DAY 1 - SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA
We rendezvous in Sydney, Nova Scotia at around 16:00 to board the Klara, will get familiar with our accommodation and home for the next 11 days. We will then gather for our welcome dinner. The Klara will sail out of the harbor and into the North Atlantic, taking us southward toward the Grand Banks, one of the richest fishing grounds in the world, and home of Sable Island.
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2 - SABLE ISLAND NATIONAL PARK – NOVA SCOTIA
Sable Island is indigenous-led conservation ground in Atlantic Canada. Located hundreds of kilometres offshore, it is actually a long, thin sandbar. It is also known as The Graveyard of the Atlantic, because of the than more 350 ships that have wrecked here. This barren and beautiful crescent of sand is a stopover for different species of migrating birds, has endemic plants, and houses one of the largest grey seal colonies in the world. Precipitation is the only source of fresh water, which sustains the famous Sable Island Ponies, whose precise origin story is uncertain. A bucket list item for Canadians and natural history enthusiasts worldwide. It is one of Canada’s newest national parks.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAYS 3 - BIRD ISLAND – NOVA SCOTIA
We sail back toward Cape Breton and anchor just offshore, at Bird Island, a rocky protuberance that houses Atlantic puffins, bald eagles amongst other bird species. We board the zodiacs for a closer look.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 4 - GREENWICH, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND (PEI)
We wake anchored off Greenwich, Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province. With a full day to go ashore we’ll have the opportunity to divide into groups and pursue our interests. The provincial capital of Charlottetown, known as the Birthplace of Confederation, is sure to lure history enthusiasts. For others, a visit to Greenwich National Park will be too tempting to resist; its protected, parabolic dunes are a rare phenomenon in North America, and are home to a variety of birds and woodland plants. Exploring the nearby beaches is another option, walking in the sand or kayaking, while admiring the red cliffs. When we’re back on board we’ll have a dinner of Atlantic seafood, while our captain sets a new course northward.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 5 - LES ILES-DE-LA-MADELEINE (THE MAGDALEN ISLANDS) – QUEBEC
The beautiful Magdalen Islands are a small archipelago in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. They were once called “Menquit” by the Mi'kmaw First Nation ("islands battered by waves"). Carved from sandstone, these islands are isolated, rugged, and home to fishing communities. Though situated deep in Atlantic Canada, the islands are part of the province of Quebec, and Quebecois and Acadian culture permeates the towns, villages, and cuisine. The island’s wind-blown, gentle landscape is wonderful for cycling. Those who choose to stand-up paddle board or sea kayak into the sandstone sea caves and beneath the sea arches will find it breathtaking. Seeing the quaint homes and fishing buildings from a zodiac might put you in mind of the Europeans who arrived centuries before, while the diverse bird and sea life and walking on a beach, contemplating the horizon, might turn your imagination to the Mi'kmaw, who are believed to have hunted walrus even centuries earlier.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 6 - ISLE BONAVENTURE (BONAVENTURE ISLAND) AND THE GASPÉ PENINSULA – QUEBEC
Today, after dropping anchor near the beautiful town of Percé, and we explore Bonaventure Island by zodiac. The island is located at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, and has many interesting natural, geographic, and historic aspects. These include the statuesque Percé rock and the famous colony of Northern gannets. Researchers have recorded almost 300 species of birds living on, migrating to, or visiting the island, and its beautiful flora and fauna are not to be missed. In the afternoon we’ll visit the town of Percé, where we can look back at Quebec’s fishing lifestyle. Sea kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and zodiac cruising are also options, if the weather permits.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 7 - ANTICOSTI ISLAND – QUEBEC
Anticosti Island is a truly rugged and wild location. Though 1.5 times larger than Prince Edward Island, it is barely populated. It’s located at the mouth of the Saint Lawrence River, where river, arctic, and ocean waters mix, and there is abundant life in the sky, sea, and on land. We intend to hike the beaches toward the East of the island, then explore the cliffs at East Point by Zodiac. There could be bald eagles overhead and some of the over 100,000 resident dear standing in the tree line. We hope to observe different species of sea and shore birds, and the seals and the whales who lounge offshore.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 8 - GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK AND WOODY POINT – NEWFOUNDLAND
Today Newfoundland is on our horizon. We arrive at Gros Morne National Park via the fiord of Bonne Bay. As we sail past trees the wind has forced to grow askance clinging to the cliffs rising from the ocean, you’ll marvel at the epic grandeur of the landscape. We make land at Woody Point, where we are greeted by a delegation of residents, then hike up to the outstanding interpretation center. There, we have numerous guided walks to follow to the World Heritage Tablelands, and the lookout, where we can savor a bird’s eye view of the park. You will be passing through a boreal wetland, featuring sheer rock ridges, picture plants, white throated sparrows, and perhaps even a moose. Other activities include joining our guides for sea kayaking along the shores of Bonne Bay, or an exacting bike ride following the mountain road to Trout river, all of which will stay in your memories for a long time
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 9 - FRANCOIS – NEWFOUNDLAND
Today we sail into the remote community of Francois, which the residents pronounce “Fran-sway.” It is on the southern coast of Newfoundland, was settled in the late 1700’s, and is accessible only by sea or helicopter. Its deep harbor is accessible all year round. The community is so small and secluded it has little use for automobiles and therefor has board walks rather than roads. It also boasts one of the last manned light stations on the coast of Newfoundland. During the summer fishing season, residents used small boats to harvest a few different species, and their maritime history included a whale factory in the latter 19th and early 20th centuries. Charming and rare, with its fiord entrance, many consider visiting here a highlight of their trip.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 10 - SAINT-PIERRE ET MIQUELON – OVERSEAS FRENCH TERRITORY
Today Klara provides us a unique experience by taking us to France. The tiny archipelago of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon is just off the southern coast of Newfoundland, and it is all that remains of France’s once formidable North American territory. Settled in the early 17th century, it remains bound to France by politics, commerce, and custom, and the 7000 citizens have retained and celebrate their culture. When we depart, you’ll be in no doubt you left Canada briefly, and experienced a unique historical phenomenon. There is also an Atlantic puffin colony here, and if the weather permits, we’ll take the zodiacs to see these adorable, unmistakably, maritime birds. Tonight, the Captain will join us for our final dinner and toast the conclusion of our Atlantic Canadian adventure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner \
DAY 11 – SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA
We sail overnight, across the mouth of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, to wake for breakfast and to disembark in Sydney. Some of us will go to the airport, while others will choose to further explore Cape Breton further.
Meals: Breakfast
The itinerary on this page should be read as a guide only and may be subject to change due to weather and sea conditions