Campobello Island, New Brunswick: A Beloved Bay of Fundy Island

UPDATED AUGUST 8, 2026

Plan Your Visit: At a Glance

Where: Campobello Island, New Brunswick, in the Bay of Fundy.

How long to stay: I recommend at least two nights, and longer if you can. A day trip lets you see some of the highlights, but Campobello deserves time to explore without watching the clock. Stay long enough to walk a trail, linger by the water, visit the historic sites and let the island’s restorative spirit sink in.

Getting there from New Brunswick: You can travel entirely within Canada. From mainland New Brunswick, drive to L’Etete and take the free ferry to Deer Island. From there, continue across Deer Island and board the seasonal ferry to Campobello Island. There are two ferry crossings, so be sure to plan around the Campobello sailing schedule. In 2026, the Deer Island–Campobello ferry operates from May 11 through October 12, weather permitting.

Getting there from the United States: Campobello Island is connected by road to Lubec, Maine, via the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Bridge. Travellers arriving from the U.S. can drive directly onto the island after crossing the international border.

The Quoddy Loop: You can also combine the two routes into a scenic loop. My husband Eric and I have travelled to Campobello by ferry from New Brunswick and returned through Maine, giving us a chance to experience both approaches. Later in this guide, I’ll walk you through the options so you can decide which route works best for your trip.

What Campobello is known for: Roosevelt Campobello International Park, the former summer home of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, and Head Harbour Lightstation, also known as East Quoddy Lighthouse.

Don’t miss: Head Harbour Lightstation, Roosevelt Cottage, the Friendship Trail, Liberty Point, Raccoon Beach, Herring Cove Beach and Mulholland Point Lighthouse.

For nature lovers: Hiking, birdwatching, whale watching, beachcombing, kayaking, wildlife viewing and exploring the island’s forests, bogs, beaches and rugged shoreline.

For history lovers: Roosevelt Campobello International Park, Roosevelt Cottage, Hubbard Cottage, Eleanor’s Tea, Campobello Museum and the island’s historic lighthouses.

Come prepared: There is no gas station on Campobello Island, and shopping and services are limited. Fill your tank before arriving and bring groceries or other supplies you’ll need during your stay.

Where Nature and History Share the Landscape

Campobello Island has a wonderful way of bringing different experiences together. Rugged coastline meets quiet beaches. Forests and salt marshes stretch toward the Bay of Fundy. Historic cottages and lighthouses share the landscape with hiking trails, wildlife and wide-open views. It is an island where you can spend the morning immersed in the story of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, then head outdoors and spend the afternoon walking along the coast, watching for seabirds or exploring a rocky beach. Nature is very much part of the story here.

Bald eagles soar overhead. Seals surface offshore. Porpoises travel through the bay, and whales are sometimes spotted from shore or while out on the water. The changing tides continually reshape the coastline, revealing beaches and rocky outcrops that look different from one visit to the next.

My husband Eric and I have returned to Campobello over and over again because there is so much to experience beyond its best-known attractions. We love wandering the coastal roads, discovering another viewpoint, stopping at a beach we haven’t explored and simply taking our time. That is what I think makes Campobello so appealing. You can come for the Roosevelt history or the iconic Head Harbour Lightstation, but there are plenty of reasons to stay and explore the island itself.

Give yourself time to see where the day takes you. Some of our favourite moments have come from the stops we hadn’t planned.

Head Harbour Lightstation

If there is one place that captures Campobello Island’s rugged side, it is Head Harbour Lightstation. Also known as East Quoddy Lighthouse, this distinctive wooden tower has stood at the northern tip of Campobello since 1829, guiding ships through the waters of the Bay of Fundy. It is one of New Brunswick’s most recognizable lighthouses, and seeing it from the mainland is only part of the experience.

At low tide, you can walk across the ocean floor to reach it. The route takes you over a rocky shoreline and up and down steep stairs, with seaweed-covered rocks and uneven footing along the way. Good footwear is important, and this is one outing where you definitely want to pay attention to the tide and give yourself plenty of time to return before the water comes back in.

Once you reach the lighthouse, take a moment to look around. The setting is spectacular, with the Bay of Fundy stretching in every direction and the rugged coastline providing a dramatic backdrop. Depending on the season and conditions, you may spot seals, porpoises, seabirds or even whales offshore.

