Village of Fundy - St. Martins

The newly expanded Village of Fundy-St. Martins was formed on January 1, 2023. It is one of Saint John’s Towns By The Bay that delivers spectacular views, lovely accommodations & dining, interesting architecture & history, vibrant arts & culture, and many trails & adventures. Attractions in the area include the St. Martins Sea Caves, the beach and tidal harbour, two covered bridges, the Quaco Head Lighthouse, the Quaco Museum & Library, and the Fundy Trail Parkway.

Bay of Fundy Experience

Follow my Bay of Fundy Experience through my Passport to Adventure, beginning at Beach Street Inn. My exploration focused on the historical shipbuilding village and its nearby hidden gems. The Fundy Trail Parkway will be saved for a future article. So, come along with me on my journey to plan your own future Bay of Fundy Experience.

Beach Street Inn

Summer never ends at Beach Street Inn. There is magic here and owners Beth & Paul cannot wait to share it with you. Originally a shipbuilder’s home, Beach Street Inn retains that charm, but offers guests a modern, luxurious retreat. Begin your stay with a complimentary Bay of Fundy Cocktail (or mocktail) and receive your passport to fun & adventure in St. Martins. Beth & Paul have thought of everything. They have pulled out all the stops. They want you to love it here as much they do. They even know paths to hidden cliff walks & secret beaches. So settle in for an unbelievable three-night Bay of FUNdy experience at Beach Street Inn.

Destination Fundy-St. Martins

Consider yourself welcomed to Fundy-St. Martins. Breathe it in & look around in wonder. Enjoy vast coastal wilderness, dramatic coastlines, and stunning scenery on the Eastern Seaboard of North America. Natural beauty abounds. Fill your proverbial cup. There is much to explore and experience. I mean, where else can you capture two covered bridges and a lighthouse in the same photograph?

Highest Tides in the World

When my friend Laurie & I first arrived in this picturesque village, iconic, colourful fishing boats were resting on the ocean floor in the harbour. Just six hours later, they were floating 38 feet higher, thanks to the highest tides in the world. You learn quickly that life in the village follows the tide’s ebb & flow, and you will, too. Be reassured in the rhythm. Let it guide your days and be mindful of the tide schedule. Many local destinations are only accessible at low tide - via the ocean floor. You can become stranded if you linger too long. High & low tide schedules are posted throughout the village, so be aware, plan accordingly, and talk to the villagers. They know. Then enjoy the coming & going of energy. Fishermen unload their catch and kayakers paddle the sea caves at high tide. At low tide, the harbour is restful & serene. Enjoy a stroll on the coastal tidal flats and look for marine life. Many birdwatchers perch near the tidal salt marsh with binoculars on the look out for migrating Semipalmated Sandpipers. Swim in salt water or sit spellbound at the water’s edge. There is beauty and awe in it all.

St. Martins Harbour

Walk the covered bridges, visit the lighthouse museum/visitors centre, and enjoy the St. Martins harbour wharf shops. Among our favourites were: Shipyard’s Café, Sand Piper’s Gift Shop, Once Upon a Tide, Not Your Average Art Studio & Gift Shop, and Octopus Ice Cream.

World Class Food

Seafood reigns supreme in the the Bay of Fundy, so get out there and discover your favourite seafood chowder & lobster roll. There are plenty of restaurants to select from and everyone has an opinion on who does it best. We enjoyed tastes at the Seafood Restaurant & The Caves Restaurant. You cannot go wrong at either one and the view of the sea caves is ideal at these side-by-side restaurants. Spinney’s Seafood Market was highly recommended to us for its superb lobster offerings, and BayBaie Bistro boasts fresh local seafood, pasta, and burgers. Sadly, there was not enough time to try them all. One that we did get to was Old Molly’s Bar, named after Steam Engine #1, nicknamed Old Molly, that ran from St. Martins to Hampton. Old Molly’s Bar features local craft beverages, yummy cocktails (try the Quaco Sunset), and they specialize in a “Build Your Own Board” - charcuterie with fresh, local products. Next door to Beach Street Inn, made Molly’s a natural choice - one Laurie & I both recommend for a light shared meal.

Periwinkles Restaurant

Enjoy your complimentary breakfast board at Beach Street Inn’s Periwinkles Restaurant overlooking the ocean, when you stay the night. You can also upgrade and choose something a bit more decadent from their gourmet à la carte menu. It was a wonderful way to begin each day as we planned our Passport for Adventure experiences with assistance from Beth & Paul. The restaurant is also open to the public for breakfast & dinner. Reservations are recommended.

Quaco Museum

The Quaco Museum & Library is a must to learn more about the history of St. Martins sea captains & shipbuilders. In the mid-19th Century, St. Martins was the second largest producer of wooden sailing vessels in New Brunswick and the third largest in the Maritimes. Lumbering was also a vital industry. Over 500 vessels were built & launched here. They sailed around the world bringing much prosperity to the province. St. Martins was often referred to as “the richest village in the British Empire.” Walk through time with a knowledgeable tour guide as St. Martins history comes alive. Check out the impressive fossil section including footprints dating back 290–250 million years - recently discovered in the sandstone rocks at Quaco Head, by a family from Sussex, New Brunswick.

St. Martins Walking Tour

Explore St. Martins on a self-guided walking tour. The past endures in the 19th century architecture in St. Martins. Visualize this community where sea captains and wealthy shipbuilders brought back architectural design ideas & artisans from abroad. Plan to stop & shop at The Mercantile, to meet owner, Cheryl, and her colourful marauders, and do time some time to peek into Huttges General Merchants, a largely unchanged village general store.

Stories from the Sea

Stories from the Sea is an exclusive Bay of Fundy Passport to Adventure experience offered by Beach Street Inn. Tim Greer, a local guide, shares maritime lore stories as you hike the cliff tops of St. Martins. This forest bathing walk immerses the senses and gives a unique perspective of the sea caves from a high cliff edge trail. Discover a secret beach only accessible during low tide, and enjoy breathtaking views while you stop, sit a spell, and sip an herbal tea, while Tim shares ghost stories and spins yarns & tales of St. Martins past.

St. Martins Sea Caves

As the tide retreats, the red sandstone sea caves beckon you to explore more closely. Walk the exposed ocean floor and search for beach treasure. Kayak tours of the rocks & coastline and interpretive tours of the sea caves at low tide are offered as further experiences by Bay of Fundy Adventures.

Quaco Head Lighthouse

Find the Quaco Head Lighthouse on a scenic point in West Quaco. Picnickers & birdwatchers love this area. The grounds surrounding the lighthouse are lush with wildflowers. At low tide Thrum Rock is exposed and becomes a gathering spot for sea birds. Wander down a side trail and take in the rugged coastline views. Head straight to the front of the lighthouse and witness panoramic views of Fundy-St. Martins. On your drive out to West Quaco, watch for the flowerpot rock, a buoy tree display, and other unique spots like This & That By the Sea Gift Shop plus the original Not Your Average Art Studio & Gift Shop.

Periwinkles Picnic

Beach Street Inn showcases some of St. Martins deepest secrets when you purchase their Bay of Fundy Experience package. Pick up your Periwinkles Picnic and venture out on an afternoon of exploring beautiful, secluded local beaches with Beth & Paul’s special instructions and a backpack of delectable goodies.

Bay of Fundy Feast

Periwinkles Bay of Fundy Feast is the ultimate, exclusive dining experience offered by Beach Street Inn as part of their Bay of Fundy Experience. Dine in an intimate, twinkling gazebo as Red Seal Chef, Nick Shaw, delivers you a 5-course meal which showcases the local flavours of the region with thoughtful wine pairings. Linger into the evening, then wander over to one of Perwinkles firepits to curl up & enjoy some of the best stargazing in Canada, if not North America.

Fundy-St. Martins

Treasure your time in this beautiful village but before you leave Fundy-St. Martins, take one last walk on the beach and hunt for a wishing stone. Keep an eye out for rocks that have an unbroken line all the way around. The stripe is usually quartz or calcite. When you find one, trace the line with your finger, close your eyes, and make a wish for someone else. Legend has it, if you throw it out to sea or give the stone to another person, your wish will come true. Just another little secret I discovered at Beach Street Inn while stamping pages in my Passport to Adventure. I hope this has you thinking about your Bay of Fundy experience. Fundy-St. Martins is one of many Towns by the Bay that I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring. Click on the text link or photo link below to enjoy my article exploring the other Towns by the Bay: Rothesay, Quispamsis, Hampton and Grand Bay-Westfield.

This post was sponsored by Envision Saint John; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Follow Maritimes Maven on FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn & Threads. Subscribe to be the first to receive my latest articles. Share articles you love with your social media community so they, too, will discover, There’s No Place Like Home!