We had done a previous trip with North River Kayak Tours in nearby St. Ann's Bay so were keen to try another one of their trips in the Bras D'or Lakes. These tours are based in the scenic community of Baddeck and I would recommend this tour for families or anyone else interested in an easy introduction to sea kayaking. The trip circles Kidston Island and then lands near the 100 year old lighthouse for a light snack and swim in the weather is suitable. This is one of the few sea kayak trips in Atlantic Canada where swimming is a reasonable option and 2 of our group cooled off with a swim on our trip. We also saw a blue heron fly over head and could see the Alexander Graham Bell estate from a different perspective. For more pics click Paddledog and for more info see: www.paddledog.ca

Check out the latest issue of Kanawa - Fall 2006- it features an article called "Nova Scotia Sampler". There are also other good articles on sea kayaking in Newfoundland and on Lake Superior. Plus the usual good mix of news briefs, canoe and kayak tips and gear reviews. Kanawa is published four times a year and features destination stories on canoeing, river kayaking and sea kayaking. For more information check out:  www.paddlingcanada.com/kanawa/   it is Canada's Paddling Magazine.

This area turned out to be one of our favourites since we spent the most time here and had great weather. East Coast Outfitters operates its tours from Mahone Bay and does its half day trips in this area, island hopping in protected water ways. It runs its day trips out of Blue Rocks which is near Lunenburg. This area is fabulous paddling since the islands and channels are ready made for a sea kayak. In many places at kayaks are the only way to navigate the tight channels and passages. The landscape is composed of low ice sculpted islands with varying amounts of spruce and fir forest clinging shoreline. We saw seals, cormorants and blue herons on our trip and had lunch in a picture perfect setting. See www.eastcoastoutfitters.net and Click BLUE ROCKS for more images of this great area.

This is the oldest running sea kayak outfitter in Nova Scotia and I can see why. The area just off from Tangiers is full of islands and you can run various multi-day trips in the area with no problem. These can be self guided or guided with Coastal Adventures. However if you self guide, your navigation skills and general kayak and wilderness skills should be up to it. We did a full day guided trip with Coastal Adventures and managed to get in a great 15 km paddle through narrow channels and past numerous islands. We saw an osprey in its large nest and came across a shell filled midden at our lunch spot which testifies to the use of these islands by the native people who lived here centuries ago. Click www.coastaladventures.com and TANGIERS for more images.

This area is just one of numerous places that would make great paddling in Cape Breton. North River Kayak Tours is located near St. Ann's so is easy to reach from the Trans Canada Highway. We did a half day trip with North River Tours and saw eagles, waterfalls and cormorants. We even saw a salmon jump right out of the water. The trip starts off in the protected estuary of North River and then travels past an old historic logging operation before heading along the shoreline in St Ann's Bay. North River Kayak Tours also does full day trips and longer 3-5 day trips around northern tip of Cape Breton. See www.northriverkayak.com and click NORTH for more images of this scenic area.

This is another fine location for sea kayaking along the south shore of Nova Scotia. This area is also close to Halifax so is popular for day, 1/2 day or even evening paddles. We did a half day trip with East Coast Outfitters in this area and were struck by the variety in just a small area. We paddled past bold granite headlands, landed on a sandy beach for a snack, saw the community of Lower Prospect from the water and even played in the breaking waves. Like all of the areas discussed here you can do a self guided trip but guides will show you the best places, do all the navigating for you and improve your paddle forward stroke. That plus provide great snacks and a lobster feast if you want. Click www.eastcoastoutfitters.net and click PROSPECT for more images.

The Lunenburg area makes a staging ground for a sea kayak adventure if you want to try your hand a few different options. We recently spent a short time paddling at Blue Rocks with East Coast Outfitters (see above for more details) and then explored a couple of other areas.  This a great way to see the colourful houses, the golf course and other features of Lunenburg Harbour. The put in we used was down at the Government wharf. We paddled out to the lighthouse and even saw the famous Blue Nose 2 coming into port after  one of her day sails. Click LUNENBURG for more  images.