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A person in a blue jacket views a lush, moss-covered waterfall from a wooden bridge in Fundy National Park.
New Brunswick

Tides of Fundy: A Learning Journey on Foot

Program No. 25710RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
15 meals ( 6B, 4L, 5D )
4 expert-led lectures
8 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your name tag.
Afternoon:
5:00 p.m.: After checking in and receiving your room assignment, please join us at the Road Scholar table in the hotel lobby to meet with program staff, receive any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the orientation session. If you arrive later in the day, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation: 7:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Throughout the week, local experts and Parks Canada staff will guide interactive experiences and discussions. Time is provided for questions and preparation for the days ahead. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 105 miles total, under 3 hours total riding time. Walking up to 2 miles on boardwalks and sand, uneven terrain, slippery rocks. There are flights of stairs to reach the ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended (white footwear may stain).
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll begin with an introductory presentation on the history of New Brunswick, setting the geographic and cultural context for our journey. We’ll then travel by motorcoach to Hopewell Rocks to meet a Parks Canada expert for a guided exploration of the area’s geology and tidal science. We will walk on the ocean floor (tide permitting) among the iconic flowerpot formations, discovering how the world’s highest tides have shaped this dramatic coastline.
Lunch:
At the café at Hopewell Rocks.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue along the rugged Fundy coast to the picturesque seaside village of St. Martins. After checking in at the inn, take time to unwind and explore the village’s quaint streets, rocky shoreline, and harbor views, soaking in the atmosphere of this historic coastal community.
Dinner:
At the inn.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 4 miles on sand (sometimes wet), uneven terrain, slippery rocks. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended (white footwear may stain).
Breakfast:
At the inn.
Morning:
We’ll set out on scenic coastal walks around St. Martins, visiting the historic Quaco Head Lighthouse and a remote, seldom-visited tidal beach. Along the way, we’ll learn from a local expert about historic shipwrecks on the offshore reef and the powerful currents, known locally as “the race,” that continue to challenge navigation. Walks are timed with the tides, providing a firsthand lesson in the everchanging Fundy shoreline.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in St. Martins.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our coastal explorations before returning to the inn. We’ll gather for a pre-dinner presentation on the Black Loyalist families who settled in the region, exploring their resilience, struggles, and lasting contributions.
Dinner:
At the inn.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 110 miles throughout the day, under 3.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 2.5 miles on boardwalks, uneven terrain, sand, slippery rocks. Flights of stairs to reach Dickson Falls. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended.
Breakfast:
At the inn.
Morning:
We’ll travel by motorcoach to Fundy National Park for in-depth guided walks along trails such as Caribou Plains and Dickson Falls. Stroll through upland forests and river valleys as our instructors interpret the Acadian forest ecosystem, highlighting dominant tree species, forest succession, and the ways climate and geology shape plant communities. We’ll discover how glaciation sculpted the landscape and how water continues to shape it, from moss-lined streams to cascading waterfalls.
Lunch:
Picnic lunch.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our guided exploration within the park, observing the transition from upland forest to coastal environments. We’ll learn about ongoing conservation efforts, wildlife habitats, and the challenges of protecting fragile ecosystems in a region shaped by extreme tidal forces.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 70 miles throughout the day, approximately 2 hours total riding time. Walking up to 2 miles on sidewalks, boardwalks, and gentle graveled paths. This is a seaside town so there are a few steep hills with sidewalks.
Breakfast:
At the inn.
Morning:
This morning, we’ll travel by motorcoach to Saint John for a guided historic walking exploration, tracing the development of one of Canada’s oldest incorporated cities. We’ll visit the UNESCO-designated Stonehammer Geopark and witness the dramatic Reversing Falls, where Fundy tides reverse the flow of the Saint John River.
Lunch:
On your own at the Saint John City Market.
Afternoon:
We’ll join an Indigenous storyteller for a walk that offers Indigenous perspectives on the land, waterways, and the region’s living cultural traditions. We’ll return on the motorcoach to St. Martins later in the afternoon.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 110 miles throughout the day, about 2.5 hours total riding time. Walking up to 6 miles total on packed gravel, some uneven terrain with the possibility of exposed roots for a short distance. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended.
Breakfast:
At the inn.
Morning:
We’ll embark on a full day of guided walks along the Fundy Trail Parkway, exploring trails such as Walton Glen Gorge, McCumber Brook Wetlands, and the historic Sea Captains’ Trail. As we walk, we’ll learn how coastal geology, tectonic forces, and erosion have sculpted gorges, cliffs, and headlands overlooking the Bay of Fundy. Our guides will also share insights into the region’s maritime heritage, highlighting the lives of sea captains and coastal families whose stories are preserved in historic sites and burial grounds along the trail.
Lunch:
We’ll gather on the beach for a custom seafood boil, complemented by local storytelling that links traditional foodways to the rhythms of coastal life. We’ll hear how fishing, foraging, and seasonal harvests have long connected communities to the Bay of Fundy’s tides.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue along the trail, exploring the relationship between human settlement and the demanding coastal environment. In Alma, we’ll witness fishing boats resting on the harbor floor at low tide and floating again as the water returns—an unforgettable demonstration of the Bay of Fundy’s extraordinary tidal range and its influence on daily life and local industry.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant in Alma. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 90 miles, under 2 hours riding time to airport. Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the inn.
Morning:
A group transfer by motorcoach to Moncton Airport will set off after breakfast. Approximate arrival at Charlottetown Airport is 10:00 a.m. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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