Visiting Hopewell Rocks – The Highest of Highs and Lowest of Lows

The entire province of New Brunswick sits above the Bay of Fundy, home to the world’s highest tides—a natural wonder that’s truly mesmerizing to witness. And there’s no better place to experience it than Hopewell Rocks, where towering rock formations shaped by the tides create one of Canada’s most breathtaking landscapes.

As New Brunswick’s biggest tourist attraction, Hopewell Rocks reviews rave about its stunning scenery and the chance to walk on the ocean floor at low tide. After experiencing it myself, I can see why.

This is my firsthand look at Hopewell Rocks Park and why it belongs on your East Coast bucket list.

Visiting Hopewell Rocks Park

There’s no shortage of things to see and do at Hopewell Rocks Park. Beyond the must-do experience of walking on the ocean floor at low tide to see the famous flower-pot rock formations, the park offers scenic walking trails, beaches, and a massive interpretive centre. Inside, you’ll find educational exhibits explaining the unique geology behind the rocks, a cafeteria, and a gift shop.

For those looking to see the tides from a different perspective, guided kayaking tours are available during high tide, letting you paddle among the rock formations that, just hours earlier, you could walk beneath.

Parking & Admission

• Admission: $10 per adult
• Parking: Free
• Shuttle Service: Available for $2 to the ocean floor entrance (though I recommend the scenic walk down)
• EV Charging: Two ChargePoint Level 2 chargers are available on-site—I used them on my last visit, making it a convenient stop for EV road-trippers!

Whether you’re visiting for a few hours or a full day, Hopewell Rocks is an unforgettable East Coast experience that lives up to the hype.

The Highs and Lows of the Bay of Fundy

The Bay of Fundy is home to the world’s highest tides, and there’s no better place to witness this dramatic rise and fall than at Hopewell Rocks. With tides reaching up to 50 feet (15 meters), these towering rock formations provide a stunning visual reference for just how extreme this natural phenomenon is.

At low tide, you can walk among the flower-pot rocks, craning your neck to spot the water lines left behind. A few hours later, those same rocks are submerged, with only their tops peeking out above the waves.

During my visit, I spent about 40 minutes wandering the shoreline, completely in awe of the scale of it all. It was hard to believe that in just a few hours, I would have been completely underwater.

I wasn’t fully convinced until I looked back and saw that the path I had taken was now cut off by the rising tide. By the time I made my way back up the staircase to the trailhead, the entire beach had disappeared beneath the water.

Mind blown.

Why Are the Tides So High?

While local Mi’kmaq legends say the extreme tides are caused by a giant splashing around in the bay, the actual explanation is rooted in science—and geography.

The Bay of Fundy’s unique shape and oscillation effect create the perfect conditions for massive tides. Essentially, the bay acts like a giant bathtub, with water sloshing back and forth in perfect rhythm with the natural tidal cycle. This amplifies the movement, creating the record-breaking tides that make Hopewell Rocks so special.

For an even more dramatic demonstration of this tidal power, check out one of the region’s tidal bores, where incoming tides reverse the flow of rivers. A great spot to witness this is the Chocolate River in Moncton, named for its rich brown, sediment-filled waters. Here, you can actually watch the tide roll in like a wave, pushing against the current and transforming the river in real time.

It’s one thing to read about the world’s highest tides, but seeing them in action at Hopewell Rocks is a whole different experience—one that’s absolutely worth adding to your East Coast bucket list.

Getting In and Out

A visit to Hopewell Rocks is an easy day trip from multiple locations. It’s just a 35-minute drive from Moncton, 2.5 hours from Fredericton, and about 3 hours from Halifax. If you’re coming from the U.S., it’s roughly 3.5 to 4 hours from Maine. No matter where you’re traveling from, be sure to consult the tide tables so you can experience both low tide, when you can walk on the ocean floor, and high tide, when the water rushes back in, dramatically transforming the landscape.

While planning my visit, I checked Hopewell Rocks reviews to get a sense of the best timing and routes. I stopped by on my way from Moncton to Saint John, which gave me the perfect excuse to take the scenic Fundy coastal route instead of the main highway—a decision I highly recommend.

Leaving Hopewell Rocks Park, I continued south through Fundy National Park, soaking in more of New Brunswick’s rugged coastline.

A must-stop along the way is Alma, home to one of the most unexpectedly cool spots in the region: Buddha Bear Coffee Roasters and Café. This place has it all—local beers on tap, nitro cold brew coffee, wood-fired pizza, and even in-house pickled eggs. The cozy, laid-back vibe makes it the perfect post-hike stop, and honestly, I’d visit Hopewell Rocks again just for another excuse to stop here!

Visiting Hopewell Rocks – Now or never?

Like the Twelve Apostles along Australia’s coastline, the towering formations at Hopewell Rocks are living on borrowed time. The relentless force of the world’s highest tides has been slowly wearing them down for millions of years, and their days are undoubtedly numbered.

The reality of this erosion became clear in March 2016, when part of Elephant Rock collapsed, sending 200 tons of rock crashing to the ocean floor. Reading about the Hopewell Rocks collapse before my visit, I expected restricted access, but I was surprised at how close we were still able to get—right up to formations that look oh-so-close to tipping over.

Yes, our window to visit Hopewell Rocks may be closing. Then again, these formations have stood for 13,000 years, so who am I to say how much longer they’ll last? Either way, if you’re planning a trip to the Maritime provinces, don’t miss the chance to experience this incredible natural wonder while you still can.

Hopewell Rocks Accommodations

Moncton has plenty of great accommodation options and is only a 30-minute drive away. For a unique and boutique experience check out the incredible St.James Gate Hotel.

For a more run-of-the-mill hotel stay at a lower price point consider the Delta Hotels by Marriott Beausejour. I stayed at both of these properties and can recommend them both for their comfort and downtown location.

Alternatively, if you are passing through Hopewell Rocks like me and heading towards Saint John definitely check out the Ridgeback Lodge! This glamping spot is incredibly popular thanks to Instagram so be sure to book well in advance!

Visiting Hopewell Rocks Tips

• Wear appropriate shoes, ones that you don’t care about getting dirty. Also, ensure they have a good grip. The rocks can be slippery.
• If you didn’t bring spare shoes, don’t stress. There are washing stations to hose off the red mud.
• Consult the latest tide times to ensure you have enough time to see the high and low tides.
• Book a guided kayak tour!

Hopewell Rocks Reviews

Don’t just take my word for it. Check out what others are saying in these Hopewell Rocks reviews on TripAdvisor!

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Although my time visiting Hopewell Rocks was made possible by Tourism New Brunswick / Nouveau-Brunswick,
the experience, opinions, and blown mind are my own.