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Pink morning sky over ocean

Things to do

With so much to see and do around Brier Island, well you might just never leave!

Brier Island Lighthouse with sunset in background

Outdoor Activities

Hiking

Just a few steps from Brier Island Lodge you will find a multitude of nature and hiking trails.

Brier Island is designated as an IBA Important Bird Area.  Be sure to pack your binoculars so you won't miss out on the hundreds of Species of Birds who call Brier Island 'home'.

Click here for a PDF book THE BIRDS OF BRIER ISLAND, NOVA SCOTIA by By Eric L. Mills and Lance Laviolette

Beaches

Sandy at low tide and rockier at high tide, the beach is a treasure-trove of natural wonders.

Whale Watching

If you have never seen whales up close, you are in for a memorable experience.

Seal Cove

A truly unique experience and a terrific opportunity to learn about the Grey Seals and Harbour Seals that make their home on Brier Island.

Island Plants

Brier Island was named after the Brier Rose that grows profusely across the island.

Storm Watching

Year round fun for the thrill seekers.

Rock Hounding

Be sure to pack your binoculars so you won't miss out on the hundreds of Species of Birds who call Brier Island 'home'.

Balancing Rock

The famous Balancing Rock is a natural wonder which attracts the attention of thousands of visitors each year. 

Northern Light lighthouse with pink and blue sky in the background

Around the Community

Lighthouses

Just a few steps from Brier Island Lodge you will find a multitude of nature and hiking trails.

Long Island

Another adventure awaits on Long Island. See what our neighbouring island has to offer.

Local Amenities

Sandy at low tide and rockier at high tide, the beach is a treasure-trove of natural wonders.

Local Businesses

Looking for a specific type of service or business during your stay?

 

We've curated a list of local businesses in the area that might be helpful.

Tidal Energy

You may have already asked yourself 'what is that thing in the harbour'?

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We have your answer!

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Hiking

Coastal Hiking

Just a few steps from Brier Island Lodge you will find a multitude of nature and hiking trails.

The majority of hiking trails on the Island are privately owned or on Nature Conservancy of Canada land. The residents of Brier Island love their island and enjoy sharing the beauty of their home with visitors. Hikers and walkers are welcome to enjoy the trails with respect for the land and environment.

 

Most of the trails on Brier Island are unmarked and not maintained so conditions may vary. Lodge staff will be happy to provide you maps and details on current trail conditions for many great adventures.

Foggy oceanside trail
Bird Watching
Birds floating among ocean seaweed

Rare Bird Watching

Hundreds of Species of Birds

Bring your binoculars and experience the best of Nova Scotia bird watching along the Bay of Fundy!

 

As Brier Island is located on the Atlantic Flyway Migratory Route, many species of birds visit its shores and feed in off-shore waters making it a popular destination for watching numerous species of sea birds, shore birds and waterfowl.

 

With more the 170 species spotted (including rarities such as cattle egret, Western kingbird, scarlet tanager, Mississippi kite), Brier Island will surprise and delight the avid or casual bird watcher. Warblers, owls, hawks, eagles, petrels, gannets, ducks, shearwaters, phalaropes, turkey vultures, songbirds and many others can be found here at different times of the year.

 

The Fall migration attracts bird watchers from all over North America and Europe as it is one of the best times for birdwatching, especially raptors such as hawks.

Storm Watching

Year round fun for the thrill seekers

Although Brier Island is a very calm and peaceful place during the spring, summer, and fall, once late September and October roll around the Island transforms into an exciting place, mysterious fog shrowding the tempest winds. Truly a beautiful site.

Storm watching.jpg
Beaches
Pond Cove Brier Island.jpg

Pond Cove Beach

Experience a true marine eco-system in action at Pond Cove; one of Brier Island's most popular destinations.

A short walk winding through ecologically sensitive sand dunes leads to the spectacular Pond Cove Beach.

 

Sandy at low tide and rockier at high tide, the beach is a treasure-trove of natural wonders.

