Bay of Fundy Tour: Reversing Falls & St. Martins

Reversing Falls twice in one morning: watch the Bay of Fundy's 28-foot tides reverse a river

A 6.5-hour guided tour of the Bay of Fundy from Saint John aboard a small van or mini-bus, led by a local guide who stops at Reversing Falls (visited twice to show both tidal states), the historic village of St. Martins with its sea caves and covered bridges, and the scenic Fundy Trail Parkway. The tour includes bottled water and snacks, returns on time for cruise ship departures, and keeps the group under 25 passengers for a more personal experience than larger tour buses.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Bay of Fundy and Saint John

• Visit Reversing Falls phenomenon
• Tour Carleton Martello Tower
• Explore Fort Howe historic site
• See St. John Stone Anglican Church
• Walk around Rockwood Park and Lily Lake
• Discover Saint Martins coastal village
• Return to Reversing Falls for final visit

The experience

Reversing Falls is the centerpiece: a tidal phenomenon where the Bay of Fundy's 28-foot tide cycle forces the Saint John River to reverse its flow twice a day. You visit it at the start of the tour and again at the end, so you see both states: the rapids and whirlpools at low tide when the river empties into the bay, and the gradual reversal as the tide rises and pushes the river backward. The slack tide window between these two states lasts only a brief period, so the timing of the two stops frames the whole day around this natural event.

St. Martins sits on the coast between those two Reversing Falls stops. The village is known for its sandstone sea caves, accessible at low tide, and two historic covered bridges (the Vaughan Creek and Hardscrabble bridges) that cross Quaco Head. The guide leads you through the fishing village's maritime history and stops for views of Quaco Head Lighthouse. The Fundy Trail Parkway runs along the cliffs above, offering coastal scenery and a chance to step out for photographs without leaving the route.

The tour runs 6.5 hours total and includes a licensed local guide who provides the storytelling and history that connects these stops. Bottled water and snacks come with the booking. The operator guarantees an on-time return to your cruise ship, which matters if you're timing a port call. Groups stay under 25 passengers (either a 24-passenger mini-bus or a 15-passenger van), so the experience stays more intimate than the large tour buses that move through the same attractions.

What’s included

• Bottled water and snacks throughout the 6.5-hour route.
• a licensed local guide who narrates the history and natural phenomena at each stop.
• transport in a small van or mini-bus with a maximum of 24 passengers.
• flexible photo stops at Reversing Falls (visited twice), St. Martins, and along the Fundy Trail Parkway.
• guaranteed on-time return to your cruise ship.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day27 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 13:40

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by S-TOUR NB

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see Reversing Falls at two different tides to understand how the phenomenon actually works, rather than just visiting the location once.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is Reversing Falls and why does the river reverse?

Reversing Falls is where the Bay of Fundy's tides collide with the Saint John River. The Bay has a tide cycle of roughly 12.5 hours with a rise of 28 feet. At low tide the river empties into the bay, creating rapids and whirlpools. As the tide rises, it gradually slows and then reverses the river's flow, forming rapids again at high tide. You see both states on this tour, once at the start and once at the end of the day.

Can I actually walk into the sea caves at St. Martins, or just see them from the shore?

St. Martins has sandstone sea caves that are accessible at low tide, so whether you can enter them depends on when the tour visits and the tidal schedule that day. The guide will know the timing and can lead you to them if conditions allow. The tour also includes the covered bridges and Quaco Head Lighthouse for views and photography.

Will the tour get me back to my cruise ship on time?

Yes. The operator guarantees an on-time return to your cruise ship, which is built into the 6.5-hour schedule. Let the booking know your ship's departure time so the guide can plan the route accordingly.

What's included in the tour price, and what should I bring or pay for separately?

Bottled water and snacks are included, along with the guide and transport. Lunch is not included, so plan to eat before the tour or bring money for a meal in St. Martins, which has local shops, galleries, and seafood restaurants. Wear layers and bring a camera for the coastal views and lighthouse.