Atlantic Canada’s Blue Planet
With the second series of David Attenborough’s Blue Planet launching on the 29th October, Atlantic Canada Tourism has collated some of the best locations to experience spectacular marine life across the four provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
From magnificent whales and lazy seals to playful dolphins, Atlantic Canada is home to some of the world’s most exciting ocean creatures that live amongst a breath-taking backdrop of dramatic tides, formidable icebergs and picturesque coastlines.
New Brunswick – Home to the world’s rarest whale
One of North America’s most spectacular natural wonders, the Bay of Fundy is home to the world’s highest tides, semi-precious minerals, dinosaur fossils, and some of the planet’s rarest whales. At least eight species of whales reside in this unique coastal environment, including the Minke, Humpback, Finback and the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. Due to the efforts of the Campobello Island Whale Rescue Team, the shipping lanes were changed and over the past 15 years there has been tremendous signs of recovery in the Right Whale population.
What to do: Kayak from Deer Island with Seascape Kayak to see whales and other marine life
http://www.seascapekayaktours.com/
Newfoundland and Labrador – Kayak amongst icebergs and whales
The province of Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the most spectacular places in the world for whale watching, being home to around 29 varieties of marine mammals, including Minke, Sperm, Pothead, Blue, Orca, and the world’s largest concentration of Humpbacks. Between May and September, animal lovers can see these whales breaching and playing off the shore, whether it’s from a boat or while hiking a coastal trail. Minke, Fin, and Orca whales swim along the coastline in search of food, and these friendly and curious creatures are known to surface just a few metres from whale watching boats. During the early summer months, there is even the chance for travellers to experience these marine giants from a kayak amongst the imposing beauty of icebergs that have drifted down from the Arctic.
What to do: Experience whale wonders with Stan Cook Sea Kayak Adventures
Nova Scotia – Home to the Dumbo Octopus
While Nova Scotia might be home to enormous whales, the eastern province is also one of the only places in the world where one can find the tea-cup sized octopus called the Bathypolypus arcticus. Shy and elusive, these palm sized creatures are commonly found at the depth of 2,500 metres below the surface and are nicknamed the Dumbo Octopus due to their ‘elephant’ style ears. Sadly, these fascinating creatures are rarely seen anywhere but the vast
depths of the North Atlantic, but luckily Nova Scotia has an array of whales, dolphins, porpoises, and sun fish that can often be seen in the province’s surrounding waters.
What to do: Snorkel with whales off the coast of Cape Breton with Captain Zodiac
http://www.novascotiawhales.com/
Prince Edward Island – Friendly seals and deep-sea fishing
Prince Edward Island is one of Atlantic Canada’s maritime provinces, nestled in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The large island is marked by red-sand beaches, pretty lighthouses, and is renowned for lobster, oysters and mussels. The beaches and coastline attract harbour and grey seals year-round and harp and hooded seals during the winter and spring months, and visitors can often see these playful animals relaxing along the island’s shores.
What to do: Experience a fresh seafood supper on the sands
Media contact:
For further information please contact Emily Olsen and April Cernuschi at atlanticcanada@brightergroup.com 020 7326 9880.