Watching the tides in many places around the world may sound like pedestrian activity, quiet and relaxing. But in New Brunswick, it’s an awe-inspiring event that many tourists plan their visits around.
Along the Bay of Fundy, the changing tide transforms the landscape. The shoreline, submerged for 12 hours a day and teeming with living underwater creatures, becomes a barren beach where the curious can explore. As the tide recedes, small islands emerge as bizarre rock pinnacles topped by arched pine trees. The curiosities continue inland when the tides from the bay force the mighty St. John River to change direction twice a day. At low tide, the river hurtles through a narrow opening into the harbor, but at high tide the same river runs backward.
Travel through more of the province, and you'll find that the tides are just one of the contrasts New Brunswick has to offer. Cultures alternate between very English and very French to an amiable co-existence of both. The landscape changes from rugged seashore to dense forest to vibrant and interesting cities. Activities can vary from swimming in the warm waters of the Northumberland Strait to camping, hunting or fishing in the interior, to shopping and sightseeing in small fishing villages.
Given its compact size and the variety of experiences available here, we think New Brunswick should play center stage in your Maritime tour; it can easily fill a week all by itself.
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