Bay of Fundy

The Basics

You can witness the Bay of Fundy’s extreme tides along Nova Scotia’s Fundy Shore at places such as the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Joggins Cliffs, where the erosion of coastal cliffs has revealed 300-million-year-old fossils. Saint John and Moncton, both in New Brunswick, also make good home bases, with nearby tide-viewing sights such as Reversing Falls and the Hopewell Rocks.

Many whale-watching tours take place on the bay, as do rafting excursions on tidal bore rapids—where inflowing rivers meet the outflowing tides, creating waves. Food tours of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick allow visitors to taste fresh Bay of Fundy seafood.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Bay of Fundy is a must for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

• Check tide times before you go; note that times vary for different locations along the bay.

• The intertidal zone (the area that is above water at low tide and under water at high tide) is often muddy, so wear appropriate footwear.

How to Get There

The Bay of Fundy is situated between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The nearest international airports are in Saint John, Moncton, Fredericton, and Halifax. Ferries run across the bay, connecting Saint John, New Brunswick with Digby, Nova Scotia.

When to Get There

The best time to visit he Bay of Fundy is from June through October, when boat tours run most frequently. To fully appreciate the extreme nature of the tides, try and visit the same location at peak high tide and again about six hours later, at peak low tide.

Where to See the Ocean Floor

At low tide, the exposed ocean floor is accessible at several locations along the coast, including Joggins, Parrsboro, and Grand-Pré in Nova Scotia and St. Andrews, Alma, Hopewell Rocks, and Dorchester Cape in New Brunswick. If you want to walk on the uncovered ocean floor, plan to arrive about an hour before low tide. That way, you’ll have time to explore before the tide begins to creep back in.

Ways to explore

The Bay of Fundy is all about the drama—tidal rafting trips on the Shubenacadie River let you experience the awesome power of nature. The area is crisscrossed with hiking trails offering views of the bay, including the challenging 25-mile (40-kilometer) Fundy Footpath, which takes hikers along the coast of New Brunswick. Other popular sights along the bay include the Flower Pot Rocks, which can be best seen in Hopewell Cape—at low tide, you can walk along the exposed ocean floor, surrounded by the soaring natural monoliths. Harbor cruises and walking tours are great ways to explore the area.

Accessibility

Different parts of the bay will be more accessible than others—spots such as the Reversing Falls Rapids and certain harbor cruises are wheelchair accessible. Parks Canada also offers an online list of accessible trails.

Age limits

There are no age limits, but kids should always be supervised closely around water.

What to pack

Water, snacks, rain jacket, credit card, camera

What to wear

Good hiking shoes, outdoor gear that suits the weather

Not allowed

Don’t miss the lobster on a visit to the Bay of Fundy—local restaurants feature fresh lobster in everything from poutine to nachos.

Address 

The Bay of Fundy region is large, spanning New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Self-driving will give you the most flexibility to explore at your own pace, but you can also book a sightseeing tour from Saint John, the region’s largest city.

Driving

Most visitors come from the New Brunswick side of the bay. To get to Fundy Trail Provincial Park, take Route 1 east to Exit 137. Merge onto Route 111 east toward St. Martins, then turn right on Main Street and right on Big Salmon River Road.

Public transportation

There’s no public transit to attractions such as Fundy National Park, although many tours offer round-trip transit from Saint John, a popular port of call on Canada and New England cruises. Most tours pick up travelers at the cruise terminal.

Best times to visit

Timing is important: Check the tide tables if you’re planning a seaside walk, which you’ll want to do at low tide.

Best days to visit

Because tide times change daily, check the tide chart to see which tides match with the activities you’re looking to do on any given day.

Best months to visit

October and May are good options, with the bay seeing fewer visitors but still experiencing pleasant weather. August is whale-watching month: Humpback, minke, and finback whales are all common sights.