Last week, I shared with you my incredible experience on board the Fundy Rose. Although that experience alone was great, it was far from being over!
As soon as we got off the ferry in Digby, it was time to explore! Bay Ferries makes it easier than ever to go out and explore the Atlantic Bubble. Within minutes we were driving south towards Yarmouth, but not before making a few stops along the way.
With all the time you save taking the Fundy Rose, taking the scenic route is a must! We got off the 101 south-bound and on the Evangeline Trail, which lead us to our first stop in Clare, to see the biggest wooden church in ALL of North America! Built between 1903 and 1905, Sainte-Marie Church was the first parish to be established in the St. Mary’s Bay area of Southwest Nova Scotia. It is one of many beautiful, historic churches along Nova Scotia’s Acadian Shore that are absolutely worth stopping to see!
Another advantage of taking the scenic route: that’s where the best food is. A few minutes down to Saulnierville and you’ll find Cuisine Robichaud. There you’ll find authentic Acadian dishes like rapure(rappie pie), fricot, and delicious fresh seafood. But if you’re used to New Brunswick Acadian cooking, you won’t be getting the same thing as your grandmother’s recipe! I had no idea how different Acadian cooking could be from province to province.
Now that we were full, we hopped back in the car and drove down to Yarmouth, listening to our sister station, Y95 along the way.
Once in Yarmouth, the possibilities are endless! There’s something to enjoy no matter what you like to do. Art galleries, restored Victorian homes, great restaurants, outdoor exploration, and so much more.
If you know me, you know I always want to pick the latter and there’s no better outdoor adventure than the open ocean! We met up with Simon Leblanc, of Tusket Island Tours to learn about the rich history of Yarmouth and the Acadian Shores. At the start of the tour, I became an official “Bluenoser”, by having my nose painted blue and having a “taste” of Ironworks Distillery rum. I highly recommend it.
After getting my sea legs, we set off towards the historic Tusket Islands. First discovered in 1605 by Samuel De Champlain, the Tusket Islands are known for a wide range of things from lobster and tuna fishing, murders, World War 2 spies, shipwrecks, disasters, treasure, and much more.
All that exploring, and likely a bit of that rum, make you work up quite an appetite! Downtown Yarmouth has lots of great options to grab dinner. One of the most popular spots is Rudders Brew Pub. House made craft beer, fresh seafood, and a beautiful view of the harbour, what’s not to like!
If you’re not ready to say goodnight just yet, you can explore downtown Yarmouth and stop for a nice nightcap at Heritage Brewing Company, a brewery started by three school teachers who started brewing beer as a hobby until word got out that it was really, really good!
After a flight(or two), getting some rest after a long day sounds like a great idea. If you’re looking for an incredible place to stay, check out the MacKinnon-Cann Inn! A beautifully restored Victorian-era inn located within a few minutes of walking from downtown. Owners Mike and Neil have not only restored the four buildings on the Inn’s property, but have also restored a total of 22 Victorian homes in as many years!
While the cast and crew of The Lighthouse were filming in Yarmouth in 2018, they all stayed at the MacKinnon-Cann Inn! When you stay there, make sure to ask Neil and Mike about it! They’ve got some stories to share, including one on how director, Robert Eggers, set off the firs alarm one night.
Once you’ve had your delicious breakfast and heard all the stories from Mike and Neil, take the short drive to Cape Forchu, which was one of the shooting locations for The Lighthouse, to see the unique “apple core” lighthouse and walk around to see some of the rugged landscape used to film the movie.
We then met up with East Coast Paddle Co. in the Outer False Harbour to SUP it up! I somehow did not fall in the water, but I did get to ride a few waves back into shore for a wonderful experience! They offer stand up paddle boarding course, wilderness excursions, and so much more across the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores!
After checking out Cape Forchu we drove to Tiverton where we met up with Tom Goodwin of Ocean Explorations to do some whale watching. This is Tom’s 40th year doing whale watching tours! Tom is not only a great tour guide, he also passionate about conservancy. He was a founding year (1975) member of the Cousteau Society and has worked with the Calypso crew. He was also a charter member (1983) of the Society for Marine Mammalogy, and has been supporting the World Wildlife Fund for over 35 years. Tom served all executive positions of the former Nova Scotia Adventure Tourism Association. Tom’s knowledge and experience exploring the waters ensure that you will have the time of your life. We sure did! Not only did we see lots of whales, including several breaches, we saw a few harbour seals, and even a blue-finned tuna!
We had such an incredible time exploring Yarmouth and Acadian Shores with Bay Ferries! After whale watching and getting our legs used to being back on land, we headed back towards Digby for a well needed nap before exploring some more. Make sure to keep checking in to see what we did next!
Ready to book your bubble adventure? Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, scenic roadways, or even a culinary adventure you’ll never forget, you can find it all in Yarmouth and Acadian Shores! Book your trip with Bay Ferries to save yourself time, gas, and stress, while you cross the Bay of Fundy in comfort and style on board the Fundy Rose!