Eric and I found the walk out to the lighthouse to be every bit as interesting as arriving at the tower itself. There is something quite memorable about standing there surrounded by water, knowing that in a matter of hours the shoreline beneath your feet will disappear beneath the tide.

The 51-foot octagonal lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in New Brunswick and one of the oldest in Canada. Its distinctive red-and-white exterior has made it a favourite subject for photographers, but photographs don’t really convey the experience of being there with the Bay of Fundy moving around you.

The Friends of the Head Harbour Lightstation work to preserve this important piece of New Brunswick’s maritime heritage. If you enjoy lighthouses and want to help protect Campobello’s, consider supporting their work.

Know before you go: Check the tide times before visiting and plan your walk around low tide. The route involves steep stairs, rocks and slippery surfaces, so take your time and wear sturdy footwear. Conditions can change, and the lighthouse should never be approached without allowing enough time to get back across the shoreline before the incoming tide.

Roosevelt Campobello International Park

If Head Harbour Lightstation shows you Campobello at its wildest, Roosevelt Campobello International Park reveals another side of the island.

The 2,800-acre park preserves the landscape where Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt spent their summers with their family. It is not simply a historic house surrounded by gardens. The park stretches across forests, bogs, beaches, rocky shoreline and coastal trails, making the natural setting every bit as important to the story.

Franklin Roosevelt first came to Campobello as a child and continued returning as an adult. The island remained important to him even after he contracted polio, and today the park preserves both his summer home and the landscape the family loved.

One of the things I appreciate most about visiting is being able to move between history and nature so easily. You can tour Roosevelt Cottage in the morning, wander through the gardens, then head out along a coastal trail with the Bay of Fundy stretching before you.

The Edmund S. Muskie Visitor Centre is a good place to begin. Exhibits and a short film introduce the Roosevelt story and the creation of the park, while interpreters can help you make the most of your visit.

The park’s natural area is open year-round, although the visitor centre, Roosevelt Cottage and some other facilities operate seasonally. There are about eight miles of walking trails, along with scenic roads, picnic areas and viewpoints throughout the property.

Eric and I could easily have spent an entire day exploring the park. There is a lot to see, and I recommend resisting the temptation to rush from one attraction to the next. Some of the best moments come when you leave the car, follow a trail and let the landscape take over for a while.

And, of course, you’ll want to tour Roosevelt Cottage, the 34-room summer home that remains the heart of the historic park. That’s where we’ll head next.

Roosevelt Cottage

Roosevelt Cottage is the heart of the historic side of the park. The 34-room summer home was where Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt spent their summers with their children and extended family. For the Roosevelts, Campobello offered a welcome change from their busy lives, with time outdoors, family gatherings and the freedom to enjoy the island’s fresh air and coastal setting.

Today, you can tour the two-storey cottage with an interpreter who brings the family’s summers here into focus. Rooms remain furnished with many of the belongings and details that help tell the story of how the Roosevelts lived when they were at Campobello.

I particularly enjoy the way the cottage connects with everything you’ve just experienced outside. After walking the trails and seeing the landscape for yourself, you have a better sense of why this island became such a treasured summer retreat for the family.

Be sure to leave time to wander the gardens and grounds after your tour. The setting is every bit as interesting as the house itself.

Good to know: Guided tours of Roosevelt Cottage are offered seasonally. Check the park’s current schedule when planning your visit, as tour times and seasonal operations can change. Admission to Roosevelt Campobello International Park is free.

Prince Café

After touring Roosevelt Cottage, make time for lunch or a light refreshment at Prince Café, located in the historic Prince Cottage. The café has an airy dining room and a lovely verandah overlooking Passamaquoddy Bay toward Eastport. On a pleasant day, I’d choose the verandah and linger for a while. It’s a fitting place to pause after exploring the park, with the water and island landscape right in front of you.

The café serves light lunches and refreshments during the park’s operating season. Hours can vary, so check the current schedule when planning your visit.

