DAY ONE: ST. JOHN’S, NL

The port of St. John’s is a moment that will make you take pause. There is a necessary hush and some sweaty palms at the thought of taking the captain’s wheel to navigate the ship out of the neck of the famous Narrows.

Watch for locals and tourists alike, madly waving from the iconic Signal Hill just before we exit the harbour of North America’s oldest city. The carefree and bold paint palette of the houses of The Battery are a pure marvel, much like the colourful jumble of homes on Jellybean Row. 

Plan to squeeze in a Screech ceremony to make your landing in Newfoundland 100% official! It’s a Wild Women prerequisite! For everyone who is a “come-from-away” there’s a full, unspoken guarantee that you’ll be back.

DAY TWO: AT SEA

We’ll be in full-on learning mode as our expert expedition team shares the dynamic history and ecology of Sable Island, one of Canada’s furthest offshore islands.

The wild horses of Sable Island National Park Reserve garner the most attention, for good reason. Grey seals are also found on the island and the breeding colonies are enormous! During the “pupping season” (December, January), more than 50,000 pups can be born!

Birders: ready, set, go! More than 350 species of birds have been recorded on Sable Island alone. Below, 18 varieties of sharks lurk below in the waters of the Scotian Shelf. 

On deck, we’ll be scanning for birds, mammals and the unpredictable encounters that make this expedition remarkable. 

DAY THREE-FIVE: SABLE ISLAND, NS

This crescent-shaped, 42km-long sandbar island is known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic”. Hundreds of ships have met their demise on its shifting sands. At its widest, Sable stretches around 1.5km.

Located one hundred wavy miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, Sable Island is also synonymous with wild horses. The Sable Island horses (also referred to as Sable Island ponies) are the resilient descendants of horses introduced to the island back in the 1700s. Legend has it that these horses originally belonged to Acadian settlers who were deported by the British between 1755 and 1764 (whose assets were subsequently seized). Since their formal protection in 1961, a population of around 500 horses resides on Sable. In 2013, Sable Island became a National Park Reserve ensuring the population’s protection and the island’s precious natural space under Canada’s National Park Legislation.

The Sable Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary was established in 1977 and covers the entirety of the island. Here, dunes reach 30m in height, and there’s a saltwater lake in the belly of the midpoint on the southern beach.

The Ipswich sparrow (a subspecies of the savannah sparrow) is found on Sable and is designated as a species of Special Concern under the Species at Risk Act. 

We’ll walk the dunes, cruise the shores and keep watch for Ipswich, great black-backed gulls, Arctic terns, red-breasted mergansers and American black ducks, depending on the season. We’ll also learn about Sable Island’s fascinating human footprint and evolution.

DAY SIX: MARINE PROTECTED AREA

The Gully is a Marine Protected Area where the seafloor plunges 2.5km into a surreal submarine valley. The Gully is one of the most prominent undersea features in eastern Canada–in fact, it’s the largest underwater canyon in the western North Atlantic. Formed by aggressive glaciers and meltwater erosion, the canyon began long ago–approximately 150,000 to 450,000 years ago!

Around 30 species of cold-water coral create hospitable communities that support a diverse ecosystem of shallow and deep-water fish and tiny plankton, which draws  the hungry attention of whales and dolphins. The endangered Scotian Shelf population of Northern bottlenose whales inhabits this area in addition to tunas and swordfish, brittle stars, anemones and sea pens.  Halibut, skates, cusk and lanternfish can be found as deep as one kilometre (explaining why they keep company with lanternfish!). 

Chat with our onboard researchers to appreciate the abundance and resilience of marine life.

DAY SEVEN: BIRDS ISLAND

Conditions permitting, we’ll visit the Bird Islands, just off Cape Breton’s coast near Cape Dauphin on a Zodiac cruise.This critical seabird nesting and breeding area includes the largest colony of great cormorants in Canada (565 nesting pairs!). Be on high-alert for black-legged kittiwakes, razorbills and Atlantic puffins–the famed “clowns of the sea”. Black guillemots and Leach’s storm-petrels also like to congregate here. Steep 20m cliffs ring the perimeter of both narrow islands (Hertford and Ciboux) and are pock-marked with numerous holes and ledges.

