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:
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
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Dundee Golf Club, Bras D'Or Lakes
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1 hour drive
Bell Bay Golf Club, Baddeck
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1 hour driveell
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Le Portage Golf Club, Cheticamp
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1.5 hours drive
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The Lakes Golf Club, Ben Eoin (Bras D'Or Lake)
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2 hour drive
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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.l
Hiking and Walking Trails
The area features some great beachwalks, boardwalks and hikes with sensational coastal views
Port Hood
Take a stroll along the Port Hood Boardwalk and its miles of sandy swimming beaches
10 min away
Eqypt Falls
Hike into and make a splash at Egypt falls near Margararee
45 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
Inverness
Take an evening walk along the picturesque Inverness beach boardwalk
~30 to 40 min away
Skyline Trail
Hike along many trails in Cape Breton Highlands National Park
1.5 hours away
Port Hood Beaches and West Mabou Beaches
Nearby Port Hood is known as the Beach Capital of Cape Breton, with its five sandy swimming beaches and warm swimming waters which often reach 22 degrees Celcius in the summer -- the warmest waters north of the Carolinas
Port Hood's beach portfolio includes: Lawrences' Beach, The Boardwalk Beach, The Wharf Beach, The Lifeguard Beach and Murphy's Pond Beach.
Kite surfing at Port Hood
Nearby West Mabou Beach Provincial Park is a natural environment park with a giant picturesque sandy beach and dune system.
Restaurants and Fine Dining
Nearby Port Hood features 3 casual restaurants including:
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The Clove Hitch Bar & Bistro, which sometimes features live music
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Sandeannie's Bakery and Tea Room
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The Admiral Beverage & Grill
The nearby Mabou area is home to:
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The Red Shoe Pub (which features live music nightly)
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The Shining Waters Bakery
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The Glenora Distillery, which offers fine dining experiences at its on-site restaurant
On the way to and from the Cabot Trail:
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Route 19 Brewery in nearby Inverness offers an extensive selection of local craft beers and a wide menu which includes locally sourced lobster dinners, fish and chips, pubfare and International cuisine..
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Woodroad Restaurant, a boutinque cliffside restaurant offer unique, 2-hour fixed menu, fine dining “experience” with locally-inspired dishes served on its cliff-top, oceanside property. The coastal views and sunsets are sensational.
Celtic Music and Entertainment
Enjoy a Scottish Ceilidh
The communities up and down our “Musical Coast” are known for their traditional Scottish-roots parties known as Ceilidhs (pronounced “kay-lee”). Here fiddle music, step dance and story telling take center stage. For generations and generations, these fun-filled musical celebrations have brought much joy to local folks and helped them survive the area’s harsh winters and trying times.
Listen to Live Music at the Red Shoe Pub
Enjoy some great home-cooked local food while taking in some live fiddle, guitar, bagpipes and/or piano at the Red Shoe Pub, 15 minutes away at 11573 Route 19, Mabou. Tel: +1-902-945-2996
Live music is on tap between 5-7 pm Mon/Tues/Wed and then in the evenings Thurs/Fri/Sat. Best to check the link below for the latest schedule and lineup.
Have some fun at West Mabou Step Dance
A cultural treasure of the area is step dancing, a highly energentic, 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
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Saturday nights
10:00pm - 1:00am (May-Oct)
9:00pm-12:00am (Nov- April)
​All ages welcome at West Mabou Hall, 2399 West Mabou Road.
Celtic Colours International Music Festival
For nine days in October, Cape Breton Island is alive with music, energy and excitement as people come from far and wide to celebrate our rich culture. The festival features 50+ concerts across the island plus dances, workshops and community suppers, This is an action-packed set of cultural events against a gorgeous backdrop of autumn colour.
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Tickets & Info
+1 (888) 355-7744
tickets@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, 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.