Fundy-St. Martins is a small fishing village on the Bay of Fundy, about an hour's drive east of Saint John, and it is best known for its sea caves. Tourism Saint John describes the caves as carved by the Bay of Fundy tides, and guided hiking and kayaking tours are offered by the local operator Bay of Fundy Adventures, along with a tasting experience. The caves are reached from the shore, and like everything on this coast they depend on the tide: at low tide you can walk among the rock formations, and at high tide the same ground is under water. The village has other pleasures within a short distance. Quaco Head Lighthouse offers views of the coast, the Quaco Museum covers local history, and the wharf is a picture at low tide when the boats sit on the mud. Black Beach is known for its black sand, which Tourism Saint John says is created by naturally occurring graphite deposits, and the Split Rock Trail is a challenging seaside hike. St. Martins is also the gateway to the Fundy Trail Parkway, so the two fit together as a coastal day out.
What to do
Check the tide table for your visit, then plan to be at the caves around low tide, when the shore is open for walking. Wear sturdy shoes with grip, because the rocks and seaweed are slippery, and keep a close eye on the incoming water, which can cut off a route quickly on this coast.
If you prefer not to go alone, a guided hiking or kayaking tour takes care of the timing, and a local guide can explain how the tide shapes the caves. Allow a few hours for the caves and the beach, and add the lighthouse and the wharf for a relaxed half day.
Around the village
The Quaco Head Lighthouse is a short drive from the centre, and the coast views are a good reward for a stop. The Quaco Museum covers the area's heritage and is the kind of small museum that keeps seasonal hours, so check before you go. Black Beach is a short walk and a good place for children to look at the unusual sand.
In the warmer months the village has a seasonal farmers market, which Tourism Saint John says typically runs weekly from May to October, and a pub with a well-curated tap list. Services are limited, so bring snacks and water if you are heading beyond the village.
Seasons and planning
The shore can be visited in any season, but summer and early autumn are the practical times for guided tours and for the village's shops and seasonal services. Tours are weather and tide dependent, so confirm with the operator when you book. Fog, wind and cold water are common even in summer, so dress in layers. Never walk the caves or the shore on a rising tide, and do not rely on a mobile signal, which can be patchy on the coast.
Fitting it in
St. Martins is about an hour from Saint John, so it works as a half day or a full day. Pair it with the Fundy Trail Parkway, which starts nearby and runs from mid-May to late October, for a coastal loop of cliffs, lookouts and beaches.
If you are heading on to Hopewell Rocks or Fundy National Park, treat St. Martins as a morning stop on a long driving day. A sensible full-day plan is the caves at low tide, lunch in the village, then the parkway in the afternoon, and an evening back in Saint John or on to Alma.
What to expect
The experience
A fishing village on the Fundy shore with tide-carved sea caves, a lighthouse and a black-sand beach, explored on foot at low tide or on a guided hike or kayak tour.
Best time
Late spring to early autumn, timed around low tide for the caves, with guided tours in the warm months.
How long
Allow a half day for the caves, beach and lighthouse, or a full day with the Fundy Trail Parkway.
Tips
Check the tide table, wear shoes with grip, never walk the shore on a rising tide and book a guided tour if you are unsure of the timing.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want to walk among sea caves and see the Fundy tide in a small coastal village.
- Families
- Black Beach and the wharf suit children, but the caves need close supervision and careful tide timing.
- Couples
- Take a guided kayak or hiking tour, then lunch in the village.
- Pair with
- The Fundy Trail Parkway starts nearby, and Saint John is an hour away.
- Time needed
- A half day, or a full day with the parkway.
Good questions
How do I visit the sea caves?+
Go around low tide, when the shore is open, or join a guided hiking or kayaking tour. Check a tide table first and never walk the shore on a rising tide.
What else is there in St. Martins?+
Quaco Head Lighthouse, the Quaco Museum, the wharf, Black Beach and the Split Rock Trail are all within a short distance.
Why is Black Beach black?+
Tourism Saint John says the black sand is created by naturally occurring graphite deposits.
How far is it from Saint John?+
About an hour's drive east of the city. It is also the gateway to the Fundy Trail Parkway.
When is the best time to visit?+
Late spring to early autumn for tours and village services. The shore can be visited at other times, but tours are weather and tide dependent.
