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“The geological formation and evolution of Fundy is but the first chapter of a long and extraordinary tale” (Ferguson, 1999).
Nowhere but the Bay of Fundy can combine the strength of the highest, most powerful tides in the world with the natural beauty of a diverse, unspoiled shoreline. As Fundy’s giant tides daily erode the towering sea cliffs and wash the shores, many interesting rocks, zeolites and semi-precious stones are revealed. Spend seven days getting acquainted with Fundy’s coastline and see what geological treasures you can uncover. |
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Day 1. Begin your tour in St. Martins, New Brunswick. Set on the Bay of Fundy, visitors to St. Martins enjoy combing the miles of unspoiled beaches, learning about fresh and salt water fishing, the active harbour with its twin covered bridges, and the sea caves and salt marshes.
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This afternoon set out on a two-hour hike with River Valley Adventures. Experience the incredible sea caves and majestic red sandstone cliffs along the Bay of Fundy coastline with your friendly guides. This walk is rated easy to moderate and includes a snack and refreshment. |
Fall asleep this evening to the soothing sound of Fundy’s surf from within your room at a 4.5-star, century-old country inn.
Day 2. Travel to Albert County, New Brunswick, home to some of the last remaining wilderness in southern New Brunswick, the oldest lighthouse on the province's mainland and one of the best places in the world to see shorebirds. Albert County is also an incredible place to walk the ocean floor and to witness the awesome forces of the Bay of Fundy.
Today walk the base of amazing rock formations and Hopewell Cape. Only accessible three hours before low tide through three hours after low tide, Hopewell’s “Flower Pot” Rocks truly showcase the vertical variance of the tides.
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Spend the next two nights overlooking the Bay of Fundy and the fishing village of Alma. The bed and breakfast is just steps from Alma Beach, Fisherman’s Wharf and the entrance to Fundy National Park. Find bright and cheerful rooms and enjoy a full, hot, homemade breakfast each morning of your stay. |
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Day 3. (B) This morning follow a guide to wilderness coastlines where there are fossils abound and the immense Bay of Fundy tides churn the stones into collectables. Walk where the intertidal zone exposes all manner of shellfish life and amazing plants. Miles and miles of ocean floor that is covered twice daily with 45 feet of ocean. Cliffs that soar into the sky at the Bay's edge where fossils are exposed and where birds of prey await the fresh exposure of today's seafood catch when the tides recede.
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After lunch use the remaining part of the day exploring Fundy National Park, where the Caledonia Highlands meet the fog-generating Bay of Fundy. New Brunswick’s first national park, Fundy’s coastline is shaped daily by the bay’s giant tides. Fundy National Park is home to over 260 species of birds, various amphibians and reptiles and nearly forty species of mammals.
There are also two tale-telling rock formations. While the rocks found around Owls Head are made of sandstone, the volcanic rocks at Point Wolfe tell of the shifting of the continents and are comprised of white quartz veins, swirling folds and criss-crossing fractures (Parks Canada, 2004). |
Day 4. (B) Travel from New Brunswick to Nova Scotia, specifically to the shores of the Minas Basin.
Before arriving in Parrsboro, there are two suggested stops.
The first is Joggins Fossil Cliffs. Located at the head of the Bay of Fundy, these 75-foot high cliffs are exposed to constant tidal action and as Fundy’s 50-foot tides erode the cliffs, new fossils are revealed including a rich variety of flora, diverse amphibian fauna, important trackways and some of the world’s first reptiles. The Joggins Fossil Cliffs became famous in 1851 with the discovery of fossilized tree trunks found in their original positions. When these trunks were closer examined, tiny bones were noticed which turned out to be one of the most important fossil discoveries in Nova Scotia. These remains were from one of the world’s first reptiles and evidence that land animals had lived during the “Coal Age”. Today the Joggins Fossil Cliffs are recognized in a world-class palaeontological site. Perhaps visit the Joggins Fossil Center to see 300-million-year-old Joggins Fossils and more.
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After your visit to Joggins, stop at Cape Chignecto Provincial Park. Comprised of 600-foot towering cliffs, 18 kilometres of pristine coastline, steep ravines and old-growth forests, Cape Chignecto Provincial Park is found on the Western tip of the Avalon Eco-Zone along the Bay of Fundy. |
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Not only is the park a great place to observe the tides, as they continuously lap at the base of the cliffs, Cape Chignecto is home to some of the province's most significant geological deep valleys, fantastic hiking trails, rare plantlife, scenic views and rich cultural heritage.
The largest community along the north shore of the Minas Basin, Parrsboro is an excellent place to witness the incredible power of the Fundy tides. These tides, the highest tides in the world, sculpt the coastline daily uncovering fossils, zeolites and many semi-precious stones.
