s largest provincial park featuring back-country and day-use trails as well as magnificent beaches. At Cape Chignecto, towering 180m (600 ft.) sea cliffs rise from the Bay of Fundy, while the world's highest tides lap at their base. This wilderness park, has 29 km (18 miles) of pristine coastline, deep valleys, sheltered coves, rare plants, and remnant old-growth forests. Cape Chignecto provides an excellent opportunity for wilderness hiking, back-country camping and sea kayaking. You can take a sea kayaking tour to discover sea stacks, lava tubes, coastal caves, towering arches and waterfalls along with the most impressive views of Cape Chignecto’s sea cliffs and famous “Three Sisters” rock formation.

Overnight in Advocate Harbour or on a two day sea kayak tour.

Today you are heading for Baddeck, described as the beginning – and the end – of Cape Breton Island's world-famous Cabot Trail. Cape Breton Island has been named the Number 1 Island in North America by both Condé Nast Traveler and Travel and Leisure magazine and it’s not hard to see why. Nestled along the shore of the Bras d’Or Lake in Cape Breton, the town is a favourite stop for sailors and those looking for tranquil beauty in the heart of the island. Explore the Bras d’Or lakes by water on a sailing or kayaking tour. Hike to the waterfall in Uisge Ban Falls Provincial Park – Gaelic for “white water”, the 16 metre high falls are reached by a four kilometre hike through stands of old growth hardwood trees. Baddeck and the surrounding area offers a number of places to enjoy the local seafood and authentic Cape Breton cuisine, and for a unique evening adventure you could head out on a thrilling night-time kayak tour to Kidston Island on the beautiful Bras d’Or Lake, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and sample gourmet local flavours and Cape Breton music under a full moon. Stay two nights in Baddeck. Day 11 Baddeck to Pleasant Bay, approx. 80 miles Follow the Cabot Trail through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The world-famous Cabot Trail weaves through 950 km2 (366 sq. mi.) of magnificent highlands and coastal wilderness in northern Cape Breton. The park offers 26 hiking trails (from easy strolls to strenuous climbs), camping, geocaching, golf, cycling, wildlife, beaches, look-offs, and weekly activities. Hike the parks most popular trail, Skyline Trail, which will lead you out to the top of a mountain headland to one of the most spectacular panoramic views in the province, overlooking the Cabot Trail and the ocean. As you follow along the Cabot Trail through the park you’ll find numerous look off points to get out and stretch your legs, or have a picnic lunch.  A ride on the Atlantic Gondola will take you to the summit of Destination Cape Smokey, where you will find expansive views of the Cape Breton Highland National Park, Atlantic Ocean, and Ingonish. The small community of Pleasant Bay is just outside the park, and offers whale watching tours and a couple of great restaurants where you can enjoy local cuisine and great views.

Stay one night in Pleasant Bay.  

Day 12 - Pleasant Bay to Ingonish, approx. 40 miles

Continue around the Cabot Trail, making your way towards Ingonish. Popular stops along the way include Black Brook Beach, Mary Ann’s Falls and Franey Trail. Once in Ingonish, you’ll have another opportunity to take a whale watching tour. Once you return, waste no time finding a beach – either freshwater or saltwater. Spend your afternoon swimming or head out kayaking along the shore to take in the scenery from the water.

Stay one night in Ingonish, or just to the south at the Keltic Lodge Resort & Spa, where the remote location and the rolling hills cascading into the ocean create an atmosphere that is pure relaxation.

Day 13 - Ingonish to Liscomb, approx. 190 miles

Explore Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore from Liscombe Lodge. On site you will find over 15km of hiking trails, a swinging bridge and man-made salmon ladder. Nearby are several backcountry hiking trails, along Mushaboom Harbour and the beach. While exploring you may see various wildlife. Visit Taylor Head Provincial Park, where the long stretch of white sand is perfect for beachcombing. Take a boat trip along the Liscomb River and out into the Atlantic Ocean. As an alternative to staying at the lodge take an overnight Wild Islands Camping adventure, exploring the Eastern Shore Islands Wilderness Area, home to a world-class archipelago of coastal islands, with white sand beaches, turquoise water, dramatic headlands, lush salt marshes, and expansive coastal barrens and forests. Sail, hike and snorkel, before savouring a campfire cooked meal and camping out. Stay two nights in Liscomb.

Day 15 - Liscomb to Halifax, approx. 110 miles

Head back to Halifax along Marine Drive through the Eastern Shore. If time permits you might still squeeze in a last adventure such as cycling on the Salt Marker and Shearwater Flyer Trails, part of the Trans Canada Trail offering beautiful views and abundant wildlife. Or spend a final few hours on one of the beaches, or get out on the water on a kayak tour. Drop-off your car at the airport in time for your flight home.