Atlantic Boating Guide 2015

guide 2015

MARINAS & DESTINATIONS IN ATlANTIC CANADA

iNSide NAvIGAtor CONTENTS Newfoundland & Labrador Featured marinas

12

Newfoundland and Labrador: An unrivalled cruising destination

14

Northumberland Strait & P.E.I. Featured marinas

22

Cruising the Northumberland Strait

26

Boating in Cape Breton: Magic at every turn

54

New Brunswick – St. John River – Bay of Fundy Featured marinas

62

St. John River: A well-kept secret

66

Maps

Cape Breton Featured marinas

Gold rushes and capitals: Boating through history from Lunenburg to the LaHave River

32 34

Coastal Nova Scotia, Eastern Shore & South Shore Featured marinas

46

Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore: A sailor’s wilderness

50

New Brunswick, St. John River & Bay of Fundy

42

Coastal Nova Scotia

42, 43

Northumberland Strait & P.E.I.

42, 43

Cape Breton

43

Newfoundland and Labrador

44

Cover: a catamaran sails near an iceberg outside happy adventure in Bonavista Bay near Terra Nova National Park. Photo: kerri Wareham.

Cover inset photos: Boating in Baddeck.

Photos: Wendy Levy

life’s better

with a boat!

Boating is about building relationships with family and friends, and creating memories that last a lifetime.

DiscoverBoating.ca offers free resources you

Find your favourite destinations at

can use to enjoy and share your boating life.

BoatingInAtlanticCanada.com

DiscoverBoatingCanada

@DB_Canada

+DiscoverBoatingCa

The-Great-Blue-North

Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 5

guide 2015 Publisher Patty Baxter

Published in partnership with

Senior editor Trevor J. adams editor Suzanne rent design Meghan rushton Production Coordinator Paula Bugden Printing advocate Printing & Publishing

for advertising, contact: Zac Quinlan tel. (902) 420-9943 ext. 1808 zquinlan@metroguide.ca Contributors Steve abbey Jocelyn Bethune Cathy Mckelvey Pat Nelder Sara Spike and Paul Spike Mark Wareham

www.boatinginatlanticcanada.com No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the publisher.

While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that may occur.

2882 Gottingen Street, halifax, Nova Scotia B3k 3e2 Tel. (902) 420-9943 | Fax (902) 429-9058 email: publishers@metroguide.ca www.metroguidepublishing.ca

Because your boat’s upholstery goes through a lot...

At Atlantic Fabrics we know what family fun, sun and Maritime weather can do to your boat’s upholstery and protective cover. If your boat’s upholstery has seen better days, or if your boat cover was damaged or blew away during the last storm, come see us first. We have hundreds of materials and patterns to choose from, including marine vinyl in a wide variety of colours (in stock and special order) and sun and weather resistant fabrics, such as Sunbrella™.

atlanticfabrics.com CaPe breToN | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 7

Images for illustrative purpose only.

THERE ARE

SMART PHONES SMART CARS AND

IT’S ABOUT TIME WE GOT

SMART BOATS Give your boat a boost with the added intelliGence of liGhthouse ii - now smarter than ever with turn-by-turn navionics autoroutinG naviGation. liGhthouse ii allows you to see clearly with multi function displays and steer easily with evolution 9 axis autopilot systems. smart boat? more like Genius boat.

8 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015

www.cmcmarineelectronics.ca 1-800-661-3983

WElCOME Welcome to our 2015 guide to marinas and yacht clubs in Atlantic Canada. This guide is jointly produced by the Atlantic Marine Trades Association (AMTA), Metro Guide Publishing and Advocate Printing. We hope it will be of use to you as you make your boating plans this season around New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundand and Labrador. Our region is a study in contrast, from the tranquil St. John River in New Brunswick to the incredible and rugged scenery and coastline of Newfoundland and Labrador.

We have a bounty of sea life, great weather (sometimes) and a marine industry to look after boaters’ needs. Make sure to contact the marinas and yacht clubs of your choice to reserve a spot or to find out if they have the facilities you need.

Welcome to our waters!

Jason Craig President, AMTA info@boatinginatlanticcanada.com

iMPorTaNT CruiSiNg iNforMaTioN aNd liNKS Bringing your boat to cruise in Canada

Tides

recreational boaters must present themselves to the Canada Border Services agency (CBSa) each time they arrive in Canada. When entering Canada by water, you must contact the CBSa by calling the telephone-reporting centre at 1-888-226-7277 after arriving at a designated marine site. If towing your vessel into Canada by trailer, you will report to the CBSa at a land Port of entry.

view information about tides at www.tides.gc.ca

CaNPaSS and NeXUS programs streamline the border clearance process for pre-approved, lowrisk travellers into Canada and the United States. you are permitted to leave your vessel in Canada if you plan to make a series of visits to Canada throughout the boating season. you must advise the border services officer of your plans at the time of your initial arrival in Canada and provide the officer the anticipated date that the boat will leave Canada.

Boats must be removed/leave Canada at the end of the originally declared date, or within 12 months from the date of importation, whichever is earlier.

To find out more information, please visit The Canadian Border Services website at www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Charts and Publications The Canadian hydrographic Service (ChS) has information about available charts, digital charts, sailing directions, tides and water levels with links to Chart dealers at www.charts.gc.ca

Boating Safety Transport Canada Marine Safety’s office of Boating Safety encourages boaters to explore Canada’s waterways responsibly. all recreational boaters are expected to know the rules that govern their safe enjoyment of Canada’s waters, including mandatory safety equipment, the safe operation of vessels and the protection of the environment.

To operate a motorized boat in Canada, you need proof of competency to show that you have basic boating safety knowledge. The most common form of proof of competency is a Pleasure Craft operator Card. you can get one by taking a boating safety course and/or passing a boating safety test from a Transport Canada accredited course provider.

In addition, all recreational boats with a motor of 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more must have a pleasure craft licence. Pleasure craft licences are free and are valid for 10 years.

For more information on recreational boating regulations, visit www.tc.gc.ca/boatingsafety. a copy of the latest Canadian Safe Boating Guide is available for download at http://goo.gl/paqomz

Weather links www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca www.theweathernetwork.com

Notices to mariners can be viewed at www.notmar.gc.ca

Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 9

It’s the Honda of Outboards. Literally.

As a leader in 4-stroke technology, Honda delivers best-of-class features in marine outboards ranging from 2.3 to 250 hp. The same durability, quality and reliability that have made Honda an automotive legend are the same strengths found in every Honda outboard. Many outboards are designed and built on the same engine blocks used in Honda vehicles like the Odyssey, Accord and Fit — vehicles that have proven themselves over great distance. No wonder Honda outboards have been a favourite for over 50 years. And to help ensure convenience, there are over 30 boat manufacturers to choose from when selecting a boat with the brand that offers over five decades of proven performance.

Visit your local Honda Marine Dealer or learn more at marinehonda.ca

Big Power Big Fun

Region Newfoundland & Labrador Map #

Dockage

Max Length

Draft

Power

Admiral’s Marina Harbour Grace www.hrgrace.ca/admiral.html | 709-596-0605

93

Y

U

10'

Y

Bay of Islands Yacht Club Corner Brook www.bayofislandsyachtclub.com | 709-785-1188

87

by appointment

60’

8’

30 amp

Bonavista Harbour Authority Bonavista jermouland@hotmail.com | 709-468-1209

91

Y

75'

20'

30 amp

Clarenville Rotary Marina Clarenville | www.clarenville.net/marina.html 709-466-7937

90

Y

100'

30-40'

Y

Dock Marina, Trinity Trinity www.atlanticadventures.com | 709-781-2255

92

Y

140'

20'

Y

Fogo Island Marine Information Center Fogo Island Facebook | 709-627-3366

89

Y

U

U

U

Holyrood Marina/TerraNova YC Holyrood www.tnyc.nfld.net | 709-229-4348

95

Y

U

U

Y

Lewisporte Marina Complex Lewisporte www.lewisporteyachtclub.com | 709-535-3625

88

Y

60'

8'

30 – 50 amp

Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club Conception Bay www.rnyc.nf.ca | 709-834-5151

96

Y

60'

9'

30 amp

Veterans Quay Marina Bay Roberts bayroberts.com/marina.htm | 709-786-2075

94

Y

50'

8'

15, 20, 30 amp

Marina

Y

12 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | Newfoundland & Labrador

Marina Listings

Legend: Y=Yes N=No W=Washrooms S=Showers L=Laundry U=Unknown

Launch Ramp

Fuel

Water & Ice

Pump Out

Facilities

Storage

Lat

Long

N

N

N

N

N

W/S/L

N

U

U

N

Y

arrangements can be made

Water

N

W/S/L

Y

48.57.49N

58.01.11W

N

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water

N

W/S/L

N

48'39N

53.06w

N

Y

N

Water

N

W/S/L

no storage sheds, only boat storage

48'.95N

53'.57.7W

N

N

N

Water/Ice

N

W/S/L

N

U

U

N

N

N

Y

N

W/S/L

N

49.6166N

U

N

N

Gas/Diesel

Water

N

W/S/L

Y

47'.23.21''N

53'.07.53''W

N

Y

Y

Water

N

W/S/L

Y

49'.14.37.83N

55'.03.19.86''W

N

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

N

W/S/L

(boat storage)

47.31’19”

52.58’8”

N

Y

N

Water/Ice

N

W/S

N

U

U

Moorings

Y

Y

Newfoundland & Labrador | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 13

REGIONAL PROFILE

Newfoundland and Labrador An unrivalled cruising destination

By Mark Wareham 14 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | Newfoundland & Labrador

Photo: dean Sullivan

Near “The Bell” of Bell Island in Conception Bay

Photo: kerri Wareham

Lion’s den, Terra Nova National Park

Near happy adventure, Bonavista Bay

Photo: kerri Wareham

The province of Newfoundland and labrador is a cruising destination you won’t soon forget.

