- The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world, rising and falling by up to around 15 metres
- Walk the sea floor at Hopewell Rocks at low tide
- Easy to combine with Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
- UK visitors flying in need an eTA
- Airports
- Moncton (YQM), Fredericton (YFC) or Saint John (YSJ) by connection; or fly to Halifax (YHZ) and drive about 3 hours
- Best time to go
- June-September; late September to mid-October for autumn colour
- Type
- Province
New Brunswick is the gateway to Atlantic Canada, a largely rural province of forests, rivers and quiet coastal villages. Its headline act is the Bay of Fundy, where the world's highest tides empty and refill the bay twice a day, exposing sea floor you can walk on and then covering it again within hours. It is also Canada's only officially bilingual province, with a lively French-speaking Acadian culture along its northern and eastern shores.
It sees fewer overseas visitors than its neighbours, which makes it a relaxed addition to a Maritimes road trip. For the wider picture, see our Canada guide.
Things to do
- Hopewell Rocks – at low tide, walk among the famous flowerpot rock formations; return at high tide to kayak around their tops.
- Fundy National Park – coastal forest, waterfalls and cliff-top trails, with the friendly village of Alma for lobster and sticky buns.
- The Fundy Trail Parkway – a scenic coastal road with lookouts, beaches and suspension bridges near St Martins and its sea caves.
- St Andrews by-the-Sea – a genteel resort town with whale-watching trips, the Kingsbrae Garden and historic seaside hotels.
- Saint John – the province's oldest city, with the Reversing Falls, where the tide pushes the river backwards.
- The Acadian coast – Caraquet, the Acadian Historic Village and Kouchibouguac National Park's dunes and warm-water beaches.
- Fredericton – a small, leafy capital on the Saint John River with a good art gallery and craft brewery scene.
Where to stay
- Alma and Fundy National Park – cabins and inns ideal for exploring the bay.
- St Andrews – historic hotels and B&Bs by the water.
- Moncton – central, practical and close to Hopewell Rocks and the beaches near Shediac.
- Saint John – city hotels near the waterfront and the uptown area.
Getting there
There are no direct flights from the UK to New Brunswick. Most visitors fly to Halifax in Nova Scotia, which has direct flights from London, and drive around three hours to Moncton, or connect via Toronto or Montreal to Moncton, Fredericton or Saint John. British citizens flying to Canada need an eTA, applied for online from the official Government of Canada website. A GHIC is not valid in Canada, so take out travel insurance.
A hire car is essential for touring. The Confederation Bridge links New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island.
Best time to visit
July and August are warmest, with the best beach weather along the Northumberland Strait, which has some of the warmest seawater north of the Carolinas. June and September are quieter and good for walking. From late September, the forests turn spectacular colours. Winters are snowy and many coastal attractions close.
Check the tide tables for Hopewell Rocks before you go, and plan to visit at both low and high tide on the same day.
Top attractions in New Brunswick
New Brunswick on the map
Frequently asked questions
How big are the tides in the Bay of Fundy?
The tidal range can reach around 15 metres at the head of the bay, the largest in the world.
Do I need an eTA to visit New Brunswick?
Yes, if you are a British citizen flying to Canada. Apply online via the official Government of Canada website.
Is New Brunswick French-speaking?
It is bilingual. About a third of people speak French, mainly in the north and east, but English is understood everywhere.
How many days do you need?
Three or four days covers the Fundy coast; combine it with Nova Scotia and PEI for a one- or two-week Maritimes trip.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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