Going boating in New Brunswick? This area is one of eastern Canada’s Maritime provinces. It encompasses rivers, pine forests, mountains, and the Bay of Fundy.
New Brunswick is a popular destination for many boaters. It hosts more than 7,000 km of coastline and over 1,000 lakes. The waters include some of the world’s highest tides. You can enjoy perfect beaches for swimming, beautiful coastlines, and plenty of marinas to use as boat launching points.
While boating, you can uncover islands, secret coves, and lagoons. So, keep reading as we highlight some of the best places to get out on your boat in New Brunswick!
Bay of Fundy
It is known by many as an awe-inspiring and magnificent place to visit, and it is covered by breathtaking coastline. The Bay of Fundy has multiple types of sharks you can try and catch a glimpse of as you sail through. The Bay also offers some of the best whale watching in the province.
Island-hopping around the Fundy Isles is a great way to see this picturesque province and makes for a true coastal experience when boating in New Brunswick. You can dock your own watercraft at one of the local yacht clubs such as the Saint John Marina or the Royal Kennebeccasis Yacht Club.
Saint John River
The Saint John River is ideal for all boating trips, offering many different water activities, including boating, kayaking, and canoeing.
The Saint John River runs 400 miles from its headwaters in the mountains of northern Maine. One section that attracts boaters is the 75 miles between the river’s mouth at the port city of Saint John on the Bay of Fundy and the head of navigation at Fredericton.
Grand Manan Island
Boats departing from Nova Scotia can depart from Yarmouth and make for Grand Manan Island. This is approximately 70 nautical miles. From there, it’s only 50 miles to Saint John.
The boating season begins in May and continues into autumn. However, it can often be affected by the strength of the spring flow on the river.
This rise in the river is known as the Freshet. It comes from snowmelt in the hills of New Brunswick and Maine and varies in strength from year to year.
Gagetown
If you are planning to visit Fredericton on your trip, halfway between Fredericton and Saint John, there is a small village called Gagetown. On the west side of Gagetown Island, the Gagetown Marina has easy access to floating docks with rooms for visitors.
There is a famously quaint dockside pub called the Old Boot Pub. It is an attraction for many as the perfect spot to enjoy lunch by the water.
Once you do reach the province of Fredericton, powerboats can anchor downtown at the Regent Street Wharf. During mid-September, you can enjoy a five-day-long Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival.
The Reversing Falls
The Reversing Falls are a famous attraction for many boaters. It’s a series of rapids located on the Saint John River that runs through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy.
When planning to visit the falls or the city, there are plenty of docking options. Check out the Rothesay Yacht Club, which has excellent facilities. There are places to dock farther up the river, such as McCormack Cove. It’s located on the south side of Kennebecasis Island and Vance’s Beach, where boats can anchor right up on the shore.
Miramichi River
The city of Miramichi is located about 70 km inland from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It runs around 250 km in length and is comprised of two branches, the Southwest Miramichi River and the Northwest Miramichi River.
It holds two marinas, and the Station Wharf Marina is located on the east side of the river. The Miramichi Boating Yacht Club is on the west side of Douglastown. These marinas are surrounded by restaurants and amenities for your watercraft and shopping. They both monitor Channel 68 on the Marine Radio.
The Miramichi Boating and Yacht Club opens from May through to October and provides 24-hour services during its peak seasons. Launch fees are included in the tax, and they offer fuel and sewage pump-out.
The Station Wharf Marina is a full-service marina with a 400’ commercial wharf that offers gas and diesel fuel, retail boating accessories, boat tours, and a holding tank pump station. The Rodd Miramichi River Hotel is located next to the wharf if you are planning on staying the night. It offers beautiful water-side views, dinner, and drinks.
The Grand Lake
Grand Lake is located in central New Brunswick, about 40 km east of Fredericton. It’s the province’s largest body of freshwater, with a total length of 20 km and a total width of 5 km. It drains through the Jemseg River and the Grand Lake Meadows.
The water eventually makes its way into the Saint John River and out to the Bay of Fundy through Saint John. There are perfect campsites and exciting boating activities to uncover all summer long. Anglers will also find a diversity of fish species, from rainbow smelt to striped bass.
For those who enjoy canoeing or kayaking, there is much to explore on the waterways of New Brunswick. Everything from the highest tides in the world to exhilarating river rapids, calm lakes, and bays.
Experience a Houseboat
At Grand Lake, you can enjoy a unique vacation experience on a houseboat. This is a stress-free way to see the beauty of the waterways and the communities that surround them.
Dock the boat for the day and play a round of golf on the nationally acclaimed course. Explore the farmer’s market and unique shops on the Fredericton waterfront.
Have Fun and Stay Safe When Boating in New Brunswick
By now, you’re probably excited to get out on the waterways we mentioned today as some of the best places for boating in New Brunswick!
Before you go, make sure you know how to stay safe on the water. When you boat safely, you have more fun!
In Canada, anyone who operates a motorized vessel on the water needs a boating license. The best way to do this is by taking the BOATsmart! online boater education course for Canadians and pass the exam. Then, you’ll get your boating card and can legally (and safely) boat in New Brunswick!
Published in November 2018. Content most recently reviewed and updated for accuracy and relevancy October 10, 2024.
