Saint John, New Brunswick - Cruise Port
Fall Edition
This port report takes us to Saint John, New Brunswick, where the tides are high—and low. We rented a car to explore the coast and checked out some funky town attractions. Here’s a breakdown of port basics and helpful details to get you started. Welcome to Canada!
A Quick Intro to Saint John
Saint John is located in southern New Brunswick, along Canada’s far eastern coast. The city sits at the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tidal changes in the world, with differences reaching between 11 to 54 feet. I mean, check out these before and after shots of the ship’s deck. Serious difference. Besides this natural phenomenon, Saint John serves as a starting point for coastal spots like the Fundy Trail and Hopewell Rocks.
Options for Exploring the Port and Beyond
The coastal attractions are worth a trip but come with a time commitment. Hopewell Rocks is a two-hour bus ride each way. The Fundy Trail is about an hour closer, though there’s only time to see a portion of it on a quick stop. Organized tours go to both spots, but they take up most of the day. For shorter trips, you can tour the city on the hop-on-hop-off bus, a trolley, by car, or on foot.
And it’s an easy town to wander around. The docks are centrally located right in the middle of Saint John.
Docking and Terminals
There are three terminals in Saint John, all close together: Marco Polo, Diamond Jubilee, and Long Wharf.
Marco Polo Terminal: Our ship docked here. It’s big and clean, with all the basics: restrooms, water fountains, elevators, and kiosks with basic town info. Taxis and tour buses line up right outside, and rideshare pickups can be arranged here. There’s even a convenient parking lot across the street.
Diamond Jubilee Terminal: This terminal is next to Marco Polo and has similar amenities.
Long Wharf: Located across the water in the same harbor, Long Wharf appears to be used less frequently.
To start exploring the town, just turn left from the terminal and follow Water Street north to Market Square. From there, go up King Street—Saint John is on a hill, so get ready to burn some calories. Along King Street, you’ll find a couple of ATMs (BMO Bank of Montreal and Scotiabank), as well as the Brunswick Square shopping mall with a large Lawtons Drug store. Just up from the mall is Saint John City Market—super fun to explore, and there’s a new tourist information office there. The historical district and King’s Square park are just beyond this area.
Reversing Falls: Saint John’s Unique Phenomenon
The Reversing Falls is where the high tides from the Bay of Fundy create a “reversing” flow in the Saint John River twice a day. From the dock, it’s a 50-minute walk to the lookout point or a 7–10 minute ride. To get back, take the local bus #2, walk, or grab a rideshare back to the port. Ask about the tide schedule at the terminal kiosks to time your visit for the best action.
Our Car Rental Adventure
We rented a car for flexibility. An Avis rental office is near the port, but they were out of cars, so we used Enterprise (about 5–10 minutes by car from the terminal). Enterprise provides a free port pickup and drop-off service, which made it easy.
We drove to St. Martins to see its sea caves and covered bridges, a taste of the coast within a short drive. The road trip was pleasant, and the towns along the way were in full fall color. It’s about 45 minutes to an hour each way to St. Martins.
St. Martins Village: Here, you’ll find covered bridges, charming shops, and a lighthouse visitor center with bathrooms and helpful staff. A few minutes beyond town are the St. Martins Caves and Caves Restaurant (reservations recommended if you’re planning to eat). We walked down the rocky shore to get a closer view of the caves; it’s a perfect spot for a stroll and stone-skipping. Just be careful on the rocky beach!
Unique Attractions in Saint John
Back in town, a few unique spots are just a few minutes’ walk from the port.
Saint John Police Museum: This small, volunteer-run museum is free (donations appreciated) and filled with displays on the city’s policing history. Exhibits include handcuffs, badges, a 1965 Volkswagen police car, and even a jail cell for photo ops. Hours vary, so it’s a drop-in-if-open experience, but it’s a fun half-hour stop.
Woodchucks Ax Throwing: Just a block from the port, this restaurant/bar offers 45-minute ax-throwing sessions. Unfortunately, weekday hours don’t work well for most cruise visitors, but on weekends, it could be a unique activity to try!
506 Waterfront Container Village: Located right at Marco Polo Terminal, this hip waterfront market has shops, restaurants, and artwork. There’s also a small history office inside, plus “beaver tails” (deep-fried pastries) to try. It’s worth 30 minutes to an hour for a quick browse.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re sticking around town or venturing out, Saint John has plenty for cruisers. There’s easy access to shops, nature, and some quirky local spots to make your visit memorable.