A rugged and rocky shoreline punctuated with hundreds of secluded coves, quaint communities with friendly faced locals happy to help with your lines. This is what you will experience when you come to Newfoundland and Labrador; one of the world’s prime, but often overlooked, boating destinations. Thrust out into the North Atlantic, the province is home to the most easterly point in North America when you visit, you truly get away from it all.

Imagine fresh sea breezes untainted by the smell of civilization, majestic icebergs thousands of years old slowly gliding along the coast; ungainly little puffins skipping across the water in a comical, part flying, part running attempt to get out of your way, too full of capelin to fly but still able to duck beneath the waves and swim to safety. These images are common for boaters in Newfoundland and Labrador and we would love to share them with you.

With 17,540 kilometres of coastline and more than 7,000 smaller islands the opportunities for boating are limited only by the short season, which spans from June to September. Although you are still able to cruise earlier or later in the year, both you and your boat should be outfitted for temperatures in the single digits and be prepared for more frequent gales, especially in the fall.

Being the 17th largest island in the world, Newfoundland is large enough to have considerable variations in weather. The west coast and central tend to have warmer temperatures but we still get warm weather in the east, too. The typical winds during the summer are southerly or southwesterly in the 10 to 15 knot range. Gales occur approximately two per cent of the time.

NewfouNdlaNd & labrador | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 15

with 17,540 kilometers of coastline and more than 7,000 smaller islands the opportunities for boating are limited only by the short season; spanning from June to september.

As they melt and break up, there are often small pieces of ice called ‘bergy bits’ that, once clear of the berg, can be easily picked up for your cooler and even better, used for ice in an evening cocktail. Picture yourself in a quiet moonlit anchorage, relaxing after a day exploring the ruins of a resettled community, not another boat within miles and your favorite drink popping and hissing as the thousand-year-old ice slowly dissolves. This is cruising in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Newfoundland and Labrador is known as the seabird capital of North America with more then 35 million seabirds congregating around our coast each year. Our most well-known seabird colony is located at the Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve on the southern coast of the Avalon Peninsula. There you will find Bird Rock, a sea stack towering 100 metres and covered with thousands of murres, kittiwakes, gannets and other seabirds. Then there’s the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, the largest puffin colony in the world and the Baccalieu Island Ecological Reserve, home to the largest Leach’s storm petrel colony in the world. Birdwatchers will have plenty to see.

No description of boating in Newfoundland and Labrador would be complete without

Lion’s den in Terra Nova National Park

16 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | NewfouNdlaNd & labrador

Photo: dean Sullivan

Two major ocean currents converge off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, the cold Labrador Current and the warm Gulfstream, which, when they meet off the southeast coast, give cause to the famous Newfoundland peasoup fog. While you can experience fog at any time of the year, weather statistics indicate fog only occurs between 20 and 30 per cent of the time during the summer months. That being said, good radar goes a long way toward extending your cruising time and reducing anxiety. Air temperatures average near 20 degrees in the summer but easterly winds can make it feel considerably cooler especially on the water. Seawater temperatures range between four degrees on the northern coast to over 15 degrees as you get farther south.

Among many of the unique attractions for the visiting boater are the icebergs that pass along our northeast coast. These majestic bergs are thousands of years old and an awe-inspiring sight to behold, especially from the water.

Nowhere else in North America can you get as close to these ancient giants and still be warm and comfortable in shorts and tee shirt. Should you be fortunate enough to see one split apart or roll over, it is a sight you will remember for the rest of your life.

Photo: Mark Wareham

highlighting the largest creatures in the ocean: whales. Feeding on capelin, krill and squid, 22 species of whales make Newfoundland and Labrador their home every summer. Minke, sperm, orca, pothead, blue and the largest population of humpbacks in the world almost guarantee you will come upon them during your trip. Humpbacks are one of the most common and the most exciting to see as they breach.

Watching a humpback over 16 metres long rise vertically out of the water for almost its full length, slowly turn over and gently splash back down is a sight that never ceases to impress all who witness it.

When planning a cruise to Newfoundland and Labrador, there are a number of publications worth checking out. First and foremost are the CHS Sailing Directions, ATL 101, ATL 102, ATL 103 for the island and ATL 120 and ATL 121 for Labrador. The Cruising Club of America publishes two cruising guides for the province, one for the island of Newfoundland and a second for Labrador. For the Notre Dame Bay region, a very good locally produced cruising guide is available in some stores or through

happy adventure, Bonavista Bay

Photo: Paula armstrong

Traytown, Trinity Bay

NewfouNdlaNd & labrador | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 17

happy adventure, Bonavista Bay

18 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | NewfouNdlaNd & labrador

Photo: Paula armstrong

Coming through the tickle between The Bell and Bell Island in Conception Bay

Photo: kerri Wareham

online order. There is also a guide by Rob Mills that, while a little outdated, still includes valuable information not found in the other publications. A new source of information helpful for boaters, Coastal Marine Informatics (CMI) has recently become available online.

In addition to the material normally contained in a cruising guide, CMI searches a number of websites for the most current information for a local area and presents it in an easy to use format. The concept is being developed in the province and continues to be updated regularly.

Whether you get as far as the south coast and enjoy the beautiful fjord-like bays or have the time to make it around to the northeast coast, you are bound to experience the cruise of a lifetime. There are so many idyllic cruising grounds around the province it’s nearly impossible within the bounds of this article, to describe them all. Some general information supplemented with some of the highlights will entice those who are considering a visit to make the leap and come enjoy an unrivalled cruising experience. We would love to see you. AB

CoastaL ATTRACTIONS & Boating Events St John’s

Gros Morne National Park

Easter Seals Regatta July 2015 www.rnyc.nf.ca

A world heritage site located on the west coast of Newfoundland and the second largest national park in Atlantic Canada. www.grosmorne.com

BMW Race week August 18–27, 2015 www.rnyc.nf.ca

Signal Hill National Historic Site, St. John’s, N.L.

Fogo Island Punt Race July 18, 2015 www.fogoislandregatta.com

The site was the reception point of the first transatlantic wireless signal by Guglielmo Marconi. www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/nl/signalhill/index.aspx

Trinity

Online Resource:

Fogo Island

Trinity Rendezvous July 31–August 2, 2015 www.trinityrendezvous.ca

activecaptain.com

Boater Education BoatSmart!

877-792-3926

Recreational Fishing Regulations

On-line cruising guide

It’s best to know the law when it comes to fishing in Canada: Managing Canada’s recreational fisheries is a shared responsibility between federal, provincial and territorial governments. Roles vary between different provinces and territories.

Generally, the federal government is responsible for all marine species with the exception of anadromous and catadromous species in inland waters in some regions; and provincial and territorial governments are responsible for freshwater species.

Unless otherwise noted, the websites on the site below are managed by provincial and territorial governments. Consult anglers’ guides and information on fishing licenses and other regulations.

Dobson Yacht Club maintains a cruising guide for Cape Breton at cruising-cape-breton.info

www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/ peches-fisheries/rec/regs-eng.htm

Links to cruising guides in print Puffin Press publishes guides for the Nova Scotia Coast, Newfoundland and Labrador. Updates can be found here: www.puffin-press.com Yacht Pilot publishes a Cruising Guide to the Canadian Maritimes and a Cruising Guide to the Down East Circle Route: www.yachtpilot.ca Visit a book store for these books Cruising Guide Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland Harbours and Marinas of Prince Edward Island

Newfoundland & Labrador | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 19

20 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015

Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 21

Region NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT & P.E.I. Map #

Dockage

Max Length

Draft

Power

Bowdridge Landing Murray Harbour, P.E.I. www.boatingpei.com | 902-962-2427

34

Y

50'

7'

15 amp

Ballantyne’s Cove Antigonish, N.S. | 902-863-8162

44

Y

50’

6’

20-30 amp

Brudenell Marina (Montague) Brudenell, P.E.I. www.montaguemarina.ca | 902-838-4778

33

Y

60'

5-10'

15-30 amp

Caraquet Marina Bas Caraquet, N.B. | 506-726-8900

19

Y

50’

9’

15-30 amp

Cardigan Marina Cardigan Bay, P.E.I. | www.boatingpei.com | 902-583-2445

32

Y

50'

8'

15-30 amp

Charlottetown Yacht Club Charlottetown, P.E.I. | www.cyc.pe.ca | 902-892-9065

36

Y

200'

20'

30-50 amp

Cocagne Cape Marina Grande Digue, N.B. www.cocagnecapemarina.com | 506-312-1941

23

Y

42’

6’

15 amp

Cocagne Marina Cocagne, N.B. | www.cocagnemarina.com | 506-852-1048

24

Y

40’

10’

30 amp

Crabbie J’s Marina New Glasgow New Glasgow, N.S. | www.crabbyjs.ca | 902-755-3018

43

Y

50’

9’

15-30 amp

Cribbon’s Point Antigonish, N.S. | 902-863-3907

45

Y

45’

5’

30 amp

Hector Quay Marina Pictou, N.S. www.townofpictou.ca/marina.html | 902-485-6960

42

Y

50’

14’

15 amp

Miramichi Boating and Yacht Club Miramichi, N.B. | www.miramichi.org | 506-773-9949

20

Y

35’

4’

15 amp

Montague Marina Montague, P.E.I. www.montaguemarina.ca | 902-838-4778

30

Y

100'

12'

30-50 amp

Northport Pier Northport, P.E.I. www.northportpier.com | 902-853-2575

28

Y

150'

9'

15 amp

Marina

P.E.I.

N.S.

N.B.

22 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT & P.E.I.

