Travel to the Town of Digby in Nova Scotia and Its Surroundings
Itineraries: Detailed Travel Itineraries in Canada (Free)
Digby is a small and picturesque harbor town in western Nova Scotia in eastern Canada, which serves as a starting point for a trip in Nova Scotia for those arriving by ferry from Saint John (New Brunswick). Digby is also a very successful destination for setting out on a whale watching cruise, as well as for a day trip in the nearby, hard-to-pronounce Kejimkujik National Park.
The town features a cute main street along the waterfront overlooking the fishing harbor, with restaurants and shops, as well as a lighthouse overlooking a charming bay.
The town was founded in 1783 by loyalists to the British Crown, known as Loyalists, led by Sir Robert Digby, after whom the town was named and where a museum in his name is located.
The town's residents earned their living mainly from fishing until the 20th century, since when tourism began to flourish, and many motels and B&Bs were built here.
In the first week of August, the town hosts a scallop festival (scallop fishing being one of the main local industries) for all ages, featuring parades, competitions, and various artisan stalls.
Another event is a massive motorcycle rally with thousands of motorcyclists arriving in town during Labor Day weekend (Labor Day is the first Monday of September) every year. A spectacular sight of endless shiny motorcycles of all kinds throughout the town's streets. In their honor, vendor stalls are set up selling gear for motorcyclists as well as for the visiting public coming to watch them.
For those interested in touring and spending time at the main destinations and attractions Digby and its surrounding area have to offer, two full days are required: one day for a whale watching cruise and exploring Digby, and one day for the nearby national park.
There are no large hotels in the town, but mainly small inns or B&Bs:
Recommended Hotels in Digby
Bayside Inn – A small hotel in the center of Digby on the waterfront. The price includes a great breakfast. Some of the rooms have sea views. The property features a garden and a terrace with outdoor furniture. Free Wi-Fi. No private hotel parking (street parking is available nearby).
Hillside Landing B&B – A great bed and breakfast in a 1910 Victorian building in the town center overlooking the harbor. Breakfast is included. Some rooms have sea views. There is a shared terrace and lounge for all rooms. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
Dockside Suites – A high-quality inn on the waterfront in the town center. Each room is individually decorated and furnished, and all are spacious with a kitchen or kitchenette. Some have sea views. The hotel features a bar and restaurant. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
Weather and When It Is Recommended to Visit the Town
The comfortable season for traveling in the Digby area is in summer, during July and August, when the average maximum temperature is 17 degrees Celsius and the minimum is 15 degrees. You can also travel here in June and September, although it will be a bit cooler, between 14 to 15 degrees Celsius maximum and an average minimum of 12-13 degrees. July and August are also the least rainy months, with 83-85 mm of rain per month.
In the winter months of January and February, the average maximum temperature is minus 3 degrees Celsius and the minimum is minus 5 degrees Celsius.
Travel Destinations in the Digby Area
Prim Point Lighthouse
At the mouth of the entrance to the bay leading to Digby's harbor stands the lighthouse guiding vessels to Digby. The lighthouse is located about 8 km north of the town of Digby. Adjacent to the lighthouse is a walking trail among the rocks offering impressive views of the bay, complete with benches overlooking the scenery.
Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise
The Bay of Fundy is known for its large concentration of various species of whales present during the summer months, and whale watching boat tours operating from the Digby area and southwards take place between June and October.
The extreme tidal phenomena in the Bay of Fundy, which reach sea level height differences of up to 14 meters, create strong currents that churn the seawater. This causes the water to be rich in food for algae and tiny marine creatures that feed on them, as well as larger animals that feed on the smaller ones, providing whales with food in abundance here.
The most successful boat tours depart from several locations southwest of Digby along a peninsula and on two islands—Long Island and Brier Island—collectively known as Digby Neck. The whale watching cruises last about 3-4 hours. Access to both islands is via ferries that also accommodate cars. The distance from Digby to the first ferry to Long Island is 46 km, and from there another 19 km to the ferry to Brier Island. On the drive to the cruise and/or on the way back, it is nice to see the picturesque fishing villages and scenery along the route.
Trip to Kejimkujik National Park
The park is located about 65 km (about a 50-minute drive) southeast of the town of Digby. It is a park abundant in lakes, rivers, and forests. The park is popular for camping vacations. You can rent cabins, bring an RV, or pitch a tent for several days. Those not interested in staying inside the park can dedicate a day trip to it, combining hiking with kayaking or canoeing on the lake or river.
♦ To book a recommended 2-hour guided kayak or canoe trip in this park via Viator: 2Hour Mersey River Quickie Adventure
Please note: it is recommended to book months in advance due to high demand during the short season.
The park has hiking trails for all difficulty levels. Recommended and easy is the Mill Falls trail, 2 km long, starting near the park's visitor center. The trail passes through a grove along the banks of the Mersey River—where you can swim—and leads to a suspension bridge overlooking the rushing waterfalls.
The park's visitor center is located near the main entrance. It is recommended to stop by to pick up a trail map and get up-to-date recommendations for park excursions.
Further along, 8 km from the visitor center, you reach a rental facility where you can rent a canoe or kayak to paddle on the lake or rivers for a few hours or even the entire day. You can paddle independently or join a guided tour.
The Ferry Connecting Digby and Saint John:
Between Saint John in New Brunswick and Digby, Nova Scotia in eastern Canada, a Bay Ferries ferry operates. The net sailing time between the two ports is two hours aboard a spacious, comfortable vessel equipped with chairs, armchairs, and various seating areas, two snack bars, a shop, and diverse lectures on geology, tides, and whales.
During the cruise in the Bay of Fundy, you can spot whales, dolphins, and other marine life, along with beautiful scenery. Free Wi-Fi is available on board.
Recommended Restaurants in Digby
As fits a harbor town with a fleet of fishing boats, most restaurants serve seafood:
Shoreline Restaurant – Seafood, Canadian cuisine, and vegetarian options.
The Wheelhouse Seafood And Pasta – Seafood, Canadian cuisine.
Fundy Restaurant - Seafood, Canadian cuisine, and vegetarian options.
Churchill's Restaurant & Lounge – Canadian cuisine, vegetarian and vegan options.
