Looking to escape the typical New England getaway? Embark on a 5-day adventure to Eastern Canada, where hidden gems, dramatic coastlines, and unforgettable wildlife await. Explore the serene beauty of Grand Manan Island, famous for its proximity to puffin colonies on the disputed Machias Seal Island, or marvel at the iconic rock formations of Hopewell Rocks along the Bay of Fundy. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need for a perfect road trip from Connecticut—or anywhere in New England—including travel tips, must-see attractions, and insider advice to make your journey extraordinary
Table of Contents
Eastern Canada Trip Overview
The centerpiece of our trip was undoubtedly the puffin tour, a highlight that tied into our broader strategy of covering as much ground as possible while minimizing time spent in one place. Our travel style for this trip revolved around progress — driving as far north as we can, breaking up long drives (like the one from Northern Canada to Connecticut), and staying flexiblewith spontaneous detours or unplanned photo ops. We plot specific routes to pass key spots we’re eager to see, while also factoring in enough buffer time to explore more or adjust plans as we go. Importantly, we try to be at each destination at least an hour ahead of schedule, especially for time-sensitive activities like ferries. For ferries, we aim for 2-3 hours in advance.
Birdwatching on Machias Seal Island: Atlantic puffins, Razorbills, Arctic and Common Terns, and Common Murres inhabit the island, though we didnt see any Murres, offering unforgettable, exclusive photography access.
Another essential tip is to plan the entire trip around the tide schedule—particularly for Hopewell Rocks. You always see tide schedules ahead of time, so consider booking your opuffin tour near a time frame where you can optimize low tides for other parts of the trip. Booking the puffin tour far in advance is crucial since spots are limited. Only 15 people are allowed on the island per tour with 2 tours per day. Weather, however, can cancel or change tour plans, so keep in mind that your tour is far from guaranteed.
We also embraced traveling locally — going beyond touristy areas to experience authentic local culture and hidden gems by engaging and networking within the communities we visit.
We planned the entire trip using a free tool, Wanderlog, available both on the App Store as well as the web. We typically do all of our planning on the web and use the app while on the trip. Check out the link below to view the Wanderlog and see how we planned this trip for udner $900 excluding gas and food.
Weather, Clothing, and Time Zones
During our trip, weather was moderate, with cool breezes from the sea and temperatures staying comfortable. Daylight hours were long, especially with the time change, as sunsets stretched past 9:30 PM, making light layers or sweatshirts ideal throughout the day. Expect rain at least once during the trip, and pack for both light and medium layers, leaning toward long sleeves and pants. On the warmest days, we occasionally wore shorts and a light shirt.
Adjusting to the time zone might be tricky at first, but we built in enough “fluff time” that it didn’t interfere with our plans. This was vital, as we found ourselves making small adjustments but never rushing.
Shot-On
For capturing this adventure, I brought:
- Mini 4 Pro Drone (under 249g, adhering to Canadian drone regulations)
- Sony A7RV with FE 16-35mm and 100-400mm G Master lenses
- Insta 360 X3, GoPro Hero 13
- DJI Ronin for smooth video shots
Day 1: Crossing BInto New Brunswick
We left Connecticut at 4 AM, driving through Maine’s dirt roads and northern townships, reaching the Canadian border near St. Croix Junction around noon. The crossing was quick, and we were humorously corrected on our pronunciation of Grand Manan — it’s “Grand Ma-nan.”
After crossing into Canada, we drove 30-45 minutes to St. Andrews for lunch at The Gables. Seafood chowder and fries made for a simple, satisfying meal with a scenic view of the bay. We spent at most an hour in St Andrews and were very grateful we didn’t waste an entire day here like we had originally considered. Apart from the stunning Algonquin Golf Course on the water, there just wasn’t much else to do in the area.
Continuing on, we arrived in Blacks Harbour slightly early for the 3:30 PM ferry to Grand Manan, a 90-minute ride offering stunning views, including passing Swallowtail Lighthouse. Some of our favorite photos of Swallowtail were taken while on the ferry. The tide swings about 25 feet in this particular area, and since we arrived closer to low tide, we were able to park the car and walk over to a nearby island while we waited for the ferry, capturing a perfectly framed photo as it arrived.
Upon arrival in Grand Manan, we checked into our lovely Airbnb, Turning Tide Cottages near Ingalls Head. The cottages were right on the water, offering beautiful outdoor entertainment space. We spent about an hour getting settled in, capturing a captivating photo of a boat stranded on the shore at low tide.
Eventually, we made our way to Swallowtail Lighthouse, just a scenic 10-minute hike with numerous side trails to access different vantage points. We spent several hours taking in the sun and shooting the picturesque scene. This had to be our favorite stop in Grand Manan and ended up returning for sunrise our last day on the island.
We finished the day at Dark Harbour, a local hotspot with several photo opportunities. Dinner at Post Office Pizza was a highlight, with a unique Halifax Pizza topped with Donair – a Canadian Tradition of spicy ground beef and creamy icing – a surprisingly delicious combo.
