Wonders of the Bay of Fundy

The Bay of Fundy’s tides are at their highest at the Hopewell Rocks. (New Brunswick Tourism photo)

Sherel Purcell
Vacay.ca Senior Writer

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK — Heading east this summer? No trip to the Maritimes would be complete without a visit to The Bay of Fundy. Here are the best spots to check out the Bay’s famed tidal action and unique ecosystem in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia:

Hopewell Rocks

Thirty minutes from Moncton, walk on the ocean floor at the Hopewell Rocks Ocean Tidal Exploration Site, where the world’s highest tides are the most visible. Twice a day, 100 billion tons of seawater roll in and out of the Bay, topping out at 11 metres.

You can walk on the ocean floor at low tide, where earlier in the day you could have kayaked around the flowerpot rock formations at high tide or zipped around on a 25-foot Zodiac Hurricane cruising between the islands of the West Isles archipelago on the way to whale feeding grounds. Finback, Minke and Humpback whales, porpoises, dolphins, and seals can all be found in the vicinity.

Saint John 

Stop into New Brunswick’s capital city to learn about southern New Brunswick’s Stonehammer Geopark sites, part of North America’s first Global Geopark to be recognized by UNESCO. Numerous exhibitions trace a billion years of geological history both indoors and out.

Fundy Trail Parkway 

An excellent spot to watch whales feed along a stretch of coastal wilderness that has been carved out by the Fundy tides.

Fundy National Park

Created in 1948, New Brunswick’s first national park comprises 120 kilometres of walking and hiking trails through the Acadian forest along the Bay of Fundy.

For dinner with a view, head to the Cape House Restaurant at Cape Enrage, named for the angry tidal currents at the base of the cliffs.

Tidal Bore Rafting Park & Cottages

In Nova Scotia, head to the Tidal Bore Rafting Park & Cottages for a two-hour “ride the tides” on the Shubenacadie River.

Glooscap Heritage Centre & Mi’kmaq Museum

Within a few minutes’ drive visit the Glooscap Heritage Centre & Mi’kmaw Museum. Here, several Glooscap legends tell how the Bay of Fundy was formed. Join staff at the centre to learn about the Mi’kmaw culture and its unique relation to the natural wonder.

Across the parking lot eat at the best highway stop in the province at The Saltscapes Cafe. Try local favourites like fishcakes, blueberry shakes and fiddleheads by the folks who run the magazine of the same name.

Parrsboro Fundy Geological Museum 

See the fossils, minerals and some of the oldest dinosaur bones in Canada, compliments of the Fundy tides’ erosion of the sea cliffs. While in Parrsboro, try the best in local nouveau cuisine at the Bare Bones Bistro.

Grand Pré National Historic Site 

Four hundred years ago the Fundy tides were held back by dykes built by the Acadians who also created farmland from these sea marshes. Don’t miss lunch at the Domaine du Grand Pré Winery, where you can taste some local wines influenced by the unique Fundy micro-climate and landscape.

The Fundy Cultural Experience 

Dig for your supper with Wanda van Tassel, who has lived on the Bay of Fundy for 40 years and leads clamming expeditions at Gulliver’s Cove all the while sharing stories of the Bay.