I have written before about Nova Scotia being the home of the highest tides in the world. In particular it is the Minas Basin, part of the Bay of Fundy, where the highest measurements were recorded. There are several places where you can experience a low tide by actually walking on the ocean floor. On this day, we decided to experience it at Five Islands Provincial Park. Five Islands is located on the opposite shore of the Minas Basin from Burntcoat Head. My post about Burntcoat Head is here.)
We had visited Five Islands when Jordan was younger and we all loved it. The Doc and I decided was time to go back. Making sure to check the schedule of the tides, which changes daily, we left home in time to arrive at the lowest point.
The first thing you see when you arrive at Five Islands at low tide is that the inlet is totally empty of water. People are walking and exploring the ocean floor. Some have metal detectors, others buckets and shovels. Most are wandering around letting their bare feet sink into the saturated red sand.
The Doc and I wore our water shoes. The same ones we wear kayaking. We walked down the slope to the floor while taking in our surroundings. The scenery was stunning.
Just being on the ocean floor is in itself an amazing experience, but Five Islands is also a paradise for the geologically inclined. If you are passionate about the earth’s history, its structure and the formation of rocks and land masses, Five Islands will keep you interested for a very long time.
There are so many physically different land formations, some literally right next to each other.
You can see how some were formed by the movement of the earth’s crust while others were formed by centuries of layered sediment. Again, these differences are so close together that you wish you could go back in time to see how it all happened. It leaves you speechless.
There are so many different types of rocks that catch your eye and again you wonder how they all formed in the same place.
The Doc perched on a stone seat while I wandered further along the rocky part of the shore to the cliffs in order to see the different formations. These are what I remember most about our last visit here, and I wanted to experience them again up close.
It is a hard place to leave but leave one must or one could get stranded by the tide. When I finished exploring and taking photos, we made our way back to the park area and had a snack overlooking the inlet.
Afterwards we drove around the inlet and stopped at Five Islands Lighthouse Park. From there we could view all five islands. There was also a homemade sign on display that named and described some details of each island. It was perfect.
All and all it was a fabulous day. If you ever get to Nova Scotia, I highly recommend that you visit a place where you can explore the ocean floor.
Thank you for reading.
Photos: Jenn Stone
Recent Posts:
Still Bitchy After 60 Blog 
Wow, fascinating!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is. It’s such an interesting place and kids love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nova Scotia has been on our bucket list for so long. Everyone I know who has visited just raves about the natural beauty. Wonderful pictures, glad you were able to fully enjoy your time there.
🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes I am so happy and lucky to call Nova Scotia home.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve got my seen the airport but have long wanted to see the tides.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never been to Nova Scotia, but I was so impressed with the high/low tides when we visited Vancouver Island last year. The drop-off of the shoreline is too steep where I live (SoCal) to get that type of contrast.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You should put Nova Scotia on your list. The extreme tides are well worth seeing. I was in California several years ago. San Francisco and Monterey I would love to go back. Also loved the food and wine.
LikeLike
Neat! Thanks. I had NO idea. And thanks for including humans in the shots of the cliffs along the beach, it gives perspective
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and commenting. The humans really do make a difference.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We really do don’t we? Lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nova Scotia is one of those places I dream of visiting. Your photos and summation of what you saw makes me want to go even more. Maybe someday, eh? Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well if you ever do, get in touch. I can share some special locations that may interest you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We wanted to go the year the pandemic hit. It sounds (and looks) like such a fascinating place. I enjoyed reading about it, thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the thanks. The province has so many interesting and beautiful spots. I am sure you would love it. If you ever decide to come this way again, I can recommend some places to see.
LikeLike
I’ll keep it in mind, thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like you, I wonder how such different types of rocks and geological formations ended up side by side.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is fascinating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that sounds like a fascinating place to visit, and to see it both at low and high tide. thanks for all the beautiful photos…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is fascinating. I just love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
and it’s within driving distance!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fantastic place to visit – just goes to show how much we will never know about the creation of the Earth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fascinating place – they should send all the schools there to learn about geology etc – mind you, that would spoilt the peace! And such a quaint lighthouse 🙂
I’ve got some of those water shoes for when I take my inflatable rowing boat out. I was a little disappointed though that the soles can’t cope with any kind of rocky walking for things like gorge exploration – the first pair the soles fell apart in one day when exposed to such things!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought the same, that it would be a great place for students.
My water shoes are Keens. They are a sandal style with a heavy duty sole and a great arch do good for walking.
LikeLike
My water shoes are cheapo ones so I guess it serves me right! If I shell out more I might get a pair which will do gills as well. I might look into that next spring when I start gills again – they’ll be too wet and wild soon!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Bay of Fundy is an amazing place. We didn’t visit Five Islands but last summer we visited both Burntcoat Head , NS and Hopewell Rocks, NB. These are definitely places you have to see to believe. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
The bay does tend to leave you in awe. Burntcoat head is my favourite of those three places. We also did a dining on the ocean floor event there a few years ago. It was fabulous.
LikeLike
Gorgeous photos as always! Thank you for the post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We always loved hiking around the Minas Basin. Such an incredible site we visited last year..looks like you had a fun time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes the Minas Basin is a wonderful place to explore. We did have a nice day.
LikeLike
What a gorgeous place! I still remember with envy your dinner on the ocean floor experience! We should really really head east again…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes you really really should!
LikeLiked by 1 person