Here are ten highlights of the Annapolis Valley and Bay of Fundy Region!
1. Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark - tides, heritage, geosites
Shaped by the highest tides in the world, the Cliffs of Fundy coastline is breathtaking and filled with adventure. Steeped in over 11,000 years of Mi’kmaq history and traditions, it is home to the legendary Kluscap and other fascinating legends. Here, you can discover the oldest dinosaur fossils in Canada, view the Cobequid-Chedabucto Fault line, bike/ hike/ horseback the ocean floor at low tide, and boat the coastline at high tide. If you’re up for hiking and camping, the 52km loop Cape Chignecto trail is a must! For a year-round guide to adventure in this region, check out Local Guy Adventures. To get an aerial view you won’t forget, the Debert Flight Centre has an incredible scenic flight tour over the Bay of Fundy!
Cliffs of Fundy Geopark - winter & summer
2. Shubenacadie River Tidal Bore Rafting - a uniquely Nova Scotian experience
Nova Scotia’s version of a water roller coaster, tidal bore rafting is a must if you’re a fan of exhilarating boating experiences! A tidal bore is a strong incoming ocean tide that pushes upriver against the current, creating magnificent rapids. The process of taking a zodiac boat to raft through those rapids was actually created right here on the Shubenacadie River. Lasting a few hours, the experience sends you bouncing through warm muddy waves that leave nothing in the boat (including you) dry. Keep the fun going by channeling your inner kid as you mudslide the shores and swim in chocolate milk-like water. Experiencing the tidal bore phenomenon firsthand is incredible, and if you wanted to learn more or stay dry and just watch other people raft, there is a Fundy Tidal Interpretive Centre and Tidal Observation Deck.
Hot Tip: Book a stay at the Tidal Bore Rafting Resort or a nearby bed and breakfast (we loved our stay at Cresthaven by the Sea) so you have a warm place to go back to after the adventure is over.
Tidal Bore Rafting
3. Dining on the Ocean Floor - a once in a lifetime ultimate culinary adventure
Located at the site of the world’s highest tides, Burntcoat Head Park is a stunning place to visit any time of year, and in the summertime, you can experience a culinary adventure like no other. Scheduled around the tide times, arrive to see a whole dining table placed on the ocean floor (where waves were meters high just hours ago) and a day of culinary experiences planned for you by hosts Food Fantastique.
The foodie adventure includes:
▶︎ A foraging session with local forager Jonathan Newell (Newell’s Jewells Edibles)
▶︎ Lunchtime shore boil feast paired with local beer (Schoolhouse Brewery) & wine (Avondale Sky). Try to throw your seafood shells in the center bucket for fun!
▶︎ Enjoy a guided tour of the ocean floor to see fossils, tidal pool creatures, and learn about the impacted coastline from the powerful tides.
▶︎ Sit down for a 3-course locally inspired dinner prepared by Chef Domenic Padula with the red rock cliffs as your backdrop and the slowly incoming tide as your view.
▶︎ Finish the day with an ocean floor campfire paired with tea and coffee.
Dining on the Ocean Floor
4. Wineries - sip your way around Nova Scotia’s wine country
Annapolis Valley is a beautiful area filled with award-winning wineries and home to Nova Scotia’s signature appellation wine, Tidal Bay. Reflecting the sea, terroir, coastal breezes, and cooler climate, Tidal Bay is crisp and lively - pairing perfectly with Nova Scotia Seafood. Yum! Many wineries here have their own versions of Tidal Bay. Road trip your way through boutique vineyards to sample, eat, and learn. If you really wan’t to dive into a wine experience, book a wine bus tour! (Grape Escapes, Magic Winery Bus)
Some wineries in Annapolis Valley that we have visited include:
▶︎ Avondale Sky
▶︎ Domaine de Grand Pré
▶︎ Benjamin Bridge
▶︎ Gaspereau Vineyards
▶︎ Lightfoot & Wolfville
▶︎ Bear River Vineyards (not right in Annapolis Valley but is worth the visit)
And if you don’t love wine, there are tons of other beer, cider, spirits, and mead options along Nova Scotia’s Good Cheer Trail!
Annapolis Valley Wineries
5. Grand Pre National Historic Site - discover the unique history of l’Acadie
This beautiful UNESCO World Heritage and National Historic Site commemorates Acadian settlement in the area from 1682-1755 and the deportation of the Acadians (1755-1762). Here, you can discover how the Acadians lived and worked with the land as you explore the grounds, view archeological remains, walk through the memorial church, and see the legendary statue of Evangeline. Head up to the Grand Pre View Park for amazing views over the Grand Pre meadows, looking right out to the Bay of Fundy.
Grand Pré National Historic Site
6. Valley Ghost Walks - “you’ll dig it”
Sometimes the best way to learn about history is through entertainment! Led by Jerome the Gravekeeper, Valley Ghost Walks (& Talks) are performances run by ghostly costumed reenactors that tell the history and folklore found around the Annapolis Valley. Family-friendly, the historical production lasts around 2 hours and runs from spring until October 31st. Each show is different, tweaked to reflect the history of each area they are in - Wolfville, Kentville, Halls Harbour, Grand Pre, and more! Besides the great acting, this company uses part of its ticket sales to raise money for local theatre and other organizations.
Valley Ghost Walks
7. Seafood - lobster, scallops, and chowders, oh my!
Like everywhere around Nova Scotia, the Annapolis Valley / Bay of Fundy Region is a lobster, scallop, and overall seafood lovers’ paradise! Dive into dishes like hearty chowders, lobster poutines, scallop/lobster rolls, seafood pasta, a traditional lobster dinner, and more. Paired with local farm-fresh produce of course!
Something we greatly enjoyed doing is visiting was a trip to Hall’s Harbour where you can take a Lobster Pound tour, pick out what fresh lobster catch you would like to have from the tank, and dine atop a rooftop patio overlooking the water. This rustic fishing village dating back to 1779 is also a beautiful spot for photos and to see firsthand the Bay of Fundy tide lines along the wharf.
Another unique fact about this area of Nova Scotia is that the town of Digby is the “Scallop Capital of the World”! Here, you can find the famous Digby scallops incorporated into different dishes on nearly every restaurant menu in the area.
Halls Harbour Lobster Pound and Digby Scallops
Bonus for all you foodies out there!
Not entirely seafood-related, but we couldn’t resist sharing this blog without suggesting a few AMAZING restaurants in this region to check out as well:
▶︎ The Flying Apron, Summerville NS
▶︎ Le Caveau, Grand Pré NS
▶︎ Restaurant Composé, Annaplis Royal NS
▶︎ The Noodle Guy, Wolfville NS
▶︎ Founders House, Annapolis Royal NS
8. Annapolis Royal and the Fort Anne National Historic Site - history, beauty, and a quaint waterfront town
Nestled in the Annapolis Valley, the vibrant waterfront town of Annapolis Royal is filled with history and beautiful sites. It has a rich Mi’kmaq heritage and inhabitance that dates back thousands of years. It was also the first European settlement in North America (1605), making Fort Anne the oldest National Historic Site in Canada! While here you can:
▶︎ Marvel at all the intricate heritage properties that line the town
▶︎ Stay in a heritage property bed and breakfast (we loved our stay at the Hillsdale House Inn)
▶︎ Roam the streetscapes where many artists paint the village beauty
▶︎ Visit the widely loved weekly Farmers Market
▶︎ Relax by the waterfront
▶︎ Take a historic candlelight graveyard tour
▶︎ Shop the many boutique shops
▶︎ Take a stroll through the tranquil 17-acre Royal Historic Gardens
Annapolis Royal & Fort Anne National Historic Site
9. Unique accommodations - from glamping to resort living, and all in between!
Like the unique beauty and landscapes this region has to offer, there are also many unique places to stay too! Here are just a few that we have experienced, but there are way more as well.
▶︎ Sleep under the stars in an oTENTik - Newly installed by Parks Canada in 2021, you can stay in a wood-framed canvas tent overlooking the stunning Grand Pre National Historic Site.
▶︎ Cozy up in a winery - Love wineries? Well, you can stay at Nova Scotia’s oldest farm winery - The Inn at Grand Pré Winery. Pair it with a meal at the onsite Le Caveau restaurant for an extra treat.
▶︎ Have a woodland retreat in a geodesic dome - Sissiboo River Retreat offers a magical glamping experience inside their 4 season domes, tucked along the Sissiboo River.
▶︎ Overlook the Bay of Fundy in Style - Majestically situated on the coast, the Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa is a premier resort in Nova Scotia to relax and rejuvenate.
Top left: Sissiboo River Retreat, Top right: The Inn at Grand Pré Winery, Bottom left: Grand Pré oTENTik, Bottom right: Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa
10. Whale Watching - a true “Canada’s Ocean Playground” experience
From summer to fall, the Digby Neck area becomes one of the best places in North America for whale watching! Hop on a boat with one of the many tour companies in the area, and prepare to have your breath taken away as you witness whales breaching the ocean’s surface. It’s hard to describe how truly incredible it is to see such large creatures swimming about, and really is something you have to experience yourself to understand. If you’re lucky, you may even see whales showing off as they wave their fins or jump out of the water! There are 12 species to keep an eye out for, and enthusiastic tour guides always give a fun commentary during your trip.
Featured Tour: Petit Passage, booked during our stay at Digby Pines Resort.
While exploring Digby Neck, an additional adventure after or before whale watching would be to check out the Balancing Rock, and Brier Island Lighthouse!
Whale Watching with Petit Passage Whale Watch Tours
We hope this blog has been the perfect amount of inspirational and informative! The Annapolis Valley and Bay of Fundy Region is a true gem in Nova Scotia with so much to see and explore.
Annapolis Royal Sunset Layers