Cape Breton Island attracts more than birds–it’s a bastion of Gaelic music and culture. The rugged highlands and wind-battered coastline of the Island is synonymous with the internationally renowned Cabot Trail and Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The deep river canyons and verdant valleys are home to moose, black bears and countless talented fiddlers and songwriters like Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIsaac and his kid sister, Lisa MacIsaac of Madison Violet fame.

DAY EIGHT: CHETICAMP

Today we’ll “call in” at the traditional Acadian fishing village of Chéticamp, on the western shore of Cape Breton Island. This twee harbour is loved for its rug-hooking museum, artisanal shops and restaurants where live music is known to spontaneously break-out! 

Nearby, Cape Breton Highlands National Park is treasured  for its knock-out landscape and wildlife–the Cabot Trail winds its way through the valleys and canyons. If weather and mood permits, we’ll hike the Skyline Trail–and it delivers just that. The trail ends at the steep headland cliff that rewards with skyline views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the metallic Atlantic Ocean.

DAY NINE: PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Historic Prince Edward Island has several bragging rights. Charlottetown was the Birthplace of Confederation, July 1, 1867. Lucy Maud Montgomery’s 1908 novel, Anne of Green Gables, has attracted fans from around the world, eager to discover “Avonlea” and “Anne’s Land.”

Charlottetown is the capital of Canada’s smallest province, and is a pure delight. It’s easy to lose an afternoon on the main streets, lingering in bookstores, vinyl shops and indie stores offering handmade pottery, preserves and quilts.

A visit to PEI isn’t complete until you’ve had PEI potatoes in some form–like “fox plops” (chocolate-covered potato chips) or a scoop of COWS ice cream. Local faves include Cowconut Cream Pie, PEI Blueberry or Cownadian Maple.

Optional excursions include a visit to the famed Green Gables or Lennox Island Mi’kmaq First Nation on Malpeque Bay. Lennox Island currently has 32 boats in the commercial and traditional lobster fishery. Bideford Shellfish Hatchery is the only Aboriginal-owned and operated oyster seed facility in Atlantic Canada. Around 450 residents call Lennox Island home–and their Chief (Darlene Bernard) is a woman.

DAY TEN: LES ÎLES-DE-LA-MADELEINE

Spend the day exploring the robust Acadian heritage, culture, cuisine, and language of Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine (the Magdalen Islands).

You’ll have the opportunity to admire the striking red sandstone cliffs that, although a part of Québec, are in fact geographically closer to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Meet some of the 12,000 or so friendly residents who call this archipelago home and be sure to browse the shops and restaurants for handicrafts, seafood, local wines, and beers!

DAY ELEVEN: FRANCOIS, NL

Experience the warm hospitality and adventurous spirit of Francois, Newfoundland—a quaint and picturesque fishing village, with colourful homes and buildings that offer visitors a glimpse into Newfoundland’s coastal lifestyle.

Explore the town, and hike to stunning lookout points and waterfalls. A day in Francois will stimulate your soul and remind you of the importance of good neighbours, stories, and music.

After a day of adventure, head to the community hall for an oversized kitchen party with treats, drinks, and dancing. Rediscover a bit of your own spirit, through the essence of Newfoundland’s culture in this charming and resilient community.

DAY TWELVE: SAINT-PIERRE, FRANCE

Just off the shores of Newfoundland lie the islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon—an official territory of France. The French archipelago is just 20km south of Newfoundland! Oui! C’est vrai!

Say your farewells to Atlantic Canada in this colorful town, a delightful finale to your trip.

Take a glimpse at the charming colourful houses with wooden balconies and narrow cobblestone streets as you disembark and head on your bus tour to the airport for your charter flight to St. John’s, NL.

MAP

OCEAN ENDEAVOUR

The Ocean Endeavour is an opulent 137-metre (450-feet), 198-passenger ice-strengthened vessel with twenty zodiacs, advanced navigation equipment and stabilizers. A doctor, paramedic and medical clinic offer complete peace of mind. The ship has several lounge areas, a library (Compass Room) and multiple viewing decks to totally chill out by yourself or with your newfound crew!

Please note: This is not an exclusive Wild Women Expeditions or 100% women-only trip. The Wild Women group size can range from 10 to 40 women. In addition, the ship’s staff and crew will also be co-ed.

*Adventure Canada itineraries may be subject to change without notice due to weather, ice, and sea conditions.