Bras d’Or Lake Crossing
Trip Highlights
Hands-on sailing experience in the UNESCO Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere. Take the helm. Handle the sails.
3 days sailing, with captain and crew aboard No Rush II.
2 nights accommodations at the Inverary Resort, Baddeck.
Breakfasts and dinners ashore, picnic lunches on board.
Your party up to 6 people.
Description
This is a hands-on sailing experience on Cape Breton’s iconic inland sea. Take the helm, handle the sails, help with the navigation, or just kick back and relax. You will have a first-hand encounter in the pristine UNESCO Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere, from sea level. Please contact us by email to check availability and schedule a phone chat if desired.
Itinerary
Meet your captain and board the yacht on arrival morning at our private dock in St. Peter’s. Get familiar with the boat and have a look at the charts and our route for today.
We’ll set out mid-morning through island-studded St. Peter’s Inlet. Take the helm, handle the sail or just kick back and enjoy the ride and scenery. Here you're likely to see eagles, hawks and a variety of gulls overhead, herons and deer alongshore, and perhaps a few seals in the sea. Picnic lunch aboard – if there’s time, maybe a swim too. We’ll cross the big lake where we are likely to experience a bit more wind and wave action for the 12 mile crossing. Then we’ll pass through Grand Narrows where they’ll raise the highway bridge for us.
We’ll see the historic Grand Narrows Hotel on one side and Highland Village (a Nova Scotia Museums site) at Iona, across the passage. Now we enter Great Bras d’Or Channel headed for Baddeck and the Inverary Inn. On arrival check into your room to refresh, enjoy drinks and dinner back at the resort and afterward maybe take a stroll through the resort parkland, sit for some stories and songs around the waterfront fire ring.
After breakfast at the resort’s Lakeside Restaurant we’ll head out for a daysail to explore Baddeck from the water. Some guests like to take the morning to visit the Bell National Historic Site and museum before we sail for the day. Once we leave the dock, we almost always head down into Baddeck Bay for a good look at the expansive Alexander Graham Bell estate, Beinn Bhreagh. Then we’ll follow the wind to explore some northern reaches of the Bras d’Or. We’ll be packing tasty picnic lunches prepared at the resort. We return to our dock at the resort by afternoon’s end for some entertainment ashore, dinner and a pleasant evening walking the town or at leisure on the resort. And a good night’s sleep to rest up for tomorrow’s southbound lake crossing.
We’ll set sail by mid-morning, headed south to St. Peter’s. Depending on the wind direction we are likely to have very different conditions than our day 1 crossing, so there are some new experiences to be had, and perhaps some more sailing lessons too. With lots of practice time. Depending on winds and your schedule, we may poke into some secluded cove for a swim and lunch. Guests who want to learn a bit more about navigation can help plot our course with the captain, and then monitor our progress on the electronic navigation instruments. We will arrive back at our home dock in St. Peter’s by late afternoon.
Tour info
Included
3 full days of active or leisurely sailing and 2 nights, double occupancy at Inverary Resort in their new main lodge.
2 hot breakfasts and 2 full course dinners including a drink at the resort.
Picnic lunches aboard.
Cold drinks aboard (soda, waters, juice). Ice. You are welcome to BYOB.
Hands on sailing experience, with advice, answers and instruction from the captain if you wish. We are happy to share what we know about Cape Breton, the boat, how to sail her.
Things to know
Pricing
Double occupancy. 2 people: $4,184 4 people: $5,368. 6 people: $6,552. CAD. Plus tax.
Double occupancy. 2 people: $4,184 4 people: $5,368. 6 people: $6,552. CAD. Plus tax.
Duration
3 days and 2 nights. Check-in 10 am day 1, check out 5 pm day 3.
3 days and 2 nights. Check-in 10 am day 1, check out 5 pm day 3.
What To Bring
-Non-skid shoes for on the boat (deck shoes are ideal). Comfy walking shoes for town.
-Layers of clothing: short pants and sleeves, long pants and sleeves, a fleecy top or sweater, wind/rain proof jacket, hat
-Clothing changes and toiletries for 3 days and 2 nights. Soft luggage is pr...
-Non-skid shoes for on the boat (deck shoes are ideal). Comfy walking shoes for town.
