If you’re looking for a scenic destination with great road trip stops, I highly recommend The Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, Canada.
This road trip is filled with incredible scenery, waterfalls, hiking trails, and additional natural wonders along the way.
We visited in early October, and anytime from mid-June through the fall is a wonderful time to plan a trip if you’re seeking great weather as the seasons transition.
Thanks again to Explore NB for hosting a portion of our visit. All opinions are my own. This article contains affiliate links.
Where is the Bay of Fundy?
View the Bay of Fundy map above.
The Bay of Fundy is a bay located between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in Canada, and also touches small parts of northeastern Maine in the US.
View the World’s Highest Tides
The Bay of Fundy is home to the highest tidal range in the world.
There is a high tide and a low tide twice a day, providing the extreme landscapes between the tides.
The height difference of the tide varies based on location along the Bay of Fundy, ranging from 11 ft to as high as 53 ft.
Walk on the Ocean Floor at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
131 Discovery Rd, Hopewell Cape
This was our first stop along the Bay of Fundy where we walked along the ocean floor between the tides.
I was truly in awe of the sea stack formations, also known as “Flower pot rocks,” and the realization that the same spot where we were standing would be filled with water later that day.
The landscape is dramatic on every level.
If we had more time, I would have booked a guided kayak tour because this is one of the best places to kayak.
I’d recommend booking a tour in advance so you can schedule your time visiting the park around it.
The entrance fee for Hopewell Rocks is valid for two consecutive days, allowing you to experience a high and a low tide. It’s recommended to allow 2-3 hours for your visit.
Hopewell Rocks AdmissionCheck their tide tables online for full ocean floor access times and high tide times before you go.
A full-service casual restaurant, an Interpretive Center, and hiking trails are on-site.
If you don’t make it down to the ocean floor, there are still several scenic viewing points.
Shop at Area 506 Waterfront Container Village
85 Water Street, Saint John, NB, E2L 0B
The Area 506 Waterfront Container Village is a mixed-use space with food trucks, retail shops, a beer garden, public art, and entertainment, open seasonally.
The Container Village features 60-plus shipping containers converted into retail space that showcases New Brunswick goods, which also make great souvenirs
It’s conveniently located next to the cruise ship terminal for passengers entering or exiting their ship.
Shop at the Saint John City Market
47 Charlotte St, Saint John, NB E2L 2H8, Canada
Saint John City Market is Canada’s oldest continuously running market, built between 1874 and 1876.
The market boasts a large assortment of Canada-made products, including maple syrup.
See the Reversing Falls Rapids
200 Bridge Rd., Saint John, NB
The Reserving Falls Rapids are a result of the Bay of Fundy and the Saint John River colliding.
Reversing Falls Rapids and whirlpools are formed when the river empties into the bay during low tide, causing the river current to slow down briefly.
The Revering Falls are one of the 12 Geosites in the region available for public viewing and one of the most popular attractions in Saint John.
There are three areas where you can view the Reversing Falls.
- Fallsview Park -100 Fallsview Ave, Saint John, NB E2K 0G8, Canada
- Wolastoq Park – 211 Lancaster Ave, Saint John, NB E2M 2K8, Canada
- Reversing Falls Lookout Point – Saint John, NB E2K 5L6, Canada
Visit Irving Nature Park
1790 Sand Cove Rd, Saint John, NB E2M 4Z8, Canada
Irving Nature Park is a 600-acre scenic park on the west side of the Bay of Fundy.
It’s a great place to go hiking, view wildlife, and enjoy scenic views at each turn of your drive.
After dark, Stargazers are drawn to the Irving Nature Park, an Urban Star Park within city limits designated by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
View Boats on the Ocean Floor in Alma
A perk of staying overnight in Alma was observing the tides in the bay of our “back yard.”
I’ve shared a few pictures in the same exact location for comparison.
We were so in awe of seeing the fishing boats resting on the ocean floor during low tide.
…And seeing the bay filled back with water as if the low tide never happened.
We also took another opportunity to walk along the ocean floor as the tides were starting to change.
We’d stand at one point and watch the water slowly move closer and closer to the shore.
