This was our second time in Nova Scotia, but our first time in this very remote part of the province. Located on a bay connected to the Bay of Fundy, this area experiences some of the highest tides in the world. The north end of Bay of Fundy becomes very narrow, thus having tides in the fifty foot range. In the Five Islands, the tidal range is "only" about thirty feet. We camped on a peninsula that juts into the bay, giving us great views of the bay at all levels of tide. At high tide, the place looks like most other coastal communities.
When the tide is low, it's like a totally different place. Walking on what is normally sea floor is a surreal experience. People rush out to do their clamming, one of the major activities here.
Fishing is another major source of revenue, so boats are plentiful. The boats must be designed to rest on the bottom, an inevitable occurrence. Lines must be attached in such a way as to accommodate the thirty foot drop when tied to a dock. No boat, no problem. A fishing weir is used to trap fish as the tide goes out. This very successful mode of fishing has been used for thousands of years.
When a boat's useful life is over, it frequently becomes yard art, as do the worn out lobster traps. Several lighthouse reflect the maritime history of Five Islands, some of which were converted to private homes once they became inactive. A statue of the mythical native called "Glooscap" adds to the unusual scenery, as does the homemade sea monster, a popular spot for eagles to roost while waiting for an unwary fish to swim by.
Obviously, fresh seafood is one advantage of staying here, and we enjoyed the cuisine a couple times.
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