Nature of Fundy

A True Natural Wonder

The Bay of Fundy is a true natural wonder which has been shaped by the power of the tides.  Naturally, this power has a great effect on the region.  It affects the flow of surrounding rivers, the face of the shores that line its waters and the life within the bay and along its shores.

Water

The great effect of the tides on the waters of the Bay is evident in where the sea meets the region's rivers.

The Saint John River System

The Reversing Falls

The Bay of Fundy meets the Saint John River within Saint John Harbour.  Water levels are equal precisely half way between low and high tides, which is called "slack tide".  The river falls into the Bay at low tide, producing wild rapids.  At high tide, the ocean waters push their way against the river's current.  Effects of the tide on the river system extends as far as 50km upstream.

Coastguide
http://www.mcuniverse.com/The_Reversing_Falls.1207.0.html 
http://www.greatcanadianrivers.com/rivers/john/species-home.html

The Tidal Bores

In addition to the reversing falls the Fundy tides create the phenomena of the Tidal Bore.  The waters narrow into two prongs at the inner most part of the Bay - one leading to Moncton, the other to Truro.  When the rising waters of the Bay meet the narrowing of the land a "tidal wave" of usually 3 feet occurs. 

http://www.fundyforum.com/bore.html
http://w3.execnet.com/lrs/novascotia/TidalBore/TidalBore.htm
http://www.petitcodiac.org/riverkeeper/english/tidalbore/tidalBore.htm

Land

The land that surrounds the bay tells the story of the tides:  what the waters have taken from the shores and what they have left behind.

Sea Stacks

Carved out of sandstone by the power of the tides, the sea stacks are an awesome example of the art of nature.  Though found throughout the Bay, the most famous of sea stacks are the Flower Pot Rocks found in Hopewell Cape. http://www.thehopewellrocks.ca/

Caves

Weathered by the constant movement of the ocean's waters, caves are commonly found along the Bay's shores. 

http://www.sn2000.nb.ca/comp/stmartinscanada/accueil.htm 
http://www.cancaver.ca/prov/nb/index.htm

Mud Flats

As the water moves out of the Bay it uncovers the ocean floor.  The texture of what is revealed varies from area to area but the most dramatic is that of the mud flats.  Miles of red mud make a unique site and a yearly destination for the endangered sandpiper.  The mud is filled with an abundance of nutrients.

http://atlas.gc.ca/site/english/learningresources/facts/noelshore.jpg/image_view
http://www.gulfofmaine.org/times/summer98/4a.html

Life

The power of the tides plays a huge role in the life of the creatures that live within and around the Bay of Fundy. 

In the Air

Approximately 248 species of birds stop to feed at the Fundy mudflats in preparation for migration.  The sweetheart of them all is the sandpiper.

http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/nature/nsbirds/feat01.htm
http://198.166.215.5/natr/WILDLIFE/conserva/16-01-5.htm
http://www.ns.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/sandpiper/
http://www.bofep.org/sandpipe.htm

Beneath the Sea

The tides carry with them and stir up nutrients that attract over 8 species of whales and an abundance of sea creatures and plant life.  In addition to humpback, minke and fin whales, northern atlantic right whales are commonly seen in the Bay of Fundy.

The Northern Atlantic Right Whale
http://new-brunswick.net/new-brunswick/whales/ocean1.html

Nature Articles of Interest

Geological Formation of the Bay
The Marine Life
The Northern Atlantic Right Whale 
The Weather

Discover the natural activites available in and around the Bay of Fundy - Nature Activities.

Travel to the Bay of Fundy to see this natural wonder first hand by choosing from our Travel Packages or by using our Customized Itinerary Services.

Check out these BayofFundy.com Travel Packages that feature:

Nature
The Reversing Falls
The Tidal Bore
Hopewell Rocks
Birdwatching
Whale Watching

"It was a great trip.  Thanks to having the itinerary and the tickets on hand we truly took advantage of all there was to do in New Brunswick without waiting to arrive there to find out what there was to do." - Mary Andrade & Family, Miami FL - Itinerary Planning Service June 2004