The aptly named Sea To Sky Highway snakes it’s way along the shores of Howe Sound past Lions Bay in British Columbia, Canada. Photographed as a long exposure to capture a one mile long light trail.
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Celebrate Canada all summer long with these scenic summer road trips across the great white north. These three nature themed destinations will take you through charming small towns, rugged beauty, stunning landscapes, wildlife, rivers, oceans, epic views, and unique natural wonders. Canada, the second largest country in the world by total area, covers more than 3.85 million square miles, which is over half of the Northern Hemisphere. With more lakes than any other nation and proudly boasting the longest coastline in the world, there is always a new place to explore and discover. If you’re not already in love with Canada, these eco-tourism road trips—designed for mindful, sustainable travel—might just change that.
Bay of Fundy – New Brunswick
A peaceful rural road winds its way through the lush, expansive countryside of New Brunswick, offering a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. New Brunswick, Canada – June 6, 2008.
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New Brunswick, located in Eastern Canada, is a stunning Maritime province bordering the United States. New Brunswick is Canada’s only official bilingual province so get ready to practice your French, should you so desire. It’s also home to the warmest salt water in the country, the world’s highest tides, soft sandy beaches, hiking and biking trails, rivers, forests, lighthouses, and the breathtaking Bay of Fundy.
The Hopewell Rocks, also called the Flowerpots Rocks are sea stacks caused by tidal erosion in the Bay of Fundy. The formations consist of red-brown sedimentary conglomerate, sandstone, and mud stone rock from the Carboniferous Hopewell Cape Formation.
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One of my favorite things about New Brunswick is Hopewell Rocks where my son and I experienced Bay of Fundy tides during our nature themed road trip.
We started our journey in Fredericton, the capital city of New Brunswick, and headed out bright and early for a scenic drive along the coast. During the two-hour road trip via Trans-Canada Highway 2 heading towards Fundy National Park, we passed small towns and gorgeous landscapes. The park, located along the southeast coast of the Bay of Fundy, has camping options, over 30 trails to explore, the magnificent Acadian forest, waterfalls, freshwater lakes, and the famous tides where you can walk along the ocean floor. The high tides happen twice a day, every day, when 100 billion tons of water flows into the bay. To discover another portion of the ocean floor and learn about the famous sandstone formations, head to Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park, about a 30 minute drive in Upper Bay of Fundy.
Setting sun lights up the tidal pools and seastacks at Burntcoat Head in Nova Scotia at low tide. This are is know for the highest tides in the world.
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I suggest experiencing both high tide and low tide to truly take in this natural wonder. The water is always moving and depending on the moon phases the tides can travel from six to eight vertical feet per hour. Keep a look out for the famous Sea Stacks—commonly known as flowerpots—that come in all shapes and sizes with names such as Elephant, Bear, Dinosaur, and ET!
Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park, New Brunswick.
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Sea-to-Sky Highway – British Columbia
Aerial view of the Sea to Sky Highway in Howe Sound, North of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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The Sea-to-Sky Highway route is a stunning road trip from Vancouver to Pemberton, a bit north of Whistler and is a multiple day journey. If you have the opportunity to visit Vancouver for a few days I suggest renting a bike to cycle along the famous seawall, walk through Stanley Park, shop and eat along vibrant and trending Robson Street, and explore Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and Grouse Mountain, both located in North Vancouver. From there you can drive towards the Sea-to-Sky Highway (often referred to as Highway 99) in about 20 minutes. Without stops the total time drive time for the route is about two hours, but unless you are in a rush, don’t do this. Instead, take time to appreciate the unbelievable views of the sea and sky (hence the name).
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, a popular tourist attraction where tourists walk over river and through rainforest canopy, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (October 2021)
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This one to three day route suggests stopping at Horseshoe Bay to chill and watch the ferries sailing into port. From there it’s suggested to check out Porteau Cove Park, home to hundreds of marine species. Beach lovers should check out Britannia Beach and then continue to drive north towards Sea to Sky Gondola.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Mar 25, 2024. Several Sea to Sky Gondola cabins during spring.
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The end of your road trip journey could end in Whistler unless you want to continue exploring British Columbia. If you spend time in Whistler you will understand why it’s continuously ranked as one of the top four-season resort towns in North America. Or if you didn’t catch all the sites along the route the first time (such as Squamish and Brackendale) consider visiting them on your road trip back to Vancouver.
View from mountain top at Sea to summit trail in summer.
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The Cabot Trail – Nova Scotia
World Famous Cabot Trail on Route 30 in Petit Étang, Nova Scotia, Canada
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The Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia is known as one of the best road trips in Canada and a totally stunning drive. The Cabot Trail, appropriately named after Italian explorer John Cabot, has several options of where you can begin your journey, from mainland Nova Scotia or somewhere on Cape Breton Island. If you start your adventure in Halifax, the energetic capital city of Nova Scotia located on the eastern coast of the country, you will take the Trans-Canada highway towards the trail. Halifax is a fun city to spend a few days and is a walkable and vibrant destination with beaches, beautiful gardens, a pretty waterfront, museums, a fun music and arts scene, and Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, Canada
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The picturesque Cabot Trail loops around the north of Cape Breton Island and there’s so much to see along the way so I suggest spending at least a few days exploring the highlands and coast. Cape Breton Highlands National Park is a beautiful location to chase waterfalls, hike, camp, and admire epic views along the rugged coastline.
Whale watching off coast of Pleasant Bay, Nova Scotia.
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You might spot whales near Pleasant Bay and pilot whales in particular are more common along the shore in summer. Be on the lookout for harbour and grey seals along the east coast. If you are lucky enough to see moose, bears, or coyotes, remember to be respectful, watch from a safe distance, and never feed wild animals. The mighty trail is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, and it’s incredible to see them both on the same road trip.
A bright moon rises over Bra d’Or Lake with Kidston Island Lighthouse in the foreground. Cabot Trail, Baddeck, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada
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