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Shediac is a seaside town on New Brunswick's Northumberland Strait shore, a short drive east of Moncton. It calls itself the lobster capital of the world, and the summer economy revolves around seafood and beaches. The town is largely Acadian and bilingual, and its shallow coastal waters are known for warming up more than most of Atlantic Canada in summer.
A giant lobster sculpture at the town's entrance is a classic photo stop. Main Street offers restaurants, ice cream stands and shops, while the Shediac Bay Yacht Club and Pointe-du-Chêne Wharf are bases for sailing and boat activity. Parlee Beach Provincial Park is the star attraction, a long, gently sloping sandy beach with shallow water that warms quickly in summer, and Plage L'Aboiteau provides a quieter alternative. Shediac Bay cruises often include lessons on catching and eating lobster. Each July, the Shediac Lobster Festival brings concerts, contests and plenty of seafood.
Nearby, Cocagne and the historic site at Boishebert's Camp add local character, and Bouctouche, farther north, offers Acadian culture and a long dune boardwalk. Shediac suits families and beach lovers. July and August are lively and busy, while June and September are calmer.
WiserMap travel guideShediac New Brunswick Parlee Beach and the Giant LobsterPlan a Shediac trip with Parlee Beach, the giant lobster sculpture, wharf dining, Acadian food, bay cruises and easy day trips from Moncton on the coast.Read the guide
A huge concrete lobster sculpture at the western entrance to Shediac, built to celebrate the town's title as Lobster Capital of the World. Visitors climb onto the base for photos with the giant claws. It is free and quick to see. Go early in the morning in summer to avoid the lines of tour groups.
The town's main street, lined with seafood restaurants, ice cream shops, boutiques and Acadian cafés, busy all summer with beachgoers. It is where to try lobster rolls and fried clams after a day at Parlee Beach. Many places close or shorten hours after Labour Day, so check before visiting.
A busy wharf in Pointe-du-Chêne next to Parlee Beach, with fishing boats, a marina, seafood stands and small shops. It is the departure point for boat tours on Shediac Bay. Stroll out along the pier at sunset, and buy fresh lobster or mussels to cook if you have a kitchen.
The birthplace of Pascal Poirier, the first Acadian appointed to the Senate of Canada, and one of the oldest houses in Shediac. Its rooms present Acadian life and history in the 1800s. It is a quick, quiet stop near the center. Opening hours are mainly in summer, so check ahead.
One of the most popular beaches in the Maritimes, with fine sand, lifeguards in summer and some of the warmest saltwater north of Virginia thanks to the shallow Northumberland Strait. It has a canteen, changing rooms and a campground. Arrive early on hot weekends, as parking fills up.
A long sandy beach in nearby Cap-Pelé, about 20 minutes east of Shediac, with supervised swimming in summer, a boardwalk and a striking restaurant building on the dunes. It is usually less crowded than Parlee Beach. Sunsets over the strait are excellent, and the water is warm by August.
A popular summer boat tour from Pointe-du-Chêne where the crew pulls up lobster traps, explains lobster fishing, then teaches you how to crack and eat a cooked lobster on board. It suits families and first-timers. Book ahead in July and August, and bring a jacket for the breeze on the water.
The nearby village of Cap-Pelé is known for its herring smokehouses, called boucanières, which have smoked fish here for generations. Some shops sell smoked herring, salmon and other seafood to visitors. It makes a good stop on the way to Plage de l'Aboiteau. Ask locally which shops are open.
A summer festival held in Shediac each July since 1949, with lobster suppers, concerts, parades, fireworks and family activities over several days. It is the town's biggest event and fills hotels quickly. Book accommodation well in advance and check the program for free shows on the festival grounds.
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