Herring Cove

Campobello Island, nestled within the West Isles in the Bay of Fundy, hosts Herring Cove Provincial Park, founded in 1959.  Located on the island’s eastern flank, it is reachable via a bridge from Lubec, Maine, approximately 100 km from St Stephen, or by a seasonal ferry service from Deer Island.

Herring Cove is renowned for its dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, a peat bog, and ancient forests dominated by spruce. The island’s climate, shaped by its marine environment, is often cool and prone to fog, creating an ecosystem similar to that of higher altitude or more northern areas.

The Bay of Fundy’s chilly waters, known for their extreme tides, rugged coastline, strong currents, and nutrient-rich upwellings, provide an ideal habitat for a variety of shorebirds and seabirds, especially during migratory periods. From the park’s trails, visitors might catch glimpses of bald eagles, ospreys, and beavers, alongside a diverse assortment of migratory songbirds. The adjacent waters are a haven for marine life, including whales, dolphins, seals, and a rich assortment of sea creatures like herring, mackerel, lobster, and scallops.

Campobello Island boasts a long and storied past, frequented by Indigenous peoples for millennia before European exploration. Notably, Samuel de Champlain labeled the island as “Port aux Coquilles” (Scallop Harbour) on his 1607 map. The first European settlers arrived in 1684, their lives closely intertwined with the sea’s resources. The island experienced a surge in rum running during the Prohibition era in the 1870s and 1920s.

The early 20th century marked the emergence of a thriving summer community, serviced by a steamship line from Boston. A notable visitor was future U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, who began spending his summers on Campobello in the late 1800s, enjoying the solace of his beloved island home. In 1964, the island became closely associated with the world’s first international park, Roosevelt Campobello, enhancing its historical significance.

Herring Cove’s highlights include Roosevelt’s summer home, gardens, a visitor centre, natural areas, walking paths, and two scenic drives. The park serves as a communal gathering place and offers interpretation of its historical and natural features. 

Established to promote tourism, recreation, and conservation, Herring Cove offers a plethora of activities for visitors. These include golfing, hiking through scenic trails, bird watching, whale watching excursions, beach combing, fishing, kayaking, camping, and enjoying picnics in picturesque settings. 

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