At Hopewell Rocks, near the head of the Bay of Fundy, you get two visits to the same coastline. At low tide you walk the ocean floor beneath twenty-odd sea stacks topped with trees, the famous “flowerpots.” About six hours later, the same rocks are little islands you can paddle around in a kayak. That is why the Hopewell Rocks tide schedule is the first thing to check: it decides when you arrive, what you do and sometimes which day you go.
It’s late October, and NB Parks lists the 2026 season as ending on October 25, so treat this as a guide for next season. Opening dates and hours for 2027 will be announced on the official site. For the bigger picture (Fundy National Park, the Fundy Trail Parkway, whale watching), see our Bay of Fundy guide and the New Brunswick hub; this page sticks to logistics.
At a glance
- Where: Hopewell Cape, 131 Discovery Road, about 40 km (25 mi) south of Moncton on Route 114.
- Season: May 15 to October 25 in 2026, per NB Parks. 2027 dates: check the official site. No entry out of season.
- Ocean floor: generally from 3 hours before to 3 hours after low tide, at staff discretion.
- Tickets: valid for two consecutive days, so you can see low and high tide.
- Kayaking: guided tours only, around high tide, ages 12 and up.
- Time zone: all tide tables use Atlantic Time, one hour ahead of Eastern Time.
In this guide
How the tides work at Hopewell Rocks
The Bay of Fundy has two high tides and two low tides a day. A little over six hours separates a high tide from the next low, and the times slide by roughly 50 minutes to an hour from one day to the next. A real example from the official predictions for the Hopewell Cape station: on October 20, 2026, the morning high tide was forecast for 7:50 a.m.; the next day, 8:47 a.m.
According to Tourism New Brunswick, high tide at Hopewell Cape reaches 9.75 to 14 metres (32 to 46 feet) depending on the day, with bigger ranges around new and full moons. And the chocolate-brown water? The park explains that the constantly moving tide keeps sediment suspended.
Where to find the official tide table
Two sources are all you need:
- The park’s Tide Tables page (NB Parks), built on Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) data, with every time shown in Atlantic Time.
- tides.gc.ca from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, station Hopewell Cape (00170): 7-day and hourly predictions plus printable annual tables, with heights in metres and feet.
Next year’s predictions are preliminary
CHS notes that predictions beyond the current calendar year have not been manually reviewed and are considered preliminary. Sketch a 2027 trip now if you like, but recheck the times a few days before you go.
Planning your visit around low tide
The ocean-floor window
The park and its kayak partner both put the best time to walk the ocean floor at three hours either side of low tide. The park adds that actual access times can vary and are at staff discretion. Two practical limits apply:
- The window has to fall within park hours: a 6 a.m. low tide leaves you only part of it.
- Allow time to get down: pay at admissions, then walk the 0.8 km (0.5 mi) gravel trail the park times at about 15 minutes, or take the paid shuttle.
Here are the 2026 hours as a reference point (2027 hours will be posted by NB Parks):
| Period (2026) | Park hours |
|---|---|
| May 15 – June 20 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
| June 21 – August 29 | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
| August 30 – September 26 | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. |
| September 27 – October 25 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Low tide first or high tide first?
The park says all three approaches work: high tide first and back later for the ocean floor; ocean floor first and back to see the rocks surrounded by water; or a full day watching the tide come in. The table below is a worked example, not a forecast; always match it to the official table and that day’s hours.
| If low tide is around… | Ocean floor (approx.) | Nearest high tide | Suggested plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 a.m. | from opening until about noon | around 3 p.m. | Arrive at opening, take a break, come back in the afternoon for high tide or a kayak tour |
| 1 p.m. | roughly 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | around 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. | The easy day: ocean floor at midday, high tide in the evening if the park closes late |
| 5 p.m. | from 2 p.m. until closing | around 11 a.m. | High tide in the morning, ocean floor in the afternoon; in shoulder season a 5 or 6 p.m. closing cuts the window short |
Tickets and admission policy
The headline: admission is valid for any two consecutive days. NB Parks says you can come and go during park hours on the day your ticket is validated at admissions and on the following day, which is exactly what you need to see both tides without rushing.
