GreenlitBETA
Inverness, Nova Scotia

Cabot Cliffs

Walk the edge of Canadian links golf where towering cliffs frame every shot and Atlantic breezes define your game.

About the Course

Cabot Cliffs is a breathtaking masterpiece carved into the dramatic Cape Breton coastline, where legendary architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw crafted one of the world's top-ranked courses. Set above the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, this 6,835-yard links experience features rolling fairways, dramatic elevation changes, and panoramic ocean views that make every hole feel like a postcard. The course demands respect—firm fescue fairways and lightning-fast greens reward precision and creativity, while blind shots and strategic routing keep even accomplished golfers humble across the unforgettable back nine.

What sets Cabot Cliffs apart is the pure walking experience. There are no golf carts—just you, your caddie if you choose, and the rugged beauty of nature. This enforced intimacy with the landscape transforms an already stunning course into something transcendent. The signature par-3 16th hole, played across a chasm over the cliffs to a green hovering above the ocean, is already legendary. But the real magic comes in holes 15-18, where the course builds to a crescendo that few layouts anywhere can match.

Cabot Cliffs is part of the larger Cabot Cape Breton resort experience, which sits on over a mile of sandy beach between the Atlantic Ocean and the charming town of Inverness. This is a full destination: world-class accommodations with ocean views, award-winning restaurants including the celebrated Panorama with views of the 18th hole, and the sister course Cabot Links. Groups come here to play multiple rounds, to walk the links the way the game was meant to be played, and to create memories that last a lifetime.

Why It's Great for Groups
  • Ranked #11 on Golf Digest's World Top 100 Greatest Golf Courses—a true world-class venue that justifies itself as a bucket-list destination.
  • The dramatic closing stretch of holes 15-18 along the cliff edge is arguably the best finishing sequence in North American golf, with the iconic par-3 16th played across the cliffs.
  • Walking-only design forces golfers to fully engage with the landscape; no carts means no distraction from the raw beauty and challenge of every shot.
  • Sister course to Cabot Links means groups can play multiple exceptional links layouts in one trip, with dedicated caddie program, on-site lodging, and dining all designed for the golf experience.
  • The combination of firm, fast fescue conditions, creative routing through both coastal drama and inland forest, and Coore & Crenshaw's signature strategic design makes this a playground for golfers who love shot-making and course management.
Courses on Property
Cabot Links18 holes · Par 70

Canada's only authentic links course, stretching between sea and the village of Inverness with ocean views from every hole and five holes adjacent to the beach.

The Nest11 holes · Par 33

A par-3 short course perched on the highest point of Cabot Cliffs with dramatic views and evening/night golf under lights available.

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Key Details
💰
Green Fees
$225–$545/person est.
🚶
Walking Friendly
Yes
🎒
Caddies Available
Yes
📅
Best Time to Visit
Late September through early October offers the ideal balance of stunning fall foliage, lower green fees (approximately 40-50% less than peak season), and fewer crowds. July-August brings the warmest weather and most daylight for 36-hole days, but carries peak pricing and requires booking well in advance. Early May through mid-June offers shoulder-season rates and spring conditions. Avoid late October onward as the season closes by October 25 and weather becomes unpredictable. Winter is closed.
LinksOcean ViewsWalking OnlyBucket ListCaddies AvailableResortChampionshipWaterfrontOff the Beaten Path
Stay on Property
Award-winning on-site accommodations include the Cabot Links Lodge (72 rooms with floor-to-ceiling ocean views), upscale Golf Villas (2-4 bedrooms), Hillside Homes (2-3 bedrooms), Cliffs Residences (4-5 bedrooms), and Dunes Cottages (3-4 bedrooms). All feature modern design, ocean or golf course views, and premium amenities. Lodge rooms start around $450 USD per night in season.

Award-winning on-site accommodations include the Cabot Links Lodge (72 rooms with floor-to-ceiling ocean views), upscale Golf Villas (2-4 bedrooms), Hillside Homes (2-3 bedrooms), Cliffs Residences (4-5 bedrooms), and Dunes Cottages (3-4 bedrooms). All feature modern design, ocean or golf course views, and premium amenities. Lodge rooms start around $450 USD per night in season.

Nearby Lodging