Start your visit to Hopewell Rocks in its Interpretive Centre to learn about the Bay of Fundy’s geology, Hopewell Rock tides and wildlife. At low tide, wander the ocean floor and explore the flowerpot-like formations that cover the beach or discover wildlife that lives on the site’s sandy beaches. Browse the Tidal Treasures Gift Shop or have a bite to eat in the Low Tide Café.
Interpretive Centre
The highlight of Hopewell Rock’s Interpretive Centre is its self-directed mutli-media exhibit. Learn about the Bay of Fundy’s tides, geology and wildlife through the exhibit’s life-sized sculptures, colorful displays, videos and dioramas. Additional displays explore other fascinating facts about the Fundy coastal area. A visitor services desk carrying maps, brochures and additional tourist information about the surrounding Fundy coastal area is also located in the Interpretive Centre.
Different Ways to Discover the Bay of Fundy
Hopewell Rocks offers different ways to discover the Bay of Fundy. At high tide, head to Hopewell Rock’s viewing decks. Interpretive panels on each of the viewing decks will help you to better understand the unique Fundy ecosystems and the cultural history of Albert County. When the tide is out, head to the ocean’s floor and explore the Flowerpot Rocks. Keep an eye out for shorebirds waddling along the ocean’s floor or gliding along the water’s surface in search of food.
The Flowerpot Rocks
The tidal action of the Bay of Fundy has carved the clusters of formations into unique shapes, often called the Flowerpot Rocks. Over the years park staff and visitors have nicknamed the Flowerpot Rocks. During your exploration of the ocean’s floor, see if you can spot Dinosaur Rock, Mother-in-Law, E.T., Lover’s Arch, Turtle Rock, The Bear, Diamond Rock, Apple Rock and Castle Rock. A map of Hopewell Rocks, available from the Interpretive Centre, will make it easy to find the rock formation’s location on the beach.
Bird Watching
Peregrine falcon, bald eagles, merlins, osprey, cormorants, eider ducks, the great blue heron and even the occasional Great horned or barred owl can be spotted from the Interpretive Centre’s observation decks and the ocean’s floor. However, the most famous birds of the Bay of Fundy is the migrating Semipalmated Sandpiper. From mid-July to mid-August more than 100,000 shorebirds congregate in the waves along the Bay of Fundy to rest on their 4,000 km journey south. Visiting during the shorebird migration? Expect to see large flocks of shorebirds flying close to shore or resting on pebble beaches.
Sandy Beaches at Hopewell Rocks
In addition to the main beach at the Bay of Fundy, Hopewell Rocks is also home to sandy beaches, Seawall Beach and Demoiselle Beach. Backed by marshlands, the park’s sandy beaches offer further opportunities to explore its nature and wildlife.
Seawall Beach
Located at the north end of the lower site, Seawall Beach is a great location to watch the shorebirds during their migration. When the tide is out, discover the 300-year old Acadian seawall that dates back to the 17th century. Experts believe the wall was constructed to protect earthen dykes running parallel behind the wall.
Demoiselle Beach
Follow the trail behind the Interpretive Centre to Demoiselle Beach, a quiet sandy cove at the southern end of Hopewell Rocks. Outlined by rock formations on one end and salt marches on the other, Demoiselle Beach is a fantastic spot to watch waterfowl and shorebirds. If you are lucky, you might also catch a glimpse of a white-tailed deer, moose, raccoon, porcupine, or red fox.
Shopping and Dining at Hopewell
Gifts and Keepsakes in the Tidal Treasure Gift Shop
Be sure to visit Hopewell Park’s Tidal Treasures Gift Shop, located in the Interpretive Centre. The gift shop boasts quality gifts and keepsakes with a special emphasis on Canadian-made products and on the superior craftsmanship of New Brunswick artisans. Discover books, pottery, food items, pewter, crafts, clothing and postcards.
Eat and Drink at Hopewell’s Low Tide Café
Eat and drink in Hopewell’s Low Tide Café, located in the Interpretive Centre. Enjoy a hot breakfast with eggs, meat, toast and potatoes mixed with mushrooms and onions, or something simple like a bagel or croissant. Breakfast is served until 11am. The Low Tide Café’s lunch and dinner menu includes a variety of soups and sides dishes, seafood, burgers and sandwiches. Hot and cold beverages are also available for purchase.
- The Interpretive Centre at Hopewell Park is ADA compliant. Courtesy vehicles are available to assist with transportation to and from the observation deck.
- Visitors who wish to explore the ocean floor should wear footwear that offers good ankle support, is non-slippery and easy to clean.
- Don’t forget your camera. Nature and wildlife abounds at Hopewell Rocks, offering photo opportunities you won’t want to miss out on.