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Canada🇨🇦 | villagesSt. Andrews by-the-SeaTide table, sandbar crossing, Kingsbrae alpacas, wharf kayaks | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in St. Andrews by-the-Sea
👌 Worth visitingvillage ranked #5
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Check the tide table before you plan anything in St. Andrews by-the-Sea, because the Bay of Fundy decides when you can walk the ocean floor to Ministers Island. The town sits in New Brunswick, Canada, on a peninsula where Passamaquoddy Bay meets the St. Croix River, a short drive from the Maine border. Water Street runs along the harbor with its shops, whale-watch docks and the red-roofed Algonquin Resort above. Gulls and foghorns set the soundtrack, and the air smells of kelp, diesel and fried haddock. Evenings are quiet. Restaurants close early, hostels are few, and meeting other travelers takes effort. Summer fog can swallow the view, and prices run high. I stopped at the Kingsbrae Garden gate on a gray morning, bought the ticket, and followed the cedar-chip path past the alpacas, my boots squeaking on wet gravel. Late in the day, the tide drains from the wharf pilings and leaves them slick with rockweed and barnacles.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #5 village in CanadaWhy St. Andrews by-the-Sea should be on your travel list

St. Andrews by-the-Sea works as a slow pause on a Maritime loop between Maine and the Bay of Fundy coast, and most backpackers give it one or two nights. The reason to linger is the water. The tides here rise and fall several meters, so one day you walk the seabed to Ministers Island and the next you paddle the same channel by sea kayak. Whale and seal boats leave from the wharf in summer. It suits couples, cyclists and solo travelers who want calm, a decent pub meal and a walk along Water Street more than hostel parties. Social life is thin, since few budget beds exist and most guests are older road-trippers. If you need nightlife, push on. If you like tide charts, salt air and a 19th-century waterfront, stay.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Ministers Island Historic Site: The summer estate of railway baron Sir William Van Horne is reached by a sandbar road at low tide, so check the tide table first. You see the stone bathhouse, the huge livestock barn and the 50-room mansion. Open in the warmer months, entry around US$12 to 18, and plan 3 to 4 hours including the crossing.
  2. Kingsbrae Garden: Twenty-seven acres of themed gardens, with a cedar maze, sculptures and alpacas. Go in June or July for peak bloom, and morning for fewer people. Admission runs about US$15 to 20, and 1.5 to 2 hours covers it.
  3. Water Street and the Wharf: The main waterfront strip holds the shops, cafes and the departure point for whale-watching and sea kayak tours. Walk it at low tide to see the boats sitting on the mud, and again at golden hour. Browsing is
… read more 👉
  1. Ministers Island Historic Site: The summer estate of railway baron Sir William Van Horne is reached by a sandbar road at low tide, so check the tide table first. You see the stone bathhouse, the huge livestock barn and the 50-room mansion. Open in the warmer months, entry around US$12 to 18, and plan 3 to 4 hours including the crossing.
  2. Kingsbrae Garden: Twenty-seven acres of themed gardens, with a cedar maze, sculptures and alpacas. Go in June or July for peak bloom, and morning for fewer people. Admission runs about US$15 to 20, and 1.5 to 2 hours covers it.
  3. Water Street and the Wharf: The main waterfront strip holds the shops, cafes and the departure point for whale-watching and sea kayak tours. Walk it at low tide to see the boats sitting on the mud, and again at golden hour. Browsing is free, tours cost roughly US$50 to 90, and 1 to 2 hours is enough for the stroll.
Start with Ministers Island, because the tide window decides when you can cross and the rest of the town stays put. From St. Andrews by-the-Sea, day trips reach Campobello Island with its Roosevelt cottage, the Fundy Isles by ferry, and St. Stephen’s chocolate museum.
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Things to do near St. Andrews by-the-Sea

