Advocate Harbor - Nova Scotia

 Advocate Harbour is a small community of around 800 full-time residents that serves as a great landing spot for exploring many of the outdoor adventures available in this area.  Seasonal tourism is a significant part of the livelihood here so there are some options for lodging and food available here.  Located close to Cape d'Or lighthouse and Cape Chignecto Provincial Park there is lots to do here in addition to enjoying a little quiet time strolling on the beaches with the driftwood.

Things to do in Advocate Harbor:

Nova Shores Adventures

37 School Lane
Advocate Harbour
Nova Scotia
Toll-Free: 1-866-638-4118
Web Site

Open May thru October

Sea Kayaking in the Three Sisters was on my bucket list for Nova Scotia and is the real reason that we ventured down to this part of the province.  Kayaking on the Bay of Funday is an amazing experience and seeing the difference in the tides is amazing.  Nova Shores Adventures is your best choice for guided kayak tours from half-day to multiple day trips.  They provide all the gear that you will need and have friendly and professional guides to make your journey a memory that will last a lifetime.

To read more about our kayak tour with Nova Shores Adventures read my blog post on our trip.
Read More about our Trip

Cape d'Or Light House

Located just out of town is the Cape d'Or Lighthouse.  Located at the confluence of the Bay of Fundy and Minas Chanel this is a great place to sit high up on the rocks and watch the rip current happen as the tide changes.  The lighthouse is a great place to take pictures and enjoy a little peaceful time with a short little walk.

Read more about Cape d'Or Lighthouse

Also in the Area:

Cape Chignecto  Provincial Park

Where we Stayed:

Driftwood Park Retreat

47 Driftwood Lane
Advocate Harbour, Nova Scotia
Toll Free : 1(866) 810-0110

Fireplace
BBQ
Wi-fi
Satellite TV

We stayed at the Driftwood Park Retreat which is a series of individual chalets along the beach.  Each cottage is a little different but our cottage was a two-story unit.  On the upper floor, we had a kitchen, dining area, living room, and a deck.  When you went out on the deck you got a great view of the beach, the seaside cliffs, and the water.  We arrived at night after our kayaking journey and so we were pretty wiped out and just chilled out and had a snack before heading off to get some much-needed rest.

The lower level had two separate bedrooms and a shared bath.  The beds were comfortable and the bathroom was clean and adequate.

In the morning we were treated to a beautiful countryside view out the back of the unit and the ocean on the other side of the unit.  We had a lot of miles to go that day so we went briefly out to the beach but had to get on the road.  We should have left ourselves more time for enjoying these nice accommodations.

Advocate Harbor is located on the Bay of Fundy which has the largest tidal change in the world.  When the tide goes out, the harbor will actually become dry and the boats are literally out of water.  The fishermen in the area must have to really time there trips well to make it work.  Because of the large tides clamming is pretty big in certain parts of the area and they also fish for fresh scallops.

Where We Ate:

Hook and Anchor Restaurant

95 Mills Rd, 

Advocate Harbour,  Nova Scotia

+1 902-392-2517

Hours: 11:30 AM - 7:00 PM

Closed: Monday and Tuesday

Hook and Anchor is a great restaurant in the area that specializes in seafood. It is not on the main road through town so you will drive up a small road a little way when you see the library you know that you are almost there.  We ate lunch here before heading out on our kayaking trip to make sure we were well-fueled. 

I had the first mates plate which allows you to get fish and chips with either fried clams or scallops.  The food was very good and the service was pretty quick which was nice because we had to make sure we arrived on time for the kayak tour.  The portions were generous and I would return here for another great lunch.

Irving Oil/Rite Stop

3554 Route 209, 

Advocate Harbour, Nova Scotia

+1 902-392-2292

I am not joking when I tell you that we ate at this filling station/small town grocery for dinner.  We had gotten off the water late from our Kayak trip and the restaurant that we were going to go to dinner had closed so we stopped in here to find out what we could find.  We found a well-stocked grocery with prepared foods and a good selection of grocery items including fresh vegetables and even fresh seafood like scallops.  This has been the only place I have been in a convenience store and found fresh scallops, quite impressive.

Also in the Area

Wild Caraway Restaurant and Cafe

3721 NS-209, Advocate Harbour, Nova Scotia

902-392-2889

This is where we wanted to eat dinner but the timing just did not work out.  We heard from others on our kayak trip that the food here is amazing, but the hours are kind of a challenge to fit into your travel schedule.  Right now they are closed on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and on Monday are only open from 5 - 7 PM.  They close by 7:00 each night there open so know that you need to plan your visit.  If you visit Wild Caraway comment on this post and us know how it was.

If you are looking to get away from the crowds and have a peaceful and restful visit in a location known for its rock formations and cliffs along the coast, come for a stay in Advocate Harbor.

Fun Fact:

Sitting on the Bay of Fundy means that Advocate Harbour complete drains of water at low tide.  If you are a fisherman and want to make it home, you are going to have to make sure you get home on time, or your boat will be sitting high and dry.  These boarts are tied to the dock but the water has gone out with the tide.