Caribou Channel is a coastal marine channel located in the Northumberland Strait, separating the Nova Scotia mainland from Pictou Island. It lies specifically between the southwestern end of Pictou Banks and the reefs extending from Munroes Island and Caribou Island. The channel is a significant navigational route, historically used by steamers traveling from Pictou Harbour to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. For paddlers, this indicates a waterway with potential for commercial and recreational boat traffic that must be anticipated. The channel's proximity to Caribou Harbour suggests a possible access point. The presence of Caribou Lighthouse on Caribou Point, marking the approaches to Caribou Channel, is a notable landmark and potential visual reference for navigation. The area is part of the Northumberland Shore region, associated with the scenic Sunrise Trail. Given its location in the Northumberland Strait, paddlers must plan for significant tidal currents and exposure to open water conditions. The channel's width and the presence of reefs and islands like Caribou Island and Munroes Island create a defined passage, but also introduce navigational hazards that require careful chart reading and respect for weather conditions, particularly wind and wave fetch across the strait.