Hello and welcome to my blog! I’m glad you’re here. It’s week 44 in 2022 and I’m hosting Weekend Coffee Share linkup #94. Come on in for a coffee or tea, and let’s catch up.
When I was planning for my trip to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in September, I wanted to see several natural wonders and UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the Bay of Fundy. I had visited main attractions in Halifax and surrounding areas such as Lunenburg, Peggy’s Cove, and Cape Breton in Nova Scotia before. So for this trip I focused on new-to-me places.
I’m happy to say that I saw everything that I wanted to see and more. I wrote my adventures on the Bay of Fundy in three posts. This post is the first of three:
- Natural wonders
- Historic places
- Fun attractions
The Bay of Fundy is renowned for its extremely high tidal range (the highest in the world), geological discoveries (dinosaur fossils) and marine life (whales). Here’s five amazing Natural Wonders to explore.
1. Joggins Fossil Cliffs
Joggins Fossil Cliffs on the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia is Canada’s 15th UNESCO World Heritage Site. Joggins is world famous because of its fossil record of life on land in the Coal Age. More than 300 million years ago, Joggins was home to giant insects, towering trees and the first known reptiles.
I enjoyed 1) A visit to the Joggins Fossil Centre to see an extensive fossil specimen collection, exhibits, and displays and learn about the “Coal Age,” when lush forests covered the Joggins region 2) A guided tour with knowledgeable interpretive staff to explore the coastal cliffs (up to 15 kilometres of magnificently exposed layers of rock) and look for fossils on the beach at low tide.
2. The World’s Highest Tide and Hopewell Rocks
The Hopewell Rocks also called the Flowerpot Rocks are rock formations caused by tidal erosion at the Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park in New Brunswick. This is where the power of the Bay of Fundy tides is most impressive. Not only does the tide rise 14 meters (46 feet) vertically, it also recedes almost two football fields horizontally.
I enjoyed 1) A visit to the Hopewell Rocks Interpretive Centre for an overview on geology, tides and wildlife 2) A walk with an interpretive guide to see the powerful tides and the 40-70 feet tall flowerpot rocks.
There are two highs and two lows each day, with about 6 hours and 13 minutes between each high and low tide. The bay water is brownish-red as organic sediment and red mud are stirred up from the sea bed by tides and currents.
During my visit, the tides covered Daniels Flats, named for one of this area’s early settlers, an immense mud flat that is 4 km (2.5 mi.) wide and stretches almost as far as Grindstone Island in the distance.
The tides also covered Lover’s Arch situated relatively high on the beach. The tide needs to rise 28 feet straight up before it touches the base of the archway. The Fundy tides can then continue to rise another 18 feet (5.5 meters) before starting to recede.
3. Fundy Biosphere Reserve and Fundy National Park
Fundy National Park is in the heart of the UNESCO-designated Fundy Biosphere Reserve. Often draped in a blanket of summer fog, the lush lands of the Biosphere Reserve stretch farther than the eye can see. The park maintains 110 km of hiking trails, both inland and coastal, as well as guided nature walks and interpretive programs. I’d love to spend more time here.
All biological communities, including people, lead lives under the inescapable influences unique to the Bay of Fundy. For example, fishing boats can only leave or dock at the wharf when the height of tide permits. The right time could be morning, noon, or night.
4. Reversing Falls Rapids
Reversing Falls Rapids is a unique phenomenon created by the collision of the Bay of Fundy and the Saint John River. It was incredible to watch the tides of the Bay of Fundy actually force the water at the mouth of the Saint John River to reverse its flow.
The nearby Stonehammer Geopark, the only UNESCO-listed global geopark in North America, has information panels on the tides and the geology of the cliffs.
5. Marine Life
A whale watching tour is a fantastic way to experience marine life in the Bay of Fundy. My tour with Quoddy Link Marine in St. Andrews was excellent. We passed by East Quoddy Lighthouse built in 1829, the oldest lighthouse in New Brunswick, and saw harbour seals, humpback whales, porpoises, sea birds, and more.
I look forward to combining Photographing Public Art Challenge with Weekend Coffee Share linkup and sharing historic sites on the Bay of Fundy next Friday.
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Natalie the Explorer 
The second highest tide is the Severn Estuary near us! At certain times of the year surfers can ride the wave for several miles inland. I am really enjoying your trip.
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Anne, That’s amazing surfing. Water has incredible power. I’m glad you’re enjoying my trip. Stay tuned for next weekend’s post.
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Natalie, what an incredibly fascinating place – so much to see, do and learn. Right up your alley! Love it.
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Suzanne, You got me right. I love exploring this type of places.
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That was really interesting Natalie – especially about the tidal rises and falls – that’s so unbelievable to think about and the rock formations are amazing.
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Leanne, It’s incredible to see the tides and their powerful erosion on the rocks, and twice a day, every day, the tides go in and out on the Bay of Fundy.
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Thanks for sharing – what beautiful photos! I have always wanted to plan a trip to visit lighthouses…I need to add this one (and this area) to my list!