Photo provided by Campobello Island Oceanfront Cottages

Hubbard Cottage

A short walk from Roosevelt Cottage brings you to Hubbard Cottage, another piece of Campobello’s summer story. Built in 1892, the cottage was the summer home of James and Mary Hubbard, friends of the Roosevelt family. The house has a lovely connection to the island’s Gilded Age summer colony, when wealthy families from the northeastern United States built seasonal homes along the coast.

One detail is particularly memorable: the large oval picture window was shipped from Italy in a vat of molasses to protect it during the journey. It’s the kind of small historical detail that makes a visit more interesting because you can picture the extraordinary effort that once went into getting materials to this remote island.

Eleanor’s Tea

If you enjoy history with a little something sweet on the side, reserve a spot for Eleanor’s Tea at Wells-Shober Cottage. The cottage was built in the late 19th century for Samuel Wells, a Boston lawyer and president of the Campobello Company, and was later purchased by the Shober family. Today, interpreters use the setting to share stories about Eleanor Roosevelt, her life and her advocacy for human rights and social justice.

The tea includes Eleanor’s favourite King Cole tea and cookies made from a recipe associated with her. The experience is offered in two sittings each day during the season, with free reservation passes available at the Edmund S. Muskie Visitor Centre.

I like this experience because it gives you another glimpse into the people behind the history. You’re not simply walking through a room and reading a plaque; you’re sitting down and spending a little time with the story.

FDR Happy Hour

For another take on Roosevelt history, FDR Happy Hour offers an evening experience at Wells-Shober Cottage. Held on select Thursday evenings during the season, the program combines live music, a cocktail, food and interpretation about Franklin D. Roosevelt and his life. The atmosphere is intentionally relaxed, making this a very different experience from touring the cottage during the day.

Check the park’s current calendar for dates, times and ticket information before planning around this event.

Exploring Roosevelt Park’s Natural Area

One of the things I hope visitors don’t miss is the part of Roosevelt Campobello International Park that doesn’t involve a historic building at all. The park’s natural area covers forests, bogs, beaches, ponds and rocky coastline, with scenic roads, walking trails and viewpoints throughout. It’s easy to see why the Roosevelt family loved spending time outdoors here.

Start at Friar’s Head, where a lookout offers wide views across Cobscook Bay toward Deer Island, Eastport and the surrounding islands. Other viewpoints include Eagle Hill Bog, Lower Duck Pond, Upper Duck Pond and Liberty Point.

Eric and I especially enjoyed getting out of the car and walking these areas rather than simply driving from one attraction to another. The landscape changes quickly, and every viewpoint offers a slightly different look at the island.

Wear sturdy footwear, particularly if you’re exploring after wet weather. Some trails can be damp or slippery, and coastal sections require care around exposed edges.

The Friendship Trail

The Friendship Trail , known in Passamaquoddy as Witapehkewakoni-Awt, is a 3.5-mile (5.6-km) walking and biking trail that opened in 2025. More than 1,700 feet (518 metres) of floating boardwalk carry visitors through wetland habitat, opening access to another 1,000 acres of the park. A graceful bridge crosses Lower Duck Pond, making this a particularly enjoyable section for birdwatchers and photographers.

Eric and I have walked the trail a few times, and I loved seeing how thoughtfully it allows visitors to experience the wetlands without simply cutting a path through them. The boardwalk gives you an entirely different perspective on Campobello’s landscape.

The trail also carries a message that goes beyond recreation. Its name reflects the long history of friendship and connection associated with Campobello, and the experience of walking through this shared landscape makes that idea feel quite natural. I was so moved by it, I also wrote an article for Saltscapes Magazine entitled, One Step at a Time - on New Brunswick’s Campobello Island, There’s Common Ground in Nature.

Liberty Point

At Liberty Point, the landscape opens dramatically toward the sea. From the lookout, you can see across the waters toward Deer Island, Grand Manan and the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse in Maine. The views stretch a long way, and on a clear day it is worth taking your time here rather than simply pulling over for a quick photograph. Look for Sugarloaf Rock, affectionately known as Frog Rock, which is a fun landmark for families exploring the shoreline.

The trail from Liberty Point toward Duck Pond is another worthwhile walk, particularly if you want to experience more of the park on foot.

Raccoon Beach

For a quieter coastal stop, pack a picnic for Raccoon Beach. A staircase leads down toward the secluded shoreline, where you can explore the beach, watch for birds and keep an eye on the water for wildlife. It’s the sort of place where I would plan less and linger more. Bring your lunch, find a comfortable spot and let the coastline provide the entertainment.