Pete's Historic Walking Tour

Pete's Historic Walking Tour

4.9(396) 2h 30m
From €29
per personViator
Go Fundy Tours

Go Fundy Tours

5.0(209)
From €177
per personViator
Bay of Fundy Tour by Bus

Bay of Fundy Tour by Bus

4.3(270)
From €90
per personViator
Create your own Stained Glass Masterpiece

Create your own Stained Glass Masterpiece

5.0(65) 3h
From €92
per personViator
Bay of Fundy Shared Tour Adventure

Bay of Fundy Shared Tour Adventure

4.4(65)
From €113
per personViator
Fundy Coast to Fundy Shore Tour

Fundy Coast to Fundy Shore Tour

4.1(82) 5h
From €82
per personViator
Shore Tours

Shore Tours

4.7(42)
From €681
per personViator
3 different tours to choose from

3 different tours to choose from

4.9(33)
From €118
per personViator
Saint John Walking Tour

Saint John Walking Tour

4.4(40) 2h
From €34
per personViator
Discover Saint John by Ebike

Discover Saint John by Ebike

4.9(27) 2h
From €58
per personViator

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🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

July and August are the warmest and busiest weeks in St. Andrews by-the-Sea, and that is when most of the town's activities run.
  • Summer (July to August): Days reach 20 to 24°C (68 to 75°F) with long daylight, whale-watching boats and kayak outfitters running full schedules, and the highest room rates. Book ahead on weekends.
  • Fall (September to October): Highs of 10 to 18°C (50 to 64°F), thinner crowds, cheaper rooms and strong whale sightings early on. Many seasonal businesses close after Thanksgiving weekend in mid-October.
  • Winter (November to March): Highs of -8 to 2°C (18 to 36°F), short days and many shops and restaurants shuttered. Rates drop, but options for backpackers shrink.
  • Spring (April to June): Cool at 5 to 16°C (41 to 61°F), with frequent fog off Passamaquoddy Bay. Things reopen
… read more 👉
July and August are the warmest and busiest weeks in St. Andrews by-the-Sea, and that is when most of the town's activities run.
  • Summer (July to August): Days reach 20 to 24°C (68 to 75°F) with long daylight, whale-watching boats and kayak outfitters running full schedules, and the highest room rates. Book ahead on weekends.
  • Fall (September to October): Highs of 10 to 18°C (50 to 64°F), thinner crowds, cheaper rooms and strong whale sightings early on. Many seasonal businesses close after Thanksgiving weekend in mid-October.
  • Winter (November to March): Highs of -8 to 2°C (18 to 36°F), short days and many shops and restaurants shuttered. Rates drop, but options for backpackers shrink.
  • Spring (April to June): Cool at 5 to 16°C (41 to 61°F), with frequent fog off Passamaquoddy Bay. Things reopen gradually from May.
Aim for the first half of September for open doors, mild days and lower prices.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: good for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Canada

Backpackers on a tight budget will find no hostel in St. Andrews by-the-Sea, so plan around small inns, motels and campgrounds. Budget about US$90 to 180 a night for a basic room in summer, with the lowest rates outside July and August.
Along Water Street and the streets just behind it, small B&Bs and inns put you within a few minutes' walk of the wharf, restaurants and the Sunbury Shore Arts Centre area. Rooms are usually modest, with breakfast often included, which stretches a budget.
On the outskirts along Route 127 and Route 1, motels and cottage-style units tend to cost less than waterfront … read more 👉
Backpackers on a tight budget will find no hostel in St. Andrews by-the-Sea, so plan around small inns, motels and campgrounds. Budget about US$90 to 180 a night for a basic room in summer, with the lowest rates outside July and August.
Along Water Street and the streets just behind it, small B&Bs and inns put you within a few minutes' walk of the wharf, restaurants and the Sunbury Shore Arts Centre area. Rooms are usually modest, with breakfast often included, which stretches a budget.
On the outskirts along Route 127 and Route 1, motels and cottage-style units tend to cost less than waterfront places. You will want a car or bike for these, as the town has no public transit.
For the cheapest option, camp. Seaside and forested campgrounds within roughly 10 to 25 minutes' drive charge about US$25 to 45 a night for a tent site. Hot showers are typical at the larger sites.
The grand Fairmont Algonquin resort sits on the hill above town and costs well above US$250 in summer. Treat it as a splurge for a drink on the veranda rather than a bed.
Book at least a month ahead for July, August and long weekends.
Best hostels in Canada


