Grand Manan: Coastal Trails, Birdlife and Island History

Birdlife and Coastal Landscapes

Grand Manan is a North American-recognized hotspot for birdwatching and lies along the Eastern Flyway. More than 240 bird species are native to the island. The Grand Manan Migratory Bird Sanctuary also shapes the island’s natural environment: it is an important resting and wintering area for waterfowl. Long Pond and Great Pond form a coastal barrier-beach lagoon system within the sanctuary. Anyone interested in birds and varied landscapes will find several reasons to explore Grand Manan more closely.

The waters around Grand Manan Island are important feeding and breeding grounds for minke, fin and humpback whales, as well as the rare North Atlantic right whales. At Stanley Beach, the tide exposes a wide stretch of shore twice a day. You can look for sea glass there, as well as watch seals and seabirds and, occasionally, whales or porpoises. For your vacation days, you can choose between birdwatching, coastal scenery and time at the beach.

Hiking Trails and Dramatic Cliffs

Grand Manan has approximately 70 kilometres of marked hiking trails. The Red Trail runs along the coast from Southwest Head to Swallowtail. At Anchorage Provincial Park, visitors can use hiking and biking trails to discover the island’s geology and wildlife. The Red Point Trail offers a special option there: its boardwalk is fully wheelchair-accessible. When looking for a vacation rental, you can plan your outings too and consider whether hiking, biking or nature watching should be a highlight of your trip.

For coastal views, the 1.7-kilometre trail at Thomas B. Munro Preserve runs along the cliffs and offers views of marine wildlife. The preserve covers more than 37 hectares on Grand Manan Island; its sea cliffs are several hundred feet high. The area is open to the public but undeveloped, with various hazards and access risks. Visitors are responsible for their own actions and safety. Keep these notices in mind when deciding whether to plan a visit.

Seven Days Work Cliff Nature Preserve also combines sea cliffs with nature watching: its 23.8 hectares are home to birds of prey and a popular trail with views of the Bay of Fundy. The Lighthouse Trail also follows the cliffs. Along the way, you’ll see the Bay of Fundy and pass geological features associated with the volcanic origins of the island’s western side.

Dark Harbour lies on the remote west coast of Grand Manan Island. Its rugged coastline is 24 kilometres long, with rocky cliffs reaching up to 200 feet high. It can only be reached by small traditional boats known as dories. This makes the stretch of coast quite different from the hiking trails described above.

Lighthouse, Museum and Island Culture

Swallowtail Lightstation is a historic wooden lighthouse offering panoramic views of the coast of Grand Manan Island. In summer, guided tours of the lighthouse museum interior are available for a small fee. These include climbing the stairs to the top of the lighthouse. The permanent exhibition at the Grand Manan Art Gallery features works by island artists and by artists who depict Grand Manan, its people and maritime traditions. Selected works are on view throughout the season.

The Grand Manan Museum explores the island’s human and natural history. Its permanent exhibitions include topics related to shipwrecks and birds. The museum shop sells local crafts and books. In July and August, the museum hosts a lecture series on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Together, the lighthouse, gallery and museum offer different ways to discover the island’s history and maritime traditions.

Activities and Getting Here

For activities on the water, Adventure High offers guided sea kayaking tours in the evening, as half-day or full-day outings, and as multi-day trips with overnight stays. No prior experience is required for several tours. Friends of Grand Manan Trails organizes approximately two-hour hikes on Monday mornings in summer, weather permitting. If you prefer to plan your trip around guided outings, you can consider these offerings as different options.

The local cuisine also offers an island specialty: locally harvested seaweed delicacies are available at many places on Grand Manan Island. The ferry to Grand Manan Island departs from Blacks Harbour; reservations are recommended. When choosing your vacation rental, you can first decide whether nature, trails, culture or sea kayaking experiences should be the focus of your stay.

More destinations: Fairhaven, Saint James, Pennfield, Blacks Harbour, St George, Pocologan, Bocabec, St Stephen.

For the broader travel overview: Charlotte County.