Photographers & Artistswill find unique opportunities to pursue their hobbies. Unusual natural lighting effects, picturesque vistas of seacliffs and quiet coves, quaint fishing villages huddling in the lee of protective coves, gingerbread Victorian architecture, cascades of wildflowers, and spectacular sunsets and sunrises over the sea.  Take a trip out to sea and nature photographers will be thrilled with shots of seabirds or rare whales.

Wildflowers!Whether you're a naturalist, photographer or just like flowers in a natural setting you'll enjoy the profusion of wildflowers from late spring until early fall. Fields of wild lupins, devils paintbrush and wild roses... simple cascades of delicate woodland species... rare seaside species... each in their time and season greet and dazzle the eye.  Can't identify them - drop by the Grand Manan Museum and ask to see their wildflower albums.
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Rockhounding.The particular geology of Grand Manan, part volcanic basalt (Triassic period) and part sedimentary-metamorphic (Paleolithic/Precambrian) creates a unique opportunity for visitors interested in rockhounding. Amethyst, agate, zeolites and copper are possible finds. Areas of particular interest are at Whale Cove (the Seven Days Work formation), Red Point Beach at low tide (point of geological contact and magnetic sand) and White Head Island (with its white quartzite headland).

White Head Island.The only other inhabited island in the Grand Manan Archipelago, White Head Island is a satellite of our island society. Here a small number of families, primarily fishers, have lived for two hundred years. This island is unique in many ways, with quiet coves, ideal overviews of weir fishing operations, plus flora and fauna not seen on the main island. Stop at Gull Cove and walk in the footsteps of James John Audubon who made a stop here in May 1833 to paint the herring gull.  A lighthouse can be found at Long Point overlooking Sandy Cove.  A small car ferry from Ingalls Head provides six round trips daily. Some accommodation is available on the island or you can return to Grand Manan on the last ferry. There is also a store and a takeout.

Golfing.A challenging par 9-hole golf course awaits (more holes are planned).  Situated in Seal Cove on a rolling hillside as you enter from the north (turn right onto Golf Course Road),  daily and seasonal rates available and equipment rental is on site.
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Birdwatching. Situated on a major eastern flyway, the Grand Manan Archipelago is renowned as a bird watcher's paradise. Over 360 species have been reliably identified, 131 of which have been found breeding here since 1900. While 'birding' is a year round past time for many islanders (revelling in the winter with thousands of seabirds - common murres, razorbills, kittiwakes and dovekies - just offshore), the best times for visitors are the spring migratory periods (early April to early June), followed by the summer nesting season and the fall migratory period. The latter actually begins in late July when many shorebirds return from nesting in high Arctic regions. Seabird enthusiasts should watch while crossing on the ferry or consider whale watching tours.  The publication GRAND MANAN BIRDS A checklist with occurrence graphs and a site guide. Third edition, 1991. By BRIAN DALZELL, gives a complete descriptions for birders.

Machias Seal Island - Puffins, Razorbills & more.This island, outermost of the Grand Manan group, is the southernmost breeding site of the North Atlantic puffin. In addition, razorbills, Arctic and common terns, and some land birds breed on this remote rocky island. While the birds begin arriving in late May, actual breeding and nesting activities usually commence in mid-June. Machias Seal Island is a Canadian Migratory Bird Sanctuary maintained by the Canadian Wildlife Service and restricts the number of daily visitors during the seabird breeding period. Tours are available through Sea Watch Tours.  A large lighthouse is located on the island and lightkeepers (the last in the three maritime Canadian provinces - New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia) still maintain the light.
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Hiking & Cycling.There are more than 18 interesting and well marked trails on Grand Manan covering approximately 70 kilometers of shoreline, cliffside and beaches, that can be hiked or cycled. These vary in length from as little as 30 minutes to day long to overnight. Detailed descriptions, with section maps can be found in HERITAGE TRAILS AND FOOTPATHS ON GRAND MANAN ISLAND, New Brunswick, Canada, 1995 edition. By KEVIN O'DONNELL.. Bicycles can be rented locally for use along the road system.  Numerous unmarked all-terrain vehicle trails also criss-cross the western side of Grand Manan.

Kayaking.Paddle the rich waters of the Bay of Fundy and see exciting marine life, weir fishing and even whales, seals and seabirds at close quarters. Trips range from easy to challenging but be aware of the tides, fishing boats and whale watching regulations. Kayak rental and guided trips, from half day to multi-day, can be arranged through Adventure High.
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Whale Watching & Seals.The mouth of the Bay of Fundy, including the Fundy Isles, is a haven to these large, magnificent mammals. Attracted by schools of fish and zooplankton moving into the Bay, these leviathans of the deep also find a natural habitat for nursing their young, courtship and mating. Finback, humpback, minke, and the rare North Atlantic Right Whales, abound around Grand Manan and can sometimes be seen from shore. Harbour porpoises and occasionally Atlantic white-sided dolphins can be seen from the ferry and from lookouts on shore. As a bonus, seals may also be seen in the archipelago, from lookouts and while whale-watching. The Grand Manan Whale & Seabird Research Station in North Head offers an interpretive centre of Bay of Fundy marine fauna, including whales, porpoises and seals, through biological and photographic displays. Researchers are available to answer any questions. Several tour boats offer day trips, weather permitting, July through September. RESERVATIONS are required and can be made through your hosts or directly with the tour company, for an unforgettable adventure on the high seas. Grand Manan Sea-Land Adventures | Sea Watch Tours | Whales-N-Sails Adventures |

