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Things to See and Do on Grand Manan Island...
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SWALLOWTAIL LIGHT - This is the lighthouse seen just before the ferry docks in North Head. It is one of only a handful of remaining wooden light towers in Canada.
HOLE-IN-THE-WALL
- A short hike through the Hole-in-the-Wall Park will bring you to a large natural rock arch at the edge of a cliff. Watch for eagles, peregrine falcons and seabirds, as well as seals, harbour porpoises and whales. Hole-in-the-Wall Park is a private operation offering guided or self-guided tours of the property during daylight hours, and wilderness camping.
PETTES COVE - A number of small rocky beaches can be found in this cove, bordered on the north by Swallowtail and by Net Point on the south. Seals and sometimes whales can be seen from shore.
WHALE COVE - Once the location of a busy fishing wharf, Whale Cove is now better known to rock hounds and camera buffs. Many fishermen come here to swap tales of years gone by and to watch the building and seining of the weirs.
THE WHISTLE - LONG EDDY POINT - The "Whistle", named for the sound of the fog alarm is the most northerly point on the Island. Land birds nervously mill about here during spring and fall migration, afraid to strike out across the ocean to the nearby mainland, only seven miles distant. The wooden helicopter pad is a great spot to sit and watch harbour porpoises,
seabirds and the occasional whale feeding in the turbulent eddies or tide rip. The Whistle is also one of the better spots on the Island to watch the sunset.
STANLEY'S BEACH - Reached from a road across from the hospital or hiking at low water from the Fishermen's Wharf, this sand beach is ideal for swimming - but you may find the water a little on the "cool" side.
NORTH HEAD HARBOUR - is where the ferry from the mainland docks. Two wharves predominate, one for the ferry and the other for the fishing fleet. The ferries GRAND MANAN V (year round) and the GRAND MANAN (summer only) regularly travel between North Head and Black's Harbour from the ferry terminal wharf. An assortment of vessels can be found at the Fishermen's Wharf. A busy wharf, there is usually some activity to merit a visit and a chat with the local fishermen. Whale watching, pelagic bird watching and coastal tours are offered from the fishermen's wharf.
MUSEUM -GRAND MANAN WHALE AND SEABIRD RESEARCH STATION - This non-profit research facility is located across from the ferry ticket office and features interpretive displays of marine life in the Bay of Fundy, with an emphasis on marine mammals. Researchers and volunteers are available
to answer any questions.
THE MARSH - This picnic area, salt marsh and beach is an excellent location for viewing birds of many kinds. Below the high tide mark you may find 3000-year-old tree stumps, remains of an ancient sunken forest, peat deposits, and scallops shells that have been dumped to help stabilize the
beach.
DULSE PROCESSING - A plant for processing and packaging dulse, an edible seaweed, is located just off the main highway on the Back Road, between a service station and a provincial building. Dulse can also be seen sun-drying on netting on the Back Road, Cedar Street and in North Head. Watch for small hand-lettered signs advertising dulse for sale.
DARK HARBOUR - Dark Harbour on the western side of the island can be reached via the Dock Road from North Head, and Hill Road (also called the Back Road) from Castalia or Grand Harbour. High cliffs surround the pond, blocking
early morning sunlight - hence the name "dark" harbour. The pond is home to salmon aquaculture cages and also a herring weir.
HIKING/WALKING TRAILS - A trail south to Little Dark Harbour and on to Southwest Head leads you through some of the most spectacular old-growth spruce forest and rugged scenery on the island. You can also pick up a trail taking you north past Money Cove, Indian Beach and on to Long Eddy Point. At least three pairs of bald eagles nest along the west side of the island. Our Island boasts many good walking/hiking trails.
LOBSTER POUNDS - The constant flushing action of the tides gives Grand Manan some of the best lobster pounds in Atlantic Canada. Buyers of lobster ship their products to Grand Manan to be stored in our pounds until they are ready for market. Several pounds can be found on the Shore Road, located to the left just as you leave Woodwards Cove heading south.
GRAND MANAN MUSEUM - Located across from the Elementary School, the Museum is the proud showcase of Grand Manan's history. The Grand Manan Museum is one of the finest community-run museums to be found anywhere. It houses the Allan Moses Bird Collection, an excellent geological display,
a marine exhibit, the lens and light from the Gannet Rock lighthouse, many historical and marine artifacts, and historical archives, including the Grand Manan Historical Society collections. A Nature School, Tuesday and Thursday evening slide shows, and rainy day programs are offered in the summer. The Visitor Information Centre for the island is also
located at the museum.
ANCHORAGE PROVINCIAL PARK - On the way to Seal Cove, the Anchorage Provincial Park (open from late May until early October) has excellent camping facilities. Semi-tame rabbits abound, much to the delight of children. A bird and game sanctuary located here offers unique opportunities for the bird watcher and naturalist. Beach combing and shell collecting are fun to do on this lovely, quiet sand beach.
SEAL COVE BEACH - This is a great place to spend a sunny day if you have small children. Wander around and you may find fishermen building lobster traps or working on their boats and equipment. This is one of the most-photographed areas on the island.
SEAL COVE HARBOUR - Many of the lobster and scallop fishermen make Seal Cove their home port. Fishermen will show you their boats and gear if they are not too busy. Puffin and whale watching tours can be taken from the fishermen's wharf.
DEEP COVE BEACH - Deep Cove is the most popular sand beach on the island. It is a "must" if you have children, or are young at heart. The sand is excellent for sand castles or for a stroll along the surf's edge. The sea here is great for a cool but refreshing plunge but small children should be watched as there is an undertow. Access is by foot only.
SOUTHWEST HEAD - here you will find a lighthouse and a communication tower. From the dramatic cliffs of this headland there is a breath-taking view across the Grand Manan Channel to the coast of Maine. More immediately to
the south can be seen Machias Seal Island, 12 miles distant.
RADFORDS COVE - Reached either from along the cliffs of Southwest Head or inland from Deep Cove, Bradfords Cove is located on the west side of the island. Seals, whales, seabirds and bald eagles can often be seen.
For more information on Tours, Activities, and other outdoor Adventures available on our beautiful island, visit the Grand Manan Tourism Association site
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Page maintained/promoted by ACCESS - Page revised May 9 2008
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