The world’s highest tides, millions of sandpipers on migration, an assortment of whales, a nesting colony of Atlantic puffins within arm’s reach, and a rich tapestry of maritime culture set the stage for this special trip to , . Join us as we discover New Brunswick’s abundant wonders on this unforgettable wildlife and natural history tour.

Itinerary Day 1 (Sat, July 28) – Arrival to Saint John, New Brunswick Evening arrival to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada’s oldest incorporated city. Accommodations: Hilton Saint John Meals: None

Day 2 (Sun, July 29) – Saint John/ Fundy Trail Parkway/ St. Martins Morning departure to St. Martins with a visit to the Fundy Trail Parkway, a new road that opens up previously unreachable areas of the bay’s coastline. Your day ends with a beach barbecue on the shores of the phenomenal . Accommodations: St. Martins Country Inn Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3 (Mon, July 30) – St. Martins/ Fundy National Park/ Cape Enrage Created in 1948, Fundy National Park became New Brunswick’s first national park. Fundy showcases a rugged coastline that rises to the Acadian Highlands, the highest tides in the world, and dozens of waterfalls. Enjoy a scenic drive through the park before continuing north to Mary’s Point. Each summer, 1-2.5 million shorebirds including up to 75% of the world’s semipalmated sandpipers, congregate in waves at the upper reaches of the bay. The Bay of Fundy is their only stopover on a 4,000 km migration south. Visit Mary’s Point in hopes of catching a glimpse this epic migration event. Accommodations: St. Martins Country Inn Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 (Tues, July 31) – St. Martins/ The morning is yours to relax and/or explore the Village of St. Martins before catching the ferry to Grand Manan Island, “the Queen of the Fundy Isles”. Working fishing villages, herring weirs, and lighthouses offer a glimpse into Grand Manan’s maritime roots. Spend the next two nights at Marathon Inn, a historic sea captain’s home overlooking Head Harbour. Accommodations: Marathon Inn Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5 (Wed, Aug 1) – Grand Manan Morning tour to some of Grand Manan’s best birding sites. The afternoon is yours to spend as you please. An optional kayaking tour is available for anyone interested. Accommodations: Marathon Inn Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6 (Thurs, Aug 2) – Grand Manan/ Boat trip to Machias Seal Island in the Gulf of . During the summer nesting season, Machias Seal Island becomes home to thousands of pelagic species including Atlantic puffins, razorbills, Arctic terns, gulls, and murres. Access to the island is extremely limited with only 15 people from Canada allowed to visit the viewing blinds each day. No matter where you stand on the island, you’ll see thousands of birds flying by and standing within a few feet of the blinds. Bring your camera!

New Brunswick claims to offer nature enthusiasts “more whales, more often”. Over 12 species of whales have been recorded migrating to the Bay of Fundy with minke, humpback and fin whales the most commonly sighted species. If we’re lucky, maybe we’ll spot a rare right whale. Seabirds, humpbacks and fin whales, the world’s second largest whale, all share a food source in the bay – herring. As we search for herring congregations, keep an eye out for shearwaters, petrels, kittiwakes and more. An optional whale watching tour is available this afternoon. Accommodations: Marathon Inn Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7 (Fri, Aug 3) – Grand Manan/ If weather conditions cause the Machias Seal island tour on Thursday to be canceled, this morning is a back up day for the tour. Afternoon ferry to Campobello Island. For many years, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s family and friends summered on Campobello Island. Spend the next two nights in an exclusive turn-of-the-century cottage at Roosevelt Campobello International Park, a symbol of cooperation between the U.S. and Canada. Accommodations: Roosevelt Cottages Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8 (Sat, Aug 4) – Campobello Island Minke whales often feed just off the coast of Campobello Island. Spend the morning searching for them along with humpbacks, fins, and rare northern right whales during another whale watching excursion. Your guide, Mackie Green of Island Cruises, also leads rescue efforts of the Campobello Whale Rescue Team. Optional hike this afternoon before a farewell lobster dinner at Prince’s Cottage. Accommodations: Roosevelt Cottages Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9 (Sun, Aug 5) – Departure Transfer to Bangor in time for your flight home. Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Price: $4995* per person based on double occupancy. Single accommodations subject to availability.

Package includes accommodations, full-time lead guide from airport pick up to airport drop off, R2R trip host, all meals from breakfast on Day 2 through lunch on Day 9, private ground transportation with professional driver, excursions as listed, local experts for Grand Manan & Mary’s Point birding, and kayaking excursions, entrance fees, ferry crossings, lead guide gratuities, gratuities at meals, donations to support local non-profit organizations, and HST (harmonized sales tax at 15%).

Exclusions: airfare, optional excursions, passport/visa fees, travel insurance, dinner on Day 1, driver gratuities, and items of a personal nature.

*Pricing and availability are subject to change until booked and deposit received. A 3% discount will apply to payments by check. This trip starts at Saint John Airport (YSJ) and ends at Bangor International Airport (BGR).

Mary’s Point shorebird photo courtesy of Paul Gaudet.