Shédiac

Shédiac is a town of 6,700 people (2016) on the north coast of southeastern New Brunswick. It calls itself the "lobster capital of the world".

Understand
Shediac is a French-Acadian community about a 15-minute drive from Moncton. A sort of resort town, Shediac boasts many public and private beaches, quaint bed and breakfasts, and ok food! It is quite active during the summer months and not so much the rest of the year as it is a tourist community.

History
Hundreds of years ago, the Mi'kmaq encampment of "Es-ed-ei-ik" was one of the major camps in southeast New Brunswick. The Mi'kmaq word "Es-ed-ei-ik" which means "running far in" (in reference to the tide, which has a long range over the shallow, sandy beaches) eventually transformed into Gédaique.

Acadians first arrived at Shediac in 1751 as a result of the Acadian Exodus from peninsular Nova Scotia. During the French and Indian War, French officer Charles Deschamps de Boishebert made his headquarters at both Shediac and Cocagne, New Brunswick. In the autumn of 1755, Boishebert established himself on the south shore of Cocagne Bay, a place known as Boishebert's Camp. The following year, Boishebert moved to Miramichi, New Brunswick, specifically to Beaubears Island. After the war, Acadians returned to the region in 1767.

Today many Francophone residents use the spelling Shédiac; however, the town's name upon its incorporation did not feature an accented "e", and correspondingly the official geographic name for the community is Shediac.

Get in
Most transportation options other than driving include some connection in Moncton, New Brunswick, the closest metropolitan area 20 km west of Shediac.

By plane
The Greater Moncton International Airport is on Route 15 in Dieppe, a fifteen minute drive from Shediac.

By train
Moncton Via Rail station is a 15-minute drive from Shediac.

By car

 * From Moncton (highway): New Brunswick Route 15 East.
 * Moncton (scenic) : New Brunswick Route 134 East.
 * From North Eastern New Brunswick: Route 11 South.
 * From Nova Scotia: Trans-Canada to Route 15 East in Moncton until Shediac.
 * From Maine: I-95 to 95 to Route 2 East.

By bus
Maritime Bus has service once a day from Moncton that follows the coast northward as far as Miramichi.

Get around
Getting around Shediac is easiest with a motor vehicle, however depending on where you are staying it is easy to get around the little town on foot or bicycle. Main Street connects most of the main tourist attractions in Shediac, though traffic is heavy in the summertime.

See

 * Pointe-du-Chene Wharf, From your seat in one of the restaurants, gaze into the ocean, take a look at the many boats who call the wharf home. Or, do as the locals often do and take a jump off the pier to cool off after a warm day in the sun.

Do

 * Plage L'Aboiteau Another beautiful beach, 10-minute drive outside central Shediac. Full restaurant, changing facilities available only steps from the beach.
 * Plage L'Aboiteau Another beautiful beach, 10-minute drive outside central Shediac. Full restaurant, changing facilities available only steps from the beach.

Buy
Many shops are located around the city, mostly within the Main Street/downtown district.

Eat
Shediac has some of the finest cuisine in Atlantic Canada, especially seafood!