Beautiful St Andrews by the Sea

Ministers Island at sunrise - captured via drone

St Andrews is a quaint little town full of bustling shops, whale tours, great food and beautiful people.

In May, I spent four days in the area capturing its many scenic views. St Andrews offers many sights for a would-be traveller, including the exciting Ministers Island - only accessible by a road revealed at low tide. The island contains a mansion and a barn belonging to Sir William Van Horne of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and his 50-room summer “cottage.”

We stayed just 18 minutes away in Dominion Hill - Cottages and Glamping in a massive safari tent. My family and I averaged over 10 km a day hiking while searching for beautiful views.

St Patricks Falls

The area is home to some of the darkest skies - great for an avid night sky photographer!

The lovely Digdeguash Basin has tidal flows that change with the tide. The mornings and nights reached about -2 C, leaving icy flows to greet us in the sunrises.

The Basin proved to be in the direct path of the Milkyway, making it a great foreground, and acting as a mirror.

Digdeguash Basin

The wildlife in this area is exceptional - songbirds aplenty and deer, porcupines, eagles and more. Unfortunately, I was not in town when the whaling tours were operating, but you can find them in operation from June through September, where the views of Right and Humpback whales are exceptional.

I’d like to “Sidebar” here to say how much joy it brings to show my little girls the extraordinary things in their backyard. Getting out and seeing the world punches that reset button. I hope I can convey that peace and tranquillity to you.

So, from my family to yours, that’s St Andrews.

Peace and Love.

Don