Getting Here by Boat

Arriving under your own canvas or power, let Cape Breton’s forested hills and lighthouse points appear on the horizon long before you step ashore. Deep harbours, an inland sea, and straightforward customs procedures make a sea approach simple once you pick your port, plot the paperwork, and check the forecast. Use the notes below, then visit each provider’s website for current berth availability, fuel hours, and fees.

Major Entry Ports and Marinas

Clearing Customs and Immigration

Pleasure craft arriving from international waters must report to the CBSA before any crew goes ashore.

1. Sail directly to a Telephone Reporting Site / Marine (TRS/M) such as Sydney, St. Peter’s, or Baddeck.
2. Moor at the customs dock, remain on board, and call the number posted to receive an entry report code.
3. Have passports, vessel registration, crew list, and pet vaccination records ready; officers may board for inspection if directed.

Firearms, restricted food items, and pets must be declared during the call.

Navigating St. Peter’s Canal

The lock at St. Peter’s links the Atlantic to Bras d’Or Lake, sparing a seventy-nautical-mile detour around the western tip of Cape Breton. The chamber is 91 m long, 14 m wide, and 4.8 m deep, with a swing bridge that opens on request. Regular operating hours run mid-May to early October; shoulder-season transits require two hours’ notice.

Popular Anchorages and Moorings

• Maskells Harbour, Bras d’Or Lake: Mud bottom, excellent northerly shelter, quiet wilderness setting.
• Marble Mountain, West Bay: Peaceful cove with dinghy access to a sandy beach and hiking trails.
• Ingonish Harbour, Atlantic Coast: Scenic anchorage near Cape Breton Highlands National Park; swell possible in strong onshore winds.

Canadian Hydrographic Service charts 4275 and 4276 cover depths and hazards for these anchorages.

Fuel, Repairs, and Provisions

Fuel and pump-out are available at Port of Sydney, St. Peter’s Lions Marina, and Baddeck Marine; call ahead for after-hours service. Baddeck Marine and Sydney Marine Supply handle most repairs and parts, usually within twenty-four hours. Groceries and laundry are a short walk or courtesy-car ride from docks in Sydney, St. Peter’s, and Baddeck.

Approximate Sailing Distances

• Halifax to St. Peter’s Canal: about 145 nautical miles
• Canso Strait to Port of Sydney: about 68 nautical miles
• Bar Harbor, Maine, to Sydney: about 310 nautical miles

Plan extra time for Fundy tides or early-season fog along the Atlantic coast.

Weather and Safety Tips

• Monitor VHF 21B for Coast Guard forecasts and NAVTEX alerts in Atlantic Canada.
• Fog is common from June through August; carry a radar reflector and sound-signalling device.
• Hurricane season peaks in September; review safe-harbour plans and insurance clauses.
• Life jackets are required while under way, and paddle craft must carry throw lines.

Final Checklist

Book slips early for July and August, especially during regattas; plot TRS/M locations in your chartplotter; keep both paper and digital charts on board; and monitor the forecast forty-eight hours before departure. With a customs clearance number in hand and a berth confirmed, you will sail confidently toward Cape Breton’s tranquil coves, lively waterfronts, and unforgettable cruising grounds.