Cape Breton Highlands, Where Your Heart Finds Home
Menu
← Explore the Highlands

Community guide

Ingonish

Where the Cabot Trail meets the Atlantic, Ingonish brings together beaches, highland trails, working local businesses, and the eastern entrance to Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Photo: Tango7174
Image: Tango7174, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped for display.
About Ingonish

A coast shaped by land, sea, and community.

Ingonish is not one single stop. It is a string of neighbouring places along the Cabot Trail, including Ingonish Ferry, Ingonish Harbour, Ingonish Centre, and Ingonish Beach. Visitors use the area as a base for the national park, beaches, hiking, golf, and Cape Smokey, while local shops, restaurants, accommodations, and services keep the community moving.

This first-pass guide is organized around what a visitor is most likely to need. Listings are kept practical and easy to scan, with direct links for more information.

01

Places to stay

Resorts, chalets, country inns, and camping close to the coast and national park.

Ingonish Chalets

Year-round pine chalets and motel suites with kitchens or kitchenettes.

Location36784 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Centre

Phone902-285-2008

Visit website ↗

Castle Rock Country Inn

A country inn near Cape Smokey with an on-site dining room.

Location39339 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Ferry

Phone902-285-2700

Visit website ↗

Broad Cove Campground

A wooded Parks Canada campground beside a long sandy beach.

LocationCape Breton Highlands National Park, Ingonish

Phone902-224-2306

Visit website ↗

Ingonish Beach Campground

A small Parks Canada campground near the village and beach.

LocationCape Breton Highlands National Park, Ingonish Beach

Phone902-224-2306

Visit website ↗

Sea Breeze Cottages & Motel

Housekeeping cottages, motel rooms, and chalets on the Cabot Trail.

Location36104 Cabot Trail, Ingonish

Phone902-285-2879

View listing ↗

Knotty Pine Cottages

Cottages and motel rooms overlooking Ingonish Harbour.

Location39111 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Ferry

Phone902-285-2058

View listing ↗

Keltic Lodge at the Highlands Resort

Historic resort hotel on the Middle Head peninsula, beside the national park and Highlands Links.

Location383 Keltic In Road, Ingonish Beach

Phone800-565-0444

Visit website ↗

02

Food & drink

Local stops for breakfast, lunch, supper, takeout, and something sweet.

Arduaine Restaurant & Lounge

The Keltic Resort’s restaurant and lounge, serving Cape Breton flavours with views of North Bay.

Location383 Keltic In Road, Ingonish Beach

Phone1-800-565-0444

Restaurant details ↗

Thirsty Hiker Pub

The pub at Glenghorm Beach Resort, with food and seasonal live entertainment.

Location36743 Cabot Trail, Ingonish

Phone902-285-2049

Pub details ↗

Main Street Restaurant & Bakery

Restaurant and bakery in Ingonish Beach.

Location37764 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Beach

Phone902-285-2225

Visit website ↗

Happiness Is Homemade Bakery

A local bakery offering homemade breads, scones, cookies, and oatcakes.

Location29 Highland Street, Ingonish Beach, NS B0C 1K0

Phone902-285-4113

Visit Facebook page ↗

Coastal Restaurant & Pub

Restaurant and pub on the Cabot Trail in Ingonish.

Location36404 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Beach

Phone902-285-2526

Visit website ↗

Doucette’s Market & Eatery

Groceries, snacks, food service, ice cream, and takeout.

Location37867 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Beach

Phone902-285-2861

Visit website ↗

Fisherman’s Kitchen

Seafood and local dishes at Knotty Pine Cottages in Ingonish Beach.

Location39111 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Beach

Phone902-285-0433

View listing ↗

The Bitsy Bean Café

Locally roasted coffee, breakfast, and lunch along the Cabot Trail.

Location36188 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Beach

Phone902-285-2299

View listing ↗

Restaurant Avalon at Castle Rock Country Inn

A year-round restaurant serving local seafood and Cape Breton favourites.

Location39339 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Ferry

Phone902-285-2700

View details ↗

Andrew’s Pizzeria

A local pizza shop serving pizza, subs, wings, donairs, and other takeout favourites.

Location37092 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Beach

View details ↗

Hot on the Trail Mobile Foods

A mobile food vendor serving the Ingonish area; check its current schedule before visiting.

LocationIngonish area

View details ↗

Sugarwitch Cakes

A local bakery creating cakes and other baked treats.

LocationIngonish area

View details ↗

03

Groceries & essentials

Everyday supplies for a cottage stay, picnic, or day on the road.

Doucette’s Market & Eatery

Convenience groceries, snacks, toiletries, household basics, and local products.

Location37867 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Beach

Phone902-285-2861

Visit website ↗

Earth Ocean Outfitting (Outdoor Store)

Outdoor clothing and equipment, including camping, hiking, and fishing gear.

Location36671 Cabot Trail, Ingonish

Phone902-285-2172

View business details ↗

04

Fuel & automotive

Fuel and automotive help along the Cabot Trail.

Ingonish Irving

A family-run full-service station with regular, supreme, and diesel fuel plus automotive service.

Location35688 Cabot Trail, Ingonish

Phone902-285-2726

Visit website ↗

05

Things to do

The beaches, highlands, trails, golf, and four-season experiences that draw people to Ingonish.

Groovy Goat Farm Co.

Visit the family farm’s petting area to meet the goats and other animals. Handmade goat-milk soaps and artisan gelato are also available on site.

Location36028 Cabot Trail, Ingonish

Phone902-285-2265

Farm experience & visitor details ↗

Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Hiking trails, beaches, lookoffs, camping, and coastal and mountain landscapes.

LocationCape Breton Highlands National Park, Ingonish

Phone902-224-2306

Visit website ↗

Destination Cape Smokey

Gondola views and mountain experiences overlooking the Atlantic coast.

Location43470 Cabot Trail, Ingonish

Phone902-285-2535

Visit website ↗

Highlands Links

A historic golf course set between the mountains and the sea.

Location383 Keltic In Road, Ingonish Beach

Phone902-285-2600

Visit website ↗

Ingonish Beach

A popular ocean beach beside Freshwater Lake at the eastern edge of the national park.

LocationIngonish Beach, Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Phone902-224-2306

Visit website ↗

Surf & Turf Adventures

Seasonal rentals of e-bikes, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards for exploring Ingonish.

Location36114 Cabot Trail, Ingonish

Phone902-488-5879

Visit website ↗

Ingonish Whale Watching & Scenic Tours

Seasonal guided boat tours from the Ingonish area.

LocationSee linked listing

Phone902-285-4186

View listing ↗

Keltic Express Zodiac Adventures

Seasonal zodiac tours in the waters near Ingonish Island.

Location101 Wharf Road, Ingonish

Phone902-285-2858

View listing ↗

06

Police & emergency services

For immediate emergencies, call 911.

07

Visitor information

Parks Canada information for visiting Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park – Ingonish Visitor Centre

Parks Canada staff provide park information, maps, passes, program tickets, and updates on park facilities and activities.

Location37639 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Beach

Phone902-224-2306

View park visitor centre details ↗

Before you go

Check ahead.

Information can change with the season. Contact each business or organization directly before making a special trip. This is a first-pass guide, and more verified local listings can be added as the directory grows.