Welcome to our maps & route information for Nova Scotia, on Canada’s Atlantic Coast. Known as “Canada’s Ocean Playground”, Nova Scotia is a peninsula joined to New Brunswick and the rest of the country. With hundreds of kilometers of coastline, our little piece of heaven offers incredible coastal scenery from end to end. As these maps will show, Nova Scotia is surrounded on 3 sides by water, has over 3,800 coastal islands and a population of approximately 960,000.
Nova Scotia Map
Chester and it’s surrounding communities are located on the Bluenose Coast scenic travelway from Halifax along the Lighouse Route.
Nova Scotia Travellers Information – Entering Canada/Customs
Passport and visa requirements for visiting Canada will vary according to your citizenship, residency and purpose for visiting Canada. We recommend you obtain more information before you complete your travel plans by contacting the nearest Canadian Embassy or High Commission, and it is recommended that you also contact your country’s Customs/Immigration office for information on identification required to re-enter the country when you return home. Citizens of the United States (U.S.) travelling between the U.S. and Canada now require a valid U.S. passport, Air NEXUS card or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner document.
For up-to-date information for visitors from the Canadian Border Services Agency, go to www.cbsa.gc.ca or call 1-800-461-9999 (within Canada) or (506) 636-5064. Information on visas for temporary residents can be found on the Citizenship and Immigration website or by calling 1-888-242-2100. In the U.S. refer to www.travel.state.gov.
Nova Scotia Travellers’ Information – Entry Points
The Halifax Stanfield International Airport
Several Canadian and international airlines fly in to Halifax, Nova Scotia from other parts of Canada and the World. Such as:
– WestJet – Canada and US connectors
– Air Canada – Also operates Tango, Jazz and Zip. Canada, US and International.
– Continental – US to Halifax connecting through Newark, NJ.
– Delta – US to Halifax connecting through Detroit, MI.
Your options for arriving by sea include ferries, with your car, motorcycle or RV or walk-on, and by cruise ship. Halifax and Sydney are the main ports of call for more than 20 major cruise lines. The city has received the “Best Port Welcome” award from Dreamworld Cruise Destination Magazine and “Most Receptive Port” award at the Canada-New England Cruise Symposium Marketing Awards.
Nova Scotia is a world-renowned motorcycle touring destination and entry either by road or by ferry is breeze for motorcyclists. Motorcycle pricing structures make ferry travel particularly convenient and attractive.
Visiting Tancook Island
Looking to spend an afternoon exploring Tancook Island? It’s just a ferry ride away from the Village of Chester. $5 buys you and your bicycle an 8 km trip across the water from Chester for a step back in time and a step closer to nature. Tancook Island is shaped like a fish hook and named after the Mi’kmaq word for “facing the open sea”, Tancook Island is only 3 miles long and 1.5 miles at the widest point. With only 125 year-round residents, it’s true island life, Nova Scotia-style.
It’s best to plan ahead and choose the ferry schedule that best suits your adventure. Taking the ferry to Tancook Island is a great way to enjoy the amazing ocean views of Chester Harbour and some of the 350 islands in Mahone Bay. , getting off at Big Tancook Island to explore. On Tancook Island you will discoverr the island’s pathways by foot or take your bike along. Be sure to check out the Tancook Island Museum and don’t be afarid to stop and chat with the local folk!
Tancook Island Ferry Schedule
Monday through Friday: leaving from Tancook at 06:00, 08:00, 13:30 and 16:30; leaving from Chester at 07:00, 10:20, 15:40 and 17:30.
Friday evening only: leaving from Tancook at 18:30 and 21:30; leaving from Chester at 20:30 and 23:00.
Saturday: leaving from Tancook at 09:00 and 18:00; leaving Chester at 13:00 and 19:00. There are additional fuel runs on alternate Saturdays.
Sunday and holidays: leaving Tancook at 09:00 and 17:00; leaving Chester at 10:00 and 18:00.
The Tancook Island ferry schedule is posted by the Department of Transportation and Public Works, Nova Scotia. As such, the only official schedules are those posted at the Chester wharf, the Big and Little Tancook Island wharves, and on the ferry itself.
