Welcome
The picturesque and well-protected Baddeck harbour has been a destination for cruising yachts and local boaters for generations.
To enter Baddeck's deep-water harbour, pass east or west of Kidston Island. The public wharf offers overnight berthing from
May 1 to October 15. Reservations can be made online with our dock reservation form. Otherwise, spots are based on availability. 30, 50, and 100 Amp power service and water is available.
Overnight spaces are limited from mid-July to mid-August. Our quiet anchorage provides good holding and protection from most wind directions for those who choose to anchor. From our wharf you are just a short walk to the heart of the village.
Coordinates: 46° 5.958' N 60° 44.819' W
Bras d'Or Lake Marine Charts No. 4277, 4278, 4279
Stay at Our Public Docks
Daytime Berth
Daytime berthing is free based on availability and is first-come, first-served. Berthing time is limited to 3-hours. Daytime boats must depart when the overnight boater arrives at the designated location. No reservation is required for daytime use. Water is available for a $10 charge for any boater not berthing overnight.
2023 Overnight Berthing Rates
–Vessels up to 50 feet (15.2m) $2.00 per ft
–Vessels 51 feet – 80 feet (15.5m – 24.4m) $2.50 per ft
–Vessels greater than 80 feet (24.4m) $4.50 per ft
– Power and water hookup – 30 amp $10 per day, 50 amp $20
per day, 100 amp $75 per day.
Dock Master
Our Dock Master Denise Mulley can be found at The Freight Shed, located on the public wharf. If you do not reserve online, she or her staff will book your reservation and welcome you to our wharf.
Contact
–Telephone: 902-295-1389
–VHF: Channel 68
– Wharf address: 2 Jones Street, Baddeck, NS B0E 1B0
photo courtesy of Barry & Garry Watson
Dock Services & Specs
Power & Water
30, 50 100 Amp service and water is available for overnight boats and charged additionally. Free water is available for daytime boats.
Waste Disposal
Waste and recycling bins are located behind The Freight Shed building. Please do not use bins on the wharf.
Laundry
Available in the village of Baddeck a short walk from the wharf. Chebucto Laundromat 507 Chebucto Street.
Washrooms and Shower
The public wharf does not offer washroom or shower facilities. Public washrooms can be found at the Visitor Information Center, 454 Chebucto St., Tel: 902-295-1911, or the Baddeck Court House 497 Chebucto St. Both a 5–10 minute walk from the wharf.
Fuel
Gasoline and Diesel are available at the nearby Baddeck Marine fuel dock. VHF Channel 68, Tel: 902-295-2434.
Wireless Internet
Available for overnight boaters starting July 15. Please inquire at The Freight Shed for access.
Moorings
Baddeck Marine, VHF Channel 68, Tel: 902-295-2434
Bras d'Or Yacht Club Tel: 902-295-2107
Boat Service, Repair & Haulout
Bras d'Or Boat Works Tel: 902-295-7245 www.brasdorboatworks.com
Baddeck Marine, VHF Channel 68, Tel: 902-295-2434
Wharf Water Depth, Tide & Wind
– Front shore-side: 8 ft (2.4m)
– Middle: 21 ft (6.4m)
– End harbour-side: 26 ft (7.9m)
– Average tidal range 6 – 9 in (15cm – 23cm)
– Prevailing summer wind SW
– Sustained SE wind > 30 kt, east-side floating dock is closed
Wharf Specifications
– East-side floating dock: 240 ft x 10 ft (73m x 3m) height above
water 23 in, wood decking
– West-side floating dock: 230 ft x 8 ft (64m x 2.5m) height above
water 15 in, wood decking
– End-face no floating dock: 76 ft x 6 ft (23m x m) height above water, concrete and wood decking
– L-face no floating dock: 40 ft x 6 ft (12m x m) height above water, concrete and wood decking
Resource Links
Cape Breton Mesonet Live Weather Stations
Environment Canada Marine Forecast – Bras d’Or Lake
Environment Canada Weather – Baddeck
The Bras d'Or Lake
The Bras d’Or Lake covers 450 square miles (1100 sq km) of unmatched cruising in North America. With steady wind, deep water, and an abundance of quiet anchorages you are sure to have many fine days and memorable experiences.
The Mi'kmaq called the Bras d'Or "Pitupaq" Bi-doo-buck (long salt water). It was a major source of food for indigenous communities, with abundant populations of mussels, crabs, clams, trout, salmon, herring, cod, and mackerel.
The prevailing summer wind conditions are typically calm in the mornings and evenings, with southwesterly winds building to 15 – 18 knots by afternoon. As summer progresses the prevailing wind shifts to the west and even northwest bringing clear dry air.
The southern entrance to the Bras d'Or is the St. Peters canal. The channel is deep and well buoyed. The lock dimensions are 300 feet (91m) by 47 feet (14m) with a depth of 16 feet (4.9m) over the sills. The direction of buoyage through the Lake is from north to south, therefore departing the Canal heading for Baddeck, leave the red buoys to port. As you enter the Lake from St. Peters you must pass below the 80 feet (24.3m) overhead high voltage cables at Beaver Narrows.
The Great Bras d'Or Channel is the northern inlet to the Lake—20 nm long, minimum controlling depth of 32 feet (10m), tidal current up to 7 kts, spanned by the Seal Island Bridge with a vertical clearance of 119 feet (36m). The Bras d'Or has less salinity than the surrounding ocean, tidal range averages 6 – 9 inches (15cm – 23cm), and water temperatures can reach 65° – 70° F (18° – 21° C) during the summer months.
