East Coast Mermaid Recap: The First-Ever Campobello Island Seaglass Festival

In case you’re new around here, my name is Crystal and I am seaglass obsessed. I’m down for collecting and talking about seaglass all day, every day. Which is why I was so excited to head out to one of my favourite Funday Islands for the first-ever Seaglass Festival in September with Mama Mermaid!

The seaglass festival is a three-day event dedicated to all things seaglass, held on one of the very best places to beach comb—Campobello Island.

Enthusiasts from all over Atlantic Canada and the Eastern United States gathered on the island to beachcomb together, show off their best pieces of glass, and shop at the Beachcomber Bazaar.

Here’s a look at some of the happening spots during the festival and of course, SEAGLASS from the event!

HEAD HARBOUR LIGHTHOUSE

If you have caught any of my Campobello Island posts in the past, like this one or this one, you already know that Head Harbour Lighthouse is one of my favourite spots on the island.

It’s gorgeous at high tide, it’s mysterious and a fun adventure at low tide. It’s home to ridiculously cute little land and sea minkes—that I have now named Aquamink™️—and you may even get to meet a cute seagull or two while you’re there.

Head Harbour Lighthouse is also an advanced level location for finding beautifully tumbled seaglass at low tide on the sandbar. The rare “mermaid tear” variety.

I say advanced because the trek down to the sandbar at low tide is not for everyone. There’s a rusty steep staircase and a brief walk on the slippery, seaweed covered ocean floor to get to the sandbar. But once you’re there, fortune favours the bold!

Mermaid Reminder:

The sandbar is only accessible two hours before low tide and two hours after low tide. Outside of that window, it’s VERY dangerous to be down below so follow the rules.

POLLOCK COVE BEACHCOMBING

Pollock Cove is easily my favourite spot on the island for beachcombing, and not only because you can relax with delicious food and drinks when you’re done at the Pier. Since we started going to Campobello Island, it’s where I find some of my best pieces and it’s a reliable location to find seaglass.

We had a great time with other festival attendees combing Pollock Cove and finding some new treasures, including a tiny glass perfume bottle neck that I was especially excited about.

Can you spot it in the photo?

Mermaid Tip:

This is a great beach to go to when it’s not quite low tide yet, as you can find many great pieces in the dry zones too!

THE BEACHCOMBER BAZAAR

One of the highlights of the Seaglass Festival was definitely getting to be a part of the Beachcomber Bazaar at the Campobello Island Gift House.

We made so many new friends and had the chance to hangout with those we don’t get to see often like East Coast Sea Gems and Island Girl Images & Sea Glass Art.

It also made our hearts swell to see so many people leave with some of our coastal apparel and our new Seaglass Treasure Tee that we launched just for the festival!

THE FERRY LANDING

Saving the best for last. We only regret one thing from our weekend on Campobello and that is that we DIDN’T BEACHCOMB AT THE FERRY LANDING UNTIL WE WERE LEAVING!

Sorry for the cap locks, but they’re necessary.

Wanting to ensure we caught a ferry off the island, we made it to the landing early and decided to go for a little beach stroll while we waited. We both proceeded to find some of our best pieces from the weekend.

I mean, LOOK at those colours!

So, you know – if you’re heading to Campobello Island in the search of seaglass, may I recommend starting where you land? You’re welcome 💙

Want to attend next year’s Campobello Island Seaglass Festival? It’s not too early to RSVP on Facebook. I’ll SEA you there! ✌🏻

And friendly reminder – whenever you’re beachcombing, always be mindful of other beachcombers and practice proper seaglass etiquette! Here’s a refresher: A Beachcomber’s Guide To Seaglass.

PS: Want a Seaglass Tee for yourself? Catch yours here.