
Cape Breton Island vacation rentals
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Top-rated vacation rentals in Cape Breton Island
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Popular amenities for Cape Breton Island vacation rentals
Cape Breton Island cottage rentals

Cottage in Arichat
4.9 out of 5 average rating, 355 reviewsCottage by the Ocean

Cottage in Dingwall
4.91 out of 5 average rating, 124 reviewsWater front cottages (#1) On South Harbour

Cottage in St. Esprit
4.98 out of 5 average rating, 455 reviewsCabin Loon/Hot tub/Sauna/gas fire-pit/free kayaks

Cottage in Guysborough
4.98 out of 5 average rating, 120 reviewsShoreline Landing

Cottage in Nova Scotia
4.98 out of 5 average rating, 46 reviewsCottage #1

Cottage in North Shore
4.75 out of 5 average rating, 157 reviewsOcean Front Cottage on Cabot Trail

Cottage in Chéticamp
4.88 out of 5 average rating, 246 reviewsOceanfront Cottage (LeBlanc Chalet)

Cottage in Margaree Centre
4.92 out of 5 average rating, 109 reviewsSwallow Bank Cottage #3 on the Margaree River
Other great vacation rentals in Cape Breton Island

Home in Baddeck
4.71 out of 5 average rating, 7 reviewsCoastal Custom Home on Baddeck Bay ,Brasdor Lake

Home in Inverness
4.76 out of 5 average rating, 85 reviewsBeautiful home overlooking Cabot Links

Home in Scotsville
4.95 out of 5 average rating, 102 reviewsLuxurious Cape Breton Retreat

Home in Chéticamp
4.92 out of 5 average rating, 277 reviewsBoudreau's Chalet

Home in Saint Peter's
5 out of 5 average rating, 8 reviewsMagical Lake Retreat up to 20 People

Home in Margaree Valley
5 out of 5 average rating, 17 reviewsAdonai Cottage 6, Cozy 2 BD w/ Mountain Views & FP

Home in Dominion
5 out of 5 average rating, 32 reviewsSuite Sea vacation rental

Home in Baddeck
4.94 out of 5 average rating, 83 reviewsBaddeck Waterfront Home- Paddle the Bras D’or Lake
Your guide to Cape Breton Island
All About Cape Breton Island
Located in the turbulent Atlantic waters off the eastern shores of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island is known for its rolling forested hills, fishing villages, the expansive and brackish Bras d’Or Lake, and rugged, dramatic coastlines. The remote island has attracted generations of hikers, flyfishers, and kayakers to its vast hinterlands and sprawling seaboards — wild landscapes that shelter enormous populations of moose, black bears, and seasonal migratory whales. Cape Breton’s human residents cluster in several dozen communities scattered across the island, Sydney being the largest.
Museums and art galleries keep the island’s cultural scene current, and several heritage sites invite visitors to learn about the Mi’kmaq people and other Indigenous communities. The island is also famous for its seafood, and you’ll find many restaurants serving up lobster and other locally caught shellfish. As Cape Breton connects easily to the mainland via the Canso Causeway, the broader offerings of Nova Scotia are within reach.
The best time to stay in a vacation rental in Cape Breton Island
Eastern Canada and the North Atlantic waters around Cape Breton Island are subject to a varied climate, with drastic swings in conditions between the seasons. Summers are warm and pleasant, with regular rain showers that create lush, vibrant landscapes. These months are great for hiking, exploring the inland areas, and enjoying the cultural offerings of the local communities. Winters bring frigid temperatures that often fall well below freezing, with heavy snowfall accumulating from November through March. These colder months can still be excellent times to book vacation rentals on Cape Breton Island, as there are plenty of opportunities for cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and nestling up in a cozy cottage in front of a fire.
Most of the island’s festivities and events occur during the summer, when it is comfortable to be outside. All summer long, the Patio Lanterns Festival sees makeshift stages pop up throughout Nova Scotia for free live music and food on patios lit with twinkling lights.
Top things to do in Cape Breton Island
Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
This 25-acre historic site in the town of Baddeck perches above the Atlantic waters; its angular architecture and expansive glass walls merit a visit alone. Inside, the museum showcases artifacts, re-creations of historic aircraft, underwater submersibles, the world’s first patented telephone, and other achievements from the life of the famed inventor.
The Big Fiddle
This 60-foot statue honors Nova Scotia’s strong Celtic community and its proud musical traditions. It stands in front of the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion in Sydney, which hosts concerts throughout the year. The Port Sydney area offers plenty of options for shopping and dining, as well as a waterfront promenade that provides expansive ocean vistas.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
This expansive national park and recreation area sits amid Cape Breton’s northern highlands, coniferous forests, and rugged coasts. Miles of hiking trails through the undulating hills bring travelers to the tops of towering peaks, along winding creeks, and to the beaches of secluded mountain lakes. Flyfishing is one of the park’s popular activities, in addition to spotting eagles, moose, and whales in the wild.
Destinations to explore
- Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine Vacation rentals
- Sydney Vacation rentals
- Inverness Vacation rentals
- Antigonish Vacation rentals
- Chéticamp Vacation rentals
- Baddeck Vacation rentals
- New Glasgow Vacation rentals
- Glace Bay Vacation rentals
- Souris Vacation rentals
- Port Hood Vacation rentals
- Cape Breton Highlands Vacation rentals
- Magdalen Islands Vacation rentals
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