Exploring New Brunswick: Where To Stop

New Brunswick, Canada, is a province of natural wonders, from the world's highest tides to some of the best whale-watching spots. It's also home to the warmest saltwater swimming north of Virginia. With friendly locals, amazing attractions, and a vibrant cultural scene, it's a destination that should not be missed.

The Bay of Fundy is a must-see, with its dramatic cliffs, sea caves, and rock formations. The Hopewell Rocks, in particular, offer a unique experience of both high and low tides. Saint John, Moncton, and Fredericton, the largest cities in New Brunswick, are also worth exploring. Fredericton, in particular, has a charming historic district with heritage buildings and summer festivals.

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the miles of hiking trails, campgrounds, and sea kayaking opportunities. History lovers can explore historic houses and museum villages, while foodies can indulge in the local craft brews and culinary scene.

With so much to offer, New Brunswick is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who visit.

Bay of Fundy and Fundy National Park

The Bay of Fundy is a must-see when visiting New Brunswick. Home to the world's highest tides, it is a natural wonder where visitors can walk on the ocean floor for three hours on either side of low tide. The tides move twice daily, shifting 100 billion tons of water 15 metres (52 feet) in and out of the bay. At low tide, visitors can explore the rock formations, sea caves, and arches up close.

The Bay of Fundy is massive, and there are plenty of places to experience it besides the famous Hopewell Rocks. One such place is the St. Martins Sea Caves. When the tides are high, the caves fill with water and nearly disappear under the sea. But when the tide is low, visitors can walk into the caves and explore the massive caverns from the inside out. St. Martins itself is worth spending a day or two exploring. You can book kayak tours to paddle on the Bay of Fundy and explore the sea caves at high tide.

Another great way to experience the Bay of Fundy is by visiting Fundy National Park. This spectacular drive along the coast of the Bay of Fundy is located between Moncton and Saint John. It is one of Canada's smallest national parks, spanning only 12 kilometres along the coast, but there is plenty to see and do. There are hiking trails through the Acadian forest, waterfalls, and high lookouts over the Bay of Fundy. The scenery is spectacular, with rolling hills and green forests. Alma is a great place to make a base if you plan to spend a couple of days in the park. There are four campgrounds in the park, as well as hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, and kayaking and hiking opportunities.

Fundy National Park is home to over 260 species of birds, various amphibians and reptiles (including three rare types of salamanders), and nearly 40 species of mammals. The park offers a golf course, a heated saltwater swimming pool, three campgrounds, and a network of over 100 kilometres of hiking and biking trails. There are 25 hiking trails throughout the park, including the popular Dickson Falls trail. At low tide, park visitors can explore the ocean floor and see a variety of sea creatures such as dog whelk and periwinkles.

St. Martins Sea Caves

The St. Martins Sea Caves in New Brunswick are a natural phenomenon, formed by the constantly changing tide cycle of Fundy Bay, which has the highest tides in the world. The sandstone caves are carved by the Bay of Fundy tides, which see a larger daily difference between low and high tides than anywhere else. The water from all the rivers on Earth that flow into all the oceans is equal to the amount of water flowing in and out of the Bay of Fundy in a single day.

During high tide, the caves are completely submerged in the clear blue waters of the bay. However, at low tide, the landscape transforms into a beautiful sight with magnificent caves and small streams. At this time, curious visitors can explore the caves, walk on the ocean floor, and even go inside the caves. The shallow but large cave walls are gorgeous shades of red, with water dripping down, and from within, you can see the cliffs and the seafloor outside.

The St. Martins Sea Caves are located in the village of St. Martins, about 3 km from the village centre. They are best visited during the summer when they are easily accessible and hiking paths are not perilous due to icy conditions. The caves are free to visit and there is a reasonably-sized free car park. However, it fills up quickly at peak times. There are also great restaurants nearby that overlook the bay, serving delicious, fresh maritime cuisine.

If you are in the area for more than a day, it is worth noting that the tides move by roughly one hour each day. This is a good way to estimate the tide times for the following days if you know the times for the first day. When visiting the caves, it is recommended that you wear appropriate footwear as there is often a stream of water to cross to get to the caves, and the rocks can be slippery.

Whale watching from St. Andrews-by-the-Sea

Whale watching is one of the main attractions in New Brunswick, with the East Coast of Canada seeing a population of migrating whales through its waters. St. Andrews-by-the-Sea is a popular spot for whale watching, with its historic district and lovely downtown area offering fine dining, luxury accommodation, galleries, and boutique shopping.

There are several whale watching tour companies operating in St. Andrews, offering a range of vessel options to suit different needs and preferences. These include the classic Tall Ship, the VIP Nautica zodiac-style vessel, and the Zodiac Hurricane™. The Tall Ship has the advantage of being the lowest carbon emissions option, using a combination of motor and sails. Meanwhile, the Zodiac vessels offer a faster and more intimate experience, allowing passengers to get up close and personal with the whales and other marine life.

The Bay of Fundy, with its spectacular rugged seascapes, abundant lighthouses, and powerful tides, is a prime location for whale watching. The world's highest tides occur twice daily in the bay, stirring up a bounty of food that attracts several species of whales. Successful encounters with whales exceed 96% over the past years, and the odds of success can be increased by choosing a cruise that can spend more time in whale feeding areas.

Whale watching tours in St. Andrews typically last around 2 hours and are available from May to October. During the tour, passengers can expect to see a variety of whales, including minke whales, humpback whales, fin whales, and the northern right whale. In addition to whales, other marine life that can be observed include seals, porpoises, bald eagles, seabirds, and dolphins. The touch tank on board the catamaran offers a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with a variety of undersea life.

St. Andrews-by-the-Sea is a great choice for whale watching in New Brunswick, offering a combination of historic charm, modern amenities, and the opportunity to observe a variety of whale and wildlife species in their natural habitat.

Grand Manan Island

The island is also a great place for birdwatching, with over 240 species of birds calling the island home. It is a recognised North American birding hotspot, and birders have been flocking to the island ever since James John Audubon visited in 1833. The island is also world-renowned for whale-watching, with the waters around it being important feeding areas and nurseries for several whale species, including minke, finback, humpback, and the rare North Atlantic right whale.

Saint John City Market

The market is housed in a building designed by architects J.T.C. McKean and G.E. Fairweather in the Second Empire style, completed in 1876. The building features a unique interior roof structure that resembles an inverted ship's keel, built by unemployed ship carpenters of the day using wooden trusses. The floor of the market slopes with the natural grade of the land.

The market is alive with the sounds and aromas of busy clerks and shoppers perusing the stalls of butchers, bakers, fruit peddlers, sausage makers, fishmongers, delicatessens, and more. Some of the businesses in the market have been operating continuously for over 100 years.

In addition to its wide variety of local and international delicacies, the market also features pop-up exhibits, community events, art installations, children's activities, product tastings, and workshops. It is connected to the city's indoor pedway system and is within walking distance of the pubs and restaurants of downtown Saint John.

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