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Private Home Surrounded by 180 Forested Acres on Otter Harbour, Cape Breton

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Otter Harbour Home
View of Otter Harbour
Steps down to Harbour
Property includes coves and lagoons for kayak exploration
Exterior

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
New Harris, NS
  • Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • St. Anns Provincial Park
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Marine Atlantic Ferry Terminal
    ‪28 min drive‬
  • Sydney, NS (YQY)
    ‪52 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Blue Bedroom

2 Single Beds

Lower Level

2 Single Beds and 1 King Bed

Master

1 King Bed

Pink Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

En suite Master Bedroom

Toilet · Shower only

Lower Level

Toilet · Jetted bathtub

Main

Bathtub · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Private Home Surrounded by 180 Forested Acres on Otter Harbour, Cape Breton

Beautiful home surrounded by nature overlooking salt-water Otter Harbour, on Great Bras d'or, 5 miles from open Atlantic. Situated on 180 acres of pristine northern forest at base of Kelly's Mountain. Property includes numerous coves, inlets and lagoons, ideal for exploration by kayak. Close to the spectacular world-famous Cabot Trail and Cape Breton Highlands, fiddle and bagpipe music center at the Gaelic College, and resort town of Baddeck, the sailing hub of Cape Breton. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts with hiking, swimming, and kayaking right outside the door, and deep-water Otter Harbour for embarking cruises to explore the Bras d'or Lake, the largest inland sea of Eastern Canada. On rainy days, stay home and enjoy your own state-of-the art movie theater equipped with overhead projector and satellite television. Home is Wi-Fi equipped throughout. Perfect jumping off spot for visiting Cape Breton's extensive scenic attractions, including whale and puffin cruises and Scottish music venues. (Please note: all rates are quoted in U.S. Dollars.)

Property manager

William Abbott

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:30 PM
Check out before 10:30 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 1 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Minimum overnight stay is five (5) nights.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number RYA-2025-26-06081256122938521-3112

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

New Harris Settlement

New Harris Settlement is home to this holiday home. Great Bras d'Or Range Rear Lighthouse and Munroe Point Lighthouse are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Dalem Lake Provincial Park and Ross Ferry Provincial Park.
Map
New Harris, NS

What's nearby

  • Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts - 20 min drive - 20.3 km
  • St. Anns Provincial Park - 21 min drive - 21.9 km
  • Munroe Point Lighthouse - 27 min drive - 28.4 km
  • Marine Atlantic Ferry Terminal - 28 min drive - 28.5 km
  • Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site - 32 min drive - 36.4 km

Getting around

  • Sydney, NS (YQY) - 52 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cedar House Bakery and Restaurant - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Lobster Galley - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Fitzgerald's Restaurant Ltd - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Captain Capers Fish & Chips - ‬20 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Private Home Surrounded by 180 Forested Acres on Otter Harbour, Cape Breton pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total).

What time is check-in at Private Home Surrounded by 180 Forested Acres on Otter Harbour, Cape Breton?

Check-in begins at 4:30 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Home Surrounded by 180 Forested Acres on Otter Harbour, Cape Breton?

Checkout is at 10:30 AM.

Where is Private Home Surrounded by 180 Forested Acres on Otter Harbour, Cape Breton located?

This family-friendly New Harris Settlement holiday home is within 3 mi (5 km) of Bras d'Or Lake and Otter Island. Dalem Lake Provincial Park and Pattersons Lake are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 23 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 23 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 23 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 23 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Heather M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Summertime

We had a great stay in New Harris. The home was beautiful and location was perfect.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

gilbert s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very nice house

The house is well built on the harbour. Great location
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathy D., Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Getaway

Unfortunately I was unable to attend this trip personally but my family went and had a great time. There were lots of outdoor activities available for couples and small groups. They remarked that it was very secluded, but with lots of Cape Breton close at hand. They felt the kitchen had everything they needed to prepare family meals. They enjoyed the fire pits, swimming, fishing and kayaks. Inside were plenty of spaces to socialize or find a quiet area away from the group.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect getaway for family fun with some adventure

