Accommodations Nova Scotia
Your Guide To Accommodations In Nova Scotia
Pleasant Bay, Nova Scotia
The first, permitted settlers in Pleasant Bay on the Cabot Trail
where in 1828, John MacLean, and Donald Mackintoch from the Isle of
Skye, Scotland . They where soon joined by other Scottish and Irish
immigrants who claimed most of the coastal lowlands, by 1850
settlements spread out and Red River became part of Pleasant Bay.
The first land grants where given to Edward Timmons and John Hinkley
in 1856. In the past, years where remembered because of
extraordinary events at sea.
1874 was the "Year of the Flour", when barrels of flour washed
ashore, presumably from a burning ship. 1875 was the "Year of the
Butter", in which a thousand pounds of butter, in tins, floated in
with the tide. 1931 perhaps the most talked of, was the "Year of the
Rum", when dozens of barrels of contraband rum from a capsized ship
made their way to the shore... unbroken.
Pleasant Bay is a century old
fishing village located on the
Cabot Trail approximately fifteen
miles from Cape North and about forty kilometres from Cheticamp.
It offers picturesque shoreline with
numerous cliffs and inlets including
Fishing Cove and Polletts Cove.
Pleasant Bay also is home to
an interesting Whale Interpretation
Centre, a centre whose interesting
information about the many whales
that inhabit the Gulf of St. Lawrence
and the North Atlantic can be
supplemented by a whale-watching
experience onboard whale-watching
cruises, so renowned for its whale
sightings that visitors are guaranteed
they will see whales frolicking in the
ocean.
The complementary presence in
Pleasant Bay of both the educational
wonder of the whale interpretive
centre and a cruise amid the massive,
friendly creatures combine for an
experience certain to become a
lifelong cherished memory.
Pleasant Bay is also home to
Gampo Abbey, the only Tibetan
Buddhist Monastery in Canada.
Throughout the year, Buddhist
practitioners come to the abbey for
instruction and retreats. There are
periods where visitors are welcome,
as well, and you may find yourself
engaged with some of the gentle
monks, nuns and lay people who
foster the continuing success of this
spiritual centre.
Pleasant Bay is a century old
fishing village, not widely
very commercialized, and that is
something that makes the community
so attractive to the visitors.
There are numerous activities one
can do that do not cost anything such
as swimming in the warm waters,
sitting on the beach, watching a
sunset or taking a hike. Many tourists
enjoy walking along the docks, and
if the timing is right, see the fishing
boats being unloaded and talk to the
workers who are more than willing to
answer questions.
Pleasant Bay has restaurants,
two motels, gift shops, a takeout,
two bed & breakfasts, as well as
boat tours. Two of the staff at one
of the gift shops are recipients of
Ambassador Awards in recognition
of exceptional effort towards visitors.
Today, about 350 people live in
Pleasant Bay. Fishing is the main
livelihood -- lobster in spring, crab and
mackerel in summer and fall. This life
away from the pressures of the city is
a gift that the residents do treasure.
Autumn is a spectacular time of the
year to enjoy the vibrant red, yellow
and orange hues of the forests
continuing on for miles, reminding you
of a beautiful patchwork quilt.
Winter life involves
mending lobster traps for the next
season, snowmobiling, visiting, and
cross-country skiing. Winter roads
are maintained by the National
Park through the mountains and the
Department of Transportation in the
village.
Pleasant Bay is a wondrous
oasis for hiking, fresh seafood, and
peaceful encounters in nature. The
forest land abounds in many species
of birds, coyotes, fox, snowshoe hare
and of course moose. So breathe
in the salt air, pick wildflowers and
blueberries, watch eagles soar, and
talk to friendly, helpful residents.
