The Bay of Fundy is one of the world's best whale-watching regions - species include the very rare right whale
Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick / Nova Scotia - This is one of the world's best whale watching regions because the massive tides of the Bay of Fundy have created such nutrient rich enviorment. As many as 15 species frequent the Bay. On a tour lasting several hours you might see minke, humpback and finback whales. And, if you're very lucky you might spot a right whale. It's one of the rarest whales in the world, less than 350 exist. A right whale ranges from 10.5 to 15 metres (35-50 ft), and they can weigh up to 45 tonnes (50 tons). Look for a whale that doesn't have a dorsal, and has bumpy white patches on its head. Originally their oil and baleen plates made them so vauable they were considered the 'right' whale to hunt - hense the name and their 'at risk' status. They come to this region to mate, and have been protected since 1937. You can support the Bay of Fundy in the international New 7 Wonders of Nature competition by voting at:www.VoteMyFundy.com- or simply text the world FUNDY to 77077 (each vote costs 25 cents). Deadline for voting is Nov 11. 2011.
| Where: The Bay of Fundy touches the state of Maine and then stretches for 270 km (170 miles) up between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. St. Andrews N.B is a charming resort town with sea kayaking and boat tours. The city of Saint John sits half-way up the coast on the New Brunswick side of the Bay, and as you continue north to Hopewell, you'll pass through the 206 sq km Fundy National Park. Migratory birdwatching is very popular along the coast. Quick Tip: The tides increase by 20 percent during new and full moons. |
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Credits: Hopewell Rocks Photo courtesy of City of Moncton Tourism / Joggins photo courtesy of Nova Scotia Tourism/ Sea Kayaking Grand Manan with High Adventure.com photo by Lucy Izon
Lucy Izon
Canada Cool is produced by award-winning Canadian travel writer & speaker Lucy Izon. Her travel stories & reports have appeared in numerous leading North American publications including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, and Chicken Soup for the Traveler's Soul. Bio page
Canada’s Coolest:
Welcome to a new feature on Canada Cool. I'll be presenting different 'Coolest' lists with my favorites and I encourage you to nominate suggestions from your own experiences. You can Twitter @CanadaCool or email [email protected]. Let me know what makes your suggestion exceptionally cool. Remember, by contributing your comments you are giving Canada Cool permission to quote you. Only a selection of submissions will be included, but all comments and submissions are greatly appreciated!
The first feature is: Canada's Coolest Single Day Scenic Drives
Here are some of my favorites...
The Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park, Alberta - This 229 km (142 mi) Rocky Mountain route from Banff/Lake Louise to Jasper passes 100 frozen rivers and nudges the base of the Athabasca Glacier - the most accessible glacier in the world. You can stop and explore it. It spills down from the Columbia Icefield, an area of ice so massive that you could fit the entire population of North America on it with each person getting at least a square metre of space.
The Corridor, Algonquin Park, Ontario – this 56-km stretch of Hwy 60 cuts through the southwest section of Algonquin Park. Less than three hours north of Toronto the park is a nature-lover's paradise with 7,725 km of lakes, rivers, forest, trails, camping, comfortable lodges and 2000 km of canoe routes. Offers hiking trails to stop and enjoy, but what makes it really cool is that it’s one of the best places in North America to spot moose (especially in May and June). And, on Thursday nights in August up to 600 cars will gather to listen to wolves howl.
The Cabot Trail, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia – Driving this 303 km (187 mile) route is like riding a roller-coaster: the road snakes around hairpin turns, rises to heights over 365 metres (1200 ft), weaves around headlands revealing spectacular coastal scenery, and plunges down to sea level taking you into the heart of small fishing communities. The most dramatic scenery is between the Cape Breton Highlands National Park entrance near Cheticamp and Pleasant Bay, so go slow. And, plan some flexibility into your schedule, so you can drive it on a clear day.
And here are some of your nominations for 'Canada's Coolest Single Day Scenic Drives'...
More from Canada’s Coolest
'Canada's Coolest' topics we'll be publishing in the future:
- Golf Course Features
- Haunted Hotels
- Hotel Special Services
Send your suggestions to [email protected]
Recent 'Canada's Coolest' topics:
