Big Pond

Big Pond is a community on the south shore of Bras d'Or Lake on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. It sits between St. Peters and Sydney and offers access to a quiet lakeside landscape with local village structures.

The location was originally named Naooktaboogooik by the Mi'kmaq people, meaning it stands alone. This name refers to the geographical formation of the region and reflects the historical presence of the Mi'kmaq.

Rita MacNeil and Gordie Sampson come from this community and shaped the musical traditions of Cape Breton. Their roots here reflect the strong local music scene that visitors can still sense today.

Visitors should prepare for cold winters and note that the community stays active during colder months through church functions and community gatherings. It helps to ask locally about social events if you want to experience the place as locals do.

The community gets its name from two enclosed ponds on the Bras d'Or Lake shore. The larger pond, Big Pond, gave the whole place its name, while its smaller neighbor is called Open Pond.

Location: Nova Scotia

GPS coordinates: 45.90972,-60.53611

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:02