Other rules worth knowing:
- Buying in advance gives no advantage for now, according to the park FAQ, because the number of visitors on site isn’t capped.
- Rates are subject to 15% sales tax and can change without notice.
- The NB Parks season pass now includes Hopewell Rocks; at the parks marked with an asterisk it covers up to two adults and three children.
- Group rates are available for 12 or more people.
- A kayak tour doesn’t include park admission: you pay both.
The 2026 rates published by the park, before tax (check next season’s grid on the official site before you go):
| Category | 2026 rate (before tax) |
|---|---|
| Adult (19+) | $18.15 |
| Senior (65+) or student (19+ with valid card) | $15.56 |
| Child 5–18 | $10.37 |
| Child 4 and under | Free |
| Family (2 parents + their children 18 and under) | $45.37 |
| Shuttle to/from upper or lower site | $1.74 |
| All-parks season pass | $162.00 |
Kayaking at high tide
At high tide you see the flowerpots from the water, weaving between the formations. The park doesn’t allow private watercraft to launch from its property and recommends its partner, Baymount Outdoor Adventures, which runs tours from its building at the park’s “Lower Site.”
What the operator’s site says:
- Signature High Tide Tour: 1.5–2 hours, about 4 km (2.5 mi) of paddling, late May to early September.
- Mid-Tide Coastal Tour: about 1.5 hours in summer, as the water drops and reveals the formations, with a run up Demoiselle Creek.
- After Dark tours: select evenings only, when high tide falls near dark and conditions are calm.
- Tours only run in the two-hour window either side of high tide; with normal tides there are four departures a day.
- Double kayaks only, no unguided rentals, gear included; minimum age 12, and youth 12–18 must be with an adult.
- Bilingual guides are available; ask for French when you confirm if you need it.
- Reach the park an hour before your tour and the kayak building 30 minutes before (it’s a 10–15 minute walk from the entrance).
For reference, in October 2026 the operator’s site listed the Signature tour at $75.66 plus tax per adult; check next season’s rate. For 2026, bookings opened on December 1, 2025, so watch the operator’s site for the following season.
Plan on getting wet
Baymount warns that most days you’ll paddle in waves, that capsizes do happen, and that tours are cancelled when southerly gusts reach 50 km/h (about 30 mph). Book assuming you’ll get wet and leave dry clothes in the car.
From mid-July to mid-September (peaking in the second and third weeks of August), the operator also mentions huge flocks of migrating shorebirds. Elsewhere on the coast, Bay of Fundy Adventures in St. Martins runs sea-cave kayak trips. Note that Kayak Fundy – FreshAir Adventure in Alma has announced it closed after the 2025 season, so ignore older guides that still list it.
Accessibility and on-site services
The park describes three main ways down to the ocean floor:
- The Main Deck: a big metal staircase, 99 steps down and, as the park points out, 101 back up.
- The North Beach ramp, with benches along the slope. It’s suitable for wheelchairs, but the park warns that many find the ocean floor itself too challenging on wheels.
- The Demoiselle trail behind the Interpretive Centre, descending gently to sea level.
The upper trails are described as well groomed and wheelchair friendly, and a paid shuttle runs from the Interpretive Centre to the top of the stairs, only while the park is open. On the beach, walking stays easy until the Ledges, which are often slippery and where many visitors turn around.
Services: Interpretive Centre, High Tide Restaurant, Low Tide Café (late May to late September in 2026), gift shop and two Type 2 EV chargers in parking lot B. Pets on leashes up to 3 m (10 ft), not inside buildings except service animals. No camping or RVs: everyone leaves before dark. Drones are prohibited.
Getting to Hopewell Rocks
From Moncton
It’s about 38 km (24 mi), 35–45 minutes on Route 114 through Riverview and Hillsborough to Hopewell Cape. Moncton’s airport (YQM) is about 50 km (30 mi) away. The park sits halfway between Moncton and Fundy National Park, with Alma about 45 km (28 mi) on, so the two pair easily in one day.
