Fundy - St. Martins
Village of Fundy - St. Martins, New Brunswick
In 2023, St. Martins became part of the newly formed Village of Fundy-St. Martins on the Bay of Fundy in southern New Brunswick. This historic shipbuilding community and its nearby hidden gems offer spectacular coastal scenery, welcoming accommodations, fresh seafood, fascinating history, vibrant arts and culture, annual festivals, and unforgettable outdoor adventures.
I’ve visited twice in the past few years for overnight stays. My first was a three-night Bay of Fundy Experience in 2023. Most recently, my husband, Eric and I returned for a night in July 2026 to celebrate our anniversary. Both visits reminded me that Fundy-St. Martins deserves far more than a quick roadside stop. This travel guide brings together my favourite places to stay, eat, explore, and experience.
Beach Street Inn
My relationship with Beach Street Inn really began during a three-night Bay of Fundy Experience in 2023. My friend Laurie and I arrived and quickly discovered that owners Beth and Paul weren’t simply offering accommodations. They were sharing the place they love. We were welcomed with Bay of Fundy cocktails, handed our Passports to Adventure, and encouraged to discover beaches, trails, local stories, and hidden corners of Fundy-St. Martins.
Returning in 2026 with my husband, Eric, for our anniversary felt like visiting old friends. This time we enjoyed an overnight getaway and dinner package, only to discover we had unknowingly booked during the annual Beach Street Festival. Between the lively music, tasty cocktails and BBQ food, fireworks, and a quiet sunset walk beneath the sea caves, it became one of those trips that reminds you why slowing down is worth it.
While there are several wonderful places to stay throughout Fundy-St. Martins, including cottages, campgrounds, vacation rentals, and inns, Beach Street Inn is the accommodation I know best from two recent stays. Rather than recommend places I haven’t personally experienced, I’m sharing the one I can confidently speak to firsthand.
Virtual Visitor Centre
Since my first visit, Beth and Paul have added a Virtual Visitor Centre for guests, making it even easier to plan your stay. Having explored the area for more than four decades, they know hidden beaches, scenic cliff walks, lesser-known lookouts, and local favourites that many visitors miss. Their recommendations alone are worth the stay.
Festivals in Fundy-St. Martins
Throughout the year, Fundy-St. Martins comes alive with community celebrations that give visitors another reason to extend their stay. I was fortunate to experience the Beach Street Festival during my anniversary visit in July 2026. Live music filled the street while local businesses served delicious food and drinks. Families gathered, neighbours caught up with one another, visitors danced in the street, and the evening finished with fireworks over the Bay of Fundy.
The village also hosts popular events throughout the year, including the Fundy Sea Shanty Festival, Christmas in the Village, celebrations, community markets, and, in 2026, the inaugural Fundy Plein Air Art Festival happened. Bringing artists outdoors to paint the area’s remarkable coastal landscapes feels like a perfect fit for this creative community. I wasn’t able to attend its first year, but it has already earned a place on my 2027 travel wish list.
Destination Fundy-St. Martins
Consider yourself welcomed to Fundy-St. Martins. Breathe it in and 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 Laurie and 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 and 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 and low tide schedules are posted throughout the village, so be aware, plan accordingly, and talk to the villagers. They know. Then enjoy the coming and going of energy. Fishermen unload their catch and kayakers paddle the sea caves at high tide. At low tide, the harbour is restful and 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.
Fundy-St. Martins Harbour
Walk the covered bridges, visit the lighthouse museum/visitors centre, and enjoy the Fundy-St. Martins harbour wharf shops. Among our favourites were: Shipyard’s Café, One of a Kind, Once Upon a Tide, The Orange Buoy, 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 and lobster roll. One of the pleasures of visiting Fundy-St. Martins is discovering its locally-owned restaurants. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, hearty home cooking, or a relaxed charcuterie board with local craft beverages, you’ll find plenty of memorable places to eat.
Eric and I enjoyed lobster rolls and seafood chowder at Spinney’s Seafood Market & Take Out and The Caves Restaurant. You cannot go wrong at either one. The Coastal Tide Restaurant is a highly recommended family licensed restaurant with home cooked meals but sadly, there was not enough time to try it yet. One that Laurie and I got 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.
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 daily experiences with assistance from Paul. The restaurant is also open to the public for breakfast and dinner. Reservations are recommended.
Quaco Museum
The Quaco Museum and Library is a must to learn more about the history of St. Martins sea captains and shipbuilders. In the mid-19th Century, it 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 and 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 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.
Fundy-St. Martins Walking Tour
Explore Fundy-St. Martins on a self-guided walking tour. The past endures in the 19th century architecture here. Visualize this community where sea captains and wealthy shipbuilders brought back architectural design ideas and artisans from abroad. Plan to stop and shop at The Mercantile, to meet owner, Cheryl, and her colourful marauders, and do take time to peek into Huttges General Merchants, a largely unchanged village general store.
Stories from the Sea
Stories from the Sea was an exclusive Bay of Fundy Passport to Adventure experience offered by Beach Street Inn in 2023. Although it is no longer available with a guide, I thoroughly enjoyed it and had to give a shout out to Tim Greer, a retired fisherman, who shared maritime lore stories as we hiked the cliff tops of St. Martins. It gave a unique perspective of the sea caves from a high cliff edge trail. We discovered a secret beach only accessible during low tide, and enjoyed breathtaking views. We also stopped for a bit, and sipped herbal tea while Tim shared ghost stories and spun yarns and tales of St. Martins past. It was truly unforgettable. Enjoy this experience now through a self-guided discovery.
Fundy-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 and 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 and 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 and That By the Sea Gift Shop plus the original Not Your Average Art Studio and Gift Shop.
Periwinkles Picnic
Beach Street Inn showcases some of Fundy-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 and 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 a Red Seal Chef 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 and enjoy some of the best stargazing in Canada, if not North America.
Fundy Trail Parkway
Just minutes from Fundy-St. Martins, the Fundy Trail Parkway is widely considered one of Atlantic Canada’s most spectacular coastal drives. Stretching more than 30 kilometres along the Bay of Fundy coastline, it features dramatic cliffs, suspension bridges, waterfalls, secluded beaches, scenic lookouts, hiking trails, picnic areas, and opportunities to spot wildlife along the way. Whether you spend an afternoon stopping at the viewpoints or dedicate an entire day to hiking and exploring, it deserves a place on every Fundy itinerary.
I’ve only scratched the surface so far and plan to return for a dedicated visit. Stay tuned for a complete Fundy Trail Parkway travel guide in an upcoming article.
Fundy-St. Martins
Every time I’ve left Fundy-St. Martins, I’ve found myself planning my return before I’ve even reached home. Whether it’s the rhythm of the tides, the warmth of the people, or the rugged beauty of this stretch of coastline, it definitely lingers long after your visit ends.
Before you leave, take one final walk along the beach in search of a wishing stone. If you find one with an unbroken white ring around it, trace the line with your finger and make a wish for someone else. It’s a simple tradition that somehow feels perfectly at home beside the highest tides in the world.
I hope this inspires you to discover your own Bay of Fundy adventure in Fundy-St. Martins.
If you enjoyed this guide, you’ll also love my Towns by the Bay itinerary through Rothesay, Quispamsis, Hampton, and Grand Bay-Westfield.
Tour the Towns By the Bay (of Fundy)
This post was originally sponsored by Envision Saint John in July 2023 then again by Beach Street Inn in July 2026; 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!