Maps

The Island of Cape Breton is located about 1500 km from Montreal, or a good two-day drive.
It's about 5 hours from either Halifax or Moncton.

Red line : our itinerary with overnight camp locations.
Total distance : about 160 km.
Seven paddling days plus four "rest" days = 11 days total.

Weather conditions:

Summer dominant wind : from the South West, starting mid morning, creating surf conditions on West facing beaches. On the Eastern (Atlantic) shore, this wind blows parallel to the coast from the South. It is felt especially around headlands (Egmont, Middle Head, Smokey).

An East wind brings bad weather, a good swell on the Atlantic side and tent-flattening gusts down West facing cliffs (in particular over the Corney Brooks campground, as well as Fishing Cove and Pollett's Cove).

After a thunder storm, the wind usually shifts to the North or North West, which can make rounding the Northern tip of the Highland quite treacherous.

Normal tides are negligible (1 to 2 ft), a bit higher on Full moons and equinoxes. Currents are reported to be strong under unpredictable conditions, although they weren't a factor for us. There is a large counter clockwise current circling the Gulf of St.Lawrence which can affect conditions at Cape St.Lawrence and Money Point.

We have seen for ourselves that moderate wind waves or a very mild swell can create very strong seas around headlands or shallows.