When arriving by boat it's always been a simple phone call to someone in Ottawa who doesn't seem to have a clue where Shelburne, NS or Seal Cove, Grand Manan is located. You're fine as long as you give the correct answers about having tobacco, alcohol, or firearms aboard. Our friend, Barry, a fisherman from White Island got into an argument with them one time when they wanted to know which marina he was tied up at in Seal Cove. They went round and around with him trying to explain that it's a fishing village with some floats and them insisting that he name a marina. A few years ago we ran into a customs officer in Chester, NS after clearing in Shelburne. All she wanted was that cruising permit number, which wasn't properly displayed or our boat either. She had no interest in inspecting the boat. We've had them take a cursory look through the trunk of the car at St. Stephen one time and and had us fill out a form and pay duty on a lobster trap wire bending brake we were bringing over for Barry another time. always very polite and professional. That's been our experience coming back into the US, for the most part, as well.

This is the breakwater entrance to Seal Cove.