Hopewell Rocks Ocean Tidal Exploration Site 131 Discovery Road, Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick 1 877 734 3429 Approximately 300 million years ago, the nearby Caledonia Mountains deposited sand and gravel along the ocean’s floor. This eventually created sandstone layers and over the centuries as the water…Read More

Hopewell Rocks Ocean Tidal Exploration Site 131 Discovery Road, Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick 1 877 734 3429

Approximately 300 million years ago, the nearby Caledonia Mountains deposited sand and gravel along the ocean’s floor. This eventually created sandstone layers and over the centuries as the water froze and then melted, fractures were created in the rock. Time and erosion caused by the water and the wind continued to sculpt the Fundy shoreline into dramatic rock formations. The best place to view them is near Hopewell Cape, in New Brunswick. When the tide is out you can walk along the shore and view the rocks and caves up close and personal. When the tide comes in, the caves are flooded and only the top portion of the rocks is visible so that they appear to be islands.

We traveled from Amherst, Nova Scotia to Moncton, NB on the main TransCanada Hwy and then took route 114 from Moncton to Hopewell. Operated by the Federal Government, the site is well signed with lots of free parking and a large Interpretive Centre. It is well laid out with a playground area for kids, cafeteria style restaurant, large gift shop, outdoor picnic tables and well maintained paths that lead to the ocean’s floor. Inside the Centre are many displays and exhibits that provide lots of information on the Fundy’s ecosystem. I learned that it is home to many varieties of whales, including Blue, Minke, Humpback and the Fin Whale which is the 2nd largest in the world. On the opposite side of the size scale are tiny mud shrimp. Up to 30,000 shrimp can live in a 20 square inch area and when the tide is out, these shrimp provide a tasty meal for the many types of birds in the area.

Leaving the Centre, I took the path through the woods to the Flowerpot Rocks observation area. All the paths are well signed and there are viewing platforms for those who don’t want to walk down the 4 story staircase to the ocean floor. There is also a small shuttle bus, sort of like a golf cart, that will take people to the observation platforms for a charge of $1.00 each way. Each platform has large information boards as well as a guide who is happy to answer questions and provide information on the area. Although you can get some good views from the observation decks, it’s an absolute must to walk down the stairs and walk along the shore.

The Flowerpot Rocks are the most popular and most scenic area of the park. The name comes from their shape because they look like tall pots and the top is covered with grass and trees or the "flowers". The base of the rocks is covered with seaweed and barnacles from the time spent underwater during high tide. The many small caves in the area are roped off because they can collapse from the pressure of the wind and water. I walked about 1/2 mile to Demoiselle Beach. Much of the walk was pleasant, along sandy and pebbly shores but at one point, I had to scramble over a large pile of rocks called The Ledges. Although it was only a short distance across the rocks it was a bit tricky because they were very slippery due to mud and seaweed. Thick, wet mud oozes in between the rocks and I slipped a couple of times and ended up with my shoes covered in mud. By the way, I wouldn’t recommend white shoes if you’re planning to walk the shore - at least, not if you want them to stay white! On the other side of the rocks, Demoiselle Beach is mostly mud flats where tiny mud shrimp live.

From Demoiselle another path leads uphill to the Interpretive Centre. Along the way, a couple of lookouts provide views of the Livingstone Hills and Shepody Mountain and information on the moose and deer that live here. Near the top of the path, a bucket of water and brush are provided to clean the now dried, red mud off shoes before going back into the Interpretive Centre.

As I was leaving, my eye was caught by a bag of potatoes in the gift shop. Upon closer inspection, I realized they were candles in the shape of potatoes - geez, what some tourists will buy. I was MUCH more discerning - I bought a lobster shaped candle :-)

The Park is open 7 days a week from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission is $5.00 per adult. Call 1 877 734 3429 to find out about tide times to make sure you’ll be able to see and walk along the rocks. Kayak rentals are also available offsight and the phone number for information on the rentals is 1 877 601 2660.

For a truly unique experience, you must visit the Hopewell Rocks in the Fundy National Park. One of the most popular natural attractions in Canada, the Rocks hold you in awe of the tremendous power of the tidal waters of the North Atlantic. Twice each…Read More

For a truly unique experience, you must visit the Hopewell Rocks in the Fundy National Park.

One of the most popular natural attractions in Canada, the Rocks hold you in awe of the tremendous power of the tidal waters of the North Atlantic. Twice each day the tides sweep the coast, in this area often reaching as high as 46 feet, flooding the beach and creating islands of vegetation where hours before towering pillars stood on a barren beach.

At low tide and for a period of approximately 3 hours on either side of low tide, one can wander the beach and gawk in amazement at the pure power of water against land. While the Hopewell Rocks are nicknamed "Flower Pot Rocks" I feel "Ice Cream Cone Rocks" would be more appropriate. The sea has cut away at the base of the rocks until they look like green ice cream cones. The waters, as they flow around the rocks, take on a reddish appearance from the churned mud. This red colors follows the tides as they move inland through the salt marshes.

The extraordinary height of the tides in the Bay of Fundy are influenced by the shape of the coastline. The shape and dimensions of the Bay serve as an amplifier of the tide creating a wave as the tide comes from the North Atlantic that sloshes up and down the Bay. This wave associated with the incoming tidal swell causes some of the highest tides recorded any place in the world.

Even traveling in mid summer, I would suggest a sweatshirt or light jacket for this area. There is a prevalence of fog due to the constant inflow of water from the cold Atlantic meeting the warmer air over the Bay. The air temperature is moderated and, while warm, you will not feel as hot as areas more inland. The area experiences late springs, cool summers, lingering autumns and mild winters.

Be prepared to walk and up and down some rather steep trails on the way to the viewing location. A trolley is available at a modest cost for those who prefer not to walk. Restroom facilities and an interpretation center and gift shop are available.

Twice a day, it is fascinating to watch one billion tons of seawater pulse into the shore. But this is not the time to take a stroll there. In 30 minutes, a walker could be up to his waist in water. In less than an hour,…Read More

Twice a day, it is fascinating to watch one billion tons of seawater pulse into the shore.

But this is not the time to take a stroll there. In 30 minutes, a walker could be up to his waist in water. In less than an hour, he'd be swimming.

When the tide recedes, it leaves behind acres of salt marshes with fossils, shells, mounds of seaweed, plankton and krill

The Bay of Fundy is one of the best places in the world to see whales from July through September because it is a confined space.

Whale-watching tours depart daily from the Fundy Isles of Grand Manan, Campobello and Deer Island. On many, whale sightings are guaranteed.

Most visitors begin their Bay of Fundy adventure in Saint John, Canada's oldest incorporated city, a bustling port at the mouth of the Saint John River.

When Fundy tides surge up the river, the flow of water is forced back upstream, turning it into a raging storm of rapids. To experience the power of the Reserving Falls, try a ride in a specially designed jet boat.

Just minutes from the centre of town, Irving Nature Park is a haven on the Bay of Fundy coast. The peninsula's eight trails traverse 600 acres of Acadian forest and delight walkers, cyclists and bird watchers.

The old city market takes up a downtown block with a selection of fresh seafood, produce, gourmet delights, crafts and gifts.

An hour's drive northeast from Saint John, near the town of Saint Martin, the new Fundy Trail Parkway runs alongside a hiking/biking trail around 16km in length, that overlooks a stretch of recently opened coastline.