By Tom Peters
BADDECK: Perched on the edge of the Bras d’Or Lake – often described as Canada’s inland sea – the Village of Baddeck is harnessing its natural beauty to become a thriving hub for recreational tourism, boating, and community life.
“We had a great season last year,” Steven Goldthwaite said, chair of the Waterfront Baddeck Committee, a sub-committee of the Baddeck Village Commission. “We welcomed visiting boaters – nearly double the number from the previous year.”
A steady stream of small boats, sailboats, and even small cruise ships made Baddeck a port of call. The waterfront is also home to two commercial tour operators – Winstar and Sailing CBI – and remains fully open to the public, offering access to the stunning lakefront.
A central gem of the village’s waterfront is Kidston Island, a 30-acre escape just offshore, featuring a popular lifeguarded beach, hiking trails, and scenic views.
“We get thousands of people coming to stroll and enjoy the views,” said Goldthwaite. Nearly 5,000 people visited the beach last summer. The Lions Club manages the site, which is accessible by free ferry service in July and August.
Adding to the village’s charm is its 183-metre boardwalk, which will soon undergo a major transformation.
“We are planning to rebuild the boardwalk. It’s a $2.5 million project we’ve been working on for years,” Goldthwaite explained. “There aren’t many places where people can access the Bras d’Or Lake like this – where they can get right down to the water’s edge to picnic and enjoy the views.”
The project has garnered widespread community support, and tenders have already been issued, though a completion date has yet to be confirmed. A portion of the boardwalk was closed last summer due to its deteriorating condition.
Funding for the project is being provided by all levels of government, as well as the Village of Baddeck itself.
“That kind of collaboration and investment is vital,” said Goldthwaite. “The boardwalk is really an important piece of infrastructure – not just for Baddeck, but for Victoria County and all of Cape Breton.”
The Waterfront Committee has been active on both large and small initiatives. Its first major success was repairing the community wharf, which now generates revenue from visiting boaters – revenue that’s reinvested directly into waterfront projects.
“With financial pressures the way they are, having infrastructure that generates new income to help leverage grants is so important,” Goldthwaite said. “It allows us to improve the waterfront without drawing from the community’s tax base.”
Looking ahead, the committee is eyeing another key project: restoration work on the Kidston Island lighthouse, which dates back to 1912. Its foundation will need repairs in the coming years to preserve the historic structure.
“We have a great committee, and we love the work we do,” Goldthwaite added. “The key thing is: how are we making this a place the community loves?”
With scenic charm, smart investment, and a passionate community spirit, Baddeck’s waterfront continues to shine as one of Cape Breton’s most cherished public spaces.