As the previous tour arrived late, we were a bit behind schedule for our photography tour in St. John. With 23 passengers on board, we set off on our bus shore excursion at 3:25pm in the late afternoon.
Our guide for the tour was Lance Timmons, a professional photographer from Aquila Tours. Lance was an enthusiastic and energetic teacher, sharing many useful photography tips and focusing on the core values of perspective, lens length, composition, and light (both hard and soft). To further help us improve our photography skills, Lance provided us with a handy tip handout for achieving better picture composition.
St. John’s Architecture and Island Facts
2-minute drive | then drive-by houses
Saint John, New Brunswick
As we set off on our tour, we traversed an eight square block area around the pier, gazing out of the bus windows at the stunning late Victorian architecture. Our guide informed us that St. John’s is an island of around 125 square miles, largely owned by the Irving family, who also employ a quarter of the island’s population.
Saints Rest Beach
25-minute drive | 15-minute visit
Irving Nature Park, Saint John, NB E2M 4Z9, Canada
Our tour took us to Saints Rest Beach, where we had a quick 15-minute stop to take photos and admire the daily 15-foot tidal range.
Then, we hopped back on the bus and made our way to Lapreau Falls, passing by the vast saltwater Saints Rest Marsh, a sprawling saltwater marshland with tidal ranges that can reach up to 25 feet.
The natural beauty of the area was truly mesmerizing, and we eagerly looked forward to what was in store at Lapreau Falls.
Lapreau Falls
30-minute drive | 20-minute visit
Lepreau Parish, NB, Canada
As we arrived at Lepreau Falls, a beautiful provincial park, we were greeted by the sight of cascading rapids creating white caps on the water below. The falls, which tumble down tiered rocky ledges, stretch across the breadth of the Lepreau River, providing breathtaking views that seem almost too stunning to be real. In fact, some of the rocks that make up the falls are believed to be at least 300 million years old!
During low tide, the tidal difference here spans 2 feet, but during high tide, it can reach an impressive 16 feet. The waters here are home to a variety of fish, including mackerel, herring, and sea bass. We were able to walk along two different wooden nature trails, offering both an upper and lower view of the falls.
After spending some time admiring the falls, we left for Dipper Harbor, which was coincidentally named after the bufflehead duck, also known as the dipper duck.
Dipper Harbor Wharf
15-minute drive | 20-minute visit
Dipper Harbour, NB E5J 1X4, Canada
As we arrived at Dipper Harbor, the soft golden light of the setting sun cast long shadows on the fishing village. We were delighted to find ourselves in the midst of a working wharf where fishing vessels were moored against the pier. It was a perfect photo opportunity for us, but we knew that the challenging lighting conditions could either be an advantage or an exhaustive chore.
It was also fascinating to learn about the history of Dipper Harbour, a charming fishing village located on the Bay of Fundy. It was once a bustling community of 200 people, known for its fishing and farming.
Today, it still retains its charm and character and offers visitors a glimpse into its maritime lifestyle of the past. The village is particularly famous for the working wharf, where fishing boats come in to offload their catch of lobster, scallops, herring, and other seafood.
Fallsview Park
40-minute drive | 20-minute visit
100 Fallsview Ave, Saint John, NB E2K 0G8, Canada
As we headed back to the ship, we made a final stop at the Reversing Rapids in Fallsview Park. This incredible natural wonder is part of the Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark and is situated along the St John River.
It’s amazing to see how the series of rapids changes direction twice a day due to the enormous tidal fluctuations in the Bay of Fundy. This collision of tides drops the depth of the Saint John River by a whopping 16 feet. Luckily, there are several overlooks at Fallsview Park that provide the perfect vantage point to view this phenomenon.
The Bay of Fundy’s coastline is equally impressive, stretching an incredible 170 miles long!
Return to Port of Saint John
10-minute drive
Marco Polo Cruise Terminal, 111 Water St, Saint John, NB E2L 0B1, Canada
Armed with our newfound photography knowledge and having captured some of the stunning sights Saint John had to offer, we made our way back to the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal to end our shore excursion and reboard our awaiting ship.
Cruise Port: Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Shore Excursion: Bay of Fundy Coastal Photography Tour
Cruise Line/Ship: Holland America Nieuw Statendam
Tour Operator: Aquila Tours
© OceansAfoot
