Popular Attraction in Pleasant Bay

Whale Tour Operators ... & the Whale Interpretive Centre

Whales are a major attraction in Pleasant Bay and can sometimes be seen right from the beach! On a calm, clear day they actually were spotted right from our deck which is about 1/2 km away! Several species visit but the pilot whale is the most common because it makes its home here in the summer. There are three whale tour operators within walking distance of Highland Breeze. This is a busy spot for whale enthusiasts. Pleasant Bay is the whale Capital of Cape Breton and it rivals many other destinations. The operators are so confident that you'll see a whale - they'll give you your money back if you don't! What is so nice about this little harbour is that the fishermen go about their business while the tourists gather to book and board one of whale tours.

The Whale Interpretive Center was opened in 2000 and is operated by the Friends Of Whale Watch Cape Breton with the goal of promoting and preserving marine life. Guests to Highland Breeze get a complimentary pass to visit the Whale Interpretive Center. You can visit their web site here.

Popular Hikes and Wildlife

Moose are also very popular in Northern Cape Breton. Lucky travelers driving through the French, MacKenzie and North Mountains will very often come across this majestic animal. Unfortunately, vehicle/moose collisions are quite common so motorist should be aware of their presence at all times, especially at night when they are difficult to spot - watch for the eyes! To the delight of our guests, moose often visit Highland Breeze and the surrounding fields. We also have relatives and friends in the community that will call us if they see a moose so we can relay this information to our guests. The best place to see (and take photos) of moose in their natural environment is on the Skyline Trail. This beautiful trail begins at the top of the French Mountain.

Hiking is a very popular activity for many tourists. The Cape Breton Highlands National Park offers 25 hiking trails all within its boundary. A map and particulars showing the location of those trails can be seen on the Cape Breton Highlands National Park website. There are also many trails in Pleasant Bay, just ask your hosts for directions.

Additional Attractions

Definitely go on a whale tour...

Red River beach: It is a small natural canyon that is a little bit of fun (otherwise known as steep) to get to but well worth the effort...

A trip up Robert's mountain, again about 2 1/2 hours of work but one of the most beautiful sights in the world... literally!

A hike out the Glen to the Red River falls - not in anyone's tour book and definitely an adventure! You can make this adventure a lot more fun by going part of the way on a Horse & Buggy Ride out the Glen!

When in Pleasant Bay walk on the Harbour Beach at sunset or sit on the seats on the top of Mathew's Hill... For generations the fishing industry has been and continues to be the main employer in Pleasant Bay. Lobster fishing starts on the first of May and continue to the end of June, while the Snow Crab fisheries start in the first half of July and continue until quotas are caught. Ground fish is also fished from spring to fall. Some fishermen sell fresh lobster or crab to tourists looking for the freshest of seafood.