Things to Do Nearby
For those keen to explore what has been praised as "one of the world's best islands", our location makes a great Base Camp which offers easy access to most of the island's near-magical attractions:
Click on the links below:
World-Class Golf
Cape Breton is home to 7 spectacular golf courses. All courses are easily accessible from Colindale Beach Villas
Approximate Driving Times from Colindale Beach Villas:
Cabot Cliffs and Cabot Links, Inverness
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Roughly 1/2 hour scenic drive
Dundee Golf Club, Bras D'Or Lake
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1 hour drive
Bell Bay Golf Club, Baddeck
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1 hour driveell
Le Portage Golf Club, Cheticamp
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1.5 hours drive
The Lakes Golf Club, Ben Eoin (Bras D'Or Lake)
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2 hour drive
Highland Links, Ingonish Beach
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2.5 hours drive
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Its no wonder that Forbes Magazine has called Cape Breton "The Hottest Island In Golf"
The Cabot Trail
Discover the breath-taking views and natural beauty of the world-famous Cabot Trail. The starting point is an easy one hour drive.
Views from the Cabot Trail
Views from the Cabot Trail
Cabot Trail - Stop for a hike along the Skyline Trail
Views from the Cabot Trail
Click the note in the lower right corner of the video to hear Celtic music along the Cabot Trail
Hiking, Cycling and Walking Trails
The area features some great beachwalks, boardwalks and breathtaking hikes with stunning coastal views
Port Hood Beaches
Take a stroll on the Port Hood Boardwalk or along the shores of its 5 sandy swimming beaches known for sea glass hunting.
10 min away
Cape Mabou
Take a hike in Cape Mabou Highands which has an extenisve network of intermediate trails with stunning vistas
20 min away
Gypsum Trail
Hike into a secluded lake near an abandoned Gypsum mine
80 min away
Celtic Shores Trail
Trek or cycle parts of this easy, flat and scenic trail which follows the coastline 40 km south to Port Hastings and north to Inverness.
10 min away
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Inverness
Take an evening walk along the picturesque Inverness beach boardwalk
30 min away
Acadian Trail
Enjoy panoramic views of the Acadian coastline from this 8 km moderate difficulty trail
85 min away
E-Bike Rentals
Mike's E Bikes in nearby Mabou offers 3 hour rentals allowing for a scenic ride along the Mabou River
12 min away
Eqypt Falls
Hike into and make a splash at Egypt falls near Margararee
45 min away
Skyline Trail
Take in incredible views of Cape Breton's rugged coastline from this easy, famous and mostly flat hike
90 min away
Beaches, Beaches and Sea Glass Too!
Port Hood Beaches: 5-7 Minutes Away
Port Hood is known as the "Beach Capital of Cape Breton", with some of the best beaches in Cape Breton. Here you will find 5 sandy swimming beaches and the warmest waters north of the Carolinas with summertime temperatures reaching a comfortable 22-24 degrees Celcius.
Go for a swim, take a stroll in the fresh air or hunt for sea glass along the beaches of Port Hood or Mabou (as Port Hood beaches and West Mabou beach are well known for sea glass).
Kite surfing at Port Hood
West Mabou Beach: 5 Minutes Away
West Mabou Beach is home to a mile of sand, warm swimming waters and a brilliant green dunes -- a "Must See". West Mabou Beach has seaglass too.
Restaurants and Fine Dining
Nearby Port Hood (5 minutes away) features a handful of casual restaurants and take-away places:
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The Clove Hitch Bar & Bistro - seafood, locally inspired dishes and tasty pubfare in a scenic seaside setting
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Sandeannie's Bakery and Tea Room - a favourite among locals for a hearty, sit-down breakfast
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The Admiral Beverage Room & Grill - serves great burgers, fish and chips, nachos in a pub setting
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MacDonald's Ice Cream Bar
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HelloJoe's Takeout Canteen
The nearby village of Mabou (10-15 minutes away) is home to:
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The Red Shoe Pub is renowned for its excellent food, live music and good times
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Beaton's Delight Espresso - A local pit stop for great takeaway coffees, muffins and ice cream (no seating)
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On the way to the Cabot Trail:
The Glenora Distillery ( ~20 minutes away en route to inverness) offers fine dining experiences at its on-site restaurant. There is often great live music during the summer and fall.
Route 19 Brewery in nearby Inverness (30 minutes away) offers an extensive selection of local craft beers and a wide menu which includes locally sourced lobster dinners, fish and chips, pub fare and international cuisine.
The Annex Restaurant in Inverness is a popular new restaurant offering great food, drink and live music.
