8 Things to of on the Bay of Fundy

NEW BRUNSWICK

Famously known for having the highest tides in the world, the Bay of Fundy is sandwiched between two of Canada’s Maritime provinces - Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Each day, twice a day, over 160 billion tons of seawater flows in and out of the bay. Every 12 hours the sand you once walked on is covered with a tidal range that can be as high as 50 feet (15 metres).

Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest average tides, this natural phenomenon can only be seen right here on the Bay of Fundy.

We’ve come to love this funnel-shaped inlet of the Atlantic Ocean so we’ve written an article for each province to help plan your trip to this unique body of water. This article covers 8 suggestions of things to do on the Bay of Fundy in the province of New Brunswick.

Read our article 9 THINGS TO DO ON THE BAY OF FUNDY, NOVA SCOTIA for things to do on the opposite province!

THINGS TO DO ON THE BAY OF FUNDY, NEW BRUNSWICK

go WHALE WATCHING

The Bay of Fundy is home to a variety of whales including the finback, minke, humpback, and the rare North Atlantic right whales along with seals, porpoises and dolphins. Seeing these gentle giants in their natural habitat was a one-of-a-kind wildlife experience for us here on the Bay of Fundy!

Along with the whales, you can see many birds such as bald eagles, puffins, guillemot, kittiwakes, cormorants and blue herons, to name a few.

We did our whale-watching tour with the Island Quest Marine, in the seaside town of Saint Andrews. They provide educational and exciting adventures on the Bay of Fundy while adhering to the Bay of Fundy Whale Watchers Code of Ethics for protecting and preserving marine wildlife.

Our guided tour was narrated by the talented crew on board, who gave expert commentary on the region’s wildlife and the area's history and culture.

From New Brunswick, you can take a whale-watching tour from Saint Andrews, Grand Manan Island and Campobello Island.

Island Quest Marine Whale Watching tour
Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours
Prices: Adult (ages 20-59) $85, Senior (60+) $75, Youth (ages 5-16) $60, Child (ages 1-4) $50
When: June to October

2. THE FUNDY TRAIL parkway

The Fundy Trail Parkway is a 2,559-hectare park which hugs the coastline of the Bay of Fundy. With a 30km (19 miles) road that follows the famous blue waters, the route offers stunning views in every direction.

The trail includes 7 beaches, 20 hiking paths, 21 lookout points, 16 observation decks and 4 waterfalls! You can spend a couple of hours or easily a couple of days exploring this diverse landscape.

We really enjoyed our time visiting the waterfalls, especially the Walton Glen Gorge Falls and the McLeod Brook Falls.

Click here for a map of the park.

Read our article A 7 DAY NOVA SCOTIA ROAD TRIP to extent your outdoor adventures in Canada

Prices: Adult (ages 19-64) $11.50, Senior (65+) $10, Youth (ages 5-18) $6.50, Family (2 adults & up to 5 youth) $36

3. HOPEWELL ROCKS Provincial Park

Probably the most famous and most visited attraction on the Bay of Fundy is the Hopewell Rocks. These well-known rocks are also known as “flower pots” because of the unusual shapes formed by the erosion of the tides.

It’s here that you can really appreciate the magnitude of the powerful Bay of Fundy and how quickly the tides rise and fall.

The shoreline stretches for 2km (1.2 miles) and is peppered with over 20 free-standing sea stacks. With each having a unique shape and story, they individually have names such as the Elephant, Bear, Dinosaur, and our personal favourite, the Mother in Law! These natural wonders can be seen from the ocean floor or the lookout points connected via a walking trail through the forest above.

Scroll down for number 8 for more information on how to kayak in between these famous rocks at high tide!

Tip: We’d suggest visiting twice so you can see the water at high tide and then return at low tide to walk along the ocean floor. If you can’t return on the same day the park admission is valid for two consecutive days to ensure you have the flexibility to see both high and low tides.

Click here for a map of the park.

Prices: Adult (ages 19+) $14, Senior (65+) $12, Youth (ages 5-18) $8, Family (2 adults & youth) $30.43
Hours of operation: May - October

4. Saint Johns reversing Falls

A series of rapids known as the Reversing Falls is located in the city of Saint John.

This unique phenomenon is caused by the collision of the Bay of Fundy and the Saint John River. Twice a day, the tides are forced to reverse against the current, hence the name.

During low tide, as the river empties, this causes a series of whirlpools and rapids. As the tide starts to rise it gradually reverses the flow of the river, and rapids form again. This 8.5 metre (28-foot) tide cycle takes around 12.5 hours.

You can watch the Reversing Falls at the lookout point opposite, near Fallsview park or from the observation deck above the falls on the Reversing Falls Bridge.

Price: Free

5. the Fundy National Park

Opened in 1950, the Fundy National Park borders the rugged coastline of the Bay of Fundy and the beautiful Canadian highlands.

The park has ample opportunities for hiking, biking, golfing, swimming and fishing - perfect for outdoor lovers. You can spend a few hours here or a week depending on your interests and time in New Brunswick.