Best quality hotels in Canada

🚌 Day tripsEasy escapes and nearby places

St. Andrews by-the-Sea works as a base for day trips if you have a vehicle, because buses do not link the region's best spots, but the distances are short.Saint John and the Reversing Falls: New Brunswick's largest city sits about 1.5 hours east by road. The tidal rapids, City Market and craft breweries fill a full day. Expect US$15 to 25 for fuel if you share a car, plus lunch around US$15. Time the falls for slack tide, since first-timers often arrive when the water is merely churning.
👉 Explore Saint JohnCampobello Island: The bridge to Campobello crosses at Lubec, Maine, so pack your passport. The drive is roughly 1.25 hours each way. Roosevelt Campobello International Park is free to enter, and the Head Harbour Lightstation is reachable on foot only at low tide. Check tide tables first, … read more 👉
St. Andrews by-the-Sea works as a base for day trips if you have a vehicle, because buses do not link the region's best spots, but the distances are short.Saint John and the Reversing Falls: New Brunswick's largest city sits about 1.5 hours east by road. The tidal rapids, City Market and craft breweries fill a full day. Expect US$15 to 25 for fuel if you share a car, plus lunch around US$15. Time the falls for slack tide, since first-timers often arrive when the water is merely churning.
👉 Explore Saint JohnCampobello Island: The bridge to Campobello crosses at Lubec, Maine, so pack your passport. The drive is roughly 1.25 hours each way. Roosevelt Campobello International Park is free to enter, and the Head Harbour Lightstation is reachable on foot only at low tide. Check tide tables first, because people get stranded or miss it entirely. Best from June to October.
Deer Island and Fundy Islands Ferry: The free ferry from Letete, about 25 minutes by car, reaches Deer Island in 30 minutes. Walk to Old Sow whirlpool viewpoints at Deer Island Point, strongest around high tide. Another small ferry continues to Campobello for about US$20 to 30 per vehicle. Summer and early fall offer the best sailing.
St. Stephen and Calais: About 30 minutes north, the border town of St. Stephen is home to the Chocolate Museum and a walkable downtown. Crossing to Calais, Maine is a short stroll across the bridge. Budget US$10 to 20 for chocolate and coffee. Many visitors forget ID at the crossing.

FAQFrequently asked questions about St. Andrews by-the-Sea

Most travelers reach St. Andrews by-the-Sea by car, about 1.5 hours from Saint John along Route 1 and roughly 30 minutes from Calais, Maine. There is no regular intercity bus service to town, so renting a car in Saint John (about US$50 to 90 a day) is the realistic option. Saint John Airport is the nearest major airport, about 100 kilometers away.
Yes, St. Andrews by-the-Sea rewards a stop of one to two nights, especially for its walkable waterfront on Water Street, Kingsbrae Garden (about US$18 to 20 admission) and whale-watching tours from the wharf (about US$70 to 100). It is less suited to those without a car or those on very tight budgets because of limited cheap beds. Late summer to early fall gives the best mix of weather and open businesses.
Yes, St. Andrews by-the-Sea works well as a day trip from Saint John (about 1.5 hours each way by road) or from Calais, Maine (about 30 minutes). Five to six hours covers a stroll along Water Street, Kingsbrae Garden and a whale-watching tour. Without a car it is hard to reach, so day visits suit drivers best, with parking generally free in town.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Canadian villages near St. Andrews by-the-Sea

Explore more nearby:

  • Lunenburg—Painted waterfront, dory shop, Bluenose II, harbor chowder| 230 km away
  • Tadoussac—Fjord mouth, free ferry, Zodiac tours, 1747 chapel| 397 km away
  • Tofino—Surf breaks, tidal flats, rainforest gardens, taproom crowd| 4363 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

St. Andrews by-the-Sea rewards anyone who reads the tide table before planning the day, because the sandbar to Ministers Island and the exposed seabed along the shore are open only for a few hours. I would book a bed well ahead in summer, and bring a rain shell for the fog.

✈️ When did I visit Canada?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Canada in 2016.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Canada, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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