Beachcombing. The large tides of the Bay of Fundy afford many opportunities to explore tide pools, mudflats, rocky shores and sand beaches. Never crowded, wonderful "finds" await. If you can't identify something check the museum at the Grand Manan Whale & Seabird Research Station in North Head or the touch-tanks on White Head Island - "Elbow Deep". Both have shore displays and the latter has live specimens which will probably help. Tide tables can be purchased or you can generate your own on the web from numerous sites, just search for "tide tables".
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The Fisheries of Grand Manan.

The fisheries of Grand Manan are and have always been the mainstay of our island economy.

Both inshore and deep water lobstering are major contributors during the late fall, winter and spring seasons. The tidal lobster pounds at Woodwards Cove and between Ross Island and the main island collectively represent one of the world's largest lobster holding centres. Live lobsters from all Atlantic provinces and Maine are shipped here and held for future shipment to both North American and world markets.

Our herring weir fishery is one of the largest in the Bay of Fundy, both for sardines and large herring. For a few years, much of the catch of large herring was sold 'over the side' to foreign factory/freezer ships for export. Now just a memory smoked herring was perhaps the oldest traditional fishery on the island. Cured, hard smoked herring (bloaters) and herring fillets provided a valuable food source that kept for months without refrigeration. The various smoke stand operations usually began in late July when the first herring were seined from the weirs and continued into the fall and winter months. Once a mainstay of our fishing economy this trade has disappeared in recent years with the advent of better refrigeration methods.

Seining, dragging (or trawling), handlining and gill netting of fish, and scallop dragging are also important sectors of our fishing industry. Digging clams, picking periwinkles, and dragging for sea urchins and shrimp supplement fishing incomes. The seafood aquaculture industry is growing rapidly and at present a number of sea cages for Atlantic salmon can be seen around the island.  Experiments with halibut and seaweed are also underway.

Excellent descriptions of the various methods of fishing can be found in Eric Allaby's book 'Grand Manan' published by the Grand Manan Museum in 1984 and again in 1995. Copies are available at the Museum and from island merchants.

Grand Manan Museum.

Centrally located in Grand Harbour and recently enlarged and renovated, our museum offers the Allen L. Moss Memorial Bird Collection, the McLaughlin Marine Gallery, a display of Island Geology, plus historical artifacts, archives and genealogical records. Truly a 'Living Reflection of Island History'. The present museum was a Canada Bicentennial Project in 1967.

Grand Manan - Past & Present is an interesting and informative series of films, slide shows, talks and demonstrations about Grand Manan, its unique lifestyle, history, natural features and industry, held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in July and August. Also watch for special 'rainy day' programmes in the afternoons. The Museum is open from June through the end of September. Tours for groups can also be arranged.

The Moses Memorial Bird Collection. This collection at the Grand Manan Museum in Grand Harbour is an excellent resource for serious birders. It was donated to the people of Grand Manan by the late Allen L. Moses (1881-1953) famed 'Island Bird man' who spent a lifetime observing and collection valuable specimens for both Canadian and U.S. museums.

Canada Day. July 1^st is Canada's birthday and each year the island honours our country's founding with various activities. Events are planned each year.

Grand Manan Rotary Festival.Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Grand Manan Island during the long weekend in August (first Monday in August), our Rotary Festival is an annual community celebration and a highlight of the summer season. This five day event features sports events, golf tournament, entertainment, games, exhibits and crafts display, children events, etc. plus a street parade, lobster roll supper, fireworks on Saturday, one of our special Rotary Barbecues and a Gospel 'Singspiration' on Sunday. Great Family Fun for Everyone. Don't miss it!
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Camping and Picnics.The Anchorage Provincial Park, located between Grand Harbour and Seal Cove, offers supervised camping sites on a seasonal basis (May through to the beginning of October), with sanitary and cooking facilities, trail dumping station, etc. There is also a large seaside picnic area, as well as the Anchorage or Long Beach and the Long Pond migratory Bird Sanctuary.  Wilderness camping is available at Hole-in-the-Wall Park in North Head from May through November.  Some sites are located on the cliff edges of the property affording spectacular views of the Bay of Fundy (not recommended for children).  You can be lulled to sleep by the sounds of seabirds and whales.  Other sites are back from the cliff edge in wooded areas and are recommended for families with small children.  Kitchens, sanitary and laundry facilities are available. If you just want to enjoy the park during the day, self-guided hiking, birdwatching tours and picnics are available.  Grand Manan Sealand Adventures overlooking Castalia marsh (the largest salt marsh on the Grand Manan) offer tent platforms, sanitary and laundry facilities and low service handmade cabins.

There are also many secluded coves and glades around the island, plus a government picnic park at Castalia Marsh, suitable for family picnics and outing, but not overnight camping. If your site appears to be on private land, please seek the owner's permission when possible. Most are very co-operative. Do not forget to clean up your picnic site before you leave it.
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