We had a wonderful stay at this large property! The highlights were the dock and 4 kayaks really close to the house and the awesome scenery and coves to explore from the water. We had a wonderful dinner with freshly caught mussels using the kayaks! The kids were super excited about the movie theatre which was awesome and they used it a lot without any problems. The place had everything we needed and Rob was very responsive and helpful. As the property is in a trees area and close to the water, make sure to bring bug spray. Other activities and towns were also easy to access by car. We did the Cabot trail and although the many views and beaches were spectacular, it is a long drive to do all in one day.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

David H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Kayaking Paradise

The islands in this sheltered cove made this waterfront scenic, calm and open to exploration by the four kayaks provided. Magical lagoons on either side were a big attraction to all. With great swimming off the newer dock, the water was a popular spot. Care is needed to walk down the steep incline to the water in places, especially after a heavy rain. The spacious cottage was perfect for the three families staying here and the ping pong table and media room were a great draw for entertaining all. Kitchen was very well equipped with plenty of dishes, glassware, quality utensils and cutlery. The large table easily accommodated our group. Any issues we had, were dealt with promptly by the property manager or owner. Overall, our two weeks was a pleasant experience with many family memories made.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2023

6/10 Okay

Monica P., Pittsburgh

Liked: Location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in, communication

The good, the bad, and the ugly

First, the good - the location was fantastic - the property is on the water, there were 4 kayaks, and the ping pong table and theater room were nice. The bad - the owner provided check-in instructions that were missing a key digit to get into the lock box. The property manager did not show up to meet us as we were told and we could not reach him for an hour. The owner insisted that it was in the directions, which it was not. The weather for the trip was not ideal - there were "historic" rains for the first few days and then extreme heat - the house is equipped for neither. There is no A/C only three incredibly dirty fans which we had to take apart to clean ourselves so they would function. The ugly - the house is very musty inside and gets no cross breeze (the dated cloth furniture doesn't help) and the bugs around the house that get in through the screens were brutal - we left with about one hundred bug bites. The linens and towels in every room were all stained and need to be replaced - there was a large blood stain inside a pillow case in the master, which caused us to wash all of the bedding before going to sleep. Our friend slipped and fell in the main bathroom shower on the first night bruising her ribs because of the very old suctions on the shower mat and poor shower design. We called the property manager to ask about a tandem kayak but he never called back to check on her. Overall just not a great place to stay and needs much more upkeep and attention.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We could not have been happier! The property is amazing, the location is perfect for day trips.

Three generations of immediate family had an amazing time. Every amenity the property had to offer was exceptional. We plan on visiting again! Every step of our visit was flawless! Robbie the property manager was always prompt and beyond accommodating. Thank you Abbott family for sharing your special property with us.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Oliver M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

August 2022 Vacation

A wonderful house, loads of space, beautiful surroundings, a great vacation was had by all. A good base for Cape Breton. We particularly enjoyed the lake and the kayaks.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nancy K.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in

Perfect family gathering place

The property is private, beautiful and spacious. The house was immaculately clean with comfortable beds and lots of space for activities whether you like to swim, read by the lake or watching a movie. Th kitchen was better equipped than any other Vrbo have stayed.
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Anthony M., Stephentown, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Property!

Super location very near the water, we took advantage of the kayaks and had beautiful paddles, nice that it was so close to the Cabot trail. House was great, so much room, nicely appointed. We had a great time in the game room when we had a rainy day.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Patrick D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice quiet location

Very nice quiet location with good use of all amenities on the property. Kayaking was wonderful for the family.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Paul G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

lovely spot

The location is really beautiful. The lake is great, and the water in August was great for swimming. The house is not that close to the water though and there are stairs so if you have mobility issues it would be difficult. We found it a convenient spot for seeing Cape Breton and getting to restaurants/groceries as it's between Baddeck and Sydney. You really are in the wilderness here. At night especially it's very dark and quiet - one night we heard animal sounds that were quite loud, I think they were owls. Internet was very weak, pretty much unusable even for email. I wouldn't let this stop you though unless you really really need it for work or something and can't get by with cellular data (which worked fine). It might not always be so weak - there was a major Eastlink outage throughout Nova Scotia during our stay and this may have bogged down other providers as well. The house is really great as well. The living room with huge windows in 3 directions is fantastic. And the movie theatre in the basement was a big hit as well, especially with the kids. Property manager always replied within moments with any questions we had. Thanks for a great stay!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Don M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful property.

