Station 07E · Record Site Guide

Burntcoat Head — where the world's highest tide was measured.

Burntcoat Head Park sits on a small headland on the south shore of the Minas Basin, Nova Scotia. It's the site of the highest tide ever recorded on Earth — 16.8 metres in 1869 — and one of the few places where you can walk safely on the ocean floor beside a restored lighthouse and interpretive centre.

Location

Burntcoat Head Park, Nova Scotia

45.3017°N, 63.8117°W

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At the park

A short interpretive trail leads from the parking area past a replica lighthouse to designated stairways down to the ocean floor. Park staff run guided low-tide walks in summer, and the site marks the official Guinness-recognised location of the world's highest tide.

Best time to visit

Open May through mid-October
Arrive within the two hours before low tide to walk the ocean floor
Check the daily tide chart posted at the entrance — times shift ~50 minutes each day
Return to the stairs well before mid-tide; the water comes in fast

Things to do

Walk the ocean floor around the sea stack at low tide
Tour the replica lighthouse and small museum
Join a staff-led interpretive walk on the tidal flats
Photograph the same view at low and high tide, six hours apart
Picnic on the grassy headland overlooking the Minas Basin

Food nearby

Flying Apron Cookery — a well-known farm-to-table restaurant in nearby Summerville, minutes from the park. Local seafood, produce, and baking in a converted country building.

That Dutchman's Farm — a short drive inland, with farmstead cheese, ice cream, and a small café — a good stop on the way back from the park.

Field photos

Around Burntcoat Head.

Aerial view of red sandstone sea caves and cliffs on the Minas Basin at low tide — Aerial view of the red sandstone sea caves — only exposed at low tide.

Restored white wooden Burntcoat Head lighthouse with a red cupola on a grassy headland — The restored Burntcoat Head lighthouse and interpretive centre.

Bowl of lobster, mussels, clams and a biscuit served outdoors on a green chair — Fundy shore seafood bowl — lobster, mussels, and clams with a fresh biscuit.

Bowl of seafood chowder with shrimp and salmon, biscuit, butter and a glass of white wine on a green table — Creamy seafood chowder with a warm biscuit at Flying Apron Cookery.

Assortment of That Dutchman's Farm gouda cheeses, hot pepper jelly, and crackers with a cheese knife — Farmstead gouda and hot pepper jelly from That Dutchman's Farm.

Hand holding a waffle cone with two scoops of bright pink cotton-candy ice cream — Cotton-candy ice cream on a hot summer afternoon after the walk down.