From Digby, a route runs along Digby Neck to Long Island and Brier Island. Two short ferry crossings carry vehicles and foot passengers. Another ferry service connects Digby year-round with Saint John, New Brunswick: Bay Ferries operates this route. Check the schedule before you travel.

Ferry Routes and Wildlife Watching Near Brier Island

The route along Digby Neck makes Long Island and Brier Island useful landmarks for exploring the county. Off Brier Island in the Bay of Fundy, Mariner Cruises has offered whale- and bird-watching tours since 1994. The tours last about three hours—a useful estimate when planning your time in the area.

The season also shapes what makes wildlife watching interesting: in spring, fin whales, minke whales and harbour porpoises are among the first to arrive in the waters around Brier Island. The timing can vary depending on sea conditions. Brier Island is also an important stopover for migratory seabirds on the Atlantic Flyway; more than 300 bird species have been recorded there. Another distinctive feature is the rare Eastern Mountain Avens, which is found on Brier Island and just one other place in the world.

Stories in Smith’s Cove and Digby

In Smith’s Cove, the Old Temperance Hall Museum takes visitors back to the 18th century: it displays artifacts dating back to that period. It is next to the Digby County Rail Trail. Several beaches in Smith’s Cove also offer opportunities for beachcombing, a popular activity there.

The Annapolis Valley Trail System offers a different perspective on the region. It follows the disused railbed of the Dominion Atlantic Railway and is used by hikers, cyclists and ATV riders. The activities mentioned range from hiking and cycling to riding an ATV.

In the town of Digby, the Admiral Digby Museum is housed in one of the town’s oldest buildings. Its collection includes archival materials and artifacts related to Digby’s history. Elaborately decorated rooms show what a typical home is thought to have looked like more than 150 years ago. The museum thus focuses both on the town’s history and on a vivid impression of homes from an earlier era.

Scallops and Maud Lewis

Digby Scallop Days takes place every year over four days, from Thursday to Sunday. The program includes demonstrations of how to shuck scallops and equip boats. Visitors can also shuck a Digby scallop themselves. The festival thus celebrates the local scallop while offering hands-on insights into its preparation and boat equipment.

Near Digby, the Maud Lewis Memorial Park commemorates the artist. A steel monument recreates the size and shape of her original home in Marshalltown. The park also features a colourful perennial or flower garden and interpretive panels about Maud Lewis’s life story and artistic legacy.

Discover more destinations: Smiths Cove, Digby, Clare, Mavillette, Weymouth, Little Brook, Yarmouth County, Queens County.

For the broader travel overview: Nova Scotia.