Atlantic Explorer: A Grand Road Trip Through The Maritimes & Newfoundland

Your road trip through Eastern Canada begins as soon as you arrive in the country. Make your way to the airport in St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland, to collect your rental car.

St. John’s is one of North America’s oldest cities. With its colourful houses, expansive green spaces and a vibrant harbour this city offers something for everyone. Quaint alleys lead to Signal Hill, home to Cabot Tower, which commemorates John Cabot’s voyage to Newfoundland. This was also where Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless message. 

The city is also home to the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, The Rooms museum, and the historic Newman Wine Vaults. There is also Quidi Vidi, a quaint fishing village, with a wharf, an 18th-century battery, and a regatta museum. For nightlife, head to George Street with its live music, pubs, and classic Newfoundland comfort food.

Group Historical Tour of St John’s and Cape Spear

Explore the historic landmarks of Newfoundland and Labrador’s capital city. A shared vehicle will pick you up from your hotel and take you to key attractions. As you drive, your guide will share stories about the area’s history and culture.

Visit Signal Hill National Historic Site to see Cabot Tower and take in stunning views of the city and harbour. After, stop at Cape Spear, considered to be the easternmost point in North America. Walk to the cliffside point where the WWII gun battery is situated and watch for whales and seabirds in the water. There is also the 19th-century lighthouse.

Later, tour Quidi Vidi village, with its colourful houses on Jelly Bean Row, the Government House and the Roman Catholic Basilica. End the day in the downtown area with its many shops and restaurants.

From St. John’s drive your rental car to Trinity. This is a three-and-a-half hour drive.

Trinity,  a seaside town in Newfoundland’s Trinity Bay, is rich in history and natural beauty. Settled by the Portuguese in the 16th century, it features well-preserved historic buildings, many recognised as Registered Heritage Structures. Attractions like the Cooperage, Dock Marina, English Harbour Arts Centre, and Mercantile Building highlight its past. Fans of the film, ‘The Shipping News’, can visit scenic filming locations. There are plenty of outdoor activities available here including hiking trails, beaches and parks to explore. You could also go birding, whale watching, and relax on the lovely beaches. Don’t miss out on the fresh seafood and local wines to complete the experience.

Drive in your rental car from Trinity to Twillingate. The travel time is four hours.

Twillingate is a historic fishing town in Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland. The town is known for its interesting history and The Twillingate Museum, located in the old Rectory, showcases the lives of early settlers. Visitors can also explore the Fishing & Heritage Centre and the Isles Wooden Boat Builders Museum. The colourful houses, winding streets, and coastal hiking trails, like Spencer’s Park Trail, make Twillingate a delight to explore. While Long Point Lighthouse provides breathtaking views of icebergs, boat tours allow you to spot whales, dolphins, seals, seabirds, and seasonal icebergs.

Group Boat Tour of Iceberg Alley

This exciting boat tour allows you to see icebergs up close, during the season. At the scheduled time, head to the Twillingate pier. Board the boat and find a good spot. Set sail through Iceberg Alley, which extends along the coast of Labrador up to the southeast coast of New Newfoundland. You will see icebergs from Greenland’s glaciers drifting down. As the captain navigates around the icebergs, watch for humpback whales and seabirds. Your guide will share facts about the area’s history and culture along the way. After a couple of hours on the water, return to shore with unforgettable memories.

From Twillingate drive yourself in your rental car to Gros Morne National Park. The travel time is about five hours.

Gros Morne National Park is located on Newfoundland’s west coast. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been shaped by colliding continents and glaciers and showcases ancient forests, pristine beaches and dramatic cliffs. The park has around 20 marked day trails, covering both coastal and interior areas. From the top of Gros Morne mountain, the second-highest peak in Newfoundland, take in stunning views of the glacial landscape. The park contains Western Brook Pond with the purest natural water in the world, and Pissing Mare Falls, the highest waterfall in eastern North America. At Tablelands you can see the earth’s mantle that has been pushed to the surface. The park is home to plenty of wildlife, marine life and birds.