From Halifax, Boston and Toronto
From Halifax, take Highways 102 and 104 to the New Brunswick border, then the Trans-Canada (Route 2) toward Moncton before turning onto Route 114. From Boston, follow I-95 and the Maine Turnpike to the Houlton–Woodstock crossing, then Route 2 through Fredericton; bring a passport or other accepted document for the border. From Toronto, the drive is long enough that many travellers fly into Moncton or Halifax and rent a car.
| From | Distance (approx.) | Driving time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Moncton | 38 km (24 mi) | 35–45 min |
| Alma (Fundy National Park) | 45 km (28 mi) | 40–50 min |
| Saint John | 190 km (118 mi) | 2–2.5 h |
| Halifax | 300 km (186 mi) | 3–3.75 h |
| Boston | 890 km (555 mi) | 9.5–10.5 h plus the border |
| Toronto | 1,570 km (975 mi) | 16–19 h, best split over two days |
Driving in, overnight in Moncton or Alma rather than arriving exhausted for an early low tide. For a bigger loop with PEI and Nova Scotia, our Maritimes road trip in 10 days puts Hopewell on Day 2.
What to bring
- Footwear with good ankle support, non-slip and easy to clean: that’s the park’s own advice, since trails slope and beach rocks are very slippery. Old shoes or rubber boots are fine for the mud.
- Today’s low and high tide times, written down before you go.
- For kayaking, the operator’s list: a change of clothes, light nylon jacket, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, towel, water bottle and camera (dry bags are lent and lockers are available).
Safety rules that matter
- The tide comes in fast. Follow staff instructions and head up as soon as you’re asked.
- The Ledges are slippery and rocks can shift underfoot.
- No swimming, even on a hot day; dipping your feet is fine.
- Rockfalls are more likely in winter and spring, the park says, so don’t linger at the base of the cliffs.
Out of season, the park is off limits
When the park is closed there are no services or staff, and safety barriers may have been removed. NB Parks stresses that tides rise quickly, winter weather can be extreme and fatal rockfalls are more likely in winter and spring. Access outside operating days and times is strictly prohibited.
Where to stay and how to combine it
There’s no lodging in the park. Moncton has the most hotels; Alma, the gateway to Fundy National Park, is smaller and seasonal. With the two-day ticket, sleep nearby between visits: low tide on day one, kayaking or high tide the next morning. To fill the rest of the trip, see things to do in New Brunswick.
Frequently asked questions
What time should I go to Hopewell Rocks?
Check the park’s tide table or the Hopewell Cape station on tides.gc.ca, then aim for the window from three hours before to three hours after low tide, within park hours.
Is the Hopewell Rocks ticket good for two days?
Yes. NB Parks says admission is valid on the day it’s validated and the following day, during park hours, so you can see both low and high tide.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
According to the park FAQ, there’s no advantage for now because visitor numbers aren’t capped. Kayak tours are booked separately with the operator.
Can I bring my own kayak or paddleboard?
No. The park doesn’t allow private watercraft to launch from its property and recommends Baymount’s guided tours; the operator doesn’t rent kayaks for unguided use.
Can I visit Hopewell Rocks in winter?
No. Access outside operating days and hours is strictly prohibited: there are no staff, and rockfall risk is higher in winter and spring.
Is Hopewell Rocks wheelchair accessible?
Partly. Upper trails are wheelchair friendly and a ramp leads toward North Beach, but the park notes the ocean floor is often too challenging on wheels.
Sources
- NB Parks, Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park (dates, hours, rates, FAQ, amenities): parcsnbparks.ca
- The Hopewell Rocks, official site (ocean-floor access, trails, tide tables): thehopewellrocks.ca
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Hydrographic Service, Hopewell Cape station (00170): tides.gc.ca/en/stations/00170
- Tourism New Brunswick, Hopewell Rocks: tourismnewbrunswick.ca/hopewell-rocks
- Baymount Outdoor Adventures, kayak tours and FAQ: baymountadventures.com
- Bay of Fundy Adventures, St. Martins sea caves: bayoffundyadventures.com
- Kayak Fundy – FreshAir Adventure, closure notice: freshairadventure.com
