Eastport<\/strong> in Maine to Deer Island, from where you continue on to Campobello. This option is more for adventurous travellers wanting to explore the entire Bay of Fundy by water.<\/p>\nWhichever route you choose, keep in mind that you’re crossing an international border<\/strong>. Even though it’s just a small bridge, you’re travelling between Canada and the USA. A passport is a must.<\/p>\nFor UK-based travellers, the most practical approach is to fly into Boston, Portland (Maine), or Halifax, then pick up a hire car and drive. British passport holders need an eTA<\/strong> for Canada and an ESTA<\/strong> for the USA (since you’ll likely be crossing between both countries). Make sure both are sorted before you go.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/span>Where to stay on Campobello Island and how much it costs<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nLodging on Campobello Island is\u2026 let’s say limited. But that’s part of its charm \u2014 you’re not in a tourist resort, you’re on a real island where most homes belong to locals. There aren’t many accommodation options, so during peak season (July\u2013August) I’d recommend booking well in advance<\/strong>.<\/p>\nOn the island, you’ll mainly find B&Bs, small guesthouses, and whole-house rentals<\/strong> via Airbnb or VRBO. Don’t look for a standard hotel here \u2014 and that’s actually a good thing, because you’ll get to enjoy an authentic atmosphere.<\/p>\nApproximate prices per night (peak season):<\/strong><\/p>\n\nB&B \/ Guesthouse:<\/strong> 120\u2013180 CAD (\u20ac80\u2013120) for a double room with breakfast<\/li>\nHouse\/cottage rental (Airbnb\/VRBO):<\/strong> 150\u2013300 CAD (\u20ac100\u2013200) per night, depending on size<\/li>\nCampobello doesn’t have a proper hotel or large campsite<\/strong> \u2014 if you want to camp, head to Herring Cove Provincial Park, which has basic pitches (around 30\u201340 CAD \/ \u20ac20\u201327 per night)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nIf you can’t find accommodation on the island or want to save money, you can stay in Lubec, Maine<\/strong> (just across the bridge) \u2014 there’s a slightly wider selection and similar prices.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Approximate total budget for two nights for two people:<\/strong><\/p>\n\nAccommodation (2 nights): 300\u2013400 CAD (\u20ac200\u2013270)<\/li>\n Food (restaurants + groceries): 120\u2013180 CAD (\u20ac80\u2013120)<\/li>\n Petrol: 30\u201350 CAD (\u20ac20\u201334)<\/li>\n Whale watching (optional): 140\u2013200 CAD (\u20ac95\u2013135) for two<\/li>\n Total for two: approx. 600\u2013830 CAD (\u20ac400\u2013560)<\/strong> excluding flights and car hire<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/span><\/span>Campobello Island: 12 things to see and do<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nNow let’s get to the best part \u2014 what to actually do on Campobello Island. The island may be small (about 14 km long), but it’s surprisingly packed with things to see. From a presidential summer home to lighthouses, beaches, trails, and whale watching. Here are 12 top tips for making the most of what Campobello has to offer.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/span>1. Roosevelt Campobello International Park \u2014 the summer home where history was made<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\nPhoto: Leonora Enking \/ Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThis is hands-down the main reason most people head to Campobello Island, and rightly so. Roosevelt Campobello International Park<\/strong> is a unique international park jointly managed by Canada and the USA \u2014 the only one of its kind in the world.<\/p>\nAt the heart of the park is Roosevelt Cottage<\/strong>, the Roosevelt family’s summer home where Franklin D. Roosevelt spent holidays from childhood. It was here, in 1921, that polio struck him \u2014 an illness that changed his life forever and, paradoxically, may have helped prepare him for the presidency. The house is preserved in its original state and tours are completely free<\/strong>. The guides (mostly students) enthusiastically explain how the family lived, where FDR went fishing, and where his wife Eleanor hosted picnic lunches.<\/p>\nBesides the main house, you can also visit other historic cottages \u2014 Hubbard Cottage and Wells-Shober Cottage. The entire grounds are beautifully set in the coastal landscape with views over Passamaquoddy Bay.<\/p>\n
The park is open from late May to mid-October<\/strong>, daily from 9:00 to 17:00 (during peak season). Let me say it again \u2014 admission is free<\/strong>. In North America, where you seem to pay for everything, that’s a wonderful exception. \ud83d\ude0a<\/p>\n<\/span><\/span>2. Head Harbour Lightstation (East Quoddy Lighthouse) \u2014 the lighthouse at the end of the world<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\nPhoto: Leonora (Ellie) Enking \/ Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThis place will blow you away. Head Harbour Lightstation<\/strong>, also known as East Quoddy Lighthouse, stands on a rocky islet at the very northern tip of Campobello Island. It’s one of the most iconic and most photographed lighthouses in all of Canada \u2014 and once you see it, you’ll understand why.<\/p>\nHere’s the crucial detail: you can only reach the lighthouse at low tide.<\/strong> The Bay of Fundy sees tidal differences of up to 8 metres (among the highest tides on Earth!), so at high tide the islet with the lighthouse is completely cut off from land. At low tide, a short path over rocks and iron ladders leads you there.<\/p>\nBefore heading out, check the tide table<\/strong> \u2014 you can find it on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website or at the island’s visitor centre. Ideally, arrive about an hour before the lowest tide<\/strong> to give yourself plenty of time for the round trip. The water rises faster than you’d expect, and getting stranded at the lighthouse during high tide wouldn’t exactly be ideal. \ud83d\ude05<\/p>\nThe journey to the lighthouse is an adventure in itself \u2014 you scramble over wet rocks, cross patches of kelp and seaweed, and finally climb metal stairs. Your reward is a gorgeous red-and-white lighthouse with a cross on top and panoramic views of the Bay of Fundy, where with a bit of luck you might even spot whales.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/span>3. Herring Cove Provincial Park \u2014 beaches, trails, and the best views on the island<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\nPhoto: Ken Gallager \/ CC BY-SA 3.0 \/ Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIf you love nature (and I’ll assume you do, since you’re heading to Campobello), Herring Cove Provincial Park<\/strong> will delight you. This provincial park covers a large portion of the island’s southeastern side and offers a bit of everything \u2014 beaches, hiking trails, a golf course, and stunning coastal scenery.<\/p>\nHerring Cove Beach<\/strong> is a long stretch of pebbles and sand where at low tide the sea reveals fascinating rock formations and pools teeming with starfish, crabs, and other marine creatures. For kids (and honestly for adults too), exploring these tidal pools is an absolutely captivating experience.<\/p>\nSeveral hiking trails<\/strong> of varying lengths and difficulty levels start from the park. I’d particularly recommend the Herring Cove Trail<\/strong> (about 3 km), which follows the coastline with lovely views of the bay. The trails are well-marked and manageable even for casual walkers.<\/p>\nEntry to the park is free<\/strong>. The only things you pay for are the campsites and the golf course. Speaking of which, golf at Herring Cove<\/strong> is apparently a wonderful experience \u2014 a nine-hole course with ocean views for just a few dollars. We don’t play golf ourselves, but even non-golfers will appreciate the views.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/span>4. Whale watching in the Bay of Fundy \u2014 humpbacks within arm’s reach<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\nPhoto: Irene Steeves from Canada \/ CC BY 2.0 \/ Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n