Herring Cove Beach from the Roosevelt Campobello International Park

Herring Cove Provincial Park

Campobello’s provincial park brings together several of the island’s favourite pastimes in one place: golf, hiking, camping, beach time and good food. Herring Cove Provincial Park is home to a nine-hole golf course, campground, restaurant and an extensive network of trails. The park’s coastal setting makes it a natural stop for anyone wanting to spend more time outdoors.

Herring Cove Beach stretches along the coast with a mix of sand and rounded pebbles. It’s a good place for a walk, beachcombing or simply settling in with a picnic and watching the water. The beach is also a popular spot for birdwatching, and seals can sometimes be seen offshore.

Herring Cove Beach

There is something wonderfully simple about walking Herring Cove Beach with nowhere else you need to be. The shoreline is a mix of dark sand and pebbles, with the Bay of Fundy stretching out before you. Look closely as you walk and you’ll find an assortment of interesting rocks and pieces of sea glass. Bring a lunch, wander along the water and keep your eyes open for seabirds and seals. On a quiet day, this is one of those places where the best plan is not to have much of one.

Beaches to Explore Beyond the Main Stops

Campobello has more shoreline than you might expect, and each beach has its own personality.

Dunn Beach is a good choice if you’re looking for a sandy shoreline. Friar’s Bay offers a beautiful setting for a walk or a quiet sit with views across the water.

Mill Cove Beach is a sheltered spot popular with kayakers, with a pebbled shoreline and sandy bar. Eagles and shorebirds are often seen here.

These smaller coastal stops are part of what makes exploring Campobello by car so enjoyable. You don’t need every stop to be a major attraction. Sometimes it’s enough to pull over, walk the shoreline for a while and see what the tide has left behind.

On the eastern side of the island, Wilson’s Beach offers another opportunity to experience Campobello’s working waterfront and coastal scenery. It’s a good place for a quiet walk, beachcombing and watching the activity around the water.

If you’re exploring the island by car, Wilson’s Beach is also a useful area to know about for local services and seafood. Stop for a look at the shoreline, then continue along the coast and see where the road takes you.

Beachcombing is especially rewarding around Campobello. Look for interesting stones, sea glass, tidal pools and shorebirds, keeping in mind that what you find along the coast is part of a living shoreline.

If you’re hoping to kayak, Mill Cove is one of the island’s better-known launch points because its sheltered waters make access to the Bay of Fundy easier.

And don’t overlook Friar’s Bay for simply sitting and taking in the view. Not every memorable Campobello experience needs an itinerary.

Campobello Library

For a glimpse into Campobello’s history beyond the Roosevelt years, make a stop at the Campobello Public Library and Museum in Welshpool. The library has been part of island life for well over a century. It was founded in 1887 by Kate Gannet Wells and Mary Otis Porter, with the library building opening in 1898 through money raised by private subscriptions. When the library was incorporated in 1916, Franklin D. Roosevelt was among its founding members. It became part of New Brunswick’s provincial public library system in 1974.

Today, the library remains a community gathering place, but visitors will find more than books inside. There is a museum and art gallery, along with historical material that helps tell the story of the people who have called Campobello home.

I like these kinds of stops because they add context to everything else you see on the island. After visiting grand summer cottages and historic landmarks, it is refreshing to spend some time learning about the community itself.

And if you’re travelling with children, the library has another nice surprise: visitors can borrow items such as fishing poles, kites and activity kits, making it a useful stop for families as well as history lovers.

Campobello Museum

The museum occupies a space alongside the library and offers another window into Campobello’s past. Its collection has grown through donations from island residents and summer visitors, preserving photographs, objects and stories connected to the people and industries that shaped the island.

One particularly intriguing addition is an 1849 journal belonging to Admiral William Fitzwilliam Owen, whose family had a long connection to Campobello. The journal was donated to the museum in 2024 after being discovered locally.

It’s easy to overlook a small museum when an island has famous lighthouses, historic cottages and dramatic coastal scenery competing for your attention. I’d encourage you not to. These collections help fill in the pieces of Campobello’s story that you won’t find in the larger attractions.

