Shippagan is located in the northeastern part of the Acadian Peninsula in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. A combination bridge-causeway connects the town with Lamèque Island to the northeast. Approximately 99% of the town's residents are Francophone.
In 1790, Shippagan was founded by the Duguay family from Paspebiac, Quebec. Acadian settlers later joined them. Its location was an ideal spot for fishing as well as for exporting timber from further inland. There are numerous peat bogs in the area.
Shippagan is home to campuses of the Université de Moncton and New Brunswick Community College.
The Aquarium and Marine Centre is also a museum with close to 2000 square feets of exhibit space.