Brier Island is one of my top four places to visit when travelling to Nova Scotia – the others being the Cabot Trail, Peggy’s Cove and Cap D’Or. Brier Island is a must-visit destination to enjoy some of the best scenery in the world and when you need to enjoy life to its fullest. This video tour of Brier Island should give you a really good feeling of what to expect when you visit, and hopefully Brier Island will give you an experience of a lifetime, too! Please take some time and watch all 11 minutes and leave us comments below, as it took us a lot of work to create it.
Getting to Brier Island via the two ferries is half the fun. And where else in the world would a departing ferry actually stop, back up and let two latecomers on?! We stayed at Brier Island Lodge, which you can see in the photo below, at the top of the hill.
Westport is a fantastic jewel to discover if you’re a photographer…and even if you’re not.
There are a few whale watching tour operators located in Westport. These guys advertise with their car. It’s nice to see the tour operators cooperate with each other in order to both accomodate their customers and to not stress out the whales.The fog just seems to make everything better for photography. It definitely gives a realistic Maritime experience.
For me, I find it so relaxing to be able to sit by the edge of the ocean and listen to waves and fog horns from lighthouses. It’s therapeutic after coming from the bustle of the big city. This is the Western Light on Brier Island, and you can hear its foghorn in the video above.
Can you spot the lighthouse on Peter’s Island shown in the panoramic view below? If you can’t, click the image to view it full resolution.
If you drive past Brier Island Lodge, you’ll end up at yet another lighthouse, the Grand Passage Light. Follow the path along the shore from here and you should be able to find seals on the rocks and in the ocean. It’s a wonderful hike along the ocean at sunset.
Selecting the photographs for this article was very challenging, as we shot so so many when we were there. The video on this page contains many more, and we have taken so many other shots I could have included as well. 
Perhaps, I need to leave them out so you’ll want to go and experience Brier Island for yourself ! – Blair Besides this Video Tour of Brier Island, also, check out our other posts about Brier Island: Brier Island, Whale Watching, Brier Island Lodge, and the Lighthouse Cafe.
Until recently I owned a house on the island and your excellent video gives me an opportunity to revisit Brier Island whenever I feel nostalgic. It’s a unique and beautiful part of Nova Scotia.
Melba, we try to inspire. Looks like we did well. Thank you.
I am looking to make several real estate purchases in Nova Scotia, PEI, and New Brunswick. My goal is to buy up a area where I can study sea life and whales, which there are 4 good options between White Head Island and several other larger Islands in the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick along the Bay of Fundy, Delap’s Cove along with Victoria Beach area, but mostly Brier Island, 200 year homes, along with Freeport. Are there some good places to eat between Westport and Freeport, I am not familiar with this area, but I would like to buy some properties where I can observe the local whale population. I am puzzled about Water Street, there are a number of register lots that seemed to be in the water, did a storm take these homes out on the waterside, or am I seeing where piers and house boats are docked.
They are lots so you could build a private wharf, or any other sort of structure over the water
I viewed this location on a whim. Being from Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island to be exact I thought I had seen the best part. I am coming down this summer from Ontario and will definitely be visiting this area. Your video and pictures are great and you have won me over for a visit.
Thanks Again for caring.
Gord
I viewed this location on a whim. Being from Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island to be exact I thought I had seen the best part. I am coming down this summer from Ontario and will definitely be visiting this area. Your video and pictures are great and you have won me over for a visit.
Thanks Again for caring.
Gord
Thanks for you kind words Gord. We live in Ontario as well, but we so love Nova Scotia and visit every summer. You won’t regret Brier Island – it’s a bucket list item.
We were on your island a few weeks ago. Your video is what I will show our family, our pictures didn’t really show how beautiful your secret island is. It was foggy and rainy so we didn’t get to see the whales, we will return!! thank you!!
Thanks, Marie.
Weather along the Atlantic can be unpredictable. The weekend we were there shooting the video, we arrived in the rain, enjoyed the fog and heard the different foghorn sounds, and left in the sunshine. But we dressed for the weather and enjoyed every moment of it.
C
What a fabulous video tour of Brier Island. We are planning on coming in late August and I am even more excited that before. A beautiful ballad to accompany a beautiful landscape. Thank you for all your efforts and for posting this video. Have a wonderful day.
Thank you for your kind words Margaret.
My wife and I are visiting Nova Scotia for the first time from London, England in a few weeks time and have Brier Island booked for the final four days of our time in Canada. (Cabot Trail during the first week). Now, after watching your beautiful video, we know we were right to make the island the grand finale of our vacation. Thank you.
Keith and Celia
Thank you Keith. Did you take a moment to see our Cabot Trail video as well? http://www.visitingnovascotia.com/?p=4970 A week for the Cabot Trail is a good plan. You’ll not want to leave Brier Island.
Loved the video and the song. Having never been to the East Coast before, my husband, son and I are really looking forward to the visit. We hope to spend a night out at the Lodge. Thank you so much for putting this together!
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
C
Thank you for posting this website. One of my husband’s aunts Married Raymond Robicheau and they had nine children. Their daughter, Virginia and her husband runs the place that you stayed at. I am not sure yet, but my hubby is thinking of going there this summer, at the end of August, if he can get the time off.
Jeannette
Well Done, thanks to Karen for sharing this with me, beautiful place.
Thanks Cal. There are so many beautiful sights in Nova Scotia that are sometimes missed, this is one of those gems.
Of all my travels, Brier Island is my favorite place. I wanted to teach on Long Island at one time. (I am being greedy) but I wish that your video was horrible, so people would not go there and it would remain a secret place.
ps, loved the music too.
