Ministers Island is a historic estate on a tidal island just outside St. Andrews, and the way you reach it is half the attraction. You can get there only around low tide, by driving, cycling or walking a gravel route across the ocean floor, and at high tide that route is under water. The island was the summer estate of Sir William Van Horne, the railway builder, and the site includes Covenhoven, his mansion, which has a gift shop, washrooms and limited food and drink. Other buildings include an oceanfront bathhouse designed by the architect Edward Maxwell and a massive two-storey barn, also by Maxwell. The grounds hold formal gardens, a windmill, a gas plant, nature trails with ocean views and paintings by Van Horne himself. Tickets can be bought online or by cash or card at the ticket booth on arrival, and guided experiences are offered through a group tour form. The site also runs seasonal events.
What to do
Check the site's open hours for your day, because they change daily with the tide. Cross the bar toward the low-tide window, park beside the barn or at the lot at the ocean end of Bar Road, and then walk or drive on. The walk from the parking lot at the ocean end of Bar Road is about half a kilometre.
Take a tour of Covenhoven if one is running, wander the formal gardens, look at the windmill and the gas plant, and follow a nature trail to a view over the water. Dogs are not allowed inside the mansion.
The tide is the rule
Because the road across the ocean floor is under water at high tide, you must leave the island before the water rises. The site warns that if you are on the island after open hours end, you may wait up to six hours to cross back. Plan your day around the posted open hours, check a tide table, and be back at the bar in good time. Do not try to cross a flooding bar, and follow the staff's advice.
Seasons and planning
The site runs seasonally, with the longest list of open days in summer and special events at other times of year, so confirm the open hours before you travel. Tickets can be bought online, which is the easiest option, or at the ticket booth. Event tickets include admission to the estate buildings and nature trails, and annual memberships are available. Group tours should be arranged through the group tour form. Bring comfortable shoes for the gravel and the trails, and a layer for the wind.
Fitting it in
Ministers Island is a few minutes from the centre of St. Andrews, so it combines easily with Kingsbrae Garden, the Blockhouse and a whale-watching cruise. Because the open hours move with the tide, treat it as the fixed point of your St. Andrews day and plan the other stops around it.
A good outline is a morning cruise, lunch in town, then the island in the low-tide window, with dinner back at the Algonquin Resort or the Treadwell Inn. Allow two to three hours on the island, longer if you take a guided tour or an event. It is one of the most memorable tidal experiences on the Fundy coast.
What to expect
The experience
A historic estate on a tidal island reached across the ocean floor at low tide, with a mansion, gardens, a bathhouse and a great barn.
Best time
Summer and early autumn, in the low-tide window shown on the site's daily open hours.
How long
Allow two to three hours on the island, plus time to cross at the right tide.
Tips
Check the daily open hours, buy tickets online, leave before the water rises and bring comfortable shoes for the gravel.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want a historic estate and a drive across the ocean floor in one stop.
- Families
- Children enjoy the crossing, the barn and the trails, but keep them close and watch the clock and the tide.
- Couples
- Plan a late-afternoon visit in the low-tide window, then dinner in town.
- Pair with
- Kingsbrae Garden, the Blockhouse and a whale cruise in St. Andrews.
- Time needed
- Two to three hours, longer with a tour.
Good questions
How do I get to Ministers Island?+
Only around low tide, by driving, cycling or walking the gravel route across the ocean floor. At high tide the route is under water.
What are the open hours?+
They change daily with the tide, so check the site's open hours page before you go.
What happens if I stay too long?+
If you are on the island after open hours end, you may have to wait up to six hours to cross back.
How do I buy tickets?+
Online, which is the easiest option, or by cash or card at the ticket booth on arrival. Event tickets include admission to the estate buildings and nature trails.
What is there to see?+
Covenhoven mansion, an oceanfront bathhouse, a massive two-storey barn, formal gardens, a windmill, a gas plant and nature trails with ocean views.