Admire the View from Cape Enrage
650 Cape Enrage Road, Waterside, New Brunswick, Canada
(Open seasonally from mid-May through September 1)
The original lighthouse was established around 1840, and the second lighthouse that you see today was built in 1870.
The lighthouse is a critical guiding light for mariners in an area with a history of shipwrecks.
Visitors can enjoy incredible views of the lighthouse and the bay from the rugged cliffs.
Admission to the grounds also includes the “Horsetail Tour,” a fossil tour by an amateur paleontologist.
*This tour is tide-dependent. Space is limited on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additional add-ons include ziplining, rappelling, and the 2-hour guided fossil tour.
The restaurant on-site serves globally inspired, locally grown food for lunch and dinner.
Visit Fundy National Park
Alma, NB, Canada
Fundy National Park was established in 1948. The national park consists of 80 square miles/ 50,900 acres, 8 miles of rugged coast.
There are over 30 miles of hiking trails at Funday National Park, including easy, moderate, and difficult levels in a range of distances.
Hike to Dickson Falls
I highly recommend visiting Dickson Waterfall while you’re in the national park.
Dickson Falls Trails is a 0.9-mile easy loop trail with 121 ft of elevation gain to Dickson Waterfall.
It’s a relatively short hike with a high reward and multiple viewing areas along the way.
Travel Through Point Wolfe Covered Bridge
Did you know that Fundy National Park is the only national park in Canada with a covered bridge?
The Point Wolfe Covered Bridge was built in 1992, is 94 feet long, and goes across Point Wolfe River.
The original covered bridge was constructed in 1909 and opened in 1910. The covered bridge was rebuilt in 1992 after structural damage occurred in 1990.
Enjoy the Scenic Views from a Red Adirondack Chair
Fundy National Park features 12 designated areas in the national park where you can relax and enjoy the views from one of their red Adirondack chairs.
Younger kids will also appreciate the smaller Adirondack chairs just their size at 6 of the 12 locations.
Accommodations in Fundy National Park
Fundy National Park has several options to choose from, including campgrounds, backcountry camping, oTENTik, Oasis, yurts, and rustic cabins.
Take a Scenic Drive on the Fundy Trail Parkway
This beautiful drive encompasses 6,323 acres filled with 21 scenic lookouts, 4 waterfalls, 5 beaches, 16 observation decks, and 35 kilometers of hiking and cycling trails.
You’ll discover multiple reasons to stop your vehicle along the 19-mile-long road on the coastline that took 25 years to build.
We stopped along the route pretty often as the landscape changed.
The scenery was too beautiful not to pause and linger a little longer to enjoy it.
There aren’t any restaurants on Fundy Trail Parkway, so we stopped by Kelly’s Bake Shop in Alma for our picnic lunch to take with us.
We had already tried their famous sticky buns in the morning, so we opted for a few cookies for the road, too.
And yes, you need to try their sticky buns too!
View Walton Glen Gorge Falls
Saint Martins Parish, NB E4E 5R6, Canada
The Walton Glenn Gorge Lookout Trail is a 1.3-mile out-and-back hike with an elevation gain of 223 feet, with an incredible view of Walton Glenn Gorge Falls.
Walton Glenn Gorge is known as the “Grand Canyon of New Brunswick,” with a gorge that’s 1,000 feet across and over 500 feet deep.
The gem of the gorge is Walton Glen Gorge Falls, a stunning 140-foot waterfall, one of four in the parkway.
Walk Across the Big Salmon River Suspension Bridge
(Parking lot 8 near the Interpretive Centre)
*This bridge is currently closed for renovations this season.
The 275 ft suspension bridge offers pedestrians scenic views of the Big Salmon River.
If you’re in the mood for a moderate hike, the Hearst Lodge Trail is a 3.71-mile loop trail and has 731 feet of elevation change.
It’s recommended to bring hiking poles and be prepared for some climbing on parts of the trail.
We decided not to do the longer hike, but we did enjoy spending time walking along the river.
View Fuller Falls
Fuller Falls is another great stop for a short .1 hike to view a waterfall.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, take the cable ladder to access the lower deck.