Our family enjoyed our week there. Lots of trails, access to water, kayaks and wildlife.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021

8/10 Good

Colin P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great family spot

Very peaceful and relaxing setting. Home theater and ping pong were great. Enjoyed kayaking and the beautiful natural setting. Poor wifi, dated decor, but this did not detract from our stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Scott K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Worth every penny

I asked for a fire pit and they had one made for our stay. Great experience
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Brenna F., Halifax, Nova Scotia

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great thanksgiving getaway

Our family and friends had a lovely 4 days at this house in Otter Harbour. The location is beautiful, the house has amble room to relax and we felt very at home and comfortable. Everything we needed for a Thanksgiving feast was there. In addition, our dog loved being able to roam free on the property as we took several walks exploring the area. The fireplace is lovely, the space is open and great for sharing time with friends and family. The bathrooms are large and the basement was a lot of fun with ping pong and the movie theatre! The wifi was down, but we all needed a chance to unplug anyhow. It looks like lovely waters to explore by canoe/kayak in the summer, or to even snorkel!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Tiiu P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gorgeous Property!

Acres of rolling hills and trails and a stunning waterfront - would love to be there in the summer to swim in the pristeen water. The house is spacious and perfect for a larger family of group - so comfortable and well appointed. Mike, the property manager could not have been more helpful and friendly. We all loved every minute of our stay! Thank you!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Ruth K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Harbour House in Cape Breton

We spent a few days at Harbour House and very much enjoyed our time there! Very peaceful and beautiful scenery!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Debra K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great base for exploring Cape Breton

As a party of four couples, we thoroughly enjoyed our week at this property. The owner was very responsive to questions ahead of our stay, and there was someone available locally to check that we had everything we needed. Most days we managed to balance heading out to see local attractions while still having time to swim, kayak, or explore the property itself. If you’re looking to visit Cape Breton, this is an ideal base and the cottage itself is comfortable and well equipped. Highly recommended!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Amanda C., Zeeland, MI

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Homey Retreat

The Otter Harbour home was exactly as described in the listing... Spacious, beautiful setting, secluded, etc. We loved using the kayaks to explore the various lagoons and islands. We also loved being able to sit on the deck overlooking the water in the evening. At night, our teens played ping pong and watched movies in the home theater while I (mom) took a bath in the soaking tub w/jets. So relaxing! The home itself is lovely. It is perfectly appointed with everything you need - including wifi, media options, etc. The decor is a bit dated, but don't let that stop you. Beds are comfortable. The place is super clean. And it has clearly been well cared for. (Plus, the owners of the property have an extensive book collection spanning an impressive range of topics that we thoroughly enjoyed!) This was our first visit to Nova Scotia. We were excited about touring Cape Breton, specifically the Cabot Trail and the Highlands Nat'l Park. So, we weren't quite sure where we should stay. This property is within driving distance for sure - the Cabot Trail is just 10-15 min away. However, it is important to know that the home is about 1.5-2 hours away from the national park and highlands. We did wonder if we should consider staying further north during our next visit since we loved hiking in the highlands... That said, groceries and restaurants were plentiful w/in a 20-30 min drive and we were happy w/our choice of Otter Harbour overall.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Darcy L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place Very private

Quick and easy
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Katharine H.

Perfect base to relax, explore, and play - family-friendly

We loved our stay at Otter Harbour. Clean and well appointed property with amenities that exceeded our expectations (games, books, in-home movie theatre, kayaks, trails nearby. We enjoyed the privacy of the house but found the location to be ideal for exploring other parts of Cape Bretton Island. The owners were responsive to our needs. Good choice for a family trip.
Stayed 11 nights in Jun 2016

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

Great weekend at Otter Harbour

Lovely home. Beautiful, peaceful location. My family spent a long weekend here. Private, very quiet. Very attentive and helpful property owner and caretaker. Very comfortable beds, well equipped kitchen. Hope to stay for a longer vacation in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018

About the host

Hosted by William Abbott

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