More Campobello Island Stops Worth Knowing About

Once you’ve explored the major attractions, leave some room for the smaller places that give Campobello its local character.

Head Harbour Wharf is home to the Campobello Whale Rescue Team and remains an active part of the island’s connection to the sea. It’s also a wonderful spot for photographers, with fishing boats, whale-watching vessels and the chance to catch a fisherman at work. If you’re interested in marine conservation, it’s worth learning more about the important work being done here.

The Porch at Friar’s Bay is a seasonal waterfront restaurant at Friar’s Bay Inn & Cottages, with home-style meals, daily specials, live music and views across the bay. It’s a good spot to linger over lunch rather than simply grab something and go.

The Pier on the Waterfront in Wilsons Beach is another popular choice for seafood, particularly fish and chips, with an oceanfront deck where you can watch for wildlife while you eat.

Campobello Gift House & Scoop Shack in Welshpool is a handy stop for island-made, New Brunswick and Canadian products, along with a cool treat on a warm summer day. The shop also serves as a friendly source of local information. Campobello Gift House & Scoop Shack Drive Thru

Point Star Seafood in Wilsons Beach is worth knowing about if you’re staying in a cottage and want to prepare your own seafood. The family-owned market sells locally sourced seafood, with availability changing with the season. Point Star Seafood

Campobello Value Foods is the island’s grocery store, while Nikki’s Island Convenience offers another option for everyday essentials and quick provisions. Campobello Value Foods Nikki’s Island Convenience

For art lovers, look for Friar’s Bay Studio Gallery, where artist Michael Chesley Johnson paints and teaches in a studio inspired by Campobello’s coastal landscape. Friar’s Bay Studio Gallery

Where to Stay on Campobello Island

If my recommendation hasn’t been clear yet, I’ll say it again: stay at least two nights. Fortunately, Campobello has a good range of accommodations, from historic inns and waterfront cottages to chalets, motels and camping.

Campobello Island Oceanfront Cottages are my personal choice. Eric and I love staying here, and the oceanfront setting gives you the chance to wake up to the water, watch for wildlife and enjoy those spectacular Campobello sunsets. I’ll share more about our experience below.

Pollock Cove Seaside Retreat offers oceanfront cottages and houses in Wilsons Beach. The property is known for its water views and peaceful setting, with access to a sea-glass beach. Current traveller reviews consistently highlight the scenery and quiet location. Pollock Cove Seaside Retreat

An Island Chalet has oceanfront housekeeping chalets in Welshpool. The private chalet setup and waterfront location make it appealing for travellers who want more space and the ability to settle in for several nights. An Island Chalet

Friar’s Bay Inn & Cottages offers both rooms in the inn and cottages, including waterfront options. The property is adjacent to Roosevelt Campobello International Park and close to the beach. It operates seasonally, generally from mid-June through mid-October.

Campobello Whale Watch Motel is a straightforward island home base, centrally located near Roosevelt Campobello International Park and island services. It can be a practical choice for shorter stays or travellers who prefer a motel rather than a cottage. Campobello Whale Watch Motel

Herring Cove Provincial Park is the choice for campers. The campground offers 88 campsites, including serviced and unserviced sites, as well as rustic shelters and chalets. For 2026, the campground season is listed as May 15 through September 20. Herring Cove Provincial Park

There are also smaller vacation rentals around the island, including The Sleepy Whale, a three-bedroom property near the ferry, and Head Harbour Passage Vacation Rental in Wilson’s Beach.

Campobello Tourism’s current accommodation directory is the best place to check the latest availability and additional listings.

The nice thing about staying on Campobello is that your accommodation becomes part of the experience. Instead of leaving when the day’s sightseeing is finished, you can watch the light change over the water, head out for an evening walk or simply sit and listen to the island settle down for the night.

Whale Watching on Campobello Island

Campobello’s relationship with the sea doesn’t end at the shoreline. If you want to experience the Bay of Fundy from the water, book a whale-watching excursion with a local operator.

East Quoddy Tours runs whale-watching and sightseeing trips from Welshpool Wharf during the season. The waters around Campobello and nearby Deer Island are rich with marine life, so you may encounter porpoises, seals, seabirds and, with a little luck, whales.

