Fundy Coast Road Trip

One of the last stretches of coastal wilderness along North America’s Eastern Seaboard, the Fundy Trail Provincial Park is a 30-km (19-mi.) drive hugging the coast surrounded by a 6320-acre (2,500-hectare) park. With stunning views in every direction, you can hike, bike, or drive it. Stop and explore the many trails, waterfalls, beaches, and observation decks.

For the most extreme of adventurers, take on the four-to-five-day hiking trek that is the Fundy Footpath. Stretching from the Fundy Trail Provincial Park interpretive centre to Fundy National Park (or vice versa), the incomparable beauty makes the vigorous hike so worth it.

Once you exit Fundy Trail Provincial Park you’ll be on your way to the village of St. Martins, famous for its quaint coastal charm, its two covered bridges, and red sandstone sea caves. If you’re feeling adventurous at low tide, explore the beaches surrounding the caves carved out by the force of the Bay of Fundy over 250-million years. Come high tide, the knowledgeable guides at Bay of Fundy Adventures will immerse you in this unique marine ecosystem via kayak tour adventures, and at low tide they will take you on a hike along the coast.

Up next: You’re headed to Saint John! The only city on the Bay of Fundy, this port city has personality in spades. About 45 minutes from St. Martins, it’s a striking contrast to the fishing villages that dot the coastline. If you’re looking for top dining and nightlife, this is where you want to be when the sun goes down. Its streets, lined with well-preserved 19th-century architecture, house a melange of excellent restaurants, breweries, galleries, and local shops. Follow a self-guided historic walking tour or the Art in Public Places Walking Tour to discover many uptown treasures, or explore local flavours at the Saint John City Market, the oldest continuing farmers market in Canada.

For a true port city experience, visit the 60-some shipping containers of the AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village, a diverse collection of retail shops, a performance space, a container bar, food trucks, public art and pop-up activities.

While in the city, be sure to visit Ihtoli-Maqahamok, The Gathering Space, with four-season patios and tidal steps accessing the Bay of Fundy, see the power of the tides at Reversing Falls Rapids, get the adrenaline pumping at TimberTop Adventures in Dominion Park and get a breath of fresh air at Irving Nature Park or Rockwood Park, one of the largest urban parks in Canada.

It’s time to head on to the final stretch of your Fundy Coast Road Trip, with New River Beach Provincial Park as your first stop about a half hour outside the city. This is the perfect place to explore, with gorgeous stretches of sandy beaches, sweeping cliffs, and coastal hiking trails. While you’re there, make the small detour to Lepreau Falls where you can see beautiful waterfalls and buy locally caught clams.

Road Trip Eats

Rounding out the western portion of New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy is the Southwest New Brunswick Region. Compared to the more rugged coastline in other parts of the bay, this area is perfect for those looking for a relaxed getaway or an island escape.

After your visit at New River Beach Provincial Park to take in the region’s largest sandy saltwater beach and stunning coastal trails in Fundy Shores, make a stop in Eastern Charlotte. Here, you'll find the Pea Point Nature Preserve, a peaceful spot to connect with nature. Be sure to visit Green’s Point Lightstation along the way. A quick 5-minute drive from the Deer Island ferry dock, this scenic spot offers breathtaking coastal views.

Next up, you’re off to the Fundy Isles -- a world apart from the mainland yet just a ferry ride away. Grand Manan Island is a 90-minute ride to rugged cliffs and shorelines guarded by lighthouses and teeming with birds and marine life. It is known for its whale-watching excursions, breathtaking coastal trails such as the one to the famous Hole-in-the-Wall rock formation, and one of the region’s most iconic lighthouses, Swallowtail Lightstation. 

For beautiful coastal vistas, artisan shops, art studios, and excellent sea kayaking, set your sights on Deer Island, just a short 20-minute ferry ride from Letete, near St. George.

From there, you can take another ferry to Campobello Island, a perfect mix of history, nature, and coastal charm. Enjoy a stay, a round of golf or a hike at Herring Cove Provincial Park, visit the Head Harbour Lightstation (the province’s oldest lighthouse), and explore the heritage cottage and scenic grounds of Roosevelt Campobello International Park. 

Back on the mainland, the beloved town of Saint Andrews anchors the region, with its pedestrian-friendly downtown filled with colourful shops and a lively wharf. Treat yourself to a luxurious stay at the Algonquin Resort, famous for being one of Canada’s historic Grand Railway Hotels. Surround yourself with beauty at the wonderful Kingsbrae Garden, vibrant with autumn hues. Stroll through themed gardens, explore a cedar maze, sculptures and ponds, greet the resident alpacas, peacocks and pigmy goats, and have a delicious meal at the restaurant. 

Take a trip across the ocean floor - in your car! - on the way to Ministers Island, the former home of Canadian Pacific Railway baron Willian Van Horne. For more railway history, make a special trip to the famous McAdam Railway Station. 

Stop in to the Fundy Discovery Aquarium at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre for close encounters with the marine life that calls the bay their home. And no trip to this area is complete without a whale-watching excursion in the bay. Late summer and early fall are still prime whale-watching season, so don't miss the chance to get close to the sea’s greatest creatures.

The final stop on your Fundy adventure (or the starting point for our American friends) is St. Stephen, opposite Calais, Maine in the USA. Here you’ll find a border town defined by a sweet history—it’s home to Ganong, Canada’s oldest candy company, and its Chocolate Museum.

Just a bit outside the town is Ganong Nature Park, filled with hiking trails and a tidal beach. With magnificent views of Saint Croix Island, Passamaquoddy Bay and the United States in the distance, it’s a delightful location to finish your Fundy adventure.
 

Road Trip Eats