Emerging Destinations: Bay of Fundy

The Bay of Fundy is 170 miles of cliffs, waves and ecological wonders. Visitors exploring this emerging destination could watch the acrobatics of whales, walk the ocean floor, and explore geological fossils and dinosaur bones. If the Bay of Fundy is on your itinerary, here's what you should know before you go.

1. Explore one of North America's Seven Wonders.
The Bay of Fundy, located halfway between the equator and the North Pole, shares a unique status with natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and the Everglades. Fundy is renowned not only for the highest tidal range in the world, but for geological discoveries the tides have uncovered—fossils, artifacts and dinosaur bones. Learn about the Bay of Fundy's geographical story at the New Brunswick Museum, Hopewell Rocks, Joggins Fossil Centre and Fundy Geological Museum.

2. Catch the tide.
One of the most important tips for seeing the tides is to know that it takes six hours and 13 minutes for the tide to go from low to high (or vice versa). The best way to experience most effects of the tides is to visit the same location twice in one day—at both high and low tide. Tide times for various locations around the bay are on the tide times page.

3. Take a ferry.
You'll need a car or bus to travel along the Atlantic coast, but small car ferries link the Bay of Fundy mainland to various islands. Bay Ferries operates the Fundy Ferry across the middle of the Bay between Saint John, New Brunswick, and Digby, Nova Scotia. You can find information on ferry service on Google Maps.

4. See marine life.
When it comes to examining the marine life, many rank the Bay of Fundy above Australia's Great Barrier Reef. At least eight species of whales are found in the Bay of Fundy including the minke, humpback, baleen and the endangered northern right whale. Whale watching is a popular attraction for visitors, and spectators could also enjoy catching glimpses of dolphin, porpoise and seal species.

Small family-owned and -operated companies run whale watching excursions from:

• Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick
• Deer Island, New Brunswick
• St Andrews, New Brunswick
• Digby Neck, Nova Scotia
• Long Island and Brier Island (East Ferry, Triverton, Westport), Nova Scotia

For more information, visit bayofffundytourism.com.

 Written by Cassie Westrate, staff writer for Groups Today.