Marina Listings

Legend: Y=Yes N=No W=Washrooms S=Showers L=Laundry U=Unknown

Launch Ramp

Fuel

Water & Ice

Pump Out

Facilities

Storage

Lat

Long

Y

Y

N

Water/Ice

N

W/S

N

46.00"N

62.31”N

N

Y

Gas/Diesel

N

Y

W/S/L

Y

45.51’58”N

61.55’11”W

Y

N

N

Water

N

W/S

N

46.11'N

62.37'W

Y

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water

N

W/S/L

N

47.48’28”N

65.51’20”W

N

Y

Gas

Water/Ice

N

W/S/L

N

46.15'N

62.41'W

N

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

N

W/S/L

Y

46.15'N

63.8'23"W

Y-2

Y

N

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

members only

46.35’N

64.57’W

N

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

Y

W/S

N

46.20’11”N

64.37’38”W

Y

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

N

W/S

N

45.35’28”N

62.38’40”W

N

Y

N

Water

Y

S/L

Y

45.45’34”N

61.53’W

N

Y

N

Water/Ice

N

W/S/L

45.40’N

62.42’W

N

Y

Gas

Water/Ice

Y

W/S

Y

47.1’22”N

65.29’58”W

N

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

N

W/S/L

N

46.10'N

62.39'W

Y

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

N

46.47'8"N

64.04'4"W

Moorings

boats

N

N

storage available down the road 100ft

NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT & P.E.I. | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 23

Region NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT & P.E.I. Map #

Dockage

Max Length

Pictou Marina Pictou, N.S. | www.pictoumarina.com | 902-485-9155

41

Y

60’

Pointe de Chene Yacht Club Pointe de Chene, N.B. www.pcyc-nb.ca | 506-532-6800

27

Y

Quartermaster Marine Charlottetown, P.E.I. www.quartermastermarine.com | 902-566-4454

35

Richibucto Marina Richibucto, N.B. | www.richibucto.org | 506-523-2690

Marina

Draft

Power

6’

15-30 amp

50’

7’

30 amp

Y

56'

15'

30-50 amp

22

Y

45’

5’

30 amp

Sawmill Point Boat Basin Bouctouche, N.B. www.bouctouchemarina.com | 506-743-1100

25

Y

50'

7.5'

30 amp

Shediac Bay Marina Shediac, N.B. | www.sbyc.ca | 506-532-7007

26

Y

54'

6'

15-30 amp

Souris Marina Souris, P.E.I. | www.sourismarina.com | 902-687-2233

31

Y

60'

18'

15-30 amp

Stanley Bridge Marina Stanley Bridge, P.E.I. www.boatingpei.com | 902-866-2352

29

Y

40'

6'

30 amp

Station Wharf Marina Inc. Miramichi, N.B. | www.miramichi.org | 506-778-9198

21

Y

50'

8'

15-30 amp

Summerside Yacht Club Marina Summerside, P.E.I. www.silverfox-pei.com | 902-436-2153

38

Y

90'

10'

30-50 amp

Sunrise Shore Marina Tatmagouche, N.S. www.sunriseshoremarina.ca | 902-456-6433

40

Y

38’

6’

15 amp

Victoria Harbour Victoria, P.E.I. www.victoriabythesea.ca | 902-658-2975

37

Y

40'

5'

15 amp

West Point Marina West Point, P.E.I. www.boatingpei.com | 902-859-2733

39

Y

36'

6'

30 amp

P.E.I.

N.S.

N.B.

24 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT & P.E.I.

low tide

Marina Listings

Legend: Y=Yes N=No W=Washrooms S=Showers L=Laundry U=Unknown

Launch Ramp

Fuel

Water & Ice

Pump Out

Facilities

Storage

Lat

Long

N

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water

N

W/S

Y

45.40’56”N

62.41’29”W

N

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

N

46.59’13”N

64.39’31”W

N

Y

N

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

Y

46.15'N

63.08'W

N

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

N

W/S

N

46.41’N

64.52’W

N

Y

Gas

Water/Ice

Y

W/S

N

46.28'5"N

64.42'W

N

Y

N

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

N

46.13'40"N

64.32'50"W

Y

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

N

46.21'N

62.15'W

N

Y

Gas

Water/Ice

N

W

N

46.28'N

63.27'W

N

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

Y

W

N

47.01'56"N

65.28'7"W

N

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

Y

46.23'N

63.47'W

N

Y

Gas

Water/Ice

N

W/S/L

Y

45.43’N

63.15’W

N

Y

Water

N

W

N

46.13'N

63.29'W

Y

Y

Water/Ice

N

W/S/L

N

46.37'N

64.23'W

Moorings

can be arranged

Diesel

can be taken for gas (can get diesal from fishermen key)

Diesel

NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT & P.E.I. | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 25

Cruising the Northumberland Strait

By STeve aBBey Delineated roughly by a line from Point Escuminac, N.B. to Cape North, P.E.I. on the western end and from Inverness, Nova Scotia to East Point, P.E.I. on the east, the Northumberland Strait has a length of about 175 nautical miles and encompasses all of the Maritimes. (CHS Chart #4023) Pleasure boating on the Strait features warm weather, a virtual absence of fog, prevailing westerly/southwesterly light to moderate breezes, unsurpassed sunsets and the warmest salt water in Canada making for excellent

swimming. The bottom nearly everywhere consists of mud or coarsely packed sand and provides good holding at anchor. The Gulf of St. Lawrence sailing directions (Southwest portion, ATL 108E) is an excellent cruiser’s reference for currents, tides and harbour approaches. There are few hazards and those that do exist are well charted. A short chop will likely build after a 24-hour-or-more period of consistent winds, but wave heights in the Strait are generally less than a metre and generally pleasant passage making is the rule.

26 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | NorTHuMberlaNd STraiT & P.e.i.

Steve and Patti abbey’s boat Ever After

Photo: NSTya

Being relatively shallow, tides here are quite pronounced in the narrower areas with more than a two-metre range the norm. Currents are more powerful on the Prince Edward Island shore running over four knots in places, a nice bonus if you happen to be in the right place at the right time.

As far as weather goes, May and June have been fairly chilly for sailing for the last couple of years, while July, August and September cruising offers the most pleasant boating weather-wise to be had on the Strait. The last two weeks of July

Photo: Steve abbey

Boats ready for the start of the Shediac to Charlottetown race

and the first week of August see the most vessels travelling, many making their way to the Bras d’Or Lake of Cape Breton Island. Hurricanes are rare with the relatively cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean providing a buffer for the entire region, but the odd post-tropical storm can occur here. The warm water of the Strait doesn’t seem to have an appreciable effect in intensifying these storms. There are several marinas and harbours considered excellent for cruisers seeking refuge and each have their strengths and weaknesses depending on wind direction.

Most marinas open for the season usually from the beginning of May and close in October.

Harbours and marinas are plentiful and generally an easy day-sail apart, which makes for a relaxing cruising experience. Most marinas monitor VHF 16 or 68 for communication.

Dual-watch monitoring of 16 and 68 is advisable when navigating on the Strait.

The abundant fishing wharves along the Strait are generally friendly and most accommodating to pleasure boaters in addition to being an excellent source of local information and attractions.

A sharp lookout is advised during the summer lobster season as pot buoys are numerous and a risk of propeller fouling exists. During the local lobster season the fishers are only too happy to sell their catch (usually $5 to $6 per pound depending on market price) “over the side” to

NorTHuMberlaNd STraiT & P.e.i. | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 27

Photo: Steve abbey

Charlettetown race Week

cruising boats. Most boaters around here don’t mind paying a little more to the folks actually doing the work. A fresher seafood treat couldn’t be had! If you’re unsure of how to cook or a tad squeamish about cooking lobster onboard, lobster festivals in Shediac, N.B. and Pictou, N.S. in early July are always very popular and marina reservations are encouraged well in advance of arriving.

Snug anchorages are numerous, although wind and current conditions are factors that should be considered before setting the hook for the night. Having a tender greatly increases the possibilities of gunkholing while at anchor.

An excellent online resource for cruisers is www.activecaptain.com (free to join and use) with reviews from cruisers who have been tied alongside at the marinas as well as on the hook at anchorages, boaters can make their choices with the unbiased information provided by cruisers who have “been there.”

Festivals and events abound in the region, highlighted by the Festival of Lights in Charlottetown with Canada Day fireworks in Charlottetown Harbour on July 1, in addition to a series of concerts on the waterfront. Marina

reservations are a must as many cruisers (and racers) take in these events. For those who like to mix it up, there are several races throughout the summer governed by the Northumberland Strait Yachting Association. Charlottetown Race Week is held in the middle of July providing racers with three days of competition.

One of the two possible concerns to skippers on the Strait is the Confederation Bridge (the longest bridge over ice-covered water in the world) connecting Cape Jourimain, N.B. and Borden-Carleton, P.E.I. The span is well charted and vessels with tall clearance requirements may wish to use the navigation span near the centre of the structure. The other is Northumberland Ferries between Wood Islands, P.E.I. and Caribou, N.S. The ferry captains are extremely courteous and will give pleasure boaters a wide berth unless constrained by draft when approaching their ports on either side. If any doubt arises as to your intentions, they will communicate with cruising vessels on VHF 16. AB Steve, Patti and Grace the ship’s cat have logged over 18,000 miles on the Northumberland Strait since 1999 aboard Ever After, an Aloha 27 out of Barrachois Harbour Yacht Club near Tatamagouche N.S.

28 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | NorTHuMberlaNd STraiT & P.e.i.

CoastaL ATTRACTIONS & Boating Events Charlottetown Race Week

Anne of Green Gables

July 16–18, 2015 www.cyc.pe.ca

Lucy Maud Montgomery’s story comes alive in Cavendish, P.E.I. Theatre production in Charlottetown.

1-800-463-4PEI www.gov.pe.ca/greengables

Northumberland Strait Sailing Association (NStYA) Schedule of Yacht Races and Events 2015 in Northumberland Strait www.nstya.com

North Lake Harbour The Canada Tunacup Challenge: September 10–13, 2015 www.tunacupchallenge.com

Boat & Motor Dealers, Chandlery & Service Adventure Motors, New Glasgow, N.S. 902-928-1015

Insurance Fairway Insurance Services 1-888-245-4741

Antigonish Rent-all, Antigonish, N.S. 902-863-6633

Pictou Marina, Pictou, N.S. 902-485-9155

Quartermaster Marine, Charlottetown, P.E.I. 902-566-4450

MacDonald Chisholm Trask Insurance 1-800-474-4809

Skippers’ Plan 1-800-661-7211

Boater Education BoatSmart!

