Plan Your Trip Outdoor Activities - Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island - page 42

paddle. A unique activity in the region is tidal-bore rafting, where you harness the blast-
ing force of the famous Fundy tides.
National and provincial parks are excellent places to start if you've never dipped an
oar. Maps and equipment rentals are usually available from the park information centers,
where the staff can also give route recommendations.
Canoeing doesn't have the cachet of sea kayaking in the region, but there are still
some lovely opportunities. The sport is best suited to inland lakes and rivers, so it's no
shocker that Kejimkujik National Park ranks high on the list. It's a good place to paddle
into the backcountry and camp. In New Brunswick, canoeing in untouched, moose- and
bear-trodden Mt Carleton Provincial Park is sweet, while those who wish to remain
closer to city life can push off from Fredericton and paddle through the Saint John River.
Canoeing in Newfoundland centers on the region's Terra Nova National Park ( Click
here ) .
SEA KAYAKING
If there's any one activity that is Atlantic Canada's specialty, it's sea kayaking. It's
everywhere; it's absolutely the best way to see the remarkable coastlines and you'll
often be kayaking alongside whales, seals and a huge amount of bird life.
Most companies cater to beginners, so no need to feel unworthy if you've never
kayaked before. Conversely, advanced paddlers can rent crafts and head out on
their own. It can be very rough out there due to volatile weather, high winds and
strong currents, so know your limits. The Canadian government publishes an ex-
cellent resource titledSea Kayaking Safety Guide,available via download from
Transport Canada ( www.tc.gc.ca/BoatingSafety/pubs/kayak/menu.htm ). It details
each province's weather and kayaking terrain, and also provides trip-planning tips.
Trips range from paddling around icebergs in Newfoundland to navigating pro-
tected inlets ringed by forest on uninhabited isles along the Eastern Shore of Nova
Scotia. If you're a beginner the best place to start are calm waters where your boat
won't get jostled around by waves or currents. Some companies make multiday
trips, including camping in places you couldn't get to otherwise.
Whale Watching
The region's most precious gift to visitors is whale watching. The thrill of spotting a
whale's spout followed by its giant tail flukes arching and descending is unbeatable .