Campobello Island: A Slice Of New Brunswick

Campobello Island is a small Canadian island off the coast of Maine, near the border with the US. It is the largest and only inhabited island in Campobello, a geographic parish in southwestern New Brunswick. The island is closely associated with the United States as the site of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's summer home. The island has no road connection to the rest of Canada and can only be reached via two ferries from the mainland. Alternatively, visitors can cross the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Bridge from Lubec, Maine.

How to get to Campobello Island

Campobello Island is a small Canadian island off the coast of Maine in the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick. It is the largest and only inhabited island in Campobello, a geographic parish in southwestern New Brunswick, Canada. The island is not connected by road to the rest of Canada, but there are a few ways to get there.

By Ferry

The island is accessible via two ferries from the mainland. The first ferry goes from L'Etete, on the mainland, to Deer Island. This ferry is free of charge and runs every half hour to an hour, depending on the time of day. Once you arrive on Deer Island, you will need to drive to the other side of the island to get to the departure point of the second ferry to Campobello Island, which is operated by East Coast Ferries and charges a toll. This ferry runs from June to September and leaves Deer Island on the hour between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm.

By Car

If you are coming from the US, you can drive route 774, which connects Maine directly to the island via the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Bridge in Lubec, Maine. If you are coming from Canada, you can drive to St. Stephen, New Brunswick, cross the border to Calais, Maine, and then follow Route 1 south to Whiting. From there, take Route 189 to Lubec, Maine, and cross the FDR Memorial Bridge to the island.

By Plane

You can also fly to Campobello Island, although there is no airport on the island itself. The nearest airport is in Saint John, New Brunswick, which is about a 2.5-hour drive from the island.

Remember to bring your passport or proof of citizenship when travelling to Campobello Island, as there are border regulations and specific requirements for who can enter Canada and the types of travel documents required.

Things to do on Campobello Island

Campobello Island is a small Canadian island off the coast of Maine. It is the largest and only inhabited island in Campobello, a geographic parish in southwestern New Brunswick, Canada. The island is closely associated with the United States as it was the summer home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Explore the Roosevelt Summer House

Franklin D. Roosevelt's old summer house is now co-owned by the US and Canadian governments and has National Park status. You can take a tour of the house and see the room where Roosevelt fell ill with polio. The house is part of the Roosevelt Campobello International Park, which offers daily programs, historic tours, and 2800 acres of natural beauty to explore.

Visit the Lighthouses

The island has several picturesque lighthouses, including the Mulholland Point Lighthouse and the Head Harbour/East Quoddy Lighthouse. The East Quoddy Lighthouse is accessible only by foot at low tide, adding to its allure. The Mulholland Lighthouse offers views of the bridge to the US and the town of Lubec, Maine, and you may even spot some seals!

Go Hiking

Campobello Island is a hiker's paradise, with new routes being created all the time. You can explore the island's natural beauty, including its sandy coves and inlets, rugged headlands, and scenic viewpoints. Some of the viewing points offer the chance to spot whales in the distance.

Campobello Island Annual Events

The island hosts several annual events, including the Campobello Fogfest (1-4 August 2024) and the Seaglass Festival (the whole month of September). These events celebrate the island's unique culture and offer a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the local community.

Whale Watching

Campobello Island is known for its whales and other coastal creatures. You can join a whale-watching tour or cruise, such as those offered by Island Cruises Whale Watching, to get up close to these magnificent creatures and enjoy stunning views of the island from the ocean.

Golfing

For those who enjoy a round of golf, Herring Cove Provincial Park offers a challenging nine-hole golf course with a clubhouse, dining, and a gift shop. Parts of the course overlook a mile-long beach, providing a unique and scenic golfing experience.

Camping

Camping is a popular option on Campobello Island, with breathtaking scenic spots to pitch a tent or park a camper van. Herring Cove is a great option for camping, offering a crescent-shaped beach and facilities like toilets and electrical power.

Dining

While the island may not have malls or flashy restaurants, there are a few dining options to choose from. These include the Family Fisheries Restaurant, Herring Cove Restaurant, The Porch at Friars Bay, and The Pier on the Waterfront.

So, whether you're interested in history, nature, or just looking to relax and enjoy the views, Campobello Island has something for everyone!

History of Campobello Island

Campobello Island, located in the Bay of Fundy, is one of the three Fundy Isles and a special part of the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. The island is closely associated with the United States as the site of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's summer home.

