Baddeck Area Business & Tourism Association

Baddeck, situated along the shores of the Bras d’Or Lakes, is a village in bloom from spring to autumn with a kaleidoscope of colours in baskets, boxes and gardens along its downtown shopping core. Baddeck is a bustling resort community boasting 600+ rooms, yet retains the essence of a quaint village.

A wide array of activities including sailing regattas, birding, hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding and even dog sledding provide excitement for visitors of all ages. The visitor can enjoy the nightly Ceilidhs or lively productions by the Saltwater Theatre Co. during the summer and fall. It is popular with visitors during Celtic Colours because of its central location.

Alexander Graham Bell, compelled by the beauty of Baddeck, chose this area as his summer residence. Today, visitors celebrate Bell’s life’s work through the exhibitions and interactive demonstrations at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site.

On a boat tour, you can catch a glimpse of Bell’s summer estate, “Beinn Bhreagh”, where his descendants still vacation. At the Bell Bay Golf Course, one of Cape Breton’s Fabulous Foursome, golfers can hone their game on the course or at its large practice facility.

Getting Here By Land
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Cape Breton Island is linked to mainland Nova Scotia by the Canso Causeway, a mile-long road and railway system that is part of the Trans Canada Highway.

From Canada you can follow the Trans Canada Highway #2 to the Nova Scotia/New Brunswick border, then follow the Trans-Canada Highway #104 to Cape Breton Island.

To get to Baddeck, cross the Canso Causeway and at the round-about, take the 1st exit onto Trans-Canada Highway East. Continue on Highway 105 and follow the signs for Baddeck. Travel time is approximately an hour from the Causeway (86.8 km).

From the United States you can follow Interstate 95 north to the US/New Brunswick border. Follow the Trans Canada Highway #2 to the Nova Scotia/New Brunswick border, and then follow the Trans Canada Highway #104 to Cape Breton Island.

Shuttle Services are available.

Getting Here By Sea
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From the US to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
At Yarmouth, follow Highway #103 to Highway #102. Follow the #102 to the Trans Canada Highway #104, which leads to Cape Breton Island.

From Bar Harbor, Maine
For schedules and reservations, contact Bay Ferries Ltd., 1-888-249-7245. Tickets must be picked up one hour before sailing. www.catferry.com

From Portland, Maine
Daily service from April 18 to November 6. Reservations required. In the US or Canada, call 1-888-249-7245.

From Saint John, New Brunswick to Digby, Nova Scotia
Follow the #101 to connect with the #102. Follow the #102 to connect with the Trans Canada Highway #104, which leads to Cape Breton Island. Daily service year round; reservations recommended. Call Bay Ferries Ltd., 1-888-249-7245.

From Prince Edward Island to Caribou, Nova Scotia
Follow the #106 to the #104. Follow the Trans Canada Highway #104 to Cape Breton Island. Daily service May through December. Call Northumberland Ferries Ltd., from Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island, 1-800-565-0201. From all other areas, 1-902-566-3838.

From Newfoundland to Cape Breton Island
Port-aux-Basques to North Sydney, daily service year round. Argentia to North Sydney, three times weekly, June 22 to October. For reservations and schedules, call Marine Atlantic Reservations, 1-800-341-7981. www.marine-atlantic.ca

Getting Here By Air
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The Sydney Airport is serviced daily through Air Canada by Air Canada Jazz flights via Halifax and on to New York, Boston, Montreal, Toronto and St. Johns. During high season, air service is supplemented, through the help of Air Georgian, with direct charter flights from Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal to Sydney. Sydney Airport has several car rental kiosks for your convenience. Plans can be made through www.aircanada.ca.

Baddeck's airport is "Baddeck (Crown Jewel)" ICAO identifier CDW2. The airport is prior permission required due to the activities going on at the resort and is open to both private and charter aircraft. Crown Jewel Aviation Inc. is the operator of the airport and can be reached at 902-295 2146 or www.crownjewelaviation.com. Sightseeing flights, aerial photography and local charter are provided by Crown Jewel Aviation. Group, corporate and international charter can be arranged on request through their affiliates.

Getting Around From Baddeck to...
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To do the Cabot Trail in a clockwise direction, follow highway 105 west from Baddeck to Baddeck River and turn right at Exit 7 toward Middle River and Margaree and follow the signs guiding you around the Cabot Trail. As you come to toward the end of the loop, you will pass through Indian Brook at which point you can choose one of two directions to return to Baddeck. To stay on the Cabot Trail through St. Ann's, turn right at the flashing light and follow the Cabot Trail South signs leading you back to Highway 105. Alternatively, you can continue straight through and take the Englishtown Ferry, which operates year round 24 hours / day. The crossing takes approximately 2 minutes. After leaving the ferry, turn right at the stop sign and follow to Highway 105. In either case, turn right onto Highway 105 to return to Baddeck.

Should you wish to do the Cabot Trail in a counter-closckwise direction, head east on Highway 105 and turn left at Exit 11 to go through St. Ann's, follow the Cabot Trail until the T-intersection and turn left to go north on the Cabot Trail. Alternatively, follow Highway 105 and turn left at Exit 12 and go through Englishtown to cross the ferry (open 24 hours / day year round). The crossing takes approximately 2 minutes. Follow north and the road turns into the Cabot Trail heading north. Continue around the trail following back through Margaree and Middle River. When you approach Hwy 105, turn left to return back to Baddeck.

Fortress of Louisbourg:
Head west on Highway 205, continue on Margaree Road. Turn right onto the Highway 105-E ramp to North Sydney/Sydney. Merge onto Highway 105. Take exit 20E to merge onto Highway 125-E toward Sydney/Glace Bay/Louisbourg. Take exit 8 for Highway 22 - George Street toward Sydney/Louisbourg. Turn right at Highway 22 and follow the signs to the Fortress. Travel time is approximately 1 hour 26 minutes (111 km).

Highland Village
Take Highway 105 (TransCanada) to Exit 6. Follow Route 223 (Bras d'Or Lakes Scenic Drive) east through Little Narrows to Iona. Follow the signs to Highland Village. Travel time is approximately 45 minutes.

Gaelic College
Travel east on Highway 105 to St. Anne's turn off. The Gaelic College is approximately 1 km from the turn off.

Wagmatcook
Head west on Highway 205, continue on Margaree Road. Turn left onto the Highway 105-W ramp to Whycocomagh/Canso Causeway. Merge onto Highway 105. Follow the signs to Wagmatcook. Travel time is approximately 15 minutes.