Deer Island, New Brunswick

Old Sow Whirlpool
Old Sow Whirlpool

The smallest inhabited island (45 sq. km) among the Fundy Isles, Deer Island is lined with many herring, lobster and salmon fishing villages and home of the Old Sow Whirlpool. Visible three hours prior to high tide from Deer Island Point Park, the Old Sow Whirlpool is the largest tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere. Popular activities on Deer Island include beach combing, bird watching, fishing, nature walks, and sea kayaking.

Population: 851
Industries: Fishing

Community Links:

http://www.deerisland.nb.ca/
http://www.cyberlights.com/lh/canada/deerisland.htm

Getting to Deer Island

Two government ferries run between L’Etete, New Brunswick and Deer Island, New Brunswick daily.

  1. L’Etete to Deer Island: Departures every half hour between 6:30am and 5:00pm and every hour between 5:30pm and 10:30pm.
  2. Deer Island to L’Etete: Departures every half hour between 6:00am and 5:00pm and every hour between 5:00pm and 10:00pm.

There is no toll for this ferry.

For more information pertaining to the Deer Island ferry service please visit www.deerisland.nb.ca/ferries.htm.

12 comments received

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    Suzanne Court-Oak

    Hi Connell
    sorry not to have replied before but I didn’t get a notification and had not realised there had been a response. I am in the UK so it’s not easy to get hold of canadian phone numbers I believe. would you have an email for the genealogist you mention, Dale? is he on facebook or any other sites where i may be able to contact him? Thanks

    Suzanne Court-Oak

    Hi Connell
    sorry not to have replied before but I didn’t get a notification and had not realised there had been a response. I am in the UK so it’s not easy to get hold of canadian phone numbers I believe. would you have an email for the genealogist you mention, Dale? is he on facebook or any other sites where i may be able to contact him? Since posting I remembered that Thelma Greenlaw was Thelma Lambert before she married. My dad often talked about Nana Lambert, Thelma’s mother who lived with them. Thanks

    Dorisa Martinello

    There is a picturesque cove with an inn (Lilac Inn) at 94 Richardson Rd. near Lord’s cove that overlooks the boats and isles. The proprietor makes and sells her own ice cream of unique flavours and also serves homemade danishes for breakfast. Best I’ve ever tasted too.

    Lisa

    Raymond and Thelma agree law were my neighbors, both passed now. Winters here are the same as any other maritime province. Ferries run every half hour from 6 am to 11 pm. Weather permitting, which means trips do get cancelled.

    Lisa

    We are a population of 800, most services are accessed by ferry. We have a family owned corner store and a gas station here. The clinic has been locked since Covid started. There is an ambulance service and volunteer run fire hall

    Lisa

    Deer Island is a small village in NB. Unless you are traveling from outside Canada, you do not need a passport

    Shawna

    My family is planning a trip to Deer Island this summer. Do you need a passport? We went to Campobello a few years ago, all they needed was birth certificates. I just. Want to be prepared. TIA

    Connell smith

    Hi Suzanne,
    There’s an excellent and very community-minded Deer Island genealogist named Dale Barteau. He lives in Chocolate Cove. You should have little trouble finding a phone number. I’m certain he can help you.

    Suzanne Court-Oak

    Hello
    My Dad, James Court, was stationed in Canada during WW2 with the RAF and he spent a lot of his time staying on Deer island with some friends he made there. I heard lots of stories about the wonderful times he spent on the island. The friends he stayed with were called Raymond and Thelma Greenlaw. They came over to visit the UK about 1974 and stayed with us. I would love to find out more about them or what the area would have been like in the 1940’s. Sadly all of the photos my Dad had of his time on the Island got destroyed in a fire. If anyone can help I would be delighted to hear from them. Thank you
    Suzanne Court-Oak

    Penny

    How are the winters there?

    Nancy McCathie

    I have a question about any medical facilities that may or may not be on Deer Island. We are looking to relocate and purchasing a busines in the area and this is a concern.
    thank you for your time
    Nancy

      Bay of Fundy

      There is a clinic on the island that’s open 5 days a week. They have a full-time nurse and a doctor available once per a week. The closest hospital is in St. Stephen.

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