877-792-3926

NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT & P.E.I. | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 29

introduce your inner explorer to canada’s largest in-land sea

cape breton island

Bras d’Or Lake

Bras d’Or Lake

CANADA’S LARGEST IN-LAND SEA

The Bras d’Or Lake provides an unparalleled sailing and boating experience – Exceptional scenery, an In-land saltwater sea surrounded by land, a new adventure on every wave.

EXPLORE CANADA’S LARGEST IN-LAND SEA THE BRAS D’OR LAKE toll free: 1-844-564-1800 | tel: 902-564-1800 Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 31 boatingcapebreton@gmail.com

Region CAPE BRETON Map #

Dockage

Max Length

Draft

Power

Baddeck Marine Baddeck | www.baddeckmarine.com | 902-295-2434

77

Y

50'

7'

30-50 amp

Barra Strait Marina Grand Narrows www.grandnarrowswaterfront.com | 902-622-1313

82

Y

100'

8-12'

15 amp

Ben Eoin Ben Eoin | www.beneoinmarina.com | 902-828-1099

83

Y

80'

11'

15-30-60 amp

Bras d’Or Yacht Club Baddeck | www.bradoryachtclub.ca | 902-295-2107

78

Y

35'

6'

30 amp

Cape Breton Boat Yard Baddeck | 902-295-2664

76

Y

60'

8'

30 amp

Dobson Yacht Club Westmount www.dobsonyachtclub.org | 902-562-0062

81

Y

65'

9'

30-50 amp

Isle Madame Boat Club Arichat www.islemadameboatclub.ca | 902-226-0226

86

Y

47'

9'

30 amp

Lennox Passage Yacht Club D’Escousse | www.lpyc.ca | 902-631-0069

85

Y

60'

10-12'

30 amp

Northern Yacht Club North Sydney www.northernyachtclub.ca | 902-794-9121

80

Y

60'

15'

30 amp

Ross Ferry Marina Ross Ferry www.rossferrymarinepark.weebly.com | 902-674-0148

79

day time only

40'

16'

N

Strait of Canso Yacht Club Port Hawkesbury www.straitofcansoyc.ca | 902-625-1918

74

Y

40'

6'

30 amp

St. Peter’s Marina St Peters | www.st-peters-marina.com | 902-535-2729

84

Y

150'

13'

30-50 amp

Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre Association Whycocomagh | 902-623-0919

75

Y

40'

8'

N

Marina

32 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | Cape Breton

limited

Marina Listings

Legend: Y=Yes N=No W=Washrooms S=Showers L=Laundry U=Unknown

Launch Ramp

Fuel

Water & Ice

Pump Out

Facilities

Storage

Lat

Long

Y

N

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

Y

46.6'N

60.44'52"W

Y

Y

N

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

N

45.57'38"

60.47'67"

N

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

Y

45.58.907N

60.25.884W

Y

Y

N

Water/Ice

N

W/S

Y

46.6'W

60.47'55"W

Y

N

N

Water

Y

W/S/L

Y

46.5'46"N

60.45'12"W

N

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

Y

46.08'14"N

60.12'16'W

N

Y

arrangements can be made for fuel

Water

N

W/S

members only

45.30'N

61'2"W

N

Y

N

Water/Ice

N

W/S/L

N

45.35'41"N

60.57'42"W

Moorings

N

Y

N

N

Y

30 ton lift

arrangements can be made for fuel

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

Y

46.11'20"N

60.15'56"W

N

Y

N

Water

Y

W/S

N

46.07'N

60.35'W

Y,2

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

N

W/S/L

Y

45.36'51"N

51.21'53"W

Y

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

Y

45.39'40"N

60.52'32"W

Y

Y

N

Water

Y

W/S/L

N

U

U

more next year

Cape Breton | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 33

REGIONAL PROFILE

Boating in Cape Breton: Magic at every turn

By Jocelyn Bethune

“Such magnificent landlocked harbours I never imagined…Every moment something new to please and enchant, to make the mere act of watching as the vessel rounds each curve a delight...this trip was a constant joy for us.”

– Mabel Bell, wife of telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell, describing a cruise on the Bras d’Or Lakes in 1886

34 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | Cape Breton

Photo: Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site/Parks Canada

Imagine it. Mabel Bell and her husband, telephone inventor Alexander Graham, are on a sailboat, cruising Cape Breton’s Bras d’Or Lakes.

It is August 1886. The telephone is 10 years old. Automobiles haven’t been invented yet and planes are 40 years in the future. But boats have been bringing people to our shores for centuries.

They are the preferred mode of travel, especially in this neck of the woods.

The Bells are wealthy and world famous. And yet, when they could have gone anywhere, this is where they came to rejuvenate and get away from it all.

While much in the world has changed since Mabel and Alexander Bell boated here, the magic of the Bras d’Or has not.

Cape Breton | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 35

Sailors come from all over the Maritimes to catch the winds here. Dance a jig or two at the Baddeck Gathering Ceilidh’s on the main street, take a walk on the boardwalk and play a few rounds at Bell Bay Golf Course. Make sure to visit Parks Canada’s Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. Bell lived here for almost 40 years and these very waters inspired him.

He oversaw the construction of the Silver Dart, the first plane to fly in Canada (it flew over the frozen waters of the Bras d’Or in 1909) and the

Photo: Pat Nelder

The Bras d’Or Lake, a vast 1,000-square kilometre inland sea seems to possess magical qualities: salt-air breezes, good winds and rarely any fog. There are hundreds of isolated harbours to explore, with communities nearby that offer amenities and cultural activities.

Anchor in Baddeck Harbour during the first Sunday in August and you may soon find yourself a part of the sail past, the launch of the popular Bras d’Or Yacht Club annual regatta, a century-old tradition in this historic town.

36 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | Cape Breton

“Don’t keep forever on the public road… going only where others have gone…leave the beaten path occasionally and enter the woods, every time you do, you’re sure to discover something you have never seen before.” massive HD-4, a 60-foot long hydrofoil boat that broke speed records in 1919.

Not far from Baddeck is Maskells Harbour, an uninhabited anchorage that inspired sailors to create the Cruising Club of America in 1922.

Eagles soar above the steeply sloping hills here.

National Geographic Society’s chairman (1980–2010) Gil Grosvenor once described sailing into this sanctuary like stepping into a cathedral.

Race the Cape: This challenging five-day race is an opportunity to experience the best inland and coastal sailing Cape Breton has to offer. With stops at scenic Ben Eoin, North Sydney, the Barra Strait, Baddeck and St. Peter’s, you’ll see lots of what makes Cape Breton Island special. The race blends five challenging point-to-point races with local hospitality, great seafood on shore and the camaraderie of fellow sailors. For more information (or to sign up to join a crew) visit www.racethecape.ca.

Out on the Mira: This is Nova Scotia’s longest river. The lush green riverbanks and 55 kilometers of calm waters make the Mira River ideal for boating with or without a motor. There are plenty of places to launch a canoe or kayak.

Ocean Playground: Don’t limit your experiences to Cape Breton’s delightful rivers and magical lakes. Sail the ocean waters to Ingonish (like the Bell’s did in 1919), take in Port Hood, Inverness, and Mabou on the western shores and the Northumberland Strait, which has some of the warmest ocean waters

north of the Carolinas. Enter Louisbourg Harbour and watch the historic fortress town emerge out of the fog, just like sailors did three centuries ago. Visit Parks Canada’s Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, the largest reconstructed fortress in North America to step into the 18th century.

Bell famously said: “Don’t keep forever on the public road…going only where others have gone…leave the beaten path occasionally and enter the woods, every time you do, you’re sure to discover something you have never seen before.”

So make sure you take a side trip to Isle Madame. This island off Cape Breton Island has a number of villages and safe anchorages.

Arichat Harbour is filled with history. It was raided by American naval hero John Paul Jones during the U.S. War for Independence. Explore the Lennox Passage, the channel that separates Isle Madame from Cape Breton. Along the way, you’ll find the Lennox Passage Yacht Club in D’Escousse. Visit the friendly folks here during the annual Harbourfest days and you will be sure to enjoy delicious home-cooked meals and discover at least one long-lost cousin!

The waterways of Cape Breton Island are enchanting and there is so much to see.

Cape Breton has a delightful mix of boating experiences, from river boating on the Mira River; sailing on the Bras d’Or to kayaking in D’Escousse.

And just like Alexander & Mabel Bell, you will find magic at every turn. AB

Cape Breton | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 37

CoastaL ATTRACTIONS & Boating Events Race the Cape July 12–18, 2015 www.racethecape.ca

Baddeck Race Week August 2–8, 2015 www.brasdoryachtclub.ca

Wallace MacAskill Cup August 7–9, 2015 www.wallacemacaskillyachtclub.com

Alexander Graham Bell Museum, Baddeck, N.S. This museum offers insight into the scientific mind of the great inventor of the telephone.

902-295-2069 or www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/ grahambell/index.aspx

Fortress Louisbourg, Louisbourg, N.S. This recreation of the 18th century French fortress is a National Historic Park. www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/ns/louisbourg/ index.aspx

Marconi Museum A National Historic Museum dedicated to Guglielmo Marconi, the first man to transmit wireless Morse Code. 902-295-2069 or www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/ns/marconi/ index.aspx

Celtic Colours The largest celebration of Celtic heritage in North America. Music and more takes place at venues across the island.

October 2015 www.celtic-colours.com

Boat & Motor Dealers, Chandlery & Service Island Resources Baddeck, N.S.

Boater Education BoatSmart!

