Between the Maritime provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia lies the Bay of Fundy. Known as one of the seven wonders of North America, the Bay of Fundy’s miles of cliffs, extreme tides, historic findings, and ecological wonders leave much to be explored. For this reason, it’s a top destination for adventure seekers everywhere. Knowing this, we’ve put together some fundy facts and travel-info to ponder while you dream up your next visit.
Tides
The Bay of Fundy’s powerful tides are the highest in the world. The tidal range here is 13 metres or the equivalent of a four storey building (for reference the average tidal range is about one metre). The highest tides are called “spring tides,” but have nothing to do with the season. Spring tides occur twice each month, when the sun and moon align and reinforce one another’s gravitational pull.
A popular place to experience the tides is at Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick. The statuesque rocks were caused by tidal erosion and the base of the formations are covered in water twice a day, so you can really see the range of the tides.
If you are interested in observing the tides, it’s best to go for the full day. Also note, tidal timetables change, so check in advance to plan the timing of your visit around them. The federal Fisheries and Oceans timetable can be found here.
Biodiversity
The Bay of Fundy’s marine ecosystem has been compared to the Amazon and Great Barrier Reef for it’s great biodiversity. Some examples of species found here are smaller toothed-whales, including playful porpoises and dolphins, seals, several varieties of sharks, and many fish, as well as lobsters, crabs, scallops, shrimp and sea urchins.
Fossils
Fundy’s geological diversity tells a story of millions of years of natural history with Triassic age dinosaur discoveries, fossils showing evidence of the evolution of life, and semi-precious gems and minerals. Although digging up or disturbing fossils is not allowed, you can still learn about the ancient world at New Brunswick Museum, Hopewell Rocks, Joggins Fossil Centre, and the Fundy Geological Museum.
Activities
There are plenty of outdoor activities to dive into while visiting the Bay. Take in the wildlife by whale or bird watching or go beyond the surface with a scuba excursion. The Fundy National Parks are great for hiking, camping, and even golf. You can also plan a visit to Fundy’s Old Sow Whirlpool located off the southwestern shore of Deer Island, New Brunswick. This is the largest whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere, and the second largest in the world.
For these reasons and more, we think few places on Earth are as awe-inspiring as the Bay of Fundy. A visit to this special place will reward you with magnificent tides, breathtaking wildlife, and endless adventure. At Guided North, we plan custom itineraries that delight and inspire and want to make your East Coast trip the best it can be. Plan your private trip with a seasoned travel expert and get ready for the experience of a lifetime.
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