If you’re dreaming of a day trip packed with jaw-dropping coastal views, lighthouses, otherworldly sea caves and what may arguably be the best lobster roll in the province, then look no further than St. Martins, New Brunswick.
Tucked along the Bay of Fundy and accessible via the iconic Fundy Trail Parkway—now more formally known as the Fundy Trail Provincial Park— this coastal gem is one of my favourite seaside escapes.
From dramatic cliffs and haunted museums—yes, I saw haunted, keep reading—to lobster rolls that are worth the drive and build-your-own charcuterie boards, this magical village has something for every ocean-loving adventurer.
Here are my top picks when visiting St. Martins, New Brunswick, in the summer.
While there are many different ways to get to St. Martins, depending on your departure city, if leaving from the Moncton area, you can go through three different ways: Sussex to St. Martins, Sussex to St. Martins via the Fundy Trail Provincial Park, or via Alma and through the Fundy National Park and then through the Fundy Trail Provincial Park, hitting up a National AND Provincial park. The National Park is free this summer!
As much as I love Fundy, when day tripping, my preferred way to travel to St. Martins is through the East Entrance of the Fundy Trail Provincial Park from Sussex. This way, your adventure in the Fundy Trail Provincial Park begins at the Walton Glen Gorge Interpretive Center and ends in St. Martins.
The 30km+ drive from the East entrance to St. Martins is known as the Fundy Trail Parkway. Arguably one of New Brunswick’s best-kept secrets—it’s no wonder they recently declared it a Provincial Park. This drive offers the most stunning panoramic views of the Bay of Fundy and its coastal cliffs. Each turn and twist on the drive reveals another breathtaking view, awaiting you around the corner.
I can’t get enough of this drive. And while you could easily spend a day or more exploring the Fundy Trail Provincial Park, if you’re pressed for time—because sea caves await you—my favourite lookouts are Melvin Beach and Pangburn Beach. If you have time, I also recommend stopping at Long Beach and Upper Salmon River, but take note: the famed suspension bridge that crosses the river is closed this summer. If you have extra time, take the short hike out to the Walton Glen Gorge lookout. It’s known as the “Grand Canyon of New Brunswick” for good reason.
For more tips on planning a visit to the Fundy Trail, check out this older article I wrote before it became a provincial park!
The St. Martins Information Centre is the perfect first stop when exploring this charming coastal village. It’s housed in a lighthouse, so right there you know you’re getting a photo op and inside you can find maps, tide tables, and insider tips—such as the optimal times for exploring the sea caves. You can also learn about the area and plan your day.
Friendly staff are on hand to share local recommendations, so don’t be afraid to ask to hear about their favourite local stops. Even if you’ve visited the area countless times, I’m sure they can find something new for you to discover!
This location is also an excellent spot for a great photo opportunity of the Vaughn Creek Covered Bridge. New Brunswick is well known for our many covered bridges—there are 58—and for anyone interested, if you download the Explore & Experience Fundy Driftscape app, there is a self-guided tour of all of the bridges in the province!
I thought I’d experienced the best lobster rolls in New Brunswick, but I kept hearing a rumour on my shell phone that the best of the best could be found at Spinney’s Seafood in St. Martins. A mermaid on a mission, I had to find out for myself on our most recent visit.
The verdict? Yes, Spinney’s very well may have the best lobster roll in the province. And while I can’t say for shore (see what I did there?) without trying every lobster roll in the province, I would argue that this one is hard to beat.
Did I mention it’s only $23 (a steal for a lobster roll) and packed with tons of lobster meat? I think it was the roll that sealed the deal for me—it’s not a traditional hot dog bun, it’s larger, but it tastes the same and offers far more room to pack it with lobster. A win in my book.
Quaco Lighthouse is a must when visiting St. Martins. It offers sweeping views of the Bay of Fundy coast, a gorgeous rocky beach, and in the distance, the famous St. Martins sea caves.
I would have loved to see the original lighthouse, first built in 1855. It was replaced in 1966, and the concrete structure standing today was completed a decade later in 1976. In its current form, Quaco Lighthouse may not be the most unique lighthouse you’ll ever meet, but the views that it watches over are worth the drive out to see. And it’s less than 10 minutes from the sea caves. Even on a foggy day, it’s one of the province’s most picturesque lighthouses, especially during lupin season.
You know how I love to discover New Brunswick’s treasure troves, and the Quaco Museum is, without a doubt, my newest treasure trove. I’ve driven by the museum many times and always admired the beautiful mural outside; however, we’ve never stopped to take a closer look. Now I know better.
