New Brunswick climate
New Brunswick features a continental climate though this is tempered along coastal areas where the summers are cooler and winters tend to be warmer. The highest average temperature can be enjoyed in July, which ranges from 22 degrees Celsius on the coast to 25 or so inland. Winter makes its presence most felt in January when the coastal areas dip to -7 degrees though this is made to seem positively balmy in the interior where the mercury can fall as low as -30 C.
When to fly to New Brunswick
Peak Season:
The most popular time to visit New Brunswick is undoubtedly during the summer months of June to August when the weather is warm, allowing visitors to take in much of the local scenery in comfort while enjoying many of the outdoor pastimes on offer here, such as hiking, fishing, swimming or sightseeing. This is also the time when the bulk of the area's festivals take place. However, winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding, snowmobiling as well as snow-shoeing do not come into their own until December.
Low Season:
While the onset of cold weather attracts winter-sport enthusiasts to ski resorts in the inland areas where the temperatures are lowest, many of New Brunswick's cities experience a drop in visitor numbers, particularly along coastal areas. Early spring can be wet, but as the summer approaches the weather clears and visitors arriving in New Brunswick at this time can often find attractive hotel rates ahead of the onset of high season.
Getting around New Brunswick
By Air: New Brunswick has a number of regional airports of varying size including Moncton, St John, Fredericton and Gagetown making getting around by plane a straightforward affair.
By Road: New Brunswick has a well-developed road network and these are in excellent condition though it is worth remembering that in winter getting around by car can be hazardous. The province can be accessed by road from Quebec, Nova Scotia and Maine. Rental car agencies are standard throughout the province at major airports and cities.
By Train: Fans of rail travel van make use of the VIA Rail service that connects Halifax to Quebec City and Montreal. This line makes several stops in New Brunswick including Sackville, Moncton, Rogesville, Newcastle, Bathurst, Jacquet River, Charlo, Campbellton and Matapedia.
By Bus: Buses operate in New Brunswick on routes as far-reaching as British Columbia on the west coast and various points in the US as well as Quebec and Ontario.
New Brunswick insider information
- Grand Manan is the largest island in the Bay of Fundy, located just off the southern tip of the province and the west coast of Maine. At 17 miles (28km) by 7.5 miles (12km) wide it may not be large but it is a haven for whale and bird watchers alike and also features a network of hiking trails for the more active visitors. Access the island by ferry from Blacks Harbour.
- See one of Canada's oldest seaside resort towns by visiting St. Andrews. Designated a Canadian National Historic District, it can be found in the southwest of the province along the memorably named Passamaquoddy Bay. Museums, an award-winning garden as well as access to traditional seaside activities such as fishing and whale watching are all at your disposal.
- Take a relaxing tour of the St John River system aboard the MV Belleisle Bay, a 50-foot (15 m) pontoon boat moored in Kingston Creek which is about 19 miles (30km) east of St John. The Belleisle Bay can carry up to 40 passengers on the two-hour tours of the area which can also be used to host a picnic.
- Head for Shepody Bay in the Bay of Fundy to catch sight of one of the world's most curious natural phenomena. The "flowerpot" rocks at Hopewell Cape are tall pillars of stone with trees and other vegetation growing on top. These were left behind after the swirling local tides eroded much of the shoreline's sandstone.
- Don't forget to visit the provincial capital. A number of Fredericton attractions await visitors arriving in New Brunswick. Among these are the Garrison District and Kings Landing Historical Settlement, both of which celebrate the city's history. Waterloo Row features some of