Canada’s provinces that border the Atlantic Ocean (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island), among them boast a total of eight national parks.
In New Brunswick, Kouchibouguac National Park comprises salt marches, barrier islands, Acadian forest, bogs, sheltered lagoons, tidal rivers, freshwater systems, and 25 kilometres of shifting white sand dunes. With such a diverse landscape, guests are spoiled for choice when it comes to activities with canoeing, swimming, whale watching, seal spotting, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and tobogganing amongst the offering.
Over in Newfoundland and Labrador, Terra Nova National Park is Canada’s most eastern and comes packed with hilly woods, fjords, lakes, rocky cliffs and wild Atlantic coastline. Set along several inlets of Bonavista Bay (once home to the native Archaic and Pre-Inuit peoples), this 400-kilometre-square patch of rugged greenery is home to Terra Nova moose, black bears and all manner of marine life which can be spotted on a boat tour.
Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Highlands National Park is a must visit for any wildlife spotters in the area looking to spot some of the moose, black bears, coyote, endangered Canada lynx, and bald eagles. For hikers, there’s the flat-topped Highlands Plateau, along with the French, Mackenzie and Franey mountains.
If you’re more about time spent unwinding on the sands, Prince Edward Island National Park is the place to be. For pristine white sands and supervised swimming, visit Greenwich. For majestic sand dunes and scenic beaches, we recommend Brackley-Dalvay. Then for clifftop views and a gentle stroll along a peaceful trail, make for Cavendish.