Prior Issue (Archive)
Fun on the Fundy
All Aboard for Adventure

The Bay of Fundy is world renowned for having the greatest difference in water level between its high and low tides with an average of 11 metres which rise and fall twice each day in tune with the gravitational pulls of the moon and sun. Folklore of the First Nations claim that the tides in the Bay are caused by a giant whale splashing in the water. Today scientists claim it is the shape of the bay which creates and enhances the tidal surge. The name “Fundy” is thought to date back to the 16th century when Esteban Gomez, a Portuguese cartographer sailed through this area mapping the east coast of what is now North America including the area known as the Bay of Fundy and the rivers that feed it.

One way of appreciating the Bay of Fundy is to leave the major highways and travel on the old routes through seaside villages on the coast. Another way is to cross the Bay of Fundy on the Princess of Acadia. This has always been a relaxing way to get from New Brunswick to Nova Scotia and this summer, it will be even better because Bay Ferries and the New Brunswick Museum are joining forces to give Princess of Acadia passengers between Saint John, NB and Digby, NS an entertaining, informative and memorable crossing. Beginning on June 24th and continuing to September 8th, staff from New Brunswick’s provincial museum will provide daily bilingual animation on the ship. The program will be based on the theme “Bay of Fundy, 8th Wonder of the World.”

The animation service, developed by the New Brunswick Museum, will be fun and interactive, and designed to be enjoyed by all age groups. There will be one costumed Museum employee on board each 9:00 am crossing from Saint John to Digby, and on each 1:00 pm return crossing to Saint John. The service will be available seven days a week, including statutory holidays. Museum staff will greet visitors in the terminals and in vehicle lineups before the crossing, mingle informally with passengers on board, and provide at least one formal animated presentation.

On-board presentations will use costumed characters, music, storytelling, museum artifacts and audiovisual materials to help illustrate their stories of the Bay of Fundy. Through these presentations, New Brunswick Museum staff will share their extensive knowledge of natural science topics such as Bay of Fundy marine life, ecology, conservation, the Bay’s geological formation, and of course the Fundy Tides. They will also talk about the human history connected to the Bay of Fundy and share the stories about First Peoples’ use of the Bay, regional historical settlement, shipbuilding, fisheries, lumbering, farming, unique characters and art. Join us and make your trip across the Bay, a highlight of your journey.

top