902-295-2434

877-792-3926

Mackleys Equipment Sydney, N.S. 902-295-2434

Insurance Fairway Insurance Services 1-888-245-4741

MacDonald Chisholm Trask Insurance 1-800-474-4809

Skippers’ Plan 1-800-661-7211 38 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | Cape Breton

Cape Breton | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 39

Quebec 17 19

MARITIME MARINAS

18

No

rt

hu

N

m

20 21

W

E

New Brunswick

24

25

26

Maine

11

10

9

12

14

13

27

7

8

6 15

5 4 2

16

y —iver d n R Fu hn o 73

3

62 61

Ba yo St. f J

1

1 Valley Yacht Club at the Woodstock Marina 2 St Andrew’s Market Wharf 3 Saint John Marina Ltd 4 Saint John Power Boat Club 5 Brundage Point River Centre 6 Evandale Resort 7 Gagetown Marina 8 Oromocto Boat Club 9 Regent Street Wharf 10 Centennial Park Sailboat Marina 11 Mactaquac Marina 12 Fredericton Yacht Club 13 Fredricton Yacht Club (Douglas Harbour) 14 Chipman Marine Wharf 15 Rothesay Yacht Club 16 Royal Kennebaccasis Yacht Club 17 Dalhousie Regional Marina 18 Bathurst Marina Marina Details: Page 62–63

63 64 65 70

Nova Scotia 46 Venus Cove Marina 47 Guysborough Marina 48 Cape Canso Marina 49 Liscombe Lodge Marina 50 Petpeswick Yacht Club 51 Shearwater Yacht Club 52 Alderney Marina Ltd 53 Dartmouth Yacht Club 54 Bedford Basin Yacht Club 55 Waterfront Development

39

22

S

New Brunswick

28

23

56 Armdale Yacht Club 57 Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron 58 Shining Waters 59 St Margaret Sailing Club 60 Marine Services East 61 Chester Yacht Club 62 South Shore Marine 63 Gold River Marina 64 Atlantica Marina Oak Island

42 42 || Atlantic Atlantic Boating Boating Guide Guide 2015 2015

72

71

68 69

Northumberland Strait & P.E.I.

mb

31 Souris Marina 32 Cardigan Marina 33 Brudenell Marina 34 Bowdridge Landing 35 Quartermaster Marine 36 Charlottetown Yacht Club 37 Victoria Harbour 38 Summerside Yacht Club Marina 39 West Point Marina

19 Caraquet Marina 20 Miramichi Boating and Yacht Club 21 Station Wharf Marina Inc. 22 Richibucto Marina 23 Cocagne Cape Marina 24 Cocagne Marina 25 Sawmill Point Boat Basin 26 Shediac Bay Marina 27 Pointe de Chene Yacht Club 28 Northport Pier 29 Stanley Bridge Marina 30 Montague Marina

nd St

rait — P. E.I.

29 38

Cap e

30

32

76

33

37

40

41

42

43

Nova Scotia 49 56

54

53 50

57 51 58

ia t o 55 Sc 66 a ov 67 N ts al a 59

Co

60

85

46 47

52

65 Mahone Bay Civic Marina 66 Lunenburg Yacht Club 67 Lunenburg Zwicker Docks 68 Bridgewater Marina 69 LaHave River Yacht Club 70 Brooklyn Marina 71 Shelburne Harbour Yacht Club 72 Killam Bros., Marinas 73 Digby Marina Marina Details: PageS 46–47

83

84

74

45

78 82

75

44

34

35

36

81

77

31

P.E.I.

80

79

ton Bre

e rla

40 Sunrise Shore Marina 41 Pictou Marina 42 Hector Quay Marina 43 Crabbie J’s Marina New Glasgow 44 Ballantyne’s Cove 45 Cribbon’s Point Marina Details: PageS 22–23

48

Denotes Pump-out Station

86

*Marina locations are approximate Cape Breton 74 Strait of Canso Yacht Club 75 Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre Association 76 Cape Breton Boat Yard 77 Baddeck Marine 78 Bras d’Or Yacht Club 79 Ross Ferry Marine Park 80 Northern Yacht Club 81 Dobson Yacht Club 82 Barra Strait Marina 83 Ben Eoin 84 St. Peter’s Marina 85 Lennox Passage Yacht Club 86 Isle Madame Boat Club Marina Details: PageS 32–33

Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 43

Labrador

Newfoundland

Nova Scotia

Newfoundland 89

87

88 91

92

90 93 94

Newfoundland & labrador 87 Bay of Islands Yacht Club 88 Lewisporte Marina Complex 89 Fogo Island Marine Information Center 90 Clarenville Rotary Marina 91 Bonavista Harbour Authority 92 Dock Marina, Trinity 93 Admiral’s Marina 94 Veterans Quay Marina 95 Holyrood Marina/TerraNova YC 96 Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club MariNa Details: Page 12–13

44 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015

96 95

Region Coastal Nova Scotia: Eastern Shore & South Shore Map #

Dockage

Max Length

Draft

Power

Alderney Marina Ltd Dartmouth | dube2@eastlink.ca | 902-209-1894

52

Y

35'

7'

30 amp

Armdale Yacht Club Halifax | www.armdaleyachtclub.ns.ca | 902-477-4617

56

Y

45'

10'

15, 30 amp

Atlantica Marina Oak Island Western Shore www.atlanticaoakisland.com | 800-565-5075

64

Y

48'

12'

30 amp

Bedford Basin Yacht Club Bedford | www.bbyc.ca | 902-835-3729

54

Y

40'

8'

30 amp

Bridgewater Marina Bridgewater | www.bridgewatermarina.ca | 902-818-7988

68

Y

40'

12'

30 amp

Brooklyn Marina Brooklyn | www.brooklynmarina.ca | 902-354-4028

70

Y

45'

6'

30 amp

Cape Canso Marina Canso | 902-366-2937

48

Y

50'

8'

30 amp

Chester Yacht Club Chester | www.chesteryachtclub.ca | 902-275-3747

61

N

60'

25'

N

Dartmouth Yacht Club Dartmouth | www.dyc.ns.ca | 902-468-6050

53

Y

44'

9'

15-30 amp

Digby Marina Digby | www.rwnsyc.ca | 902-245-8770

73

Y

60'

9'

30 amp

Gold River Marina Gold River | www.goldrivermarina.com | 902-275-1322

63

Y

46'

10'

30 amp

Guysborough Marina Guysborough www.guysboroughmarina.com | 902-533-2052

47

Y

26'

20'

50 amp

Killam Bros., Marinas Yarmouth | killambrosmarina.com | 902-740-4780

72

Y

200'

14'

30, 50, 80, 100 amp

LaHave River Yacht Club LaHave | www.lryc.ca | 902-688-3177

69

Y

50'

7'

15 amp

Liscombe Lodge Marina Liscombe Mills | www.liscombelodge.ca | 902-779-2307

49

Y

100'

10'

30-50 amp

Lunenburg Yacht Club Princess Inlet | www.lyc.ns.ca | 902-634-3745

66

Y

40'

6'

30 amp

Lunenburg Zwicker Docks Lunenburg | www.boatlocker.ca | 902-640-3202

67

Y

110'

20'

30 amp

Marina

46 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | Coastal Nova ScotiA: Eastern Shore & South shorE

Marina Listings

Legend: Y=Yes N=No W=Washrooms S=Showers L=Laundry U=Unknown

Moorings

Launch Ramp

Fuel

Water & Ice

Pump Out

Facilities

Storage

Lat

Long

Y

Y

N

Water

N

W/S

N

44.39'N

63.34'34"W

Y

Y

Gas/Diesel

N

Y

W/S

Y

44.38'58"N

63.30'47"W

Y

N

Gas

Water/Ice

N

W/S/L

N

44.31'3"N

64.18'2"W

Y

Y

N

Water/Ice

N

W/S

Y

44.43'35.54"N

63.39'51.27"W

N

N

N

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

Y

U

U

2

Y

N

Water

N

W/S

limited

Y

44.02'N

64.41'54"W

Y

Y

N

Water

N

W/S/L

N

45.20'15"N

60.59'05"W

Y

N

N

Water/Ice

N

W

N

44.32'12"N

64.31'W

Y

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

Y

W/S

Y

44.42'N

63.37'W

Y

Y

Diesel

N

N

N

Y

44.39'N

65.49'W

Y

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

W/S/L

Y

44.32'49"N

64.18'58"W

Y

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water

Y

W/S

Y

45.23'40"N

61.29'58"W

Y

On waterfront

Gas/Diesel

Water

N

W/S/L

N

43.50'N

66.7'W

Y

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

N

W/S

Y

44.18'43"N

64.24'34"W

Y

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

N

W/S/L

N

45.00'52"N

62.06'38"W

Y

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

N

W/S

On Trailer Only

44.24'30"N

64.19'30"W

Y

N

N

Water/Ice

Y

S/W

Y

44.22'N

64.19'W

N

can be done by appointment

Coastal Nova ScotiA: Eastern Shore & South shorE | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 47

Region Coastal Nova Scotia: Eastern Shore & South Shore Map #

Dockage

Max Length

Draft

Power

Mahone Bay Civic Marina Town of Mahone Bay www.mahonebaycivicmarina.ca | 902-624-0348

65

Y

75'

16'

30-50 amp

Marine Services East Chester www.marineserviceseast.com | 902-275-3822

60

Y

100'

15'

30-50 amp

Petpeswick Yacht Club Musquoduboit Harbour www.petpeswickyachtclub.ca | 902-889-2896

50

Y

40'

4'

20 amp

Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Halifax www.rnsys.com | 902-477-2595

57

Y

160'

16'

30-200 amp

Shearwater Yacht Club Shearwater www.swyc.ca | 902-469-8590

51

N

40'

N/A

N

Shelburne Harbour Yacht Club Shelburne www.shyc.ca | 902-875-4757

71

Y

55'

11'

15-30 amp town dock 50 amp

Shining Waters Tantallon www.shiningwaters.ca | 902-826-3625

58

Y

40'