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Jennifer, A trip to visit lighthouses on the Bay of Fundy or in Atlantic Canada would be amazing. I saw many gorgeous lighthouses in Newfoundland.
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So interesting to see Hopewell Rocks when the tide is in. I just came back from New Brunswick and we walked on the ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks. Unfortunately everything this time of year is closed so all our tours were self guided.
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Walking on the ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks is a great experience. The tide is incredible to see. The Visitor Centre and their knowledgeable and passionate staff are not to be missed next time you’re there. The information and explanations they give enhance the visit.
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Thanks I’ll keep that in mind.
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Wonderful photos, Natalie! I’m a BIG fan of rocks, rock formations, patterns on rocks etc.. lovely. The Hopewell Rocks are spectacular!
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Susanne, I’m glad to hear you’re a big fan of rocks. You’d love Hopewell Rocks and Joggins Fossil Cliffs. Many amazing rock patterns created by the tides.
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Hi Natalie, every week you bring photos from attractive places. These natural wonders are truly wonderful. I really like the fossils. Photos of marine life are great! Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend!
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Thank you, Amila, for your compliment. I’m glad you liked my posts and photos. Have a great weekend!
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Those fossil cliffs are so neat! What amazing sights.
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Agreed. I enjoyed exploring the Bay of Fundy very much.
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I love the Hopewell Rocks and Daniels Flats. I need to plan a trip with my boys to visit those places.
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Your boys would have a wonderful time exploring Hopewell Rocks and Daniels Flats.
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I agree.
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I love the textures in the fossils! And, interesting how those boat owners are dependent on the tides whether going out or coming in.
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Janis, The fossils are amazing to see. The powerful tides truly affect the communities on the Bay of Fundy. One example, the East Quoddy lighthouse in my post is accessible by road at low tide only.
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What a fascinating post – so much to read and discover, Thank you so much for such an interesting start to my day, Wonderful!
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You’re welcome, Barbara. I’m glad you enjoyed my post. I tried to keep it at reasonable length while still giving sufficient spotlight to these five wonders.
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A wonderful post with great information about the Bay of Fundy, Natalie! It’s amazing how people adapt to their environments due to tidal conditions. Your posts are always fun to see on a map…we are thinking strongly of a vacation to Nova Scotia within the next 2 years. And thank you for taking on the PPAC for Marsha. It’s a perfect fit for you!
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Thank you, Terri, for your compliment on my posts. Nova Scotia has many places and things to explore and enjoy. I hope PPAC continues to thrive as it’s Marsha’s ‘baby’ and a terrific photo challenge.
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I’ll be sure to consult with you when we get ready to go 😁
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Any time, Terri 🙂
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Such interesting pictures. I saw the picture of the boats all sitting on the sand at low tide and went back to reread it. What an amazing place where the boats actually sit on the sand at low tide, and the market is driven by the tides. Really fascinating pictures this time and lots of history.
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Thank you for your comment. The Bay of Fundy is fascinating. I’m glad you liked my pictures and their history.
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It was an unusual picture with all the boats sitting on the sand.
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Love the fossils and those rocks, Natalie. Tide is a fascinating thing, isn’t it?
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Jo, Tide is very fascinating. The tidal erosion on those rocks is incredible to see.
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Some amazing photos Natalie,
I’d never heard of reversible falls before.
Great stuff
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Thank you, Gary. I’m happy to share Reversing Falls on my blog.
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Hi Natalie a memory came up on my FB with a photo of Mike and I at Peggy’s Cove about 8 years ago. I loved Nova Scotia and would like to revisit one day. Your photos certainly show the natural beauty and the fossils are so interesting aren’t they? I would like to see the reversible falls which I haven’t heard of before. thanks for the #weekendcoffeeshare link up and also for sharing your travels. x
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Hi Sue, The fossils in Nova Scotia and the reversing falls in New Brunswick are amazing to see. Thank you for joining me. Have a great weekend!
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Hi, Natalie – Your blog title is very true. You are a wonderful explorer! Your trip to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia looks incredible!
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Hi Donna, Thank you for your lovely comment. I truly enjoyed this trip to NB and NS. Our country is beautiful and full of wonders.
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Thanks for sharing this Natalie .It must have been a wonderful experience to visit this place. I would love to see the Reversing Falls
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You’re welcome, Jennifer. It was incredible to see the Reversing Falls.
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Looks great! I enjoy all of those things. With a geologist as a brother, I grew up being very into fossils of all types. The tides are very cool. I have not been there, so have not seen those extremes, but watching the much smaller tides we get is interesting. Your photos of Hopewell Rocks are great. Of course I love doing whale watches. Always a good time. Looks like you really did see some natural wonders 🙂
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Thanks, Trent. It was a wonderful trip with lots of things to explore and enjoy. Have a great weekend!
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We have been lucky to visit these places too. We haven’t done the Reversing Falls, as we drove past this year, we debated and decided to keep going. A good reason to go back!
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Yes, so many places to explore and so little time.
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As always, wonderful photography! Thank you 🙏
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You’re welcome, Dinah. Have a nice weekend!