On our latest visit, after discovering the museum thanks to the Driftscape App I mentioned earlier, we prioritized a visit. We had the most amazing guided tour from the loveliest guide named Morag, and I LEARNED SO MUCH! Yes, I knew St. Martins had history, but I did not realize how much history one little town could pack.
You’ll want to set aside at least an hour to visit this gem. And if you’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you feel about the supernatural), you may even get a visit from Georgie the ghost!
She gave us QUITE the scare during our visit—yes, I’m being 100% serious, she’s a door slammer—so she deserved a special shout-out on East Coast Mermaid. It’s not often we meet a ghost in our travels.
The Peter Salmon Art Centre is a community-driven gallery showcasing the work of over 80 local artists, operating from Thursday to Sunday during the summer tourist season. It’s named after painter and teacher Peter Salmon. The art center hosts rotating exhibitions, hands-on workshops, and special events that celebrate creativity and community engagement.
We loved exploring the diverse artworks, ranging from paintings to carvings and even sea glass creations! The Peter Salmon Art Centre is worth stopping at during your visit to St. Martins, especially if you love local art. Parking is a bit limited, but we were able to park on the main road with no problems safely!
A trip to St. Martins is not complete without a visit to the Shipyard Cafe. Nestled inside Bay of Fundy Adventures, with beautiful views of the fishing wharf, covered bridge, and dramatic tides from its cafe windows and deck.
They serve the most delicious coffee—my favourite is the iced Maple Latte—and make delectable treats such as cookies and delicious blueberry scones. Even if you’re driving through, you’ll regret not stopping at the Shipyard Cafe for a treat.
The otherworldly St. Martins sea caves lie just a few kilometres from the Fundy Trail Provincial Park and are viewable both from a distance on shore and up close at low tide. If you have your heart set on exploring inside the caves, make sure to check the tide tables so that you can plan your visit accordingly. They’re worth getting a little muddy to explore.
At high tide, adventurous visitors can explore the caves by sea kayak with operators like Bay of Fundy Adventures, getting a unique view of the towering rock formations carved by the Bay of Fundy’s dramatic tides. We did this years ago, and I cannot recommend this experience enough. You can read about our adventure here.
The Sea Caves are free to visit and explore; however, planning accordingly is essential. Bring footwear and clothing that you don’t mind getting a little dirty—you’d be surprised how easy it is to get splashed and leave with a little Bay of Fundy mud on you. But don’t worry, it’s all part of the experience!
The perfect way to end a dreamy day in St. Martins? A visit to Old Molly’s Bar.
This cozy village pub, located at 14 Beach Street, is named after “Old Molly,” the local steam engine that once ran from the village to Hampton. Its owners are the same awesome crew behind Bay of Fundy Adventures and Shipyard Cafe—so if you’ve experienced either, you know you’re in for a treat.
They serve a wide range of local craft beers, wines, spirits and cocktails. They also have a fantastic “mocktail” menu that we indulged in.
Old Molly’s menu is simple—build your own charcuterie board and, if you so desire, add a side of fresh shucked local oysters. We opted for both because who wouldn’t?
Perhaps the best part about their Build Your Own charcuterie board menu is that all of the products are locally produced and sourced. I loved seeing sturgeon from Acadian Sturgeon and Caviar and smoked salmon from Wolfhead Smokers on the menu. I also tried a “Tomme with Sea Lettuce” cheese that was so unique and delicious—perfect for a mermaid!
Old Molly’s offers both indoor and outdoor dining, with a patio that provides ocean views and is pet-friendly. Even on a warm but foggy summer day, we loved being out on the patio! We’ll definitely be back—maybe even with Bella in her backpack!
If you’re planning to visit St. Martins or anywhere along the Rural Upper Fundy Region, make sure to download the Explore & Experience Fundy Driftscape app created by the Friends of Fundy. With this app, you can easily discover trails, artisan shops, foodie stops, heritage landmarks and more during your adventure. Did I mention it’s free? Zero sand dollars required?
The Driftscape app provides interactive features, including maps, self-guided tours, storytelling, and more, allowing people to explore the coast at their own pace while learning about the region’s ecology, history, and local economy. There are over 150 points of interest to discover!
So grab your shell phone, download the Driftscape app, and come explore the Bay of Fundy with me this summer!
Note: This article was not sponsored by Friend of Fundy, but I am excited to partner with them this summer to raise awareness for the Driftscape App. If you have any questions about the Driftscape app, don’t hesitate to reach out!
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