10'

30 amp

South Shore Marine Chester www.southshoremarine.ca | 902-275-3711

62

Service Dock

60'

10'

at dock

St. Margaret Sailing Club St Margaret’s Bay www.smsc.ca | 902-823-1089

59

Y

55'

8'

15-30 amp

Venus Cove Marina Mulgrave 902-747-2788

46

Y

U

U

Y

Waterfront Development Halifax www.my-waterfront.ca/marina | 902-229-2628

55

Y

300'

25'

30, 50, 10O amp

Marina

low tide

48 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | Coastal Nova ScotiA: Eastern Shore & South shorE

Marina Listings

Legend: Y=Yes N=No W=Washrooms S=Showers L=Laundry U=Unknown

Moorings

Launch Ramp

Fuel

Water & Ice

Pump Out

Facilities

Storage

Lat

Long

Y

Y

N

Water/Ice

Y

W/S

Y

44.26'88"N

64.22'45"W

Y

N

N

Water

N

W

Y

44.34'N

64.10'19"W

Y

Y

N

Water/Ice

N

W

Y

44.42'32"N

63.09'45"W

Y

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

Y

44.37'16.90"N

63.34'49.8"W

Y

Y

N

Water/Ice

N

W/S/L

Y

44.47'43"N

63.31'28"W

Y

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

N

W/S/L

N

43.45'29.36"N

65.19'21.32"W

Y

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

Y

44.39'470"N

63.54'771"W

N

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

N

W/S

Y

44.33'35"N

64.17'W

Y

Y

N

Water/Ice

N

W/S

N

44.38'1"N

63.55'1"W

Y

Y

N

Water

N

W

N

45.36'W

61.22'N

N

N

can accommodate, trucked in

Water/Ice

N

W

N

44.38'N

63.34'W

Y

travel lift

N

Coastal Nova ScotiA: Eastern Shore & South shorE | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 49

reGIoNAl Profile

Nova Scotia’s eastern Shore A sAIlor’s wIlderNess

By Sara SPIke aNd PaUL SPIke The Eastern Shore offers wonderful opportunities for sailing in pristine wild and natural environments. Offshore island chains feature hidden gems like crescent white sand beaches and bird colonies, while the coastline is a series of deeply cut fingers extending out to green headlands and rocky seawalls.

The Eastern Shore is a sailor’s wilderness.

This is not an area for marina-hopping and access to services is quite limited. Instead, pack what you’ll need for a few days and take your time exploring the inlets, coves, and islands that dot the coastline. Anchor off your own

secluded beach where you might not see another sail for days. You won’t find any no trespassing signs here. There is more than enough room for everyone and all are welcome.

Onshore, the Eastern Shore, which runs along Highway 7, is sparsely populated in long-settled fishing villages and small hamlets, but no major towns. The locals are friendly and happy to help out. Don’t be shy to ask for a hand or a ride. (And if you anchor near Hartlin Settlement in Jeddore Harbour, don’t be surprised if you wake up to muffins and the day’s newspaper!)

50 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | CoaSTal NoVa SCoTia: eaSTerN SHore & SouTH SHore

The locals are friendly and happy to help out. Don’t be shy to ask for a hand or a ride. (And if you anchor near Hartlin Settlement in Jeddore Harbour, don’t be surprised if you wake up to muffins and the day’s newspaper!)

Coastal Nova ScotiA: Eastern Shore & South shorE | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 51

Our family has been sailing the Eastern Shore out of Jeddore Harbour for more than 30 years. Our best advice is to explore! The coastal archipelagos between Clam Harbour and Liscombe are made up of hundreds of islands, creating an enchanting labyrinth just waiting to be discovered. This largely untouched seascape is green with boreal forest, grey with windswept rock, and home to ospreys, eagles, seabirds, mink, porpoises, and whales.

Heading out from Halifax you pass the surfing mecca of Lawrencetown Beach and the longest sandy beach in the province, Martinique.

Jeddore Harbour is a long inlet with a busy government and commercial wharves at its mouth. Beyond the channel the harbour opens into two wide arms. Good anchorage can be found at Brown Island (locals call it “Bones Island”), or at Salmon River Bridge, where two restaurants (Salmon River House and Jeddore Lodge) are easily accessible by dinghy. At Oyster Pond visit the Fisherman’s Life Museum, or ask for a ride to Memory Lane Heritage Village.

Beyond the beach at Clam Harbour, where the annual sandcastle contests draws thousands of visitors in August, the real beauty of this coast emerges. The chain of islands between Clam Harbour and Mushaboom Harbour, known as the Bay of Islands, is currently the subject of a preservation campaign by the Nova Scotia Nature Trust and local and provincial partners.

This network of more than one hundred wild islands boasts diverse ecosystems including spruce forests, rocky outcrops, and wetlands, some of which are not represented anywhere else in the province. Here, as elsewhere when sailing along the Eastern Shore, consider the inside passage, meander through a maze of pristine natural settings, and find a secluded anchorage and an island all your own.

Wolfe’s Island is one of the larger islands in this chain. Good anchorage can be found at Long Creek, or off the beach at Big Sandy Cove, where the sand squeaks underfoot. One of our very favourite spots is Shelter Cove in Pope’s Harbour. Anchor at the head of this handsome little cove where you’ll find a footpath that leads to two back-to-back crescent beaches

52 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | Coastal Nova ScotiA: Eastern Shore & South shorE

and further paths to the headland. This area is also popular with kayakers; Coastal Adventures outfitters is located in nearby Tangier.

Beyond the provincial beach park at Taylor’s Head, which also offers pleasant anchorage and splendid hiking trails, make your way through The Gates into Malagash Cove and keep a lookout for the unofficial Mushaboom Yacht Club. It is a long way in to Sheet Harbour, but this is your best opportunity for supplies on the coast, including fuel, groceries, a liquor store, and restaurants (Henley House, Fairwinds) accessible from anchorages in the western arm.

Hawbolt’s Cove in Beaver Harbour offers a perfectly sheltered anchorage behind a natural spit. Spend the afternoon cruising between here and Marie Joseph through another remarkable chain of rugged, unspoiled islands. Tuck in north of Baptiste Island and skirt the coast before crossing Necum Teuch Bay to the islands of Mitchell Bay and Ecum Secum. These are part of the Eastern Shore Islands Wildlife Management Area, protected since the 1970s and home to seasonal colonies of nesting eider ducks, petrels, guillemots, and gulls. Outside the attractive harbour at Marie Joseph, the southern cove of Turner’s Island is a nice quiet anchorage with a little beach.

Nestled in amongst this extensive wilderness, and across the border into Guysborough, is Liscombe Lodge, one of Nova Scotia’s most charming resorts and a highlight for anyone sailing the Eastern Shore. After a pleasant sail up the Liscombe River you reach the marina, under the management of the helpful Chester Rudolf, which offers berths and moorings. Included in the fee are access to hot showers and laundry, water and power, and other amenities, as well as a pool, sauna, and fitness centre. The restaurant is excellent—the planked salmon is a must!— and the facilities are top notch. Explore the nearby hiking trails, or rent a kayak. Liscombe is the perfect launching point for a trip that continues into Guysborough County and Cape Breton.

The island chains of the Eastern Shore offer countless potential journeys. After 30 years we have only scratched the surface. We have suggested some of our favourites. What will be yours? AB Sara Spike is an historian, currently living in Montreal. She grew up on the Eastern Shore and has been sailing for more than 30 years, including, many years ago, an international tour as crew of Bluenose II. Paul Spike is her father, a Christmas tree grower and retired DNR forest ranger, who splits his time between the forest and ocean in Jeddore. He’s been messing about in boats for way too long.

For information about the island chains visit: Bay of Islands www.100wildislands.ca Eastern Shore Islands WMA www.novascotia.ca/natr/wildlife/conserva/ eastern-shore-islands.asp

Coastal Nova ScotiA: Eastern Shore & South shorE | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 53

REGIONAL PROFILE

Gold rushes and capitals

boating through history from Lunenburg to the LaHave River

By Pat Nelder

54 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | Coastal Nova ScotiA: Eastern Shore & South shorE

Going by boat from Lunenburg to the LaHave River is an historic journey. Despite a few small well-marked hazards in Lunenburg Bay, Long shoal and the aptly named Shingles, once you are on the western side, the coastline is clear of obstructions. This allows a good view of what are known as The Ovens, a spectacular series of caves in low cliffs. Now a natural park and tourist attraction, the Ovens were home to more than 1,000 workers after gold was discovered in 1861. Visitors to the park can still pan for gold, but the rush was over in a couple of years and efforts to mine gold were over by the beginning of the 20th century. One of the larger stakeholders was William Cunard, son of Samuel Cunard, and the cove before Ovens Point is named Cunard Cove.

If you decide to make the trip to the LaHave River remember it’s ocean with open roadstead harbours until you reach the LaHave so choose your weather wisely. Cross Island is on your port side and Rose Bay opens on your starboard side once past Ovens Point and the landscape becomes stark and beautiful. Next is Rose Point and Kings Bay opens up with the community of Kingsburg settled in 1787. On the western side of Kings Bay is Hell Point followed by Hartling Bay, home of Hirtle Beach, a Nova Scotia Provincial Park. Just one more headland, Gaff Point, and the entrance to the LaHave River is visible, guarded by West Ironbound, Mosher, Spectacle and the LaHave Islands of which George, Bush, Jenkin and Bell Islands are connected with causeways and bridges from the mainland. The LaHave River is navigable

Coastal Nova ScotiA: Eastern Shore & South shorE | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 55

and 20th centuries and the cable ferry Brady E Himmelman connects the east to the west side of the river.

