A wooden boardwalk runs along Shippagan Harbor; the aquarium and La P’tite Église offer further insights into the town. Between activity on the water, marine life and culture, there is something to interest a range of visitors.
Exploring the Harbor
The Sentier Rivage is just over 2 kilometers long and runs along the shore of Shippagan Harbor as a wooden boardwalk. It stretches between Rue Pointe-Brûlée and the Aquarium et Centre marin du Nouveau-Brunswick. The trail is part of the Véloroute Péninsule acadienne loop. You can walk, run or cycle along it. At the Véloroute’s Shippagan station, visitors can stop by the offices and shop and start their ride there. Bicycles and tricycles are available to rent at the station; this service may be seasonal.
Aquarium and Coast
Aquarium NB displays fish and invertebrates from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, as well as from lakes and rivers in eastern Canada. Its collection includes brightly colored lobsters, including blue lobsters. This gives the aquarium a different focus from the harbor trail: rather than experiencing the coast on foot or by bike, you can explore the aquatic life of the region and eastern Canada.
Along the Shippagan coast, sandy beaches invite visitors to swim. For those who want to combine time by the water with a beach break, they offer another facet of the town’s coastline alongside the harbor area.
La P’tite Église: Building History and Cultural Program
La P’tite Église is a heritage-designated building dating from 1903; the entrance was added in 1950. The building recalls the presence of Jersey and Scottish communities in the town and region. It has been recognized as a cultural venue since 2013. Its annual summer program includes intimate musical performances, visual art exhibitions, literary conferences and smaller cultural events. As the program is seasonal, it is a good idea to check the dates before visiting.
More Rental Options in Shippagan
Shippagan’s visitor information center also rents bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters. Availability is seasonal. Together with the bicycles and tricycles at the Véloroute station, these offer a range of rental vehicles for different ways to get around by bike or scooter. Check availability for your preferred option before your visit.
Context within the Broader Destination of Gloucester County
The broader destination of Gloucester County includes other places with their own histories and points of interest; their features should not be attributed to Shippagan. In Bathurst, the Walker Trading Establishment was built in 1768 as a fishing station, trading post and summer home. In Caraquet, L’Église Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens was built in 1857; it is one of the oldest stone churches in New Brunswick. The Musée Acadien de Caraquet presents the history and culture of the people of the Acadian Peninsula. The Festival acadien de Caraquet promotes Acadian culture and the French language; its history began in 1963 with a culturally themed village celebration.
The broader destination of Gloucester County also includes the New Brunswick Fisheries and Aquaculture Festival in Shippagan. It celebrates maritime heritage with boat blessings, musical events, sporting events and theater. If you would like to include this festival in your plans, check the dates before traveling.
The Miscou Lighthouse on Miscou Island was built in 1856. Since then, it has guided fishers and seafarers in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Chaleur Bay. Visitors can climb the lighthouse, enjoy the expansive views and watch birds on the sandy beaches. The lighthouse has a paved parking lot, restrooms and picnic tables.
In Bathurst, Daly Point Nature Reserve is the eastern starting point of the Sentier Nepisiguit Mi’gmaq Trail. Lookouts along the Coastal Path offer panoramic views of Bathurst Harbour; at low tide, a staircase leads to a pebble beach. The reserve provides habitat for the endangered Maritime Ringlet butterfly and migratory birds. Hikers can park for free in the reserve parking lot during their hike, but must provide Daly Point with their name, license plate number, and the start and end times of their hike. Check these requirements before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Inkerman, Bathurst, Tracadie-Sheila, Caraquet, Petit Rocher, Salmon Beach, Beresford, Lamèque
Return to the broader travel overview: Gloucester County.
