Alexander Graham Bell once said, “I have travelled around the globe. I have seen the Canadian and American Rockies, the Andes, the Alps and the Highlands of Scotland, but for simple beauty, Cape Breton outrivals them all.”
I'll admit that I was a bit skeptical of this quote upon first reading it. I mean, the Rockies, the Alps, the Scottish Highlands… those are all pretty impressive and beautiful things. Could a sparsely-populated island in the Canadian Maritimes really compare?
Well, the truth is that it kind of can.
When my family found out we were stopping in Sydney, Nova Scotia, on our last shore day of a family cruise, we were a bit perplexed. Everything I was reading said there wasn't much to see/do in Sydney apart from a giant fiddle and some historic houses. How would we fill 8 hours?
The trick, we discovered, is to get out of Sydney and explore the rest of Cape Breton Island. Because, as Bell asserted, the beauty of this place will surprise you.
A DIY Cape Breton shore excursion
When we got to Sydney, we rented a car and immediately took to the famous Cabot Trail, a scenic route that skirts the coastline of Cape Breton Island and takes you through Cape Breton Highlands National Park. We didn't have time to drive the whole trail since we had a ship to catch, but we did drive a few hours into the Cape Breton wilderness.
At our halfway point, we stopped in a sleepy little fishing village that I have now dubbed The Prettiest Place You've Never Heard Of.
This is Margaree Harbour.
The Wikipedia page for this town consists of one sentence; the town itself consists of a small collection of houses and cottages; and the only living things we saw at the harbor were sea birds.
On such a warm, sun-kissed day, Margaree Harbour absolutely took my breath away.
I now understand completely what Alexander Graham Bell meant.
It just goes to show you that sometimes it's the unexpected places that end up sneaking up on you to steal your heart.
And Cape Breton Island? Most definitely a place I need to return to!
What do you think? Can Cape Breton compete with those other scenic places?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
Cape Breton is the place I have called home all of my life and no matter where I travel it will always be my “home”. It is an Amazing place with such beauty that it is hard to describe to someone just how breathtaking it can be ( during all 4 seasons )……not just along the trail but the entire Island offers places that you would never read about in a travel magazine or by researching Cape Breton, but to see them you would fall in love over and over again…..the only way to completely appreciate the beauty is to come and see the spectacular sites for yourself….even pictures don’t always do it justice. Not to mention the music, food, festivals and most importantly, the people…….the most amazing people you will find anywhere in the world….”salt of the earth”, genuine friendly people who will assist you in your travels and entertain you until the minute you leave this precious Island!!!
It’s great to get comments like this – it definitely says something about a place when the locals are so in love with it. 🙂
I am blessed to be able to say beautiful Cape Breton is my home . I so enjoyed your photos. I live right on the River Denys Basin and overlook beautiful Iona, in central Cape Breton. The water stretches around the front of our home including full view in two bedrooms, including a small beach. Cape Breton is breathaking, and the fall colors are gorgeous, and there is always local talent and cultural events taking place. Celtic Colors Festival begins in October each year. We have the Louisbourg Fortress, the world renown Cabot Trail, and many other cultural events taking place all through the tourist seasons. Please come back and visit with us again. You won’t be disappointed.
Sounds like you are very blessed indeed. I would LOVE to see Cape Breton in the fall!
Shhhhh…..everyone will find out!!! We came in 94 and ‘discovered’ the area by accident, (we came inland because of fog along the coast), and now we are one.
However, being Canucks, we don’t brag about it. (:->) What would happen if everyone knew!!!!?????
You’re right – it needs to be kept somewhat secret!
I’m also a born and raised Cape Bretoner. It is definitely a hidden wonder. I’ve travelled a bit myself, but Cape Breton will always be my #1. I’m very glad that year after year, people from far and wide get the chance to expierence our culture and land. We often forget to stop and take a look around us, but when we do, we remember why we can’t stay away for long.