The LaHave Bakery is a popular spot on the west side of the river where boats may tie up and two miles upstream is the LaHave Yacht Club in Pernettes Cove. Travelling up the river is peaceful and pastoral, although it becomes more populated at Conquerall Bank on the west side and Upper LaHave on the east. The river starts to narrow at Dayspring and navigable water stops in the town of Bridgewater at the first of two bridges. Bridgewater was an industrial port that shipped out lumber in the 19th and 20th centuries and is now the home of tire company Michelin. The town provides service to boaters with a launch ramp for trailer boats and the Bridgewater Marina is located on the east side of the River. AB

Lahave Bakery

Lahave yacht Club

Photo: Wendy Levy

one of the Lahave Islands

Photos: Pat Nelder

from the Atlantic for 15 miles to the town of Bridgewater. The three-plus centuries of European settlement on the LaHave River is short compared to the 60 centuries of Mi’kmaq settlement of “Pitjinoiskog.” The Europeans arrived with Samuel de Champlain, who is said to have initially mapped and named the river in 1604. Fort Point on the west side of the La Have River where the estuary narrows is where Commander Isaac de Razilly established the capital of New France with his Fort Ste. Marie de Grace at the request of the French King Louis XIII. Unfortunately, Commander Razilly died suddenly in 1636 and the capital was moved to Port Royal on the Annapolis River. The Lunenburg County Historical Society operates the Fort Point Museum at this Historic Site. Riverport on the east side of the River was a busy shipbuilding and fishing port in the 19th

56 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | CoaSTal NoVa SCoTia: eaSTerN SHore & SouTH SHore

CoastaL ATTRACTIONS & Boating Events Sail Nova Scotia Association

Chester

Keelboat and Dinghy races and events around Nova Scotia for 2015 schedule visit sailnovascotia.ca

Classics Cup August 7–9, 2015 www.chesterclassics.com

Small Mouth Bass fishing in Nova Scotia

Chester Race Week August 12–15, 2015 chesterraceweek.com

For a listing of associations, tournaments and schedules for 2015 visit www.rbans.ca

Sherbrooke Village, Sherbrooke, N.S.

wedgeporttuna.ca

The recreation of a historial 19th century Nova Scotia village.

1-888-743-7845 or sherbrookevillage.novascotia.ca

Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Canso, N.S.

St Margaret’s Bay

Wedgeport Tuna Tournament and Festival

An annual tribute to folk singing icon Stan Rogers. July 3 to 5, 2015 www.stanfest.com

Yarmouth Seafest July 15–25, 2015 www.seafest.ca Yarmouth County Museum & Archives A museum noted for its fine paintings of ships. The archives include information on the Atlantic Canadian history on rum running.

902-742-5539 yarmouthcountymuseum.ca

Liverpool Privateer Days June 26–28, 2015 www.privateerdays.ca

Lunenburg Wooden Boat Reunion July 25–26, 2015 lunenburgwoodenboatreunion.com

Mahone Bay Mahone Bay Pirate Festival and Regatta August 1–2, 2015 www.mahonebay.com Schooner Race Week: August 2–8, 2015 www.nsschooner.ca

St Margaret’s Bay Keel Boat Regatta August 7–9, 2015 www.smsc.ca

Halifax and Dartmouth Halifax International Boat Show February 19–22, 2015 www.halifaxboatshow.com Marblehead-Halifax Ocean Race Departs Marblehead July 5, 2015 www.marbleheadtohalifax.com ARK Regatta July 11–12, 2015 www.bbyc.ca Metro Regatta August 1–2 , 2015 www.swyc.ca Halifax Nova Scotia International Tuna Tournament September 2015 bluefintournament.ca Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Halifax, N.S. Explore seafaring history of the Maritimes, including a Titanic exhibit.

902-424-7490 maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca

58 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | Coastal Nova ScotiA: Eastern Shore & South shorE

Boat & Motor Dealers, Chandlery & Service Boat and Motor Dealers

Marine Services

Atlantic Winds Adventure, Dartmouth, N.S. 902-468-0205 Canmac Watercraft, Elmsdale, N.S. 902-883-7108 Iron Wind Marine, Bayside, N.S. 902-852-4199 Mahone Marine, Mahone Bay, N.S. 902-624-1800 NewStar Marine & Scooter, Eastern Shore, N.S. 902-488-3600 New Wave Power Products, Waverley, N.S. 902-860-2220 Schooner Cove Marine, Boutiliers Point, N.S. 902-826-2278 Sealand Industries, Chester Basin, N.S. 902-275-3511 Seamasters Services Ltd, Dartmouth, N.S. 902-468-2029 Shining Waters Marine, Tanatallon, N.S. 902-826-3625 Sunset Marine, Porters Lake, N.S. 902-827-3353 White Water Marine, Sackville, N.S. 902-865-3788

Conrad Marine Sales & Service, Mahone Bay, N.S. 902-484-3900 Esterline-CMC Electronics, Dartmouth, N.S. 902-468-8484 Gold River Marina, Gold River, N.S. 902-275-1322

Yacht Brokers Ocean Yacht Sales, Halifax, N.S. 902-455-5565 Sunnybrook Yachts, Chester Basin, N.S. 902-275-2424

Dock Builders Bear River Plastic Welding Inc., Bear River, N.S. 902-638-8264

Sailmakers Michele Stevens Sailloft, Second Peninsula, N.S. 902-634-9338 North Sails Atlantic, Lunenburg, N.S. 902-634-3343

Chandlery The Binnacle, Halifax, N.S. 902-423-6464 DSS Marine, Dartmouth, N.S. 902-835-4848 North Sails Atlantic Yacht Shop, Halifax, N.S. 1-800-227-6263

Boat Manufacturers Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association, Halifax, N.S. 902-423-2378 Rosborough Boats, Halifax, N.S. 902-450-3362

Insurance Fairway Insurance Services 1-888-245-4741 MacDonald Chisholm Trask Insurance 1-800-474-4809 Skippers’ Plan 1-800-661-7211

Boater Education BoatSmart!

877-792-3926 Spirt of Canada Ocean Challenges 902-529-2626

Coastal Nova ScotiA: Eastern Shore & South shorE | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 59

For new boats, repairs, restorations, service or storage visit:

www.nsboats.com

/NovaScotiaBoatbuildersAssociation @NSBoatbuilders @NSBoatbuilders

60 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015

Region New Brunswick:

Bay of Fundy & St. John River Map #

Dockage

Max Length

Draft

Power

Bathurst Marina Bathurst | www.bathurstmarina.com | 506-547-1166

18

Y

50'

7'

30 amp

Brundage Point River Centre Westfield www.town.grandbay-westfield.nb.ca | 506-738-6406

5

Y

35'

5'

N

Centennial Park Sailboat Marina Mactaquac mactaquacpark@gnb.ca | 506-363-4747

10

Y

64'

30'

at building, not on docks

Chipman Marine Wharf Chipman | www.chipmannb.org | 506-339-6601

14

Y

40'

10'

30 amp

Dalhousie Regional Marina Dalhousie | 506-684-5298

17

Y

40'

6'

20-30 amp

Evandale Resort Evandale | www.evandaleresort.com | 506-468-2222

6

Y

U

U

U

Fredericton Yacht Club Fredericton | www.fyc.ca | 506-472-2448

12

Y

40'

6'

15 amp

Fredricton Yacht Club (Douglas Harbour) Douglas Harbour | www.fyc.ca | 506-472-2448

13

Y

40’

6’

30 amp

Gagetown Marina Gagetown | www.gagetownmarina.ca | 877-488-1992

7

Y

75'

10'

30-50 amp

Mactaquac Marina Keswick Ridge mactaquacpark@gnb.ca | 506-461-2349

11

Y

48'

16'

30 amp

Oromocto Boat Club Oromocto | www.oromoctoboatclub.ca | 506-357-7374

8

Y

90'

12'

30 amp

Regent Street Wharf Fredericton www.capitalcityboatclub.com | 506-455-1445

9

Y

60'

16'

15, 30 amp

Rothesay Yacht Club Rothesay www.rothesayyachtclub.com | 506-847-7245

15

Y

36'

4'

30 amp

Marina

Y

62 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | New Brunswick: Bay of Fundy & St. John River

Marina Listings

Legend: Y=Yes N=No W=Washrooms S=Showers L=Laundry U=Unknown

Launch Ramp

Fuel

Water & Ice

Pump Out

Facilities

Storage

Lat

Long

N

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

Y

W/S

Y

47.37'18"N

65.39'06"W

Y

Y

N

Water

N

W

N

45.21'39"N

66.14'18"W

Y

Y

available at Mactaquac Marina

Water

available at Mactaquac Marina

W

Y

45.56'57"N

66.52'54"W

N

Y

N

Water

Y

W

N

46.10'25"N

65.53'13"W

N

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

N

W/S

N

48.6'59"N

66.38'45"W

Y

U

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

U

W/S/L

N

U

U

Y

Y

N

Water

Y

W/S

N

45.91'N

66.09'W

Y

Y

N

Water

N

W

Y

54.57'N

66.36'W

Y

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

Y

45.47'10"N

66.08'39"W

N

Y

Gas

Water/Ice

Y

W

Y

45.56'57"N

66.52'54"W

N

Y

Gas, high test only

Water/Ice

Y

W/L/S

N

45.51'2"N

66.28'9"W

Y

N

N

Water/Ice

Y

W/S

N

45.58'N

66.38'W

Y

Y

N

Water/Ice

Y

W

Y

45.23'37"N

65.59'56W

Moorings

N

N

New Brunswick: Bay of Fundy & St. John River | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 63

Region New Brunswick:

Bay of Fundy & St. John River Map #

Dockage

Max Length

Draft

Power

Royal Kennebaccasis Yacht Club Saint John | www.rkyc.nb.ca | 506-632-0186

16

Y

150'

6'

15 amp

Saint John Marina Ltd Saint John | www.saintjohnmarina.ca | 506-738-8484

3

Y

80'

6'

30 amp

Saint John Power Boat Club Saint John | www.sjpowerboatclub.ca | 506-642-5233

4

Y

60'

6'