This afternoon take a one-hour guided tour of the Fundy Geological Museum. Discover the ancient world of dinosaurs that roamed the land millions of years ago. See some of the oldest dinosaur bones in Canada, the world’s first reptiles, ancestors of the frog, giant dragonflies and more. Next examine mineral treasures such as beautiful amethyst and agate gemstones, revealed by the washing of the giant Fundy Tides.
Spend tonight and tomorrow night at a bed and breakfast situated amidst mature maples and fragrant rose and perennial gardens. Furnished with antiques, the house in just minutes from the centre of Parrsboro.
Day 5. (B) This morning, spend four or five hours exploring Fundy by foot and sea kayak. Stroll along unspoiled shorelines and discover treasures, such as fossils and semi-precious gems, left behind by the tides and as you paddle along the coast observe eagles, ospreys and falcons soaring high above the cliffs, an abundance of shorebirds and perhaps even a few seals. Although the starting point is dependent on the day’s weather and tidal conditions, this excursion will provide you with a new appreciation of the outdoors.
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If time and tidal conditions permit, you may also enjoy a visit to Five Islands Provincial Park. Mi'kmaq legend says that the native god Glooscap created these five islands - Moose, Diamond, Long, Egg and Pinnacle - when he threw chunks of sod at Beaver. Today the community of Five Islands hosts a provincial park, from which these islands are visible. |
Five Islands Provincial Park is home to a beautiful beach, fantastic hiking trails and a non-operational lighthouse. Signs throughout the park provide visitors with information about the region's geology and it is easy to spend the hours of low tide beachcombing and rock hounding.
Day 6. (B) After breakfast, follow the shores of the Minas Basin to Wolfville, a beautiful town renowned for its heritage homes, rich architecture and overall historic elegance.
Near Wolfville there are two great regions great for hiking and exploring, particularly from a geologist's perspective.
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Less than 15 miles from Wolfville is Blomidon Provincial Park. Set on the shores of the Minas Basin, the park is home to spectacular scenery including high cliffs comprised of rock sediment layers that are constantly beat by the world’s highest tides. Blomidon Provincial Park has become increasingly popular among mineral and gem collectors worldwide. |
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Just a few miles past Blomidon Provincial Park, discover a five-mile trail leading hikers from Scots Bay to Cape Split. From this narrow finger of land, which extends nearly across the Minas Channel, views of the Bay of Fundy are nothing short of extraordinary. If timed properly, hear the hollow roar, caused by turbulent waters surging over the submarine ridges far below, that fills the basalt cliffs and forests at the mid-point of the incoming tide. The estimated duration of the hike is two hours in each direction, however if you decide to take on the challenge, the mineral finds at Cape Split will well be worth the effort.
Spend the night in Wolfville.
Day 7. Leaving Wolfville, travel along the Evangeline Trail to Digby.. Named after Admiral Robert Digby, one the United Empire Loyalists who helped settle Digby in 1783, Digby offers its visitors dramatic scenery and phenomenal seafood. Home to the world famous, plump, sweet Digby Scallop, Digby is also known for having the largest inshore scallop fleet in the world.
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Not far from Digby, perhaps the community of Tiverton, on Long Island, to discover Balancing Rock. A naturally occurring Balsalt rock formation, Balancing Rock can be found along the shore of St. Mary’s Bay.
Spend the evening at a Digby Bed & Breakfast. |
Day 8. (B) Begin the journey home. Early this afternoon cross the MV Princess of Acadia to Saint John, New Brunswick. As you leave the Digby Gut, enjoy the surrounding scenes of basalt cliffs, fishing boats and Fundy’s terrific tides.
Includes:
- Seven nights accommodations
- Five breakfasts
- Fundy Coast Hike in St. Martins
- Admission to the Hopewell Rocks
- Admission to Fundy National Park
- Cape Enrage Beach Hike
- Admission to Cape Chignecto Provincial Park
- Guided Tour of the Fundy Geological Museum
- Sea kayaking and hiking day tour on the Bay of Fundy
- Transportation on the MV Princess of Acadia.
Only $820 CAD / $705 US per person*
Group Travel
Groups of Six-Ten Participants:
$755 CAD / $649 US per person*
Organizer receives a 50% discount!
Groups of Twelve + Participants:
$725 CAD / $623 US per person*
Organizer travels free!
*Based on double occupancy. Taxes included. For single supplement add $260 CAD / $224 US. US prices are based on the exchange rate as of March 21, 2006 and are subject to currency fluctuations.
Visit www.xe.com for today's exchange rates.
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