Cindy, I’m so glad you enjoyed our little film as we put a lot of work into it. We’re all about showcasing the hidden treasures of Nova Scotia, even the ones not marketed by Nova Scotia tourism, as there’s so much more to explore in Nova Scotia than which people are aware!
p.s. The first time I heard Nate sing this song, I knew it was perfect for our film.
Thank you for such a beautiful video of Brier Island. I love this place and have many fond memories of times spent here as a kid(adult too) and I will always feel deeply connected to it.
Thank you for taking the time to comment! We are so glad you enjoyed the video — it is a very special place.
Carolyn
Thanks for a this beautiful portrait of Brier Island. I spent every summer there as a kid and it’s the best and most beautiful place on earth as far as I’m concerned.
Thanks for your kind words, Ina. It certainly is a beautiful place, too bad it’s mostly ignored by NS Tourism.
Thank you
You’re welcome!
I got to visit a couple times when I lived in the Valley as a child. It made such an impression on me that I applied to teach at the school in Westport a few years ago (didn’t get it obviously!).
I am looking forward to visiting when I get to NS next time. I think as an adult I could spend a much longer time visiting. Great job on the video.
Thanks for your kind comments D’Arcy. Seems we’re alot alike, living in Toronto wishing to move back to Nova Scotia!
HI,
I loved your video! It describes the island so well!
We just bought our house on the Island 3 years agou and we are moving there permanently this summer.
We have an apartment for rent (3 nights minimum) on the first floor (we live on the second floor).
I was wondering if I could attach your link to my website (see above). It would really complement the site.
Can’t wait to hear from you!
I’ll contact you privately about your request. Thanks!
Beautiful video. I am so thankful that Brier Island has always been part of my life.
Thank you!
You’re lucky, we’d love to be able to spend more time there.
Grand video. Heading for Brier Island early this summer as a reunion spot with childhood best friends. Now I can’t wait!
Thanks for looking and taking the time to comment! It took me years to get my fellow there and he fell in love with it as much as I had many years earlier.
Take layers and a raincoat so you can enjoy any weather thrown at you, remember that the general store is also a liquor store, the Brier Island Lodge has a dining room with a spectaclar view, and have a lot of fun. It’s a beautiful place to spend time and I think it’s a particularly wonderful place for groups of people to enjoy each other and nature. Exploring can make anyone feel like a kid again!
Beautiful ! I have a friend who moved there a few years ago, now I know why…..I will be coming for a visit.
When I lived in Nova Scotia I never knew about this gem. Darlene, if you’ve never been, you really should go. Glad you enjoyed our video!
Enjoyed the video. Will be watching the others you have created.
Thanks Paul. We try to show the other amazing parts of Nova Scotia that NS Tourism may neglect. There is so much to see that most tourists are unaware even exists. Brier island is certainly one of those gems.
“Fabulous !” Thank you.
So glad you enjoyed it, Scott! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Best,
Carolyn
thank-you so much for your video. Miss this place soooo much. lots of family there. i can almost smell the salt air.
Thanks, Crystal! It is such a beautiful place.
Lovely. Thanks for posting…missing NS more and more, every day!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Catherine! Yeah, we love it, too, and are always happy to hear from others who do as well.
Oh my you two! Amazing, beautiful, calming….I truly hope NS tourism sees this video and hires you two as their ambassadors. The love shines through.
Thanks, Brenda, glad you enjoyed it.
Many years ago my Dad and Mom lived on Briar Island and Dad built a number of building near the Western Lighthouse. Three years ago for our mothers 90th birthday we took her back for a walk down memory lane.. She was disappointed to see the buildings had all gone but we had a great visit.. A very beautiful place and hope to visit again.
I imagine that storms hit that end more severely than in Westport so maybe contributed to the disappointment. Very interesting piece of history, though. Next time I’m wandering around there, I’ll be thinking of the missing buildings. I’d be interested in knowing what their purpose was.
Thanks so much for commenting, Alice!
– Carolyn
The pictures of the landscape are just breathtaking. Plan to go to Briar island in the spring.
Thanks, Betty!
Make sure to take clothes for variable weather to maximize your enjoyment. The landscape is gorgeous and the trails on the island allow for a lot of exploration.
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
– Carolyn
I have bee to Brier is a few times myself, and I loved each and every time that I go.
Great video. Great fog pictures!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Hubert! We’re glad to hear you enjoyed it. And, yeah, no place does fog as well as the Maritimes.
–Carolyn
Thank you for visiting Brier Island and creating this article and the video. Well done!! I also appreciate that you used a local Brier Islander’s music in the piece. Nathan is a very talented, outgoing, likeable person!
My only question is that I noticed most of the images were taken at low tide. Did you take any during high tide as well? I find, personally, that the island is more aesthetically appealing at high tide.
I am going to read and look at the rest of your Nova Scotia excursions. Take care!
Laura,
Brier Island
Hi Laura,
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
I love Nathan’s music more and more. Ballad of the Fundy is such a beautiful piece of storytelling of a way of life of a place I love.
The pano below the video is when the tide is almost full, though maybe needs to be bigger — I’ll update that as I did with the Shelburne waterfront image in the preceding post so that it can be seen in more detail. Please look back later.
As Blair mentioned, I took a lot of photos during our stay. I’m working on an ePub, which will have more images than could be put in a blog post.
That trip, we had rain, fog and sun and the island was beautiful during it all. It is definitely a piece of heaven, no matter what the tide level.
Thanks again for taking the time to comment!
– Carolyn