Private Hiking Tour of Gros Morne National Park

Spend the day hiking in the UNESCO-listed Gros Morne National Park. You can choose from marked or unmarked trails of varying levels from moderate to difficult. The Green Gardens, Tablelands & Lookout Trail, Base of Gros Morne Mountain trail, and Coastal Trail are all moderate. The more difficult routes include The Tablelands Trail, Big Lookout, Gros Morne Mountain, and Trout River Pond. In the morning, meet your guide and set off on the trail you selected. Enjoy stunning views of awe-inspiring peaks, plains, and bogs as you walk. Stop at a scenic spot along the way to enjoy a custom-made lunch. After the hike is over, you can make your way back to your hotel.

Group Finer Things Food Tour

Enjoy a food tour of Gros Morne National Park. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Rocky Harbour or Norris Point and take you to three top local restaurants. Savor fresh seafood, smell garden fresh herbs, and taste handpicked berries while dining in a private room at each of the eateries. You will also meet the chefs and owners, and gain insight into their cooking and food. You will also have VIP access to the evening’s entertainment before returning to your hotel.

From your hotel in Gros Morne National Park, you will be transferred to the airport. Board your hour and a half long flight from Deer Lake, NL to Halifax, NS. At Halifax, a private vehicle will transfer you from the airport to your hotel.

Later, make your own way to the Halifax, NS centre to pick up your rental car.

Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, is a lively port city with a rich historic and maritime heritage. There is plenty to see here, from the iconic Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse and Halifax Citadel to the charming Old Town Clock. The picturesque waterfront, dotted with restaurants, museums, shops, and public art, is a great place to spend the evening.

Group Tour of Halifax Highlights with Peggy’s Cove

Delve into Nova Scotia’s fascinating past and marvel at its natural beauty on this group tour. You will be driven in a shared vehicle from your hotel to Peggy’s Cove, a picturesque fishing village. Your first stop is the iconic Peggy’s Point Lighthouse, which was built in 1868 and is one of the region’s most famous landmarks.

Next, explore Citadel Hill, a national historic site in downtown Halifax, where costumed re-enactors bring the fort’s history to life. The site is an excellent vantage point for stunning views of the harbour, and offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of soldiers and their families in the late 1800s.

More interesting landmarks await you in the downtown area, such as Fairview Cemetery, the final resting place of over a hundred victims of the Titanic disaster. Along the way, you will also pass by Pier 21, Canada’s last surviving seaport immigration facility, and the Halifax Farmers’ Market.

From Halifax, drive in your rental car to Lunenburg. This journey will take around an hour and a half.

Founded in 1753, Lunenburg is a historic port town in southern Nova Scotia, and is famous for its 19th-century architecture. The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, still has most of its original colonial-era buildings, including the Knaut-Rhuland House Museum. The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic showcases the region’s maritime legacy. To experience the local flavour, visit the Farmer’s Market and the Grand Banker Bar & Grill to try the Lunenburger, and sample artisanal spirits at the Ironworks Distillery.

Group Lunenburg Hidden Gems Tour

Explore historic Old Town Lunenburg and charming coastal villages on this tour through Nova Scotia. From your hotel, make your way to the parking lot next to the Fishery Museum on the Lunenburg Waterfront to meet your guide. Set out to discover Old Town Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best-preserved British Colonial town in North America.

Stroll through streets lined with colourful historic homes as your guide shares stories of the town’s history and its people’s deep ties to the sea. Then, head to the coastal communities of Blue Rocks and Stonehurst. Take in the beauty of the coastline and the waters. Learn about the  history of these villages and the way of life here before the tour wraps up.

Drive yourself from Lunenburg to Digby/Smith’s Cove in your rental car. This journey should take you two hours.

Digby, known for its scallop and lobster fleet, sits along the Annapolis Basin, near the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. This lovely town is a great base from which you can explore the Annapolis Valley and Digby Neck. Nearby, Smith’s Cove is a scenic village with beautiful beaches. At the Smith’s Cove Old Temperance Hall Museum, you can browse through interesting exhibits from the 18th century. Some of the popular outdoor activities here include whale watching, fishing, sailing, kayaking, surfing and more.

At Digby, board a ferry to Saint John across the Bay of Fundy. The ferry departs Digby at 4 pm and the journey is about two and a half hours.

