Cape Breton Island 
Discover the quiet, secluded, and peaceful nature of Pictou Island with a day trip or summer getaway.
Credit: Pictou Island Wooden Tents
Pictou Island is small enough to see in a day but is packed with sights, beaches, viewpoints, and historical sites to help fill a vacation.
Eastern Nova Scotia’s Pictou Island is accessible for non-residents throughout spring, summer, and fall by ferry or airplane.
The main way to stay here is by camping or heading to small inns.
Access & how to get there:
Located in the Northumberland Strait and about 2 2-hour drive from Halifax, Pictou Island is easy to visit.
The Pictou Island Ferry is open from May to November for island access and departs from Nova Scotia’s Caribou Wharf with the help of Pictou Island Charters.
Beach fun on Pictou Island
Choose between a few different beaches on the various sides of Pictou Island during a summer visit! All roads on the island lead to a beach.
- The East End Beach is the farthest from the ferry dock by about 6km. The beach area is soft and sandy, while the waters are perfect for swimming. Change areas and washrooms are on-site, while picnic tables can be found around the park.
- Wharf, or South Beach, is a bit smaller but still offers sandy beach space and shallower waters for swimming. This is also a short walk from the Pictou Island Wooden Tents amenities.
- The West End Beach is for the views, rather than the activities. Swimming is not permitted here as it is too dangerous. The West Beach is, of course, the best place to catch a Pictou Island sunset.
- The smaller beaches around the island are not accessible to everyone, with some requiring backcountry hiking to access.
A Historical Tour of Pictou Island
Biking the island is the best way to see all of Pictou Island and its historical attractions. It takes about 20 minutes to get from one side of Pictou Island to the other by bike without stopping. So, plan to stop for a few hours to see the different parts of Pictou Island. Bike rentals are available from Pictou Island Wooden Tents.
- Begin from the ferry dock, the West Lighthouse, and the South Lighthouse. The South Lighthouse is over 110 years old!
- Next along Pictou Island Road are the Pioneer Cemetery and Sutherland Memorial Church, which have impressive stained glass, the church’s WW1, and two plaques.
- Further along is the community centre, Heritage Buildings, and a preserved hearse, accompanied by a bit of mystery and legends.
- Follow the remainder of the road and end up at John MacCallum Memorial Park and East End Beach.
Pictou Island Wooden Tents
This local Island attraction offers many reasons for a visit and places to spend the night.
- Look to them for a wood/canvas tent which can sleep two adults or the Vineyard Loft that can sleep four adults. The tenting here equals glamping as tent rentals include a mattress, cooking tools and plates/cutlery, a propane barbecue, phone charging stations, and a solar shower.
- The Pictou Island Vineyard on site offers beautiful walking areas for visitors to enjoy, and possibly great blue heron sightings.
- They also operate a small market and the only store on Pictou Island. They offer locally made items and art, and camping essentials.
- Pictou Island Wooden Tents also offers summer yoga retreat packages.
- Bike rentals are available for guests and the public, with wooden tent guests receiving a discount rental rate.
Pictou Island Yurts
Kirribilli EcoRetreat, also known as Pictou Island Yurts, offer their packages and glamping for two-night stays and longer.
- The camping yurts include mattresses and bedding, access to a communal pavilion with an outdoor kitchen, a bathhouse, and a shuttle from the ferry dock.
- There are ways to add more adventure to your stay with Kirribilli with their mountain bike rentals, excursions, or wood-fired sauna access.
- The excursions can include trips to either the north bluff and beach, the west shoreline, or the east beach area.
Pictou Island Escape
The luxury cottage rentals from Pictou Island Escape offer the ultimate beach or summer getaway for your stay. Choose between their Beach House or Cape Cod Cottage. These are beachfront properties with decks and patios for enjoying the views, fully equipped kitchens, and full bathrooms. These properties were built with the beach and ocean views in mind, as well as gorgeous seating areas throughout the homes.
Summer Events
Any events or celebrations happening on Pictou Island will be posted to the community Facebook page. Common summer events include game tournaments, potluck dinners, barbecues, dances, and concerts. Many of these events will take place at the Pictou Island Dance Hall.