You’ll have to come back and enjoy the rest of the island! St. Peter’s, Baddeck, Mabou, etc. – all the villages are spectacular in thier own right! Not to mention the house parties 🙂
It’s awesome to hear from locals how much they love their home. Based on my brief visit, I can definitely understand why!
I am from north east Margaree and born and lived there for 48 years till no work had to take me to the west of Canada to make a living.I go home very summer for 3 weeks and every year it gets harder to leave but we all have to make a living. Love seeing your pictures and the good memories of home . Don’t like the idea of getting old but cant wait to retire and go home for good, Calgary is where we live but its just not home for us. thanks again
Glad to have brought back some good memories for you, Leonard. This is definitely a lovely place to consider “home”.
Cape Breton definitely seems like it can compete with all those other places! Gorgeous photos!
It’s really really pretty in that rugged coastal kind of way.
It’s definitely a beautiful place, but i’ll take the Andes every time
Mountains hold a special place in my heart, too. 🙂
I wanted to find a new photo of Margaree for my desktop and clicking on your blog made me smile! My cottage is diagonal to the Lawrences General Store where I spent every summer of my childhood. To see it called the ‘Prettiest Place You’ve Never Heard Of’ is great! Except people need to hear about it 🙂 Also, beautiful photos!
Though maybe it’s better if it’s kept a bit of a secret. 😉
Home is where the heart is!!! I have lived in the Rocky Mountains for 30 yrs & Belle Cote will always be where my heart is!! In my teenage years – I would take my books & study at the beach (both Belle Cote & Margaree Harbour side) or even just take a leisurely walk to the beach to watch the sun set! Truly breathtaking and cherished memories! Thank you for capturing my childhood memories!!!
You are very very welcome! Glad I could bring back some good memories.
So glad you took the road ‘less traveled’ and found Margaree Harbour. I have spent summers there for almost 15 years, and still become speechless at first sight of the harbor, where the Margaree River flows into the sea. FYI, the River is the border between the Acadian French settlements in the North of Cape Breton and the Scottish villages in the South. Most of your photos look upon the small village of Belle Cote, which is on the French side, with the ships berthed in the Belle Cote Harbor. After visitors breakfast or lunch at the Dancing Goat, try dinner and Tuesday music at the Island Sunset Resort, pictured in your 7th photo – the long grey building on the water. http://www.islandsunset.com The Cape Breton fiddlers are unreal!!
Thanks for the suggestions! It certainly is a gorgeous spot.
Oh my gosh! This is my place! This is my home! You were taking pictures right outside of ‘my’ beach! When I’m home, that’s where I go, that’s where I breathe and take in all of the gorgeous beauty God has blessed me to grow up with!
I’m so honored that you wrote this and I love that Margaree Harbour, Cape Breton stole a piece of your heart!
Please, visit us again and if you do, write me up, I’ll show you the hidden nooks of our place!
Lucky you to live in such a beautiful place!
What a beautiful place! I have indeed never heard of it! The 3rd photo from the bottom, with those deep blue water and gorgeous mountains captivated me. Now I want to go there too!
I had never heard of it either before this trip! I mean I vaguely knew of Cape Breton Island, but I had no clue it would hold this kind of prettiness!
I meant left side lol
The body of water at the mouth of the river is Margaree Harbour on the right side but the pics are of the Belle Cote side to be exact! Walk 4 minutes up that beach and climb a cliff and that’s my mom’s, so I’d know 🙂
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Wow Amanda, stunning photos! I’ve always wanted to check out Nova Scotia (mainly for the Viking myths and scenery) but now this is added on my list! I’ll definitely have to check it out while back stateside, looks like the most peaceful place ever!
Very pretty and very peaceful indeed!
I’ve been to Nova Scotia, but not to Cape Breton. My parents were just there a couple months ago, drove the cabot trail. My mom said it was beautiful, definitely another reason (of many) for me to go back to Nova Scotia.
After having been there so briefly, I definitely want to go back, too!