Sitting firmly on the shores of the Bay of Fundy, with scenic views of the Five Islands and some of the world's highest tides, Five Islands Provincial Park is one of Nova Scotia's premium destinations. The park is located in Five Islands, a small community in Colchester County named after five natural islands surrounding the town.
The park is also rich in culture and history, giving visitors outstanding views of the 225-million-year-old geological formations. A wide range of recreational activities are available to visitors; there are almost 15km (9.3 miles) of trial available to hike, as well as great rock climbing opportunities and swimming.
There are also numerous geological museums and artifacts in the region for visitors to explore. Bird lovers will also love this park. A unique collection of bird species have made the Five Islands their home over the last few centuries, and visitors will have a blast seeing some of them while hiking or rock climbing.
RV campers will have a fantastic time at Five Islands. There are 92 campsites available to visitors, who will enjoy sleeping to the sounds of waves and the strong gusts of wind from the sea. Five Islands isn't your everyday park - its unique nature will ensure a premium experience for every nature lover.
Five Islands Provincial Park is easily accessible by RV or car. Its easiest access point is through exit 10 off Highway 104, which takes you to Bentley Branch Road where the park's gates are located.
The park has several signposts guiding drivers from the gates to the campground and the beach area. A pass is needed to enter the gates, and vehicles must only drive and park in designated areas.
The campground at Five Islands sits beautifully across the sea, with 92 campsites available to visitors and 35 of them having water and electricity. If you've ever wanted to camp with a view of the ocean, this is your chance. But don't forget to bring a jacket, even in summer. The open nature of the site means that it is exposed to the winds that roll in over the sea.
Some amenities at the campground include flush toilets, showers, dump stations, two picnic areas, and fire grills. Reservations are welcome at the campground which remains open from October through to May.
Campground A is the only campground at the park suitable for RV campers. The wide-open spaces are easy to navigate, but the lack of tall trees means less privacy than you might like. Still, views of the water more than make up for the openness of the site.
Campground B offers 39 unserviced sites for tent or car campers. Only one site, 63, can accommodate larger vehicles up to 40 feet long. There are also three walk-in sites that offer greater privacy if you'd like to give tent camping a try on your trip.
Bring your binoculars to Five Islands as the region is home to a large number of bird species. Rock climbers can get a better view of some of the birds who build nests high in the rocks.
Birds like the Bananaquit, Royal terns, black necked stilt and thrasher can be found at the park. Plover, hawks and ducks can also be seen.
Five Islands has a lot of history, and exploring the community as a whole is a fun educational adventure. The region is steeped in history and culture, and a day of learning and exploration is a brilliant way of spending a few off-season hours.
Some of the nearby places you can visit include Cobequid Interpretive Center, Economy Fundy Geological Museum, Parrsboro and The Ship's Company Theater in Parrsboro.
Rock climbing is another popular sport at Five Islands. The geological nature of the park allows visitors to climb to the top of high rocks to get a wider view of the five islands. The gorgeous views are matched only by the sense of achievement you'll feel as you summit these crags and outcrops.
Rock climbing is one of the most rewarding activities at the park due to the view you get at the top. Equipment for rock climbing can be rented at the park.
Boating is another popular summer activity at Five Islands. Visitors often take boat trips closer to the Islands to get a better and closer look at them as well as the other geological formation known as 'The Old Wife'. The view of the park you'll get from the water will give you a new appreciation of the powerful forces that have shaped this landscape.
The tide and waves toward the rocks are very high and erratic, so visitors are to ensure the weather permits a trip deeper into the river.
The vast beach at Five Islands is a brilliant place to spend your summer afternoon. The water at the Park is usually very cool due to climate, and campers often spend their time swimming when the weather is hot. It's a bracing swim, but there's no doubt that it's refreshing.
Visitors must remember that these are the highest tides in the world and as there is no lifeguard on duty, swimmers are to keep as close to shore as possible.
Bring your boots down to Five Islands and experience the park in a unique way through any of the park's hiking trails.
Red Head Trail offers the best views of the entire island and the basin. The 3.4km Economy Mountain Trail takes you through forests of maple, birch and white spruce while the Estuary trail runs through an estuary along the East River, then proceeds through a forest before rising toward the lower slopes of Economy Mountain.
