Cape Breton Island’s story is told in many ways. It’s etched in her craggy cliffs. Written in the trails that marble her face. Spoken in three languages and celebrated in her music and dance. Alive in the millennia’s old history of Unama’ki—Cape Breton Island’s true name, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. To know our Island is to know she’s an unyielding beauty, one which breeds a fierce spirit, resolute pride, and resilient communities knit together by tradition. Pjila’si, Cíad Míle Fáilte, Bienvenue—welcome to a place loved by many and home to a lucky few.
For the second year running, Cape Breton Island has been named the #1 Island in Canada, and now #8 in the world, in Travel+Leisure’s 2019 World’s Best Awards! Some of our local ambassadors share why they believe our incredible Island is deserving of this ranking.
Culture and heritage have carved out our communities along stunning vistas, highland crests, and historic sites. Follow the lively sounds of fiddles to Canada’s Musical Coast. Discover the rugged beauty and cliff-hugging curves of the world-famous Cabot Trail. Leave a piece of your heart in each corner of our Island.
Where the mountains meet the sea, you’ll find iconic ocean views, hiking trails, colourful fishing villages, and secluded beaches accessible only by kayak and sheer will.
Untouched by time, embraced by history. Step back into 18th-century colonial France to experience Île Royale—Cape Breton Island’s name given by the French—and walk the grounds of North America’s largest historical reconstruction.
Fog-free waters. Secluded anchorages. And, hundreds of coves and islands—chart a course on Canada’s largest inland sea and UNESCO biosphere to discover our boater’s paradise steeped in history.
Explore Cape Breton's variety of breweries and distilleries found all over the island.
Cape Breton Island experiences: the Cabot Trail, Fortress of Louisbourg, ceilidhs, seafood, golf and more.
It's often heard around the island that there will be a ceilidh in this place, or that people are going to a ceilidh tonight, or will there be a ceilidh anywhere this weekend?
Cape Breton Island has so many awesome places to explore and all of these places are right in our backyards.
There are so many hiking trails with phenomenal views in Cape Breton that it’s difficult to narrow it down to 5.
There are two great ways to make your next trip to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park one you’ll never forget.
You’ve probably seen some incredible Instagram posts from the end of the Skyline Trail or the winding Cabot Trail road.
Not just another pretty place. Here, you’ll find a lifetime of adventure packed on our 110-mile long island. Iconic topography gives way to a living history, where each cove and inlet reveals welcoming communities, distinct cultures, and stunning wilderness where activity runs wild.
Next Date: Aug 18, 2019
Region: Sydney and Area / Marconi Trail
Community: Glace Bay
The Cape Breton Summertime Revue is a popular music and comedy production which features comical, topical, local content, mixed with a light...
Next Date: Aug 30, 2019
Region: Sydney and Area / Marconi Trail
Community: Huntington
The Acoustic Roots Festival offers a variety of music including country, folk, celtic, blues and bluegrass. The event features some of the ...
Next Date: Sep 7, 2019
Region: Bras d’Or Lake
Community: Wagmatcook
MAWIO’MI is the Mi’kmaq word meaning a gathering, composition (commonly used for Grand Council) the common word in mainstream society an...
Next Date: Sep 12, 2019
Region: Cape Breton’s South Coast
Community: St. Peter’s
*** The following is from the 2018 Schedule of Events but 2019 will likely be quite similar! Stay tuned.*** THURSDAY Pirate Poker Walk...
There are direct flights to Sydney from Toronto and Montreal and from other North American and European cities via Halifax. If traveling by ground, the Trans-Canada Highway 104 leads to Cape Breton Island.
Getting Here and Around
