Beaches
It's a gorgeous beach, and my favourite one in the area! Parking can be busy depending on the time of day you go. There can be big waves, which I enjoy but you may not. Please note it's not lifeguarded and you'll need to walk a couple of minutes from the parking lot to the beach, but the view will be worth it!
13 locals recommend
West Mabou Beach
1757 Little Mabou RoadIt's a gorgeous beach, and my favourite one in the area! Parking can be busy depending on the time of day you go. There can be big waves, which I enjoy but you may not. Please note it's not lifeguarded and you'll need to walk a couple of minutes from the parking lot to the beach, but the view will be worth it!
This beach is lifeguarded and is a lovely beach to spend the day at! Port Hood boasts four other beaches: Lawerence’s Beach and Boardwalk Beach, both located just off Route 19; Wharf Beach, located just beside Lifeguard Beach on the other side of the breakwater; and Murphy’s Pond Beach, located further into Port Hood.
10 locals recommend
Port Hood Beach
40 Court StThis beach is lifeguarded and is a lovely beach to spend the day at! Port Hood boasts four other beaches: Lawerence’s Beach and Boardwalk Beach, both located just off Route 19; Wharf Beach, located just beside Lifeguard Beach on the other side of the breakwater; and Murphy’s Pond Beach, located further into Port Hood.
A lovely sand and pebbled beach that is worth the long and winding country road to get to it!
Mabou Mines
A lovely sand and pebbled beach that is worth the long and winding country road to get to it!
A great beach for finding sea glass! There can be strong rip tides occasionally but it is a lifeguarded beach.
23 locals recommend
Inverness Beach Boardwalk
158 Beach No 1 RdA great beach for finding sea glass! There can be strong rip tides occasionally but it is a lifeguarded beach.
Sightseeing
A former railway line converted to a trail that's great to walk, run, bike, or ATV! Lovely views along the Mabou Rivers. This is one section of the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail which runs from Troy to Inverness.
Mabou Rivers Trail
Mabou Rivers TrailA former railway line converted to a trail that's great to walk, run, bike, or ATV! Lovely views along the Mabou Rivers. This is one section of the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail which runs from Troy to Inverness.
Breathtaking views of rugged mountains and endless sky over the ocean await!
16 locals recommend
The Cabot Trail
18283 Cabot Trail RdBreathtaking views of rugged mountains and endless sky over the ocean await!
Food Scene
The Red Shoe
11573 Nova Scotia Trunk 19Stop by for a bite to eat or to hear live music over a drink!
A lovely spot for a meal, that usually has music in the evenings.
12 locals recommend
The Clove Hitch Bar & Bistro
8790 Nova Scotia Trunk 19A lovely spot for a meal, that usually has music in the evenings.
Grab a nice coffee to start your day, and come back later for some ice cream!
Beaton's Delight Espresso
11531 Nova Scotia Trunk 19Grab a nice coffee to start your day, and come back later for some ice cream!
The Annex
66 Lower Railway StreetDelicious food, ocean views, and great service!
A longer drive, but if you're in the area the sandwiches, baked goods, and coffee are very worth the drive!
63 locals recommend
Dancing Goat Cafe & Bakery
6289 Cabot Trail RdA longer drive, but if you're in the area the sandwiches, baked goods, and coffee are very worth the drive!
A wonderful independent store with great coffee and delicious baked goods - you'll have lucked out if you get there on one of their bagel mornings!
Brook Village Grocery Ltd
3482 NS-252A wonderful independent store with great coffee and delicious baked goods - you'll have lucked out if you get there on one of their bagel mornings!
Activities
Mike's E Bikes
10015 Nova Scotia Trunk 19A great way to spend a day or an evening exploring the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail!
If you're a golfer this is a must. Consistently rated one of the best in the world.
61 locals recommend
Cabot Links Golf Course
18 Cabot LnIf you're a golfer this is a must. Consistently rated one of the best in the world.
You can take a tour of the distillery, sample their whisky, or enjoy a good meal at the restaurant! Plus this was North America's first single malt whisky distillery!
50 locals recommend
Glenora Inn and Distillery
13727 Highway 19You can take a tour of the distillery, sample their whisky, or enjoy a good meal at the restaurant! Plus this was North America's first single malt whisky distillery!
A must stop on Sundays! Local vendors with fresh produce, baked goods, artisans and crafters, and more!
10 locals recommend
Mabou Farmers Market
186 Mabou Harbour RdA must stop on Sundays! Local vendors with fresh produce, baked goods, artisans and crafters, and more!
Traveler advice
Don't miss
The Mabou Farmer's Market, held on Sundays, is a must!
Try some local baking, fresh vegetables, organic dairy, and check out the work of local crafters, artisans, and artists!
Don't miss
There's live music most nights across Inverness County!
From local concerts, to performances in pubs, to weekly dances, you'll be able to find live music almost any night of the week somewhere in the county! Tuesday nights there's a ceilidh at the Mabou Parish Hall.
Don't miss
The sunsets!
The sunsets along the west coast of Cape Breton Island can be jaw-droppingly beautiful with golden and red skies reflecting on the ocean. Catch them from the beaches, the Mabou Marina, and many other spots!