15 amp

St. Andrew’s Market Wharf St Andrew’s www.townofstandrews.ca | 506-529-5170

2

Y

180'

13'

N

Valley Yacht Club at the Woodstock Marina Woodstock | 506-328-3402

1

Y

30’

14’

15-30 amp

Marina

limited

64 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | New Brunswick: Bay of Fundy & St. John River

Marina Listings

Legend: Y=Yes N=No W=Washrooms S=Showers L=Laundry U=Unknown

Launch Ramp

Fuel

Water & Ice

Pump Out

Facilities

Storage

Lat

Long

Y

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

Y

W/S

Y

45.18'21"N

66.22'17"W

N

Y

Gas/Diesel

Water/Ice

Y

W/S/L

Y

45.19'N

65.53'W

N

N

N

Water/Ice

N

W/S/L

N

45.16'N

66.05'W

Y

Y

Y

Y

Moorings

N

Water

available locally

ice available locally

Y

W/S

N

45.04'11"N

67.03'W

Gas (Hi test)

Water/Ice

Y

W

N

U

U

New Brunswick: Bay of Fundy & St. John River | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 65

REGIONAL PROFILE

Photos: Tourism New Brunswick

St. John River A well kept secret

By Cathy McKelvey

66 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | New Brunswick: Bay of Fundy & St. John River

On any weekday morning there are more eagles and ospreys than people. In a narrow channel called the Hole in the Wall that applies any day that’s not in duck hunting season! The St. John River is a well-kept secret. Scorching hot in summer. Cooling fog from the Bay of Fundy stops at Evandale. Upriver tends to be hot and sunny with occasional rainy days. It’s not unusual to see some impressive American eye candy. My favorite this year was a yardmaintained Hinkley 55 out of Boston. Recently, there has been commercial traffic on the river so the channels are well marked. There are old concrete paddleboat wharves all along the river that make terrific public access points for launching small boats. They are well marked on the charts. There are cable ferries at Quispamsis, Grand Bay, Bellisle, Evandale and Gagetown requiring some care in crossing their cable.

Meeting the river in a ladder formation are four large navigable bodies of water— Kennebecasis River, Bellisle Bay, Washedemoak Lake and Grand Lake—with open water and good breezes for an afternoon sail. For kayaking I prefer the main river with its seemingly endless number of creeks to explore.

You can walk on a sandy beach, Grimross or Ox Island, enjoy an afternoon sail, kayak in one of the many creeks while also having access to some of civilization’s amenities. Have a meal in a pub, on the wharf in Evandale or Gagetown.

Buy an ice cream cone at Ducey’s up from Wickham Wharf, at a farmers’ market, including Jemseg on Saturdays, Gagetown on Sundays.

Visit an interesting village such as Gagetown or take a pleasant walk down a country road or paddle up a creek may lead to the vineyard at Motts Landing, German sausages at Elke’s BBQ up from Colwells Wharf), the ruins of historic Mount House in Mount Creek.

New Brunswick: Bay of Fundy & St. John River | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 67

Many boaters from Fredericton keep their boats in Douglas Harbour on Grand Lake.

Douglas Harbour has a gas station with an adjacent vegetable stand (walk to the main road from the wharf then right) The upper side of Flowers Cove is a popular anchorage while Goat Island has a panoramic view with good swimming. Nice long tacks on the lake with no current make for attractive sailing. When the wind in Grand Lake is light, the bar running out to the buoy is a fun place to swim. Boats nose up to the bar on the leeward side, dropping anchor on the point and people jump off the bow onto the beach to swim on the opposite side. Have a look in Google maps satellite view.

So what’s so special about St. John River?

I love its quirks. The reversing falls in Saint John. The freshet. Every spring the river floods, a lot. This means that nothing can be built near the water. Occasionally someone tries and Mother Nature sets them straight. I love how the current splits and goes around Lower Musquash Island both directions before entering the Washedemoak. I love how I can drift upriver with the current then back with the change in tide in my kayak. I love that it’s a well kept secret. You don’t believe any of this, right? AB Cathy McKelvey is an artist living in Dartmouth, N.S. Though she learned to swim in Lake Banook, she loves to spend time with a coffee at dawn on the St. John River. www.CathyMcKelvey.com

Photo: Tourism New Brunswick

And that’s just in the summer. Come fall there are fewer people still on the river. The nights are cool for sleeping well and the winds steady. And, of course, there are the fall colours.

Coming from Saint John direction, Purdy’s and then Whepley’s Coves are popular. From there, turning into the Bellisle, there is Kingston Creek also known as The Bedroom and Jenkins Cove. But keep an eye open for floatplanes.

The Hole in the Wall in Lower Musquash Island is one of my favorite anchorages and one of my favorite spots to kayak. As the creek opens into a large lake the only signs of civilization are a few farms in the distance. Late in the year when the grass is high and the water low, it can be difficult to find the creek to exit the lake. If you go, be careful to note where the creek is as you enter.

Big Cove is a popular anchorage in Washedemoak Lake. Across the lake is Motts Landing Vineyard. They have a mooring and some very good wine.

Tuck yourself in between between Ox and Gilbert Island. This is a popular destination for boats coming from Oromocto or Fredericton for the weekend. The upriver ends of these islands have sandy beaches. Casey’s restaurant on the opposite side of Gilbert Island is popular, particularly for breakfast. As you go up-river from Ox and Gilbert, the river narrows and the current is more apparent.

68 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | New Brunswick: Bay of Fundy & St. John River

2015 whale Protection the waters surrounding Atlantic canada and the Bay of fundy in particular are known as great whale watching areas

MariNe MaMMalS aNd Sea TurTleS Fisheries and oceans Canada (dFo) is responsible for the conservation and protection of Canada’s marine resources, including marine mammals and sea turtles.

The department is guided by the principles of sound scientific knowledge and effective management in developing regulations and policies to meet this responsibility.

The Marine Mammal regulations are in the process of being expanded to reduce human disturbance of marine mammals and the proposed regulations can be viewed here www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2012/ 2012-03-24/html/reg2-eng.html Currently DFO provides the following guidelines: • Do not hunt, chase, follow, disperse, drive, herd or encircle whales.

• Avoid any sudden changes of course or speed • Avoid heading directly towards a whale • If an area is known to be frequented by whales, be on the lookout to avoid collisions

• Travel parallel to whales • The mammals may wish to come close to you; if they do, do not chase them and be wary of any individual whale that appears to be tame. keep clear of flukes.

• If you are operating a sailboat with an auxiliary motor leave it on idle. or turn on your depth sounder to signal your presence • If it is impossible to detour around a whale or a pod of whales, slow down immediately and wait until you are more that 400 metres away before resuming speed.

More information about Marine Mamals is available at www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/ mammals-mammiferes/index-eng.htm Two whale sanctuaries have been established in the Maritimes. one is in Grand Manan basin, northeast of Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy. The other is in roseway Basin off the southeastern tip of Nova Scotia.

Information about these areas is available on the annual Notices to Mariners, www.notmar.gc.ca AB

New bruNSwiCK: baY of fuNdY & ST. JoHN riVer | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 69

CoastaL ATTRACTIONS & Boating Events New Brunswick Sports Fishing Association (NBSFA) Information and Tournament Schedule for 2015 www.nbsportfishing.net

Northumberland Strait Sailing Association (NStYA) Schedule of Yacht Races and Events 2015 in Northumberland www.nstya.com

Moncton Moncton Boat Show March 27–29, 2015 www.monctonboatshow.ca

Festival Acadien de Caraquet New Brunswick’s largest annual celebration of Acadian culture August 2015 506-727-2787 www.festivalacadien.ca

Irving Eco-Centre, Bouctouche, N.B. Preserved sand dunes for exploration on New Brunswick’s east coast www.irvingecocentre.com

Canada’s Irish Festival on the Miramichi Canadian Irish folk, and rock and roll festival July 16–19, 2015 1-800-459-3131 or www.miramichi.org

Boat & Motor Dealers, Chandlery & Service Boat and Motor Dealers

Insurance

Phil’s Auto & Recreation, Lincoln, N.B.

Fairway Insurance Services

506-446-6135

MacDonald Chisholm Trask Insurance

SeaPro Services Saint John, N.B.

1-888-245-4741

1-800-474-4809

506-633-0070

Skippers’ Plan

Marine Services

1-800-661-7211

SeaPro Services Saint John, N.B.

Boater Education BoatSmart!

506-633-0070

877-792-3926

Dock Builders East Coast EZ Dock, Willow Grove, N.B. 506-642-3625

70 | Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | New Brunswick: Bay of Fundy & St. John River

• Enter our Photo Contest online • Shop the Show and Save!

• Check out new products at the show

Atlantic Boating Guide 2015 | 73

JOIN US JULY 12-18, 2015 International Sail Race through Cape Breton's Spectacular In-land Sea

166 nautical miles point-to-point racing July 12Ă?18

Five racing legs over six days Inshore and ocean components Spinnaker & non-spinnaker divisions Nightly awards and entertainment

REGISTER ONLINE AT RACETHECAPE.COM

For whatever floats your boat.

The way we see it – if it floats it’s a boat – and if it’s a boat, The Binnacle Boys more than likely have what you need to make it safe, comfy, and sound.

As Atlantic Canada’s largest marine chandlery, binnacle.com caters to those who prefer to sit on top of the water – preferably holding a tiller or a refreshing beverage.

Dinghy sailors, pleasure boat fanatics, cruisers, racers, and those who like to drop anchor and bob will find what they’re looking for at our 8500 square foot Halifax store.

Drop in for electronics, charts, rigging, deck wear, safety equipment, shoes and paint.

Or, shop at your convenience online and get free shipping on most items over $99.

Oh, and if for some reason your boat doesn’t float... we can help with that too.

That’s just the kind of Boys we are.

binnacle.com 152015 PURCELL’S COVE ROAD HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA 80 | Atlantic Boating Guide

1.800.665.6464