Best Time to Visit Hopewell Rocks: Tides & Tips
Wondering what the best time to visit Hopewell Rocks is? You’ve come to the right place.
Spanning more than 2 km along the Bay of Fundy are 20+ free-standing sea stack rock formations. Giant flowerpot-shaped rocks, the Hopewell Rocks were formed by tidal erosion and are an iconic feature of New Brunswick. The formations vary in height from 40-70 feet.
Seeing them and kayaking among the rocks was one of the highlights of my time in New Brunswick.
This guide to the Hopewell Rocks tides will help you plan your visit, including what makes the rocks unique, the best time to visit, and tips to make your experience memorable.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links; if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
What Makes The Hopewell Rocks Special
The extreme tidal changes in the Bay of Fundy allow you to walk on the ocean floor with the rocks and then a few hours later for that area to be entirely submerged. This is what makes the Hopewell Rocks so special. Nowhere else in New Brunswick can you walk on the ocean floor.
The tidal waves at the Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy are not only the tallest tidal waves in Canada; they are also the tallest tidal waves in the world.
Hopewell Rocks Tides
The tidal range for the Bay of Fundy is 38 – 52 feet. The tides here are higher than anywhere else in the world. Other countries have an average tidal range of about 3 feet.
What this means is, on a single day in the Bay of Fundy, the water level will rise and fall 38 – 52 feet. This is a huge difference and makes visiting the Hopewell Rocks unique.
It takes approximately six hours to change from high tide to low tide so plan to stay a full day.
When To Visit The Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick
The park is open from Canada’s Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving weekend. This is from late May to early October. My visit was in late August and the weather was beautiful.
The beach is inaccessible outside this time frame due to poor weather in the Bay of Fundy.
Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park – Hours of Operation:
Victoria Day weekend (May) – late June: 9 am – 5 pm
Late June – Late August: 8 am – 8 pm
Late August – Mid September: 8 am – 6 pm
Mid September – Thanksgiving weekend (October): 9 am – 5 pm
Hopewell Rocks Prices
Prices start at approximately $15 CAD + tax per adult, with a reduced price for students, seniors, and children.
Ready to buy your tickets? Buy your Hopewell Rocks tickets here.
The Best Time to See The Hopewell Rocks
The best time to go to Hopewell Rocks varies day-to-day. The tidal chart outlines when high and low tides occur each day. Two cycles occur per day, one during the day and one in the evening/night-time.
I recommend you spend at least one complete tidal cycle. You need to see both the high and low tides while visiting Hopewell Rocks for the full experience. If your schedule doesn’t allow for both, visit during low tide for your first visit.
Hopewell Rocks: High Tide vs Low Tide
High Tide – The staircase closes for safety. Watch the rocks from above on a viewing platform or book a kayak tour around the rocks.
Low Tide – Use a giant metal staircase to get down to walk on the ocean floor. Walk around for 3 hours on either side of low tide.
On the park’s website is a live video feed of the Hopewell Rocks to preview its tidal status at any time.
What to Do at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
If you are looking for activities to do at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park, you will find hiking, kayaking, and having a picnic. Amenities within the park include a gift shop, restaurant, and playground.
My favourite part of visiting Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park was walking the ocean floor with the rocks and then later the same day kayaking at the same spot. It is a unique experience and one of my favourite Canadian experiences.
Hopewell Rocks Kayaking & What It’s Like
You can book a tour with Baymount Outdoor Adventure to kayak the rocks. They pride themselves on delivering the highest tidal kayaking experience in the world. You get to paddle up close with the famous flowerpot-shaped rocks.
Hopewell Rocks kayaking tours are available on high-tide, mid-tide, and after dark. Tour types available vary depending on how far into the season it is. The high-tide kayak tour is the most available and popular pick.
No experience is required to kayak the rocks. The guides are knowledgeable and help you along every step of the journey.
Start on a rocky shoreline within the park, kayak until you get to the rocks, kayak alongside and between the rocks, then return to the starting point. A kayaking tour lasts 1.5-2 hours and paddles across approximately 4 km.
Kayaking the Hopewell Rocks is a bucket list activity for New Brunswick. It is a different perspective to paddle the rocks versus walking beneath them, one you won’t want to miss. Booking your kayaking tour in advance is recommended.
Depending on how high the waves are, they may have to delay or cancel a tour for safety. During my visit, the waves were rough, but they didn’t impact my kayaking experience. I was lucky. It made for a wavy time but didn’t take away from the fun of kayaking the Hopewell Rocks.
How to Get From Moncton to The Hopewell Rocks
To reach the park from Moncton, you will need to drive approximately 30-35 minutes. There is no public transportation that connects Moncton and Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park. You can rent a vehicle in Moncton and drive to the park.
Driving Directions:
- Take the NB – 114 S highway
- Drive approximately 35 kilometres on the 114 S
- Turn left onto Rocks Road
- Slight right onto Discovery Road
Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
Address: 131 Discovery Rd, Hopewell Cape, NB, E4H 4Z5
Tips for Visiting The Hopewell Rocks
- An entry pass to the provincial park is valid for two consecutive days. This provides the most flexibility to see both the high and low tides based on the tidal schedules. If you miss one the first day, head back the next day.
- Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that can get dirty. Wearing white shoes or flimsy shoes is not recommended. Running shoes are your best shoe pick. If kayaking, leave a change of clothes in your car for if your clothes get wet during your tour.
- Check the tidal schedule before your visit – you will want to visit the rocks at both high and low tide for the best experience.
- Getting around the park is easiest while using a map. The park map will show you where the staircase to reach the ocean floor is, where hiking trails lead, and the best places for scenic views.
- Have fun and don’t forget your camera!
Final Thoughts: Visiting Hopewell Rocks
The best time to visit Hopewell Rocks is during both low and high tides. Check the tidal schedule before you go, and be sure to book your kayak tour in advance.
Visiting Hopewells Rocks is just the beginning of exploring New Brunswick and the Maritimes. There are plenty more activities waiting for you. From scenic road trips to beautiful sunrises, go to Atlantic Canada and have some adventures! You won’t regret it.
Hope this information helped you plan your visit to Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick, Canada.
Happy travelling!
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