Tides
The caves at low tide
Check the tide chart, then walk out across the pebble beach into caves that smell of seaweed and salt. Within six hours, the same caves will be entirely underwater — the Fundy in motion.
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Bay of Fundy · New Brunswick · City Pillar
St. Martins
Covered bridges, sea caves, and the start of the Fundy Trail.
- Best time
- May – October; visit caves at low tide.
- Getting there
- 45 min east of Saint John on Route 111.
- Suggested stay
- 1 – 2 nights
- Known for
- Sea Caves · Covered bridges · Fundy Trail Parkway
New Brunswick
Province
Bay of Fundy
Region
1 – 2 nights
Suggested stay
May – October
Peak season
A portrait of St. Martins
An essential stop.
Forty-five minutes east of Saint John, the seaside village of St. Martins is a shipbuilding-era enclave of twin covered bridges, red-cliff sea caves carved by the world's highest tides, and the western gateway to the Fundy Trail Parkway.
Field notes
Three ways to feel the place.
On the map
The six places
to anchor your trip.
A tour through the icons and the under-the-radar corners — laid out the way a local would walk you through.
- 1
St. Martins Sea Caves
Walk into 60-million-year-old caves at low tide — completely submerged at high.
- 2
Covered Bridges
Two red wooden covered bridges over the Irish River — the village's logo.
- 3
Fundy Trail Parkway
Scenic parkway through the largest stretch of undeveloped Atlantic coast.
- 4
Quaco Head Lighthouse
Working light with sweeping views over the Bay of Fundy approaches.
St. Martins Sea Caves
Covered Bridges
Fundy Trail Parkway
Quaco Head Lighthouse
N
3-day itinerary
A first-timer's St. Martins.
Three carefully sequenced days. Add or subtract — but start here.
Day 1
Morning
Orientation walk around St. Martins centre
Afternoon
Visit St. Martins Sea Caves — Walk into 60-million-year-old caves at low tide — completely submerged at high.
Evening
Dinner downtown; sunset stroll along St. Martins's waterfront or main street.
Day 2
Morning
Covered Bridges — Two red wooden covered bridges over the Irish River — the village's logo.
Afternoon
Fundy Trail Parkway — Scenic parkway through the largest stretch of undeveloped Atlantic coast.
Evening
Check tide tables — the caves are only accessible at low tide.
Day 3
Morning
Quaco Head Lighthouse — Working light with sweeping views over the Bay of Fundy approaches.
Afternoon
Continue exploring or shop local makers.
Evening
Slower last night — return to a favourite spot or try something new.
Neighbourhoods
Where to base, where to wander.
Downtown / Centre
Main commercial core, hotels, restaurants
Best for · First-time visitors
Heritage / Old Town
Anchored around Sea Caves
Best for · Day wandering
Waterfront / Outdoor area
Covered bridges, sea caves, and the start of the Fundy Trail.
Best for · Sunset walks
When to go
St. Martins through the year.
Jan
Cold and quiet; book ahead for any winter activity.
Feb
Deep winter; ski + festivals.
Mar
Last winter month or first signs of spring.
Apr
Shoulder; weather flips quickly.
May
Spring proper; everything begins to reopen.
Jun
Long days, festivals, full season.
Jul
Peak summer — book everything ahead.
Aug
Warm, popular, busy.
Sep
Sweet shoulder with fall colour beginning.
Oct
Quiet, often the best month for weather + value.
Nov
Cold returns; some places close.
Dec
Holiday markets; cold returns properly.
PeakGoodShoulderOff / closed
Budget
What it costs.
Smart
$170–270 / day pp
Budget hotel or hostel, public transit or self-drive, casual local restaurants.
- Budget lodging
- Transit / self-cater
- Free walking tour
- Picnic lunches
Most popular
Mid
$300–550 / day pp
Boutique 3★ hotel, rental car, signature experience (St. Martins Sea Caves), good restaurants.
- 3★ boutique hotel
- Rental car
- St. Martins Sea Caves day
- Mid-range dining
Premium
$600+ / day pp
Top hotel, private guide for St. Martins Sea Caves, tasting-menu dinners.
- Top hotel in city
- Private guide
- Tasting menus
- Premium experiences
Eat
Where to eat in St. Martins.
Market
St. Martins Farmers Market
Local makers, baked goods, and bay of fundy produce.
Bistros
Downtown bistro circuit
Walk the main street for St. Martins's mid-range bistros.
Cultural
Indigenous-led tables
Look for Indigenous chefs and cafés telling Bay of Fundy food stories.
Sleep
Where to stay.
Hotel
Downtown anchor hotel
St. Martins's main 3–4★ downtown hotel — best location, walking access.
Inn
Heritage inn or B&B
Smaller-scale heritage stays often run by long-time locals.
Rental
Vacation rental / apartment
Best for stays of 3+ nights, especially for families.
Getting around
How to move through St. Martins.
Public transit
St. Martins's transit system serves the urban core.
Walking
Most of downtown is walkable end-to-end.
Rental car
Useful for day trips outside the city.
Ride share
Uber and Lyft operate.
Prep & tips
Before you go.
What to pack
- Layers for changing weather
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Rain shell year-round
- Sun protection in summer
Permits & passes
- Parks Canada Discovery Pass if visiting national parks
- Check provincial park day-use rules
Insider tips from people who live there
- 01Check tide tables — the caves are only accessible at low tide.
- 02Drive the full Fundy Trail Parkway from St. Martins to Sussex (recently completed).
- 03The Caves Restaurant has reliable seafood and unbeatable bridge views.
Frequently asked
Planning St. Martins.
When is the best time to visit St. Martins?
May – October; visit caves at low tide.
How many days should I spend in St. Martins?
1 – 2 nights
How do I get to St. Martins?
45 min east of Saint John on Route 111.
What is St. Martins known for?
Sea Caves, Covered bridges, Fundy Trail Parkway, Quaco Head.
How many days should I spend in St. Martins?
1 – 2 nights
Is St. Martins expensive?
Costs vary — see the budget section above for Smart / Mid / Premium tiers.
Best time to visit St. Martins?
May – October; visit caves at low tide.
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