Saint John, New Brunswick, is a lively port city that straddles the Saint John and Kennebecasis rivers. Overlooking the Bay of Fundy, it features seaside cliffs and rolling hills. From the hilltop Carleton Martello Tower, take in stunning views. The downtown area, with its 19th-century buildings, showcases Saint John’s colonial charm. Other cultural attractions include New Brunswick Museum, Imperial Theatre and historic markets. To experience the great outdoors, explore Irving Nature Park, zipline over Reversing Falls, go on boat tours to spot marine life and see the world’s highest tides. This charming town makes for a great stop on an East Coast road trip.

Group Best of Saint John Tour

Experience Saint John on a small-group tour. Meet your guide and visit the historic Saint John City Market, Canada’s oldest continuously operating farmers’ market. It has been around since 1785 and you will find a variety of local food specialities and crafts such as prints, frames and souvenirs.

After, drive past Rockwood Park, Saint John Port, and through the lively Uptown area, filled with pubs and galleries. Travel to King’s Square and past the Reversing Falls to see the powerful rapids and whirlpools. Pass by Irving House and the Red Rose Tea House, a well-known beverage company.

Then, continue to Saint John Public Gardens and Fort Howe National Historic Site. Stop at Carleton Martello Tower, a defense tower on Carleton Heights that played a key role in conflicts until World War II.

Finally, visit Fort La Tour, an archaeological site on Harbour Passage, before heading back to your h

From Saint John drive your rental car for two and half hours to reach Hopewell Cape.

Hopewell Cape is a quaint village in New Brunswick. It is known for its iconic geological formations at Hopewell Rocks, or ‘flowerpots’. These towering sandstone formations in the Bay of Fundy can be explored on foot at low tide or by kayak at high tide. At the interpretive center, visitors can learn about the area’s history and ecology. Well-marked scenic trails take you to viewing decks from where you can view the formations as the tide changes. The park also has two sandy beaches at either end. The nearby Albert County Museum highlights the region’s past with its historic courthouse and gaol from its lumber trade days.

Visit Hopewell Rock and Walk the Ocean Floor (Tickets only)

Experience walking on the ocean floor at low tide in the Bay of Fundy, and explore the stunning sandstone formations of Hopewell Rocks. Use your included tickets to enter Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park and start your adventure. As you walk around, see the towering flowerpot-shaped rocks and touch the rough striations on the formation. Visit the interpretive center to learn more about this natural wonder.

Stop by one of the cafés for a meal, browse the gift shop, and take in scenic views from the lookout deck. You could also hike the park’s trails or visit the 300-year-old Acadian seawall at the north end. Other activities you can try out while waiting for the tide to turn include cave exploration, sunbathing, and birdwatching.

Afterwards, return to see the rock formations transformed into islands by the high tide. If you are feeling adventurous, you can go kayaking among the rocks.

Drive your rental car from Hopewell Cape to Charlotte town. The travel time is three hours.

Charlottetown is the capital and largest city of Prince Edward Island. It is known as the ‘Birthplace of Confederation’ as it hosted the 1864 Charlottetown Conference, where the idea of Canada was first discussed. Province House, the conference site, now serves as the provincial legislature and is a popular attraction. The historic downtown area features the original 500 lots surveyed in 1764 by Captain Samuel Holland, with many Victorian-era buildings still standing.

Group Tour of Prince Edward Island

Discover Prince Edward Island’s top attractions on this half-day tour. You will be picked up from your hotel in a shared vehicle.

Your exploration of Canada’s smallest province begins with a scenic drive through Charlottetown. Pass landmarks such as the Gothic-style Saint Dunstan’s Basilica, Province House, and the Confederation Centre of the Arts. Your guide will share interesting facts about the area and point out the Government House, the pretty Victoria Park Boardwalk, and the University of Prince Edward Island.

Visit Queen Street with its charming storefronts, and the Anne of Green Gables Heritage Site, the farm that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery. Stop at the PEI Preserve Company, and stock up on the homemade jams and local treats that it is known for. Finally, take in the stunning red sandstone cliffs of Cavendish and ocean views at Dalvay before returning to your hotel.

Take an hour-long drive in your rental car from Charlottetown to Wood Islands Ferry Terminal. Once you reach, board your ferry for an hour and fifteen minute journey to Caribou across the Northumberland Strait. From Caribou PEI Ferry Terminal drive to Halifax your rental car. This journey is two hours. Then, make your way to the Halifax, NS centre to drop off your rental car.

The next day, a private vehicle will take you from your hotel to the Halifax airport. From there you can catch your flight back home.