Kidston Island sits in Baddeck Harbour on the Bras d'Or Lake, just off the village. It is a simple, appealing place: a sandy beach with lifeguards, a working lighthouse and about 2.3 kilometres of walking trails that suit easy strolls, birdwatching and picnics. The Baddeck Lions Club has run a ferry to the island for 75 years, leaving from the Baddeck waterfront, and Tourism Nova Scotia says the ferry service is free, with donations welcome. The ferry runs through July and August, so this is a summer outing. The lighthouse is the main landmark, and the views back across the water to Baddeck, with sailboats at anchor and the hills behind, are among the nicest in the village. The beach is a good place to swim in the warm shallow water of the lake, and the island is quiet compared with the busy waterfront. It costs nothing to visit beyond a donation, which makes it a pleasant, low-key break from driving.
What to do
Take the ferry across, walk around the island on the trails, look at the lighthouse and spend an hour on the beach. Bring a picnic, water, sunscreen and a towel, since there are few facilities on the island itself. The trails are short and easy, and the birdlife around the shore is a reason to bring binoculars. Children enjoy the boat ride and the beach, and the lifeguards make it a practical choice for families with younger swimmers.
Seasons and planning
The ferry runs from 1 July to 31 August each year, and the tourism board page does not give departure times, so check at the waterfront or contact the Lions Club for the current schedule. Outside the ferry season you can still enjoy the harbour and the waterfront from the shore, but the island is difficult to reach without a boat. Weather matters, because wind can affect the crossing, so have a back-up plan. The waterfront address is 5 Water Street in Baddeck, in the centre of the village.
Fitting it in
Kidston Island is a half-day outing that fits easily around a visit to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site and a walk along the Baddeck waterfront, with a meal in the village afterwards. It is an excellent choice for the afternoon after a morning museum visit, or for a quiet evening in July and August.
If you are staying at one of the lodges on Shore Road, you can walk to the ferry in a few minutes. Pair it with a sunset stroll in Baddeck and a bit of live music, and it makes a gentle contrast to the long days of driving on the Cabot Trail and the highland roads.
Practical tips
There are few facilities on the island, so bring everything you need, including drinking water and something to carry rubbish out. Water temperatures in the lake are mild by Atlantic standards but still cool early in the season, so a short swim is more likely than a long one.
Arrive early on hot summer afternoons, because the ferry may be busy, and keep an eye on the weather, since a strong wind can affect the schedule. Photographers should aim for the late afternoon, when the lighthouse and the village are lit from the west and the harbour is often calm.
What to expect
The experience
A short ferry crossing from the Baddeck waterfront to a small island with a beach, a lighthouse and walking trails.
Best time
July and August, when the free ferry runs.
How long
Two to three hours including the ferry, the trails and time on the beach.
Tips
Bring a picnic, sunscreen and a towel, check the ferry schedule at the waterfront and have a back-up plan for windy days.
Quick picks
- Best for
- A gentle summer outing with a beach and a lighthouse.
- Families
- Lifeguards on the beach and a short boat ride make it a good family choice.
- Couples
- Take a picnic and walk the island trails in the late afternoon.
- Pair with
- The Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site and a walk along the Baddeck waterfront.
- Time needed
- Two to three hours.
Good questions
How do I get to Kidston Island?+
By the ferry run by the Baddeck Lions Club, which leaves from the Baddeck waterfront at 5 Water Street.
Does the ferry cost anything?+
Tourism Nova Scotia says the ferry service is free and donations are welcome.
When does the ferry run?+
From 1 July to 31 August each year. Departure times are not given, so check at the waterfront or contact the Lions Club.
Is there a beach?+
Yes, a sandy beach with lifeguards, beside the lighthouse.
What is there to do on the island?+
Walk about 2.3 kilometres of easy trails, look at the lighthouse, birdwatch, swim and picnic.
