If you're looking for a quiet little fishing-island getaway in New Brunswick - especially one where you can go whale watching without spending a fortune - Deer Island is absolutely worth considering.
We spent two nights on Deer Island in August when Parker was 10 months old. We were already staying with family near St. Martins, and Deer Island caught our attention mostly because of the affordable whale-watching options. It ended up being exactly the kind of side trip we like with a baby: slow-paced, scenic and easy to explore without a packed itinerary.
Two nights felt just right. Long enough that we didn't have to rush, but Deer Island isn't somewhere I'd plan a week-long itinerary.
Getting to Deer Island
Getting there is part of the adventure.
Deer Island is reached from mainland New Brunswick by the ferry from Letete. The provincial ferry runs year-round, carries vehicles and takes about 20 minutes to cross Passamaquoddy Bay.
For us, the ferry was incredibly easy. Loading and unloading were both quick and efficient, and we stayed in our vehicle for the crossing. Since Parker had already spent plenty of time strapped into his car seat, we let him out to crawl around and explore the car while we crossed. He thought that was fantastic.
Getting him back into the car seat when we arrived?
Considerably less fantastic.
Baby tip
If you're travelling with a baby who is getting restless in the car, the ferry crossing makes a nice little break in the drive. Just remember that you'll need everyone safely back where they belong before driving off the ferry.
What Is There to Do on Deer Island?
Deer Island isn't a destination where you need a giant checklist, that was actually one of the things we liked most about it. We spent a lot of our time simply driving around the island, walking, stopping at viewpoints and checking out the lighthouses. It has a very quiet, coastal fishing-community feel and was a nice change of pace from trying to fit attractions into every day of a trip.
Go Whale Watching
Whale watching was the main reason we chose Deer Island - and it ended up being one of the highlights of our New Brunswick trip. We went with Full Tide Ocean Safari and felt completely comfortable bringing our 10-month-old aboard.
The trip was on a lobster fishing boat and lasted around three hours. There wasn't an indoor area, stroller space or anywhere dedicated to changing a baby, so this isn't a polished sightseeing cruise. But the boat was clean, the seas were calm during our trips, and we were able to let Parker move around on deck. They even had children's books on board for him to look through, which was such a small but thoughtful touch.
Our first trip didn't result in any whale sightings, so we went again. On our second trip, we saw three minke whales, and the experience didn't feel rushed. We had plenty of time to watch them rather than immediately turning around once we'd spotted one.
We paid $184 total for our family each time we went. Prices and child fares can change, so I'd check current rates directly when booking rather than using that as today's price.
Would I whale watch from Deer Island with a baby again? Absolutely.
What About Diaper Changes on the Boat?
There wasn't a change table, so diaper changes happened on our laps. It really wasn't a big deal. This is one of those baby-travel situations where expectations make all the difference. If you're expecting a large tour boat with bathrooms, indoor seating and lots of facilities, this probably isn't that experience. If you're comfortable improvising a little, we found it completely manageable.
See the Old Sow Whirlpool
Deer Island is also one of the places where you can see the Old Sow Whirlpool, created by the huge tidal movements in the Bay of Fundy. We viewed it from Deer Island Point near the campground and lighthouse. Would I plan an entire trip around seeing it? Probably not. But if you're already on Deer Island, you might as well check it out - particularly if you can time your visit around the tides when the currents are more active.
Stop at the Lighthouses
We also drove around to see the island's lighthouses. For us, these were quick sightseeing stops rather than major activities. That's really how I'd approach a lot of Deer Island: drive, stop when something looks interesting, wander around for a bit and keep going.
With a baby, that kind of sightseeing is particularly nice because you're not constantly racing to make reservation times or squeezing in another attraction before it closes.
Explore the Coast
We drove past and stopped around several of Deer Island's beaches and coastal areas. The beaches here are rocky rather than the soft-sand beaches you might picture for a traditional beach day, so I wouldn't necessarily plan on setting up for hours with a baby.
This was also one place where I wished we'd brought our carrier. We had the stroller for walks, but a carrier would have made getting down onto some of the rocky shoreline much easier. If I went again, I'd bring both.
Something We'd Add Next Time: Kayaking
One thing we didn't manage to coordinate was kayaking.
If timing and baby logistics had worked out, I think seeing more of Deer Island from the water would have been a really fun addition to the trip.
It's probably the biggest thing I'd try to add if we went back.
Where We Stayed on Deer Island
We stayed for two nights at Homeport Suites & Residences in Lords Cove. Our room was big, clean and really cute, with coastal-themed decor. We brought our own pack-and-play, and while there wasn't a kitchenette in our room, the space itself worked really well with a baby. It was also one of those hotel rooms that happened to be fairly easy to manage with a mobile 10-month-old. We weren't constantly pulling Parker away from things he shouldn't touch, which is an underrated hotel feature once your baby starts exploring everything. I'd happily stay there again.
Eating on Deer Island
We ate at The Cap Sill, the restaurant underneath Homeport Suites, several times during our stay and had a great experience. That was particularly convenient with a baby because we didn't need to get back in the car every time we wanted something to eat.
We also tried Ocean View Takeout once. It was fine, but Cap Sill was our go-to.
There is a grocery store on Deer Island, and we found it surprisingly well stocked for a small island. Its opening hours were limited, though, so this is one place where I'd recommend checking hours and picking up anything important before you suddenly need it.
Travelling with a baby has taught us never to assume we'll be able to buy the exact snack, diaper or baby item we need at 7 p.m.
Stroller or Carrier for Deer Island?
Bring both if you have room.We used our stroller for walks and it worked well. The carrier is what I wish we'd had with us for exploring the rocky beaches and shoreline. You certainly don't need one to visit Deer Island, but it would give you more flexibility. For whale watching, we didn't need either once we were on the boat.
How Long Do You Need on Deer Island?
For us, two nights was perfect. There isn't a huge list of attractions to work through, and I don't think that's the point of coming here. Two nights gave us time to whale watch, drive around the island, see the lighthouses and Old Sow, go for walks and generally explore without turning the trip into a schedule. It also gave us enough flexibility to go whale watching a second time after we didn't see any whales on our first trip - which obviously worked out pretty well for us.
If you're visiting with a baby, that extra flexibility is valuable. Weather changes. Naps happen. Whales don't always cooperate.
Is Deer Island Worth Visiting With a Baby?
For us, definitely. I wouldn't come expecting a packed family destination with children's attractions everywhere. Deer Island's appeal is almost the opposite. It's quiet. It's small. It's coastal. You can drive around without much of a plan, stop when something catches your attention and spend a couple of days enjoying being by the water. And travelling with a 10-month-old didn't prevent us from doing the thing we'd specifically come for: whale watching.
If you're already travelling around southern New Brunswick, I'd absolutely consider adding a couple of nights on Deer Island - particularly if whale watching is on your list. 5Sometimes the easiest trips with a baby are the places where there isn't that much you're supposed to do. And Deer Island was exactly that for us.