The water flows down to Melvin Beach, and you can view the lower falls from the .8 out and back Melvin Beach Trail.
See the St. Martins Sea Caves
St. Martins, NB E5R 1J7, Canada
(10-minute drive from Fundy Trail Parkway)
The St. Martins Sea Caves are a popular spot for taking photos, bird-watching, and sea kayaking for tourists and group tours.
The sandstone sea cliffs and sea caves create beautiful formations.
During low tide, you can walk on the ocean floor and view the sea caves from a closer vantage point.
View Two Covered Bridges and a Lighthouse at Once in St. Martins
This is the only place in the world where you can view two covered bridges and a lighthouse in the same photo. Look closely at the photo and you’ll see all three.
The two-lane covered bridge was built in 2022 in the same area as the original Vaughan Creek covered bridge
There is a pedestrian lane on the covered bridge to get another perspective.
St. Martins Lighthouse was built in 1983 and doubles as a visitors center and a lantern room from the 1883 Quaco Head Lighthouse. Guests can climb up to the lantern for a 360-degree panoramic view of the area.
Irish River Hardscrabble Bridge was built in 1946 and is 72 feet long.
There is also a beautiful view of the other covered bridge from the pedestrian walkway.
We visited the area around low tide, and I loved seeing more fishing boats resting on the ocean floor because it’s astounding to me.
See a Blue Lobster at Huntsman Marine Science Centre | Fundy Discovery Aquarium
1 Lower Campus Rd, St. Andrews, NB E5B 2L7, Canada
(Open to the public from mid-May to early October)
The Huntsman Marine Science Centre is a great place to learn about the marine animals in the Bay of Fundy and the local ecology.
This Aquarium is the highest-visited non-government tourist attraction in New Brunswick.
You’ll learn more about the Bay of Fundy’s highest tides in the world from the two-story tidal tank and the area’s unique ecology, local marine life, and coastal heritage.
I also enjoyed viewing the rare albino lobster, blue lobsters, and the adorable harbour seal.
Go on a Whale Watching Tour
20 King St, St. Andrews, NB E5B 1Y2, Canada
Several whale-watching tours are offered in St. Andrews, NB.
We enjoyed an incredible whale-watching tour with Quoddy Link Marine Whale & Wildlife Cruises.
The vessel is wheelchair accessible and offers guests both indoor and outdoor areas for viewing wildlife.
During our tour, we were fortunate to experience rare sightings of 3 North Atlantic Right Whales. There are only 350 of them left in the world!
In addition to the right whale, we also saw a minke whale, a porpoise whale, and seals.
We also passed by Pendlebury Lighthouse, the oldest remaining mainland lighthouse in New Brunswick, which was constructed in 1833.
Accommodations Along the Bay of Fundy
During our visit, we started and ended our visit in Moncton, Canada.
We flew into the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport, and our hotel was less than 15 minutes/ 10 kilometers from the airport, which worked out great…especially with our 5 AM departing flight. Our vehicle rental for our road trip was at the airport.
Chateau Moncton Hotel & Suites, located at 100 Main St, Moncton, NB E1C 1B9, Canada
We stayed at this hotel for the first and last night of our Bay of Fundy road trip.
Our room was spacious, and we enjoyed walking along the banks of the historic Petitcodiac River, steps from our hotel.
Parkland Village Inn – 8601 Main St, Alma, NB E4H 1N6, Canada (1 night)
This hotel is on 200 feet of waterfront on the Bay of Fundy, with 15 rooms and a restaurant on-site. Accommodation options are two-room suites, deluxe, and standard.
Our room had a balcony that overlooked the bay, which I really enjoyed.
We were also walking distance to many local restaurants downtown and a 1-minute drive to the National Park entrance.
Delta Hotels by Marriott Saint Johns – 39 King St, Saint John, NB E2L 4W3, Canada (2 nights)
This hotel is within a 15-minute walking distance of the cruise ship terminal, restaurant and bar district, shopping area, and the entire uptown.
Our room was very spacious with a contemporary vibe.
Are You Ready to Start Planning a Bay of Fundy Road Trip?
This is a destination you’ll want to have on your radar if you’re planning a summer or fall road trip.
