EXPERIENCE BOTH NEW ACTIVITIES AND OLD FAVOURITES
CABOT SHORES IS ALL ABOUT ADVENTURE
We offer a wide range of outdoor adventures for guests - kayaking, canoeing, and paddle board rentals for you to explore the inlets and wildlife of our pond; guided hikes in all seasons; and snowshoeing in the winter. You may even take yourself down to the point where Church Pond reaches out to the beach; where you can swim in the ocean, take a long walk, beach comb, or have a bonfire at night.
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Water Adventures
Swim in Church Pond, Indian Brook or the Atlantic Ocean. And do it all right at Cabot Shores! We are surrounded by water.
You can wander down to where the Church Pond meets our private beach for beach combing, long walks, evening bonfires, and swims in the Atlantic Ocean, with another dip in the freshwater Church Pond to rinse off afterwards.
Incredible coastal vistas provide the backdrop to the abundant sea life found in the North Atlantic. You never know what may come up "out of the blue" - whales, dolphins, seals, tuna, halibut, the ebb and flow of thousands of mackerel coming with the tides.... The sea life is as breathtaking as the scenery.
SUP Board Rental
$40/half day
SUP (Stand Up Paddle) boards are more than mere paddling. SUP boards give you a whole different sense of the world as you flow with the nature around you!
Cabot Shores offers SUP board rentals to explore our coastal inlets. First time on a SUP board? No problem! We provide a short lesson to get you up and paddling in no time.
Canoe & Kayak Rentals
$40/half day
We offer single kayaks, double kayaks, and canoe rentals for your paddling explorations on Church Pond and Indian Brook.
Brought your dog along with you? Our double kayaks are great for accommodating your furry friend.
Grab adventure by the paddle and hit the water!
Hiking Adventures
Guided hike $35/person
Cabot Shores is located along the beautiful Indian Brook. We have developed a wilderness trail on Cabot Shores' property along Indian Brook, so you can go for a stroll any time!
Following Indian Trail to the west leads to three amazing waterfalls and into the Indian Brook Wilderness. To the north of Cabot Shores is the French River Wilderness. And an hour's drive up the road takes you into Cape Breton Highlands National Park, with many of its best hikes right inside the park gate!
Hiking is always an adventure at Cabot Shores. We can recommend many trails at all levels of difficulty, every one of which offers you a different experience - from beautiful waterfalls to mountain summits.
Here are some trails to consider:
- Lower North River Falls (1-hour hike): An easy 1 km trail leads to this 5-meter waterfall. It's located about 20 minutes from Cabot Shores on the Cabot Trail. Please note that there is no cellphone coverage on this trail.
- Red Island Trail (1–1.5 hour round-trip hike): Just a 3-minute drive from Cabot Shores, this trail offers beautiful ocean views through a dense forest.
- Uisge Ban Falls (1.5–2 hour round-trip hike): Located about 1 hour from Cabot Shores near Baddeck, this popular hike takes you through hardwood forest and along a scenic brook to a stunning 16-meter waterfall nestled in a gorge.
- Humes River Falls (1–1.5 hour round-trip hike): A quieter spot near Indian Brook, about 25 minutes from Cabot Shores. The trail follows the Humes River and leads to a small but peaceful cascade in a serene forest setting.
- Gairloch Mountain Falls (1.5–2 hour round-trip hike): Tucked away near the community of Gairloch, about 45 minutes inland from Cabot Shores, this hidden gem features a series of cascades surrounded by mossy rocks and mature forest. Trail conditions can be muddy—hiking boots recommended.
- Black Brook Falls & Mary Ann Falls (15 - 20 minute hikes each): These two waterfalls are about one hour from Cabot shores and can be done as a duo, as they are about four minutes' drive from each other. The trails are easy and it is not far to the falls.
Snowshoes
$15/person
Do you love winter? Or would you like to love winter?! You certainly will on your visit to Cabot Shores! Try winter hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing. With plenty of trails on the property and many more nearby, the adventurer in you can continue exploring year-round.
Don’t have snowshoes with you? You can rent a pair at the front desk for $12 + tax.
Common Rooms
In Whiff's Lodge, we have two common rooms:
- The Great Room upstairs with fireplace, comfy couches, and lots of books to read as you relax.
- The Common Room downstairs with a ping pong and pool table, more books, and some board games for fun gatherings.
Guest Wifi is available in and around our Lodge and our Events Space Building.
Listed as 1 of 5 Quirky Stays On The East Coast of Canada
"A tree top village with Smurf-like domes rising out of the forest and Mongolian yurts in Nova Scotia? Indeed! Cabot Shores on Cape Breton Island entices you to embrace your nomadic roots and connect to nature. You can stay in one of the colourful yurts or opt for a geodesic dome raised up off the ground. Take in the lake views and the Atlantic waters on both sides, while the smell of cedar fills the air. Be sure to have your camera ready to snap a moose photo (they love it there)."
~ North American Traveller