The park is 207km2 (80 sq mi) so has multiple trails, ranging from short and easy with accessible boardwalks to multi-day harder adventures. Each trail is labelled with easy, moderate and difficult to help plan your time at the park. Every trail is unique. Some trails offer sightings of moose, some end with waterfalls and some have camping spots to stay overnight.

Click here for a map of the park.

Tip: Although the park is large, you can drive from trail to trail to conserve your energy. There are carparks at the beginning of the trails and attractions with maps, information boards and facilities.

Prices: Adult (ages 18-64) $8.50, Senior (65+) $7.25, Youth (ages 6-17) free, Family (up to 7 people in 1 vehicle) $16.75

OUR FAVOURITE TRAILS

Dickson Falls: Easy, 1.5km loop, 30-45 min

One of the most popular looped trails in the park that follows the powerful stream up to the Dickson waterfall.

Caribou Plain: Easy, 2.1km loop, 1-1.5 hrs

Keep on the lookout for the mighty moose which are mostly active at dawn and dusk. The trail includes a boardwalk over a bog leading to a scenic lake and then a big loop through the lush forest.

Tracey Lake: Moderate, 7km one way, 2.5 hrs

Starting from Bennett Lake, this trail reaches Tracey’s lake but can also be extended to the peaceful Laverty lake with the famous red chairs.

6. Culinary Adventures on the ocean floor

Discover local flavours with The Bay of Fundy Adventures. This talented team and their adventure travel company specialise in customised experiences and wilderness guiding on the Bay of Fundy while focusing on adventure, outdoor education and Canadian cuisine.

They offer multiple culinary adventures which take place on the ocean floor and range from 1 hour to 4 hours.

An example of experiences:
Atlantic Salmon Beach BBQ
Price: $85 / Duration: 2 hours
Includes: A beachside barbecue with vistas of the Bay of Fundy and the sound of the waves. Locally sourced Atlantic salmon cooked over an open fire, washed down with local alcohol.
Savour the Sea Caves: An Ocean Floor Culinary Adventure
Price: $525 / Duration: 4 hours
Includes: Dine on the ocean floor and experience a 5-course meal created by Atlantic Canada’s Culinary Ambassador, The Kilted Chef, Alain Bosse. Enter St. Martins Sea Caves at low tide and be immersed in the UNESCO Fundy Biosphere Reserve while experiencing over 30 New Brunswick grown or sourced products. Enjoy the meal while local guides tell you the tales of cultural and natural history of the area.

7. Visit Saint Andrews

When I think of a trip to the sea, it usually involves a colourful seaside town, with cafes, souvenir shops and blue skies.

Saint Andrews By-the-Sea is the perfect place to visit on a sunny day by the Bay of Fundy. Wander down the multicoloured streets, ice cream in hand, and admire the vibrant street art and boutique windows.

This historical town, next to the border of Maine, USA, is the main hub for whale Watching in New Brunswick.

A few suggestions of things to do in Saint Andrews

Saint Andrews is a great place for a good ol’ rummage for antiques, second-hand bargains and finding your new favourite independent business
Drive along the ocean floor to visit Ministers Island which you can only visit at low tide
As mentioned at number 1, take a whale-watching boat tour out on the Bay of Fundy
Eat fresh seafood! From lobster rolls to fish cakes, oysters to mussels, there’s a dish to satisfy any seafood cravings

8. Kayak on the bay of fundy

The province of New Brunswick has over 5,500km (3415 miles) of coastline. As well as being the highest tides in the world, the bay is filled with whales, birds and seals, providing countless wildlife opportunities.

You can take a guided kayaking tour from many locations in NB such as Hopewell Cape, Fundy National Park, St Martins, St Andrews and more.

A few suggestions of Bay of Fundy kayaking tours
Name: Sea Caves Kayak Tour
Price: $75 / Duration: 2.5 hours / When: May - October
Includes: Depart from St. Martins’ harbour and explore the sea caves and red rock cliffs with the chance to see bald eagles, seals, and porpoise.
Name: “Kayak the Rocks” tour of Hopewell Rocks
Price: $73.75 / Duration: 1.5-2 hours / When: June - September
Includes: A unique experience to kayak at the most popular attraction in New Brunswick. Paddle in-between and under the spectacular sea stacks or “flower pots” at Hopewell Cape.
Name: Matthew’s Head Tour
Price: $78.25 / Duration: 3 hours
Includes: Paddle between the red cliffs which separate the Bay of Fundy with the dense forest. Follow the coastline of the bay while you see the Fundy National Park from the water. Take a snack break at a private beach during the half way mark.

Read our article “10 INCREDIBLE OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN NOVA SCOTIA” for more travel inspo!

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Our trip to New Brunswick was in partnership with the Tourism New Brunswick. We explored New Brunswick for 5 days, capturing the most beautiful sites while exploring the outdoor adventures around the Bay of Fundy! #ExploreNB