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Folklore in the  Mi’kmaq Nation claims that the tides in the Bay of Fundy are caused by a giant whale so powerful that his tail slap caused the water to slosh back and forth up the full length of the bay. While today we are blessed with populations of 17 different varieties of whales fed by these tides, scientists tell us another version of how this unique ecosystem came to be.

Geologists maintain that creation of the natural wonder known as the Bay of Fundy began over 300 million years ago, as a mountain chain created by the collision of two land masses fractured the skin of the earth.

100 million years later, after spending time as a warm shallow sea and then a large swamp, this region of Nova Scotia became the site of active volcanoes.  Molten rock (lava) seeping up through cracks in the sandstone and shale of the developing coastline created the basalt cliffs and pillow lava formations visible along our shore today.

Scoured by glaciers 1 million years ago, and filled by a rising water level in the world oceans, the gigantic ebb and flow of salt water in the Bay of Fundy has been in motion for at least the last 6,000 years, and is unrivaled in the world.

Twice each and every day (every 12 hours and 26 minutes to be precise) 100 billion tons of water flow in and out of the Bay of Fundy.  This volume of water is equal to the sum of the water contained in all of the rivers in the world, and generates a 30 foot (10 meter) rise and fall of the tide right here in Parker's Cove.  You can experience this phenomenon right in front of your own campsite, and come with us to take a walk on the bottom of the ocean at low tide!

See how much you can save on your oceanfront camp site this summer!