The island was originally settled by the Passamaquoddy Nation, who called it "Ebaghuit" or "A bah quiet". They hunted, fished, and harvested clams and sea urchins on the island for many years before it first appeared on a European map in 1607.

The French were the first European settlers, naming the island "Port aux Coquilles" ("Seashell Harbour"). They built huts along the island's northwest and southwest shores. In 1767, Captain William Owen and three of his nephews received a grant for the island from the Governor General of Nova Scotia. Owen arrived on the island in 1770 and renamed it Campobello, in honour of Lord William Campbell, the then-provincial governor. Owen brought 38 settlers with him, including various skilled labourers, and they built 15 homes and planted crops.

In 1784, New Brunswick was partitioned from Nova Scotia, and Campobello became part of Charlotte County. By the mid-1800s, the island's population had grown to over 1,000 people, and by 1910, it had reached 1,230.

In the late 1860s, Campobello's industries suffered, with corporate businesses folding and shipping and foreign trade declining. However, a new industry soon emerged in the form of rum-running, with liquor being shipped to the island and then smuggled across the border.

During the 1880s, the island became a popular summer resort destination for wealthy individuals and families. A group of Boston and New York businessmen, calling themselves the Campobello Company, bought most of the southern portion of the island and developed luxurious hotels and resorts. The Canadian and American press promoted Campobello as a desirable vacation spot, and well-to-do families from cities like New York, Boston, and Montreal flocked to the island. Among them was James Roosevelt and his family, who first visited in 1883 and later built a summer home.

In 1962, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial Bridge was opened, providing easier access to the island. Today, Campobello Island continues to be a tourist destination, attracting visitors with its natural beauty, parks, and historical sites.

Campobello Island's population

Campobello Island is the largest and only inhabited island in Campobello, a geographic parish in southwestern New Brunswick, Canada. It is located near the border with Maine, in the Bay of Fundy, and is one of the Fundy Islands. The island has no direct road connection to the rest of Canada and is accessible only via the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Bridge to Lubec, Maine, or by ferry from Deer Island.

The island's population has been declining over the years. In 2001, the population was around 1,200, which decreased to 925 in 2006, 872 in 2016, and 949 in 2021. The population density in 2021 was 24.0/km2 (62.1/sq mi). The island's permanent population primarily consists of Canadian and American Caucasians of modest income, while the summer population is mostly made up of American Caucasians of upper income, particularly from the southern United States.

Historically, the island was first settled by the Passamaquoddy Nation, who called it Ebaghuit. In 1770, the entire island was granted to Captain William Owen, who renamed it Campobello in honour of Lord William Campbell, the Governor of Nova Scotia at the time. By the mid-1800s, the island's population exceeded 1,000 and continued to grow, reaching 1,230 by 1910. The population was further increased by United Empire Loyalists after the American Revolutionary War, and the island's prosperity during this time was partly due to smuggling.

The island became a resort destination for wealthy Canadians and Americans in the 1880s, with the Roosevelt family making Campobello Island their summer home from 1883. The development of luxurious resorts and grand estates contributed to the island's appeal as a summer colony. However, despite its historical appeal and natural beauty, Campobello Island has faced challenges in recent years, including the discontinuation of the ferry service to Deer Island in 2017 and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cross-border travel.

Accommodation on Campobello Island

Campobello Island offers a variety of accommodation options, including rooms, historic inns, chalets, and cottages.

Friars Bay Inn & Cottages provides cottage spaces on the waterfront, as well as a hilltop cottage for larger groups. The inn is also located within walking distance of the beach and the island's parks.

Pollock Cove Resort Inn and Cottages offer one and two-bedroom cottages and multi-bedroom houses overlooking the bay. They are fully equipped with kitchens, and guests can often spot whales from the shore.

The Campobello Whale Watch Motel is open all year round and provides rooms with microwaves, refrigerators, and WiFi. It is located near the grocery store, Campobello Gift House, and Herring Cove Golf Course and Provincial Park.

An Island Chalet offers oceanfront cottages with spectacular views and breathtaking sunsets. The cottages have two bedrooms, kitchens, WiFi, satellite television, BBQ, and a fire pit. They are also dog-friendly.

Campobello Island also has a campground at Herring Cove Provincial Park, which offers 88 campsites (40 with electricity) and five rustic shelters. Fire pits, washrooms, picnic tables, kitchen shelters, and playgrounds are available on-site.

Frequently asked questions