Woodroad Restaurant (one hour to the north) -- Treat yourself to a truly impressionable, fixed menu, 2-hour, fine dining “experience”. Enjoy locally-inspired dishes served at this cliffside, boutique 25-seat restaurant with breathtaking views. See below images of WoodRoad Restaurant (from woodroad.ca)
Celtic Music & Entertainment
Enjoy a traditional Scottish "Ceilidh"
The communities up and down our “Musical Coast” are known for their Scottish-roots musical parties known as Ceilidhs (pronounced “kay-lees”). Here fiddle music, step dance and story telling take center stage. For generations and generations, these fun-filled musical celebrations have local folks survive the area’s harsh winters and trying times.
Live Music at the Red Shoe Pub - 12 min away
Enjoy some great home-cooked local food while taking in live fiddle, guitar, bagpipes and/or piano at the always popular Red Shoe Pub.
Saturday Night Step Dance at West Mabou Hall -12 min away
A cultural treasure of the area is step dancing, a highly energenic, percussive form of dance inspired by fiddle music. Dive into the culture, join others on the dance floor, listen and let the music take hold and guide you.
KitchenFest - June 26 to July 6th, 2024
This annual ten-day celebration gives locals and visitors insights into the distinct and vibrant living Gaelic culture of the island, bringing the kitchen-céilidh feel to the forefront. This festival features an array of concerts and céilidhs, pub nights and square dances at a range of locations.
Tickets & Info can be found at: kitchenfest.ca
Celtic Colours International Music Festival - October 11-19, 2024
For nine days in October, Cape Breton Island is alive with Celtic music, energy and excitement as people come from far and wide to celebrate our rich culture. The festival features 50+ concerts across Cape Breton island plus dances, workshops and community suppers, This is an action-packed set of cultural events against a gorgeous backdrop of autumn colour.
Tickets & Info can be found at: celtic-colours.com
Glenora Distillery - Fine Whisky Tasting, Distillery Tours and Restaurant
Take a walking tour of North America's first single-malt whisky distillery. Learn about the history, traditions and fine art of making award-winning single-malt whiskey. Visitors can also enjoy fine dining and/or a drink at the Distillery's charming on-site pub and restaurant.
Boat Tours, Sailing, Fishing, Whale Watching, and Sea Kayaking
It's Now or Never Tuna Charters
Fish for some of the world's largest bluefin tuna with an experienced crew and comfortable boat in Port Hood. Let us help you book a memorable fishing expedition, a boat tour or a whale watching experience.
Enjoy a private tour on Great Bras D'Or Lake with Cape Breton Sailing Charters
Witness Cape Breton's natural beauty from another angle! Enjoy a hands-on sailing experience with highly knowledgable Captain Greg and your private party of up to 6 people on Cape Breton’s renknowned inland sea -- the Bras D’Or Lake.
Full and half-day sailing tours from St. Peter’s, about an hour’s drive from Colindale Beach Villas.
www.capebretonsailing.com
Whale watching with Eagle Eye Outfitters
Hop on board the "Seas the Breeze" touring vessel in nearby Inverness and take an excursion around Sea Wolf Island. Search for pilot whales and seals while taking in fresh sea air and views of the coastline. The company also offers deep-sea fishing charters and private lobster boils.
Experience Unforgettable Fly Fishing with "A Great Day Fishing"
Head out into the wilderness and enjoy an awesome day of fly fishing on the Margaree river, Cheticamp river or Middle river with licensed fly fishing experts Jimmie Pedersen and Jim Logan. Their company "A Great Day Fishing" will hook you up with modern equipment and deliver a first-class salmon fishing experiences at some of Cape Breton's best fishing spots.
Golf
You can also text us on +1 778-994-9255
Useful Website Links
World Class Golf
Simply click on underlined text to learn more
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Dundee Golf Club and Resort - Dundee/Bras D'Or Lake
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Le Portage Golf Course - Cheticamp
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The Lakes Golf Club and Resort - Ben Eoin /Bras D'Or Lake
Celtic Music, Ceilidhs and Step Dancing Venues
Click on underlined text below for more info and latest schedules:
Mabou - 12 minutes away
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The Red Shoe Pub - Live Music - Live music is usually on tap at between 5-7 pm Mon/Tues/Wed and then in the evenings Thurs/Fri/Sat during the summer/fall. Best to check the link for the latest schedule.
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Strathspey Performing Arts Centre - Home to live music, arts and culture
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West Mabou Hall - Saturday Night Family Square Dance / Step Dance (Year Round)
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The Celtic Interpretive Music Center -- Live music, Ceilidhs, ocassional dining events
Inverness - 30 minutes away
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Performance Hall at Inverness County Center for the Arts - The ICCA is a vibrant venue featuring live concerts, exhibitions and workshops
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Inverness Miner's Museum - Occasional live music inside a gem of a museum
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The Annex Restaurant - Live music along with great food and drink
Port Hawkesbury - 45 minutes away
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Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre - Live music, Ceilidhs, story telling and more
You can also view event schedules for the next two weeks at the locations below, courtesy of Music Cape Breton.com