-Layers of clothing: short pants and sleeves, long pants and sleeves, a fleecy top or sweater, wind/rain proof jacket, hat
-Clothing changes and toiletries for 3 days and 2 nights. Soft luggage is preferred for easy stowage on board.
-Sunglasses, sun block, bathing suit, camera.
-Please feel free to bring your own alcoholic (or any) beverages, food or snacks; and use our fridge/freezer, tableware and cutlery.
Availability
Mid-June through late September, weather permitting.
Mid-June through late September, weather permitting.
Check Availability
More Experiences
Sail the Ocean and the Inland Sea
The magical Bras d’Or Lake is connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the historic St. Peter's Canal. This is Where the Ocean Meets the Inland Sea. This is a hands-on sailing experience on the Atlantic Ocean and the Bras d’Or Lake, Cape Breton’s iconic inland sea. Take the helm, handle the sails, help with the navigation, or just kick back and relax. You will live aboard like a sailor in port, at the very welcoming and well-equipped St. Peter’s Lions Marina.
2 days sailing, 2 nights on board the yacht at St. Peter’s Marina
Private party up to 4 people. $2,000 + HST. Add up to 2 day-sailing guests (extra $ per person).
Gift Card
If you're looking for a way to show someone you care, gift cards are the way to go. It's a great way to give the gift of sailing experience. Whether you're looking for something to do with your family, or want to treat yourself to a relaxing trip away from the ordinary, Cape Breton Sailing Charters in Nova Scotia are the perfect way to enjoy the beauty of Cape Breton's Bras d'Or Lake and Ocean Coast.
Full Day Private Sailing Charter
Captain Greg offers you a daysailing adventure you will never forget. With over 50 years of sailing experience and a well-found yacht, you'll sail the Bras d'Or Lake in comfort, safety, and style.
We chart a course for your day's sailing adventure based on sea conditions and your preferences. Guests are encouraged to take the helm and handle the sail - with instruction and advice from the Captain as needed. Glide on the wind through island-studded St. Peter's Inlet to the Bras d'Or Lake – where you'll find eagles, hawks, and cormorants overhead; great blue herons and deer along the shore, and plenty of fish - and a few mammals in the sea. Anchor for a swim and lunch in a private cove…. then head out on the Bras d'Or for some invigorating open water sailing!
Half Day Private Sailing Charter
Cape Breton Sailing Charters offers a memorable half-day private sailing charter experience for visitors to beautiful Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. With a fully licensed and experienced captain, guests can enjoy a personalized sailing tour of the scenic Bras d'Or Lakes. The tour can be customized according to the guests' preferences, whether it's a peaceful and leisurely sail or a more adventurous journey complete with swimming and exploring hidden coves. The charter can accommodate up to six guests, making it perfect for couples or small groups who want to experience the breathtaking beauty of Cape Breton Island in an intimate and exclusive setting.
During the half-day private sailing charter, guests can expect to see stunning landscapes and wildlife, including bald eagles and seals. The captain will provide information on the history and culture of the area, adding depth and context to the sailing experience. Guests can also indulge in complimentary snacks and beverages while soaking in the beauty of Cape Breton Island. Whether it's a romantic getaway, a family excursion, or a fun outing with friends, Cape Breton Sailing Charters' half-day private sailing charter offers a unique and unforgettable way to explore the natural wonders of this picturesque island.
Sunset Private Sailing Charter
Enjoy a 3 hour scenic cruise while the sun sets over island-studded St. Peter’s Inlet on the Bras d’Or Lake. Depending on winds which are often light in the evening, this may be a sailing and/or motor cruise. Guests are welcome to steer the boat, handle the sail or just kick back and relax.
Circumnavigate Isle Madame
Take a private sailing cruise from St. Peter's, via the St. Peter's Canal out to the Atlantic Ocean, and around Isle Madame. Two ports of call on Isle Madame. Hotels and all meals included. This is a hands-on sailing adventure departing and returning to St. Peter’s. Features: a circumnavigation of Isle Madame in the Atlantic waters of St. Peter’s Bay, Lennox Passage and Chedabucto Bay. Take the helm, handle the sails, help with the navigation, or just kick back and relax. You will have a first-hand sea-level experience in the pristine coastal waters of southern Cape Breton.
The itinerary can be custom-tailored to your preferences, and considering wind and weather conditions. We have options for sailing in open-ocean, closer coastal waters and protected passages in this area.