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Bay of Fundy
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The Bay of Fundy Region encompasses overlapping parts of an inlet along the Novia Scotia and New Brunswick coastline. The region includes the cities of Fredericton and Saint John, New Brunswick. The area has a rich history, with its first settlements dating back to the 1600s.[1] The bay is a diverse community with commercial freight and cruise ships docking in its harbors. The bay is known for its record-making high and low tides and unique whale pods that spend time in the port.[2] There are rocky beaches, cliffs, and wind eroded tunnels throughout along the shoreline. Further inland, there are many forested areas and mountain ranges. The area has warm summers and windy, frigid winters with over thirty average inches of rain and snow every year.[3]

What Bay of Fundy is known for

The Bay of Fundy is located between Novia Scotia and New Brunswick. Both provinces touch the state of Maine and reach out into the North Atlantic Ocean. The bay is ninety-four miles long and thirty-two miles wide at its entrance. The bay reaches a maximum depth of around six hundred fifty feet. The Bay of Fundy is known for its record-breaking, fast-running tides. Reaching an increase of about seventy feet, the bay has the highest tides in the world. The average tidal range in the Bay of Fundy is around fifty-two feet, compared to the average tide of three feet that is found worldwide. Burntcoat Head Park is the site of the highest recorded tides globally, and at low tide, visitors can explore the seabed. Fossils, tidal pools, caves, and unique scenery can be discovered throughout the park. During high tide, the park visitors where visitors were exploring will be covered in over forty feet of water.[1] There are many walking trails, picnic areas, scenic lookouts, and a lighthouse within the park. There is a unique 5k and 10k race held in a village of the Five Islands where individuals can race the tide for a one-of-a-kind racing experience.[10]

 Another way to explore the Bay of Fundy is by rafting the Shubenacadie River. Not only can visitors raft the waters during high tide, but there are many mudslides during low tide where visitors can slip around. The Bay of Fundy Region is also famous for being home to the world's most complete fossil record of life. The area holds some of Canada's oldest fossils, dating almost three hundred million years ago. Kayaking along the Bay of Fundy's coastline can provide a relatively scenic journey along the rocky coastline. During these kayaking trips, visitors will often see a variety of marine life and coastal birds.[2] Whale watching is another of the Bay of Fundy's most popular attractions. The bay is home to many whale species during the summer months, including the right whale. Whale-watching tours take visitors out into the bay's waters multiple times a day. May to September are the best time for viewing the whales in their natural habitat.[3] The city of Saint John is located along the Bay of Fundy and is known for the Reversing Rapids. These rapids occur when the bay tides collide with the Saint John River. The city was founded in 1783, with original buildings still spread throughout the city. The Reversing Falls and Saint John Skywalk are by far the most popular attractions in the city of Saint John. The Skywalk's lookout point gives visitors a view of where the Saint John River meets the Bay of Fundy. The river flows backward at this spot with large whirlpools.[11] 

The city is also filled with historical attractions based on the lifestyle of early settlers. The city is filled with some of Canada's original Victorian architecture. Prince William Street is a National Historic Site filled with original architecture and the St. John's Anglican Church. The church was miraculously not burned in the Great Fire of 1877 and still stands to this day after its original creation in 1825. The New Brunswick Museum is a family-friendly museum showcasing engaging exhibits exploring the province's natural history, art, and culture.[8] The Bay of Fundy Region attracts over one million visitors every year.[2]

Geography

The Bay of Fundy is located halfway between the equator and the North-Pole. It is an inlet off of Canada's East Coast.[1] The bay has a unique coastal environment renowned for its dramatic tides, rocky shores, and deep waterways. The last glacier retreat formed the bay. The area was once a dry rift valley and filled with water slowly after the Ice Age.[2] Rain and ice continue to erode the bay, and daily tidal action wears on the base of cliffs and rock formations, giving them unique shapes and coloring. The bay reaches a depth of two hundred meters and is part of the Continental Shelf off of easter Canada and New England.[1] The Bay of Fundy Region encompasses parts of both Novia Scotia and New Brunswick. Saint John is the largest city in the Bay of Fundy Region located on the New Brunswick shoreline.[8] The region also includes Kejimkujik National Park and St John River. Many fresh and saltwater lakes spread throughout the region, along with forested mountain ranges and grassy prairie flats. Fredericton is the northmost city in the Bay of Fundy Region.[1] The summers in the Bay of Fundy Region are comfortable, while winters are windy and frigid. It is partly cloudy throughout the region year-round. The warm season is four months long, from June to September, with an average temperature of sixty-three degrees Fahrenheit. The warmest time of the year is typically July twenty-seventh. Winter lasts or three months from December to March, the coldest month of the year is January. The average temperature for the cold season is below thirty-five degrees. The area receives an average rainfall of thirty-four inches and over one hundred inches of snow.[3]

The New Brunswick side of the Bay of Fundy has many mountain animals such as the black bear, Canada lynx, moose, white-tailed deer, red fox, otter, porcupine, and squirrels.[4] Nova Scotia is home to the star-nosed mole, beaver, wolverines, black bears, and squirrels.[5] The cold saltwater in the Bay of Fundy is home to flounder, mackerel, monkfish, hake, shark, eels, and many whale pods travel through the bay at certain times of the year.[1] Common plants throughout the region include the aspen poplar, bearberry, blue bead lily, and sugar maple.[6] Most products coming out of the Bay of Fundy Region are processed wood, potatoes, carrots, and blueberries.[7]