Eric and I headed out with East Quoddy Tours for a sunset excursion, and it turned into one of my favourite Campobello experiences. We watched a large pod of porpoises appear and disappear around the boat, spotted seabirds working the water and eventually saw a humpback whale. I was so focused on watching that I took video rather than photographs of the whale encounter. You’ll find that video over on my Maritimes Maven Instagram account. Then we circled Head Harbour Lightstation as the late-day light softened the coastline.

Just when I thought the evening couldn’t get any better, the sky began to glow with the colours of sunset. Seeing Campobello from the water gave me a completely different appreciation for the island. The coastline, lighthouses and islands that look familiar from land take on another character when you’re out among the tides.

If you’re interested in getting on the water, Seascape Kayak Tours is another option. Bruce Smith has more than 30 years of experience leading sea-kayaking trips around Campobello and Deer Island. Tours are planned around tides and weather, and advance booking is required.

Whether you choose a whale-watching boat or a sea kayak, the water adds another dimension to a Campobello visit. And if the whales don’t cooperate on your particular outing, the coastline and wildlife still provide plenty to watch.

Mulholland Lighthouse, as seen from Lubec, Maine

Mulholland Point Lighthouse

At the southern end of Campobello Island, Mulholland Point Lighthouse offers a completely different lighthouse experience. Built in 1885 to guide vessels through Lubec Narrows, the octagonal wooden lighthouse sits beside the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Bridge, with views across the water toward Lubec, Maine. It is also part of a rather unusual piece of maritime history: Mulholland Point Lighthouse is the only lighthouse shared by Canada and the United States.

Take a walk along the rocky shoreline, look for sea glass and keep watch for seals in the narrows. The Marine Interpretation Centre nearby provides information about the Bay of Fundy and its marine life, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale. I like this stop because it gives you a chance to see just how closely Campobello is connected to the surrounding waters. You can stand on Canadian soil, look across the narrows toward Maine and watch boats make their way through the channel.

There are also lovely views of the Roosevelt Memorial Bridge from here, making this an easy stop to combine with a drive around the southern end of the island.

Campobello Island Festivals

If you can time your visit around one of Campobello’s annual events, you’ll see another side of island life.

Campobello Fogfest brings music and arts to the island each summer, with performances and events held at various venues. The festival celebrates Campobello’s creative community and its distinctive coastal setting.

The Campobello Coastal Challenge combines running with some serious scenery. The summer event includes 10 km, 25 km and 50 km courses through island trails, beaches, coastal landscapes and bog boardwalks. It is a collaboration involving Roosevelt Campobello International Park, Herring Cove Provincial Park and Dutch Viking Events.

And if beachcombing is your idea of a perfect holiday activity, watch for the Campobello Seaglass Festival. September brings a month of sea-glass-themed activities, including scavenger hunts, markets, workshops and guided outings along the island’s shores.

Dates and programming can change from year to year, so check the current Campobello Tourism events calendar before planning your trip around a festival.

Consider Yourself Invited to Campobello Island

By now, you probably understand why I think Campobello Island deserves more than a quick day trip. My husband Eric and I have explored the island in different ways, and every visit gives us another reason to return. We’ve walked its shoreline, explored its trails, toured its historic places, watched wildlife from the water and simply driven around with no particular agenda.

That’s part of Campobello’s appeal. You can come for the lighthouse, the Roosevelt history or the whale watching, but the island gives you plenty of reasons to linger. Spend a morning at Head Harbour Lightstation. Wander through Roosevelt Campobello International Park. Find a quiet beach. Stop for seafood. Take a boat out on the Bay of Fundy. Watch the deer along the roadside. Sit somewhere with a view and let the tide do its thing.

And if you can, stay two nights or longer. I truly believe that’s when Campobello’s restorative spirit begins to reveal itself.

This is a beloved New Brunswick island with a remarkable mix of history, nature, community and coastline. Come experience it for yourself.

Consider yourself invited. And when you do visit, tell the locals the Maritimes Maven sent you!

How to Get to Campobello Island

Campobello Island is in New Brunswick, Canada, and there are two ways to reach it by car.

From mainland New Brunswick: take two ferries

If you want to stay entirely within Canada, the route is straightforward, but it involves two ferry crossings.

