The rhythmic splashing of the oars through the still waters is such a soothing sound. Today, Passamaquoddy Bay is at rest, basking in the sunlight. With infinite blue skies above us, we paddle through the calm sea, passing rugged, pine-clad islands. At this moment there is no place I’d rather be, and it is with more than a little envy that I listen to Bruce talk about life on Deer Island.
Day trips from Saint John, New Brunswick
Earlier that week I had arrived in Saint John, a flourishing Canadian city on the Bay of Fundy, and spent a wonderful few days exploring the city, which is bursting at the seams with great restaurants, breweries, art, and museums. I was rather envious of the beautiful parks within the city boundaries and would have liked to have spent more time there. Rockwood Park, for instance, would be a wonderful location for kayaking, but having never been to the east coast of Canada before I was eager to see more beyond the city and its suburbs.
Passamaquoddy Bay in the far south of New Brunswick, tucked up alongside Maine, USA, was the ideal choice. It is as rich in historic interest as it is in natural beauty, and I had a wonderful time exploring its communities, waterways, and islands, not to mention its edible delights.
Itinerary 1: kayaking, scenery, history and fine dining
Deer Island
My first day trip from Saint John started on Deer Island, a short drive and ferry crossing from the city. It is here, between May and October, that Bruce Smith runs Seascape Kayak Tours from his clapboard home on the water’s edge. It is the perfect spot for kayaking for all levels of experience and ability. After a bit of paddling around the sheltered harbour, we set off into the open waters of the Bay of Fundy. There really is nothing I find more relaxing or invigorating than kayaking while surrounded by so much natural beauty.
Today the weather is perfect. I feel the warmth of the sun on my face as we paddle along. When we reach Bean Island we head towards the shore and pull our kayaks onto the beach. With the sea providing a gentle rhythmic soundtrack as it laps the sand, we tuck into our picnic.
All too soon, we are back on Deer Island and I’m sorry to leave the idyllic scenery that Bruce enjoys every day from late spring until early autumn. The other half of the year he runs his kayaking tours in Costa Rica. Nope, I’m not the least bit envious. The heck I’m not!
Ministers Island
After our morning out on the water, we head to Ministers Island and the summer estate of American-born railroad builder Sir William Van Horne, the visionary behind Canada’s first transcontinental railroad, which was completed in half the anticipated time and for half the estimated costs. Not many projects can say that!
Our visit is timed to coincide with low tide, the only time the island is accessible by car, foot or bicycle via a 1km drive along the seafloor.
In Sir William’s day, the 500-acre island was almost entirely self-sufficient with an immense livestock barn and a creamery, not to mention the heated greenhouses where mushrooms, peach trees, and grapevines grew. On Ministers Island, Sir William entertained Canadian and American businessmen, railway barons, Japanese royalty and the international social elite. When not staying on Ministers Island Sir William and his family lived in Montreal but they still enjoyed the fresh milk, butter, fruits and vegetables sent by rail from the island each day in time for the following morning.
A fascinating couple of hours pass as we explore the 50-room house, Covenhoven, as well as the circular bathhouse and tidal saltwater swimming pool. I was interested to learn that while much of the contents of the house had at one time been sold off, following Covenhoven’s renovation, many locals donated the original pieces of furniture and other items back to the estate — a sign of their affection for the island and its history no doubt.
While many come here to follow the scenic walking trails that offer fabulous views across the bay, it is well worth exploring the house itself, but either way, the tide dictates when it’s time to leave. We drive back across the seabed before it disappears beneath the waves.
And if you are wondering why it is called Ministers Island, in 1790 Reverend Samuel Andrews bought the island and built a modest stone house here, despite the inconvenient location that limited his access to his parishioners. Ever since it has been known as Ministers Island. Over a hundred years later in 1891, the Andrews family sold the island to Sir William Van Horne.
Fine dining at Rossmount Inn
On the way back to Saint John we stop off for dinner at the Rossmount Inn on Route 127, just north of St Andrews. This charming 19th-century manor house beneath Chamcook Mountain on an 87-acre estate is a must for a special occasion.
We start with pre-dinner cocktails on the veranda as the early evening sunshine bathes everything in a golden light. Moving indoors to the elegant dining room, an exquisitely presented culinary feast follows including succulent ‘Bay of Fundy scallop ceviche with a celery, lime, cilantro, jalapeno and sweet potato silk’, a cooked-to-perfection ‘angus beef striploin with a celery root purée, spring vegetables and a Béarnaise sauce’, finished off with some Tomme le Champ Doré, a smooth melt-in-the-mouth New Brunswick cheese with a slightly nutty flavour, matched perfectly with a delicious home-baked fig and seed bread and a glass of full-bodied red wine from the well-stocked cellar.
As we drive back to Saint John we stop to admire the spectacular sunset. The perfect end to an unforgettable day.