History

A small island off the Bay of Fundy was discovered in 1604 and became the first European settlement in North America. The group of settlers was lead by Sieur de Mons, along with Samuel Champlain. Around eighty more men attempted to settle nearby areas like St. Croux Island but were unsuccessful in the beginning years. The first winter on the island was hard as explorers were cut off from the mainland by ice flows. The bay was given its name by Jacques Cartier, who say it in 1535 before Pierre De Guasta and other french explorers began to settle the area. The name is a corruption of the French word Fendu, meaning split.[1] Notably, Fredericton "was first inhabited by the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet people." European settlers began to construct Fort Nashwaak in 1692. By 1783, the city was fully established.[9]

Fredericton was named after King George III's brother, Prince Frederick.[9] In 1785 Saint John, New Brunswick, was incorporated as a city. After the discovery of the Bay of Fundy, a French cartographer Samuel De Champlain sighted the large river on St. John The Baptist's Day and named the land and river after the day. Soon those living on the bay took it upon themselves to begin building a city along the river and shoreline. The city is the largest in New Brunswick today.[8]

#1
5.0 (74 Reviews)

River Ridge Lodge

Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia

River Ridge Lodge

Situated on the Nova Scotia South Shore, the River Ridge Lodge is centrally located near several touristic draws, including Mahone Bay, Oak Island (Curse of Oak Island Show), and Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lodge has been owned and operated by Frauke and Mike since 2017. The establishment takes on a historic farmhouse character, considering the fact that the building dates back over 120 years ago. Visitors who previously stayed at the establishment have also commented on the "peaceful" atmosphere being a notable element of the property, as mentioned by Frauke. Rural land encompasses a considerable portion of the surrounding environment of the bed and breakfast. Workshops, retreats, and events are occasionally hosted at the property, including an annual Christmas Wreath Workshop, and guests are welcome to sign up for it.

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#2
4.97 (335 Reviews)

The Farmhouse Inn Bed and Breakfast is located in Canning, Nova Scotia, in eastern Canada. Only a five-minute drive from the ocean, the property is surrounded by trees and other greenery. The house is over 150 years old and was originally the home of a shipbuilder. It has been operating as a bed and breakfast since 1988 and is currently owned by Lynn and Rod Eisener. There are six unique suites available for guests to stay in on the property, split amongst the main house and a carriage house. The Farmhouse Inn prides itself on its breakfast, and it's something many guests appreciate, where they serve a three-course homemade meal that changes day-to-day.

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#3
4.97 (211 Reviews)

The Mecklenburgh Inn, based in Chester, Nova Scotia, is a quaint four-bedroom inn located two blocks away from the ocean. The inn is known amongst its guests for its distinct breakfasts and its turn-of-the-century theme. There are four uniquely themed and named guest accommodations on the property. Chester is a small village built on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The town is famous for its drinking and sailing opportunities. It is often said by some people that Chester is a "drinking town with a sailing problem." Conveniently, the Mecklenburgh Inn is located within walking distance to the ocean, as well as several tourist attractions, local shops, and local restaurants.

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#4
4.9 (180 Reviews)

The Olde Lantern Inn and Vineyard

Wolfville, Nova Scotia

The Olde Lantern Inn and Vineyard

The Olde Lantern Inn and Vineyard is found in the city of Grand Pré, east of Wolfville and just south of the Grand-Pré National Historic Site. Various wineries, cideries, and distilleries can be found in the surrounding area, including a vineyard owned by The Olde Lantern Inn located directly on the property. Most of the other vineyards and distilleries in the community are within 10 - 20 minutes of driving. There are four rooms in the inn, and the property itself remains open during the course of the entire year. Visitors to the property can participate in ventures indoors, such as visiting restaurants or participating in outdoor activities including hiking and sightseeing.

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#5
4.9 (45 Reviews)

The Bayview Pines Country Inn is situated in the fishing village of Indian Point overlooking the waters of Mahone Bay, on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, and close to the town of the same name. Eleven various accommodations are available seasonally for guests to stay. Eight of the units are bed and breakfast rooms, with three being located in the main house and five being in the converted barn. Aside from the bed and breakfast rooms, two apartment-style accommodations with full kitchens, and a separate cottage, known as The Millet House, which can house up to four guests for longer stays, are also available options for reservations. With porches and common rooms located in both the main house and the barn, there are multiple areas where groups of visitors can meet together if desired. The property features 13 acres of fields and woodland situated on a hill overlooking the ocean with picnic tables and beachfront access. According to one of the owners, Joanna, each room at the establishment has an ocean view that guests can enjoy. Breakfast is served each morning to those staying in the bed and breakfast rooms, and for an additional fee to those staying in the apartments. 

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#6

The province of Nova Scotia in eastern Canada is home to Auberge Thon Jaune, a Canada Select 5-Star boutique hotel in Wedgeport. The owner of the business describes the interior décor style as "elegant" and "luxurious," with two separate bedroom suites that offer several amenities for the "health and wellness" of visitors, such as a hot tub, sauna, spa facilities, and some common areas where people can lounge. Guests also have the option to rent the entire house, as a private vacation rental. A few on-site activities are available at Auberge Thon Jaune, including star gazing. Many people are drawn to Wedgeport for the abundant fishing opportunities, especially during the months of June to October—most commonly the busiest season for the property—as a considerable number of people come to experience tuna sports fishing. Auberge Thon Jaune is located approximately 15 minutes away from the CAT Ferry Terminal in Yarmouth Nova Scotia, which provides international ferry service between Bar Harbor, Maine and Nova Scotia, Canada.

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Country

Canada