From Highway 1, take Exit 56 toward St. George and follow Route 172 to L’Etete. From there, take the free government ferry to Deer Island.

Once you arrive on Deer Island, drive across the island to Lords Cove, where East Coast Ferries operates the second ferry to Campobello Island.

That second crossing is the important one to remember: you must take the L’Etete-to-Deer Island ferry first. You cannot drive directly from mainland New Brunswick to the Campobello ferry.

The ferry schedules are seasonal and weather dependent, so check current departure times before leaving.

This is the route Eric and I most often use when we’re travelling from New Brunswick. I love the feeling of island-hopping your way into Campobello. You’re already slowing down before you even arrive.

From the United States: drive through Maine

For travellers coming from the United States, Campobello Island can be reached by car through Maine.

Follow the road to Lubec, Maine, then cross the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Bridge onto Campobello Island. The bridge is free to cross.

From Canada by road

Canadians travelling by car can also cross into Maine near St. Stephen, drive through Maine to Lubec and then cross the bridge onto Campobello. This route involves entering and leaving the United States, so you’ll need the appropriate travel documents.

Try the Quoddy Loop

On one of our trips, Eric and I made the journey a loop, using the Canadian ferries in one direction and travelling through Maine on the return.

Both routes have their advantages. The ferry route lets you reach Campobello without entering the United States, while the road route through Maine gives you the freedom of a scenic driving loop.

Choose the route that works best for you. The important thing is knowing that Campobello Island is a Canadian destination, and the Canadian ferry route is an option for travellers who prefer not to cross the U.S. border.

Important Things to Know Before Visiting Campobello Island

A little planning will make your Campobello Island visit much easier.

Fill your gas tank before you arrive. There are currently no gas stations on the island, so don’t arrive with the fuel gauge hovering on empty.

Bring groceries and supplies with you. Campobello has a grocery store and convenience store, but island shopping is limited compared with what you’ll find in larger communities. If you’re staying in a cottage and plan to cook, stock up before you arrive.

Check ferry schedules before travelling. The Deer Island to Campobello ferry is seasonal, and schedules can change because of weather or operating conditions.

Remember that Campobello is on Atlantic Time. If you’re travelling between the island and Maine, you’ll cross a time zone. Campobello is one hour ahead of Maine during daylight saving time.

Plan around the tides. This is particularly important if Head Harbour Lightstation is on your list. The walk to the lighthouse crosses exposed shoreline at low tide, and you need to allow enough time to return safely before the tide comes in.

Don’t try to squeeze everything into one day. This is my biggest piece of advice. You can certainly visit Campobello as a day trip, but Eric and I think two nights or more gives you a much better opportunity to experience the island without constantly watching the clock.

And remember, many island businesses are seasonal. Check ahead for current hours, especially if a restaurant, tour or attraction is an important part of your plans.

Campobello Island Oceanfront Cottages

After exploring Campobello all day, there’s something wonderful about coming back to your own little piece of the shoreline.

Campobello Island Oceanfront Cottages is where Eric and I like to stay, and the setting is a big part of the reason. Wake up to sweeping views of the Bay of Fundy, watch for birds and marine life from your cottage and settle in for those memorable Campobello sunsets.

For us, it feels less like simply having a place to sleep and more like having a comfortable home base for exploring the island. If you’re taking my advice and staying two nights or longer, an oceanfront cottage gives you another reason not to rush off at the end of the day.

This is the kind of place where you can make breakfast, head out exploring, return for a quiet afternoon and then watch the light change over the water. And that, for me, is exactly what a Campobello escape should feel like.

Ready for More? Hop Over to Deer Island

Board a small ferry and head to Deer Island. Whether you love whale watching or deep-sea diving, kayaking or canoeing, hiking or biking, birdwatching or picnicking, camping or simply meandering down quiet coastal roads, this hidden gem begs to be discovered. Unplug, slow down, and discover what getting back to nature really means on this sweet little Bay of Fundy isle.

This post was sponsored by Visit Southwest New Brunswick; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Follow Maritimes Maven on FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn & Threads. Subscribe to be the first to receive my latest articles. Share articles you love with your social media community so they, too, will discover, There’s No Place Like Home!