Day 2: Seals, Souvenirs, and Puffins on Machias Seal Island
We started the day at The Old Well House Café for coffee. It was a cozy spot with decent prices. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time for breakfast, but the coffee was good, and the café had a nice vintage feel.
We then visited North Head Park, where we paid 5 CAD per person for admission. We hiked down to Hole in the Wall rock formation, which was a bit underwhelming, though the still waters provided a great opportunity to spot several seals. We continued through the park, where many viewpoints were overgrown, but we found one, Fish Head Viewpoint, with an incredible shot of Swallowtail Lighthouse in the background.
Afterward, we visited the Farmers Market, where we discovered Ellie’s Jellies—local, homemade preserves. The Pickled Beets were the best weve ever had, even for the one who’s not a fan of beets! We picked up some other souvenirs and pushed through the busy day.
For lunch, we stopped at Trapped, a local gift shop and seafood restaurant. I picked up a quarter zip and some lobster dip to-go. It’s a great place to buy local goods and experience the island’s culture – a must visit when visiting the island.
In the afternoon, we headed to Deep Cove for the Seawatch Tours Puffin Tour, which runs from late June to July. We booked this tour months in advance—make sure to check their Facebook page for available dates since it’s a limited tour with only 15 people allowed ashore per session, and weather can alter the tour schedule. They don’t charge until the day of the tour, so don’t worry about being charged prematurely. We paid $240 CAD per person, which equated to about $180 USD, which felt extreemely affordable. The skiff option, slightly cheaper, minimizes interaction with the puffins, so always choose the ashore option for a better experience – though weather and tides can turn an ashore tour into a skiff tour at any moment.
The boat ride out was great, with the captain sharing insights about local lighthouses and landmarks. We even had some Orcas chase the boat, making it an unexpected whale watching experience. Once on the island, the terrain was challenging, especially with the slippery boat ramp and rough waters, so mobility can be difficult.
The puffin tour was a unique experience. We had to carry sticks while walking to the blinds to protect ourselves from the Arctic Terns, which can dive-bomb and draw blood. But the puffins were absolutely incredible. We spent about an hour inside the blind, capturing amazing shots of the puffins interacting, feeding, and nesting. On our way back to the boat, I managed to snap a great shot of a puffin with a mouthful of fish.
By the end of the tour, it was clear that everything had come together perfectly. The boat ride out was peaceful, with a fog that lifted just as we arrived on the island. The blind we chose was ideal—a large flat rock at eye level, just an arm’s length away, teeming with puffins throughout the entire experience. Plus, we were the only group with three people in the blind, while all the others had four.
Despite hearing from many that the puffin tour wasn’t worth it, and even more who had their tours canceled, our expectations were low. But if you get the chance to do something like this, I can’t recommend Seawatch Tours enough!
After the tour, we headed back, the excitement winding down but still grateful for such an unforgettable experience. We made a quick trip to the Southeast Lighthouse late in the evening, perched on massive bluffs above a surreal sea of fog. On the way back to the cottage we stopped by Tides Inn and Social in Seal Cove—a waterfront gem with live music, specialty cocktails, and a younger vibe. Highlights included the Bloody Caesar, Cucumber Breeze, seafood chowder, and a surprisingly great Alfredo. We returned to the cottage around 9:30 PM as the sun set ready for another busy day.
Day 3: Chasing Waterfalls Up the Bay of Fundy
We woke up early, around 5:30 a.m., grabbed some gas station coffee, and headed over to Swallowtail Lighthouse for a 6:00 a.m. sunrise. The sunrise showed promise for another beautiful summer day. We arrived back in Blacks Harbour just after 9:00 a.m., then headed north. Shortly after, we spotted a massive “McKay’s Blueberries” sign. Since we knew Maine blueberries were fantastic, we figured these would be even better! The farm stand was super cute with incredibly reasonable prices. We snagged a pint of blueberries and a bag of mini blueberry muffins for under $10 CAD – definitely a steal. The muffins were still warm, moist but not sticky, and ridiculously flavorful. We wished we could’ve figured out a way to send them back home becasue the pint of blueberries didn’t last in the car more than an hour.
Driving through Saint John, which, unfortunately, left us underwhelmed we stopped for a quick breakfast. We chose Pur & Simple, a French-style breakfast/lunch chain throughout Eastern Canada. We loved the menu, which had an extensive range of Benedicts, crepes, and skillets. We went for a skillet and a crepe, both decent, but the ingredient quality was a letdown. It had the ultra-processed flavor typical of chain restaurants.
Next, we visited the Fundy Trail Parkway, a provincial park with a $13 CAD per person entrance fee. The road loops around and follows the coastline, providing stunning views. Our first stop was Fuller Falls, which had a parking lot right off the parkway and an easy walk down into a small canyon. We spent about 30 minutes capturing some incredible photos before moving on.
The parkway offered several more stops, including a visit to Alma Lobster Shop for lunch. This was, hands down, my favorite food experience of the trip. The seafood chowder was the best I had, rich in flavor without being too thick. I also ordered a hot lobster dinner for something like $20 USD. Looking back, I wish I had ordered the “Hungry Fisherman” for an even wilder meal.
By the time we arrived at Hopewell Rocks, it was almost 6:30 p.m., just in time for low tide and sunset – as planed. The tides at Hopewell Rocks fluctuate 40-50 feet every 6 hours, so timing is crucial. At low tide, you can walk along the ocean floor, and it’s incredible how the tide has shaped the surrounding rocks into almost-island formations. The entrance fee was $16 CAD per person, and after a short 15-minute hike down (we opted not to wait for the shuttle), we spent a while exploring the rocks and snapping photos. Hopewell Rocks was easily the second favorite experience of this trip.
Tips:
- Don’t get caught in the excitement and spend too much time in one spot at the bottom.
- The tide comes in fast, start far away and work your way back or to an exit.
- The ocean floor is muddy, so be careful when walking around, especially on uneven rocks. At one point, I foolishly took my shoes off to make it easier to walk, but it was a mistake—the rocks were entirely too painful. We ended up wandering farther than we intended and eventually reached the edge of the rock formations, where the mudflats seemed endless. We were definitely the last people still there, and a bit worried as the sun set.
- Check the map, plan your route, and make sure you know the tide schedule to avoid risky situations.
We made our way to the beach viewpoint, just in time for sunset, and hiked back to the car before it got dark. After leaving Hopewell Rocks, we drove an hour north to check into Chateau Moncton, where we had booked a king suite for under $80 including, thanks to a $150 hotel credit from the Delta American Express Platinum Card. The hotel was in a great location, had a free breakfast, and offered lovely views of the river. While the hotel itself was a little dated, it was clean, comfortable, and had great service. The local St. Louis Bar & Grill was just around the corner and was still serving food when we checked in at 10:30 p.m. It was exactly what we needed after a long day of exploring.
Day 4: From Swimming Holes to Giant Lobsters – Goodbye Shediac, Hello Bar Harbor!
We took a slightly slower start today, waking up at 8:30 a.m. and grabbing the free hotel breakfast. We hadn’t realized that we were only 30 minutes away from Shediac, on the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Shediac is famous for having the world’s largest lobster sculpture, so we stopped for a quick photo before heading south. This day was unplanned, with the main goal being to reach Bar Harbor by early afternoon.
Since we missed a few waterfalls along the way the previous day, we decided to stop by Waterford Falls near Sussex Corner. The parking was located at a church with an “honesty box” for parking fees. We loved the honesty system and wish something like this were possible in the sue-happy U.S. After a short hike down to the falls, we were in for a surprise. The waterfall area is also a local swimming hole, and we couldn’t resist jumping in. The water was freezing, but it was incredibly refreshing, and we spent about an hour enjoying the cool water and chatting with locals who swim there all summer.
We then stopped at a local coffee shop (although I can’t remember the name) and grabbed a few pastries, which were delicious. Afterward, we made a quick stop at Tim Hortons for the full Canadian experience. The drive to Bar Harbor was a bit slow, with all the small towns and winding back roads, but we eventually crossed the border with ease. The border agent was friendly and joked with us before sending us on our way.
Arriving in Bar Harbor, we checked into Hanscom’s Cottages, which cost $270 for the night. While it was a cute place, it felt overpriced compared to the accommodations we had enjoyed in Canada. The location was great, but it was still a small, basic cottage on a main road. That said, Bar Harbor overall was much more expensive than we expected. The menu items at many places seemed similar to Canada but were priced higher. For example, lobster dishes were almost double in price, even though they came from the same fishing locations.
For dinner, we headed to Stewman’s Lobster Pound, which was located right on the water downtown. The lobster bisque was excellent, and though I don’t remember the exact menu items, I know it was the priciest meals of the trip. After dinner, we enjoyed the sunset and made our way back to the cottage for much-needed rest.
Day 5: Acadia and Onward to CT
We woke up to rain at 8:30 a.m., which caused us to rethink our plans. We decided to check out Thrive Juice Bar downtown, where we had the PB&J smoothie and Chai Almond smoothie—both delicious and a refreshing change from what we had been eating in Canada.
Given the weather, we drove through Acadia National Park, hoping the rain would clear. Unfortunately, it didn’t, so we made the decision to just do a short hike and take what we could from the experience. We eventually made it to Otter Cove and Thunder Hole, just in time for high tide. The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks was intense, and it was a highlight of the day. Though we didn’t get to experience Acadia as we had hoped, the park still offered some incredible views.
On our way out, we stopped at Bar Harbor Lobster Pound, where we tried the lobster nachos and a perfect lobster roll. The prices were more reasonable than Stewman’s but still on the high side compared to Canada.
We left Bar Harbor by mid-afternoon and made it back to CT by around 8pm.
