🇨🇦 Saint John, Canada — Cruise Port Guide
New Brunswick's port city and gateway to the Bay of Fundy, famed for the world's highest tides and the Reversing Falls Rapids.
Updated September 2026
Quick facts
Getting ashore
When to visit Saint John
Best June-September for warm weather; the Bay of Fundy tides are dramatic year-round but summer offers the most reliable conditions for outdoor excursions.
Getting back to the ship on time
If you go independently to see the Reversing Falls or Fundy Trail, time your return around tide-dependent viewing windows and traffic, since the ship departs on schedule regardless.
All-aboard is ship's time — check it in the daily programme, and set your watch to it.
Things to do in Saint John
Reversing Falls Rapids
Watch the Fundy tides force the Saint John River to flow backwards.
Bay of Fundy shore excursion
See the world's highest tides and dramatic coastline along the bay.
Saint John City Market
Browse Canada's oldest farmers' market for dulse, seafood, and local crafts.
Uptown heritage walk
Explore Victorian streets, King's Square, and the Loyalist Burial Ground.
Irving Nature Park
Coastal trails with seals, seabirds, and mudflats shaped by the tides.
New Brunswick Museum
Regional natural and cultural history, including a live tidal tube exhibit.
Popular excursions
Reversing Rapids Jet Boat
Thrill ride where Fundy's giant tides force the river to flow backward.
St. Martins Sea Caves & Fundy Coast
Walk the ocean floor at low tide beneath red sandstone caves.
Uptown & City Market Walk
Canada's oldest farmers market and Victorian streets near the pier.
What to eat
- Bay of Fundy lobster
- dulse dried seaweed snack
- Fundy scallops
- fresh Atlantic salmon
- fiddleheads
Weather by month
Best time to visit: Jun–Oct
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27° | 11° | 4.9" |
| Feb | 29° | 13° | 3.7" |
| Mar | 37° | 22° | 4.1" |
| Apr | 47° | 32° | 4.2" |
| May | 58° | 41° | 4.2" |
| Jun | 67° | 49° | 3.9" |
| Jul | 73° | 55° | 3.6" |
| Aug | 73° | 55° | 3.5" |
| Sep | 66° | 48° | 4" |
| Oct | 55° | 39° | 4.5" |
| Nov | 44° | 30° | 5" |
| Dec | 33° | 18° | 4.8" |
A little history
Saint John is Canada's oldest incorporated city, chartered in 1785, with well-preserved 19th-century architecture in its uptown.
The Bay of Fundy has the world's highest tides, rising up to 16 metres twice daily.
Tipping around 15–20% is customary in restaurants, cafes, and taxis, as elsewhere in Canada.
Don't confuse Saint John with St. John's, Newfoundland; locals always spell it out in full.