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Really like the rocks and arches, the lighthouse, and the whale’s tale, plus many others.
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Thank you, Deborah. I’m glad you like my post and pictures.
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I really enjoyed this excursion! Tide is fascinating, we don’t have very high tides in Sweden. It’s on my bucket list to go on a whale safari. I almost went a couple times in CA, but it never happened. Thank you for this amazing coffee share.
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Maria, I’m so glad you enjoyed my post. It’s longer than usual and I wondered if my blog readers would read it and like it. I hope you get to go on a whale watching tour. I’ve gone on whale watching tours on Canada’s east and west coasts and love every one of them.
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I want to visit every place! We visited New Brunswick many, many years ago on vacation with my folks, but I don’t remember much as I was pretty young. I LOVE the fossil cliffs! They all look fascinating. Thank you for sharing all this, on to the bucket list they go!
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Kathleen, The fossil cliffs are amazing. Everyone loves combing the beach at low tide for fossils. The tides make many interesting patterns on the rocks and pebbles there. I highly recommend a visit 🙂
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Bay of Fundy is on my list of places to see and explore. I had no idea there were ancient fossils there as well. Thanks again for the wonderful tour.
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You’re welcome, Antoinette. I highly recommend a visit to Joggins Fossil Cliffs when you’re in the area.
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Those rocks just off the shore are marvelous; remembering the sounds of waves against the rocks and the winds elsewhere. Lovely…
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Lizl, Hopewell Rocks are amazing to see. I’m glad you liked them.
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What a fascinating place! I’ve read about the tides there but never quite pictured the impact. Another place to add to my ever-growing travel bucket list. I also didn’t realize the water was that color. It reminds me a little of the Mississippi in New Orleans.
Love the expression on the crab’s face. He looks, well… crabby 🙂
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Janet, That crab had the look ‘put me back in the ocean right now or else’ 🙂 Lots to explore and enjoy on the Bay of Fundy. It’s a wonderful place for a road trip.
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Wow, what a truly beautiful place. So very lovely. Thanks for sharing this with us. Very nice.
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You’re welcome, Patrick. I’m glad you liked the Bay of Fundy.
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What BEAUTIFUL photos of an amazing place. I love your travel shares as I’m sure I won’t be able to visit all these wonderful places. So cool to see through your lens! Thank you for sharing and for the weekend coffee shares that you host! Have a great week ahead! 💖
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Thank you, Diana, for your lovely comment and for being part of the Weekend Coffee Share blogging community. I enjoy reading your posts and sharing my stories with you. Have a great week ahead!
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So fascinating natalie. My daughter shared a similar thing to the reversing falls rapid when she was in New Zealand. I can’t remember what it was called now but very interesting.
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Kirstin, Yes, so many natural wonders around the world to explore and enjoy. I’d love to visit New Zealand.
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Wow, those really are natural wonders!
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Yes, they are amazing to explore and enjoy.
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Hi Natalie, I had been waiting to find out what you visited and what you liked best! About 20 years ago, before the centre was built at Joggins, visitors were expected to report fossil findings that looked significant. Otherwise it was on the honour system. I took a bucket of plentiful “worm tracks” fossils home to Massachusetts. When I returned to Nova Scotia for good, the movers asked me, “This box is small but so heavy – what have you got in there, rocks?” And I said yes! I looked up trails at Fundy Trail Parkway and now I want to go there to hike to waterfalls.
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Hi Dar, Joggins Fossil Centre and the cliffs are amazing. I saw many fascinating patterns on the rocks on the beach there. Fundy Trail Parkway is scenic and is a beautiful destination for hiking and waterfalls. I’d love to spend more time in that area.
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Those rock formations are very cool. I know there are some similar in Baja California, Mexico and Vietnam. I would love to see one like that one day.
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Hopewell Rocks are cool, especially the tides. At low tide people can walk on the ocean floor. At high tide, in nice weather, people go kayaking by the rock formations. I visited the picturesque Halong Bay in Vietnam, it’s well worth a visit when you are in that area.
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Natalie – so sorry I forgot the link back. I have updated my post. And thanks for the reminder! Have enjoyed connecting with so many from this community! As always, amazing photos!!
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Jennifer, Thank you for the link back. I’m glad you enjoyed connecting with the Weekend Coffee Share blogging community. Hope to see you again soon. Have a great week!
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Stunning scenery, Natalie! Thank you for sharing them. I can just imagine myself on those Red Chairs, enjoying the breeze and the beautiful sights.
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Thank you, Ju-Lyn, for your comment. You’re welcome to sit on those red chairs. Parks Canada has placed them at national parks for visitors to rest, relax and and enjoy the views.
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Beautiful, lover arch is amazing.
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Mélodie, Welcome to my blog and thank you for your comment. At low tide, you can walk on the ocean floor at Lover’s Arch. At high tide, in nice weather, you can kayak there.
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Excellent Photos of the Bay of Fundy!! I really like your photo of the Joggins Fossil Cliff, and the Plant Fossils.
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Thank you Shawn. Glad you liked my photos.
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