Plan your day out from Saint John
Saint John to Seascape Kayak Tours on Deer Island
The drive, including the ferry crossing, takes around 90 minutes. The ferry crossing is about 20 minutes and is free of charge. The ferries leave about every 30 minutes 16 hours a day (subject to weather conditions).
Seascape Kayak Tours to Ministers Island
The drive from Seascape Kayak Tours on Deer Island, including the ferry crossing, takes around 1 hour 30 minutes. Tide times can be found here. They allow you to spend up to 5 hours on the island. Up to date admission prices can be found here.
Ministers Island to Rossmount Inn
From Ministers Island to Rossmount Inn is just a 5-minute drive.
Rossmount Inn to Saint John
The drive from Rossmount Inn back to Saint John takes around an hour 20 minutes (longer if you stop for the sunset!).
Further Reading: Day Trips from Saint John
Itinerary 2 – St Andrews by-the-sea (including whale watching)
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Visit Canada
Visit Canada Keep Exploring to discover more about where to go and what to do in New Brunswick.
Return flights from Gatwick to Montreal cost from £346 (October 2017) and £372 (May 2018) per person with Air Transat.
Canadian Affair offers a 12-day touring package Landscapes of the Canadian Maritimes Holiday.
Disclosure: Thank you to Air Transat, Destination Canada, New Brunswick Tourism and Discover Saint John for sponsoring this visit to Canada. As always, I retain the right to write whatever I wish and will always give you my honest opinion.
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I love the idea of tripping to these islands and the inn sounds wonderful.
I’m sure you’d love the food at Rossmount. Fab food in elegant surroundings.
Looks like a fabulous trip and reminds me of my excursions to that area from Maine. If only I wasn’t so afraid of kayaks (having my legs inside them always makes me feel trapped). But I am dying to know what bulrushes taste like. I never thought you could eat them!
Me too! I confess I had to look up what cattails were and was shocked to see they are bulrushes. And I certainly didn’t know you could eat them.
What I love most about Canada is the combination of amazing scenery and great food – each area seems to have its own delicious specialities and some beautiful places to explore, and this is no exception!
That’s certainly my experience too! I can’t wait to go back again next year. This time on holiday visiting relatives. I’m looking forward to seeing another part of Canada through their eyes.
This looks and sounds gorgeous, and suitably off the beaten track that you really can enjoy it quietly and at leisure!
It’s off the beaten track but easy to get to – perfect!
There seems to be some kind of conspiracy afoot to make me miss Canada right now – lots of gorgeous blog posts about provinces and places I didn’t make it to, and my partner is enjoying a 2 week vacation back home and sending me pictures. You are not helping! 😉
Sorry, Jaillan! And there’s more to come yet. Hope next time your partner goes home you can join him. How is he liking England?
…either way, the tide dictates when it’s time to leave…I love that statement, it evokes a real sense of harmony with nature. Passamaquoddy Bay feels like my kind of place, even saying the name out loud relaxes me!
You’d love it, Sara, for many reasons. The bay is named after the Passamaquoddy First Nations people who mostly live in Maine and New Brunswick. And Malecite–Passamaquoddy is an endangered Algonquian language.
This looks absolutely stunning Kathryn – kayaking around the islands must have been an amazing experience. The food looked pretty good too. Another one for the bucket list and I hold you entirely responsible!
Oops! Sorry… not! 😀
How lucky were you to have gorgeous weather for kayaking in the Bay of Fundy. Sometimes it seems life can’t get any better than when you’re out in nature, on the water (kayaking – or paddleboarding!) with the sun warm on your back and the scent of the sea in the your nostrils :-). And to top it off, you got to enjoy a fine dinner and drinks after! That strip loin with Bearnaise sauce looks delish :-). Your day sounds like the perfect kind of day we’d enjoy!
It was wonderful. A couple of days later the weather was not so obliging but that’s another story.
This is an area of Canada I’ve yet to explore. Saint John looks beautiful and nice job on the video of Ministers Island, that bath house is divine!
It was such a great day and there’s plenty more yet to come from the area.
Looks beautiful Kat and what great weather you had. Hope to visit the islands one day …
They’re lovely and I long to see more (and eat more too!!)
I thoroughly enjoyed kayaking off Deer Island. The number of seals and porpoises we spotted was very impressive. Looks like you had very good weather.
It was perfect! Mind you I’ve kayaked in the rain before and still loved it. What time of year were you there? We didn’t see much wildlife.
A part of Canada I’ve not yet visited which looks amazing! Hopefully I can rectify that soon, Karen
Oh yes! You must. I’m sure you’d love it as much as I did, especially the food scene in Saint John.
It sounds the perfect opportunity for relaxing on the water and eating great food at Rossmount. Inn.
We certainly felt we had earned our supper! Such a perfect day 😀
Looks so beautiful and tranquil there, lovely photos as usuaul!
Thanks, Becky. A little slice of heaven.
Amazing Photos Kat. I’ve never been to the islands yet – Van Hornes home looks lovely
Thanks, Nim and you must! So much beauty and history combined.