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A few meters inland behind the beach is Big Pond and Little Pond. These saline ponds and the surrounding marshes are home to a wide variety of plants and a proliferation of birds.

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Be sure to ask for directions at the front desk.

SealCove

Seal Cove

Up close and personal...

Seal Cove is a 20 - 30 minute hike along the rugged Atlantic coast from Brier Island Lodge or a 10 minute walk from the Coast Guard station located at Northern Light.

Low tide is the best time to find a party of grey and harbour seals basking on the rocks which form a horseshoe inside the cove. Check with the staff at the lodge for tide tables and directions.

Seals basking on rocks at Seal Cove beach while hikers look on
IslandPlants
Pink wild rose flower bush blooming

Island Plants

A large portion of Brier Island is a nature preserve administered by the Nature Conservancy of Canada, helping to protect plants and maintain biodiversity.

The island's micro-climate allows for a proliferation of unique and rare plants varieties, including Bluebead Lily, Pink Ladyslipper, Fireweed, Yellow Iris, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Pitcher Plant, the endangered Eastern Mountain Avens, and 21 different varieties of orchids.

Rock Hounding

Rock Hounding

It's easy to immerse yourself in the incredible Geology of Brier Island.

Don't forget to try out rockhounding while you are staying on Brier Island.

 

The island consists of a Basalt rock formation with columns of basalt on the southern shore while the north shore features dolomite with veins of quartz and agate.

 

Shingle and cobble beaches yield agate, jasper, zeolite and amethyst for the avid collector. Columnar basalt, reminiscent of the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, can be seen in dramatic form at Northern Point and Greenhead.

Closeup of different coloured rocks on a beach
Balancing Rock
Tall Balancing Rock on shoreline

Balancing Rock

The famous Balancing Rock is a natural wonder which attracts the attention of thousands of visitors each year.

Located on Long Island, just outside of Tiverton, it provides a well marked trail leading to the edge of St. Mary's Bay where this spectacular vista awaits you. 
 

Be sure to ask our staff for information on how to visit this remarkable attraction.

Grand Passage

Grand Passage Hydro Project

Ever look out on the harbour and wonder "What IS that thing out there?"

Sustainable Marine, is a renewable energy company on a mission to help communities achieve energy independence and fight climate change by harvesting clean energy from the waters around them and create transformational socio-economic benefits.

 

The passage between Brier and Long Island on the Digby neck provides an ideal environment for testing and evaluating the performance of tidal energy platforms.
 

Empty chair looking across summer lawn at the ocean where there is something in the water
Businesses

Local Businesses

Check out these local businesses and service providers for your unique vacation needs.

WHALE-WATCHING
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Mariner Cruises Whale & Seabird Tours
1-902-839-2346 or toll-free 1-800-239-2189
info@novascotiawhalewatching.ca
www.novascotiawhalewatching.ca
https://www.facebook.com/Mariner.Cruises
 

Brier Island Whale & Seabird Cruises Ltd.
1-902-839-2995 or toll-free 1-800-656-3660
whales@brierislandwhalewatch.com
www.brierislandwhalewatch.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brier-Island-Whale-and-Seabird-Cruises/107534885958440

 

DINING
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Brier Island Lodge & Restaurant
1-902-839-2300 or toll-free 1-800-662-8355
www.brierisland.com
https://www.facebook.com/BrierIslandLodge
 


ACCOMMODATIONS

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Brier Island Lodge
1-902-839-2300 or toll-free 1-800-662-8355
www.brierisland.com
https://www.facebook.com/BrierIslandLodge
 

Bay of Fundy Inn
1-902-839-2346 or toll-free 1-800-239-2189
https://www.facebook.com/bayoffundyisland/
info@novascotiawhalewatching.ca
https://www.novascotiawhalewatching.ca/…/bay-of-fundy-acco…/
 

Bay of Fundy Guest House
1-902-839-2346 or toll-free 1-800-239-2189
https://www.facebook.com/bayoffundyisland/
info@novascotiawhalewatching.ca
https://www.novascotiawhalewatching.ca/…/bay-of-fundy-acco…/
 

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RELATED LINKS
 

Brier Island Bird Migration Research Stationwww.bsc-eoc.org/national/bibs.html
 

Brier Island Trail Society (BITS)
A group for news and information about Brier Island Trail Society (BITS), a volunteer group committed to building and maintaining trails on Brier Island. BITS is a registered, non-profit society, formed in 2017 to support Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) restore a bog, drained in the 1950's, on Brier Island.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/brierislandtrails/
 

Brier Island NS Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2249077130/
 

Conserving Brier Island
https://www.facebook.com/groups/421376414707641/
This group will act as a hub for information, photos and updates about the Nature Conservancy of Canada's (NCC's) conservation work on Brier Island, including work being done to restore the Big Meadow Bog, a degraded wetland habitat that provides critical habitat for the imperilled Eastern Mountain Avens.
 

Save An Island Lighthouse
This is the official Facebook site for the committee and volunteers of SAIL https://www.facebook.com/groups/1536220636628043/
 

Brier Island Seasalt Company
https://www.facebook.com/Brier-Island-Seasalt-Company-1059548584118387/
 

Brier and Long Islands Historical Society
https://www.facebook.com/BrierandLongIslandsHistoricalSociety/
 

Westport Recreation Auxiliary
https://www.facebook.com/WestportRecreationAuxiliary/

SHOPS & WORKSHOPS
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R. E. Robicheau Ltd. General Store & Gas Bar
1-902-839-2273
http://www.westportstore.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/R-E-Robicheau-Ltd/1410040975978650

Nova Scotia Liquor Store Outlet at R. E. Robicheau Ltd. General Store & Gas Bar
 

The Ice House Giftshop
1-902-839-2273
icehouse@brierislandhostel.com
http://www.westportstore.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ice-House-Gift-Shop/389456111237738
 

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INDUSTRY
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D. B.Kenney Fisheries Ltd.
1-902-839-2023
dbkenney@dbkenneyfisheries.com
www.dbkenneyfisheries.com


SERVICES

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Westport Branch Library 
(902) 839-2955
17 Second Street Westport, NS B0V 1H0 
westport@nsy.library.ns.ca 
http://www.westerncounties.ca/library/westport.html
 

Westport Post Office
291 WATER ST WESTPORT NS B0V 1H0
1-800-267-1177
 

Westport Church of Christ 
Minister: Craig Glavin 
Contact 902-839-2913 or 902-839-2000
Service 9:15 am Sundays 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/348663705236340/
 

Westport Baptist Church 
Contact 902-839-2258 or 902 839-2511
Services at 11 am Sundays 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/164162823758142/
 

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EXPLORATIONS
 

http://www.digbytrails.ca/brier-island-coastal-trail.html
 

Seal Cove Brier Island
https://www.facebook.com/sealcovebrierisland/
 

Grand Passage Light and Alarm- AKA-Northern Lighthouse
https://www.facebook.com/NorthernLighthouseBrierIsland/
 

Pond Cove Beach and Nature Preserve
https://www.facebook.com/PondCoveBeachBrierIsland/
 

Brier Island Light & Alarm - AKA Western Light
https://www.facebook.com/Westernlightbrierisland/

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OUR NEIGHBOR FREEPORT
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The Village of Freeport NS
https://www.facebook.com/VillageOfFreeportNS/
 

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 Freeport NS
https://www.facebook.com/rclbranch92/
 

School Street Market
https://www.facebook.com/72SchoolStreetMarket/
 

Freeport Fire Dept (Nova Scotia)
https://www.facebook.com/Freeport-Fire-Dept-Nova-Scotia-172789648908/
 

Any Body Yoga
https://www.facebook.com/maritimeyogaretreats/
 

Whale of a Time Camping
https://www.facebook.com/WhaleofaTimeCamping/
 

Beautiful Cove Cottage
https://www.facebook.com/beautifulcovecottage/
 

Islands Consolidated School
https://www.facebook.com/Islands-Consolidated-School-273153099378503/

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