Photo: Skeezix1000 \/ CC BY-SA 3.0 \/ Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nSt. Andrews by-the-Sea is one of the oldest towns in New Brunswick \u2014 founded in 1783 by Loyalists fleeing the United States after the American Revolution. And you can still feel that history today. The centre is like something straight off a postcard: low wooden and brick buildings, each painted a different colour, filled with small galleries, boutiques selling local art, and cosy caf\u00e9s.<\/p>\n\n
The main artery is Water Street<\/strong>, which runs along the harbour \u2014 and in summer, it buzzes with life. Galleries, gift shops (the tasteful kind, not tacky fridge magnets), bookshops, pastry shops. Pop into Crocker Hill Store<\/strong> \u2014 an old-fashioned shop where you’ll find everything from vintage nautical maps to locally made jams.<\/p>\n\nWhat surprised me was just how many galleries and studios there are for such a tiny town. St. Andrews has been attracting artists for decades \u2014 apparently it’s something about the light by the bay. Whatever the reason, the result is that you can easily spend an entire morning wandering from one gallery to the next.<\/p>\n\n
Tip:<\/strong> Walk to the end of Water Street to reach St. Andrews Blockhouse<\/strong>, a wooden defensive fort from 1812. Entry is free and the view over the bay is gorgeous, especially at sunset.<\/p>\n\n<\/span><\/span>2. Whale watching in the Bay of Fundy<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\nPhoto: Irene Steeves from Canada \/ CC BY 2.0 \/ Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nThis is the absolute TOP experience in St. Andrews and the main reason most people come here. Several companies run whale watching trips from the local harbour into Passamaquoddy Bay and the Bay of Fundy \u2014 and the chances of spotting whales are genuinely high.<\/p>\n\n
Which whales can you see? Primarily humpback whales<\/strong>, minke whales<\/strong>, and finback whales<\/strong>. If you’re lucky, you might also spot North Atlantic right whales<\/strong> \u2014 one of the most endangered species on the planet. Beyond whales, you’ll regularly encounter seals, dolphins, and bald eagles circling overhead. It’s basically a real-life National Geographic episode. \ud83d\ude01<\/p>\n\nA trip typically lasts 2.5\u20133 hours and costs around 50\u201370 \u20ac per person<\/strong>. The main whale watching season runs from June to October<\/strong>, peaking in July and August. Among the best-known operators are Jolly Breeze<\/strong> (they sail on a beautiful wooden tall ship!), Island Quest Marine<\/strong>, and Fundy Tide Runners<\/strong> (smaller, faster boats \u2014 closer encounters with the whales, but choppier).<\/p>\n\nOur recommendation:<\/strong> If you don’t mind rougher seas and want to get as close to the whales as possible, go with Fundy Tide Runners on a zodiac. If you prefer a more comfortable ride with a gorgeous atmosphere, choose Jolly Breeze on the tall ship. And book ahead \u2014 especially in July and August, trips sell out a week or more in advance!<\/p>\n\nDress in layers,<\/strong> even if it’s 25 \u00b0C on shore. It gets windy on the water and the temperature can easily drop by 10 degrees. Trust me, a vest top on a zodiac in the middle of the Bay of Fundy is no fun at all. \ud83d\ude05<\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n\n
<\/span><\/span>3. Ministers Island \u2014 the island you can only reach at low tide<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\nPhoto: XeresNelro \/ Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nThis is probably the most unique thing you’ll experience in St. Andrews, and honestly \u2014 I’ve never seen anything quite like it anywhere else. Ministers Island<\/strong> is an island in the bay that you reach by walking (or driving) across the sea floor. But only at low tide. As soon as the tide comes in, the road disappears underwater and the island becomes a true island once more.<\/p>\n\nThe tides in the Bay of Fundy are among the highest in the world \u2014 the difference between high and low tide here reaches up to 8\u20139 metres! That means the access road (Bar Road) is exposed twice a day for roughly 3\u20134 hours. You need to check the tide times (tables are on the Ministers Island website or posted at the entrance) and most importantly \u2014 you need to get back in time<\/strong>. Otherwise you’ll be waiting on the island for 6+ hours until the water drops again. \ud83d\ude05<\/p>\n\nOn the island you’ll find Covenhoven<\/strong>, the summer estate of Sir William Van Horne \u2014 the man who built Canada’s transcontinental railway (Canadian Pacific Railway). The house itself is fascinating \u2014 an enormous wooden villa from the late 19th century overlooking the bay. Beyond the house, there are stables, a farm, and beautiful nature to explore. A guided tour takes about an hour and costs around 10\u201312 \u20ac per person<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\nPractical tip:<\/strong> You can reach the island by car (along a gravel road across the sea floor \u2014 an unforgettable experience!) or on foot. I recommend arriving at the start of the low-tide window so you have plenty of time for the tour and a walk around the island. And seriously, take the tide warnings very seriously \u2014 the water rises fast and forcefully here.<\/p>\n\n<\/span><\/span>4. Kingsbrae Garden \u2014 27 acres of gardens you’ll never want to leave<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\nPhoto: Carlos carty \/ Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nIf you love gardens, Kingsbrae Garden will blow you away. And if you think gardens aren’t your thing \u2014 Kingsbrae might just change your mind. Those 27 acres (11 hectares) include dozens of themed gardens, from rose gardens and a Japanese garden to a butterfly garden.<\/p>\n\n
Kingsbrae<\/strong> is about much more than just plants, though. There’s a fantastic alpaca enclosure (yes, alpacas!), a children’s playground, art installations scattered throughout the grounds, and in summer they host concerts and cultural events. The garden is impeccably maintained, and even we \u2014 the type who normally rush through gardens \u2014 ended up staying for nearly three hours.<\/p>\n\nAdmission is around 12 \u20ac per person<\/strong> and the garden is open from mid-May to mid-October. On site you’ll also find Savour in the Garden<\/strong> \u2014 a restaurant that cooks with local and often garden-grown ingredients. Lunch here is an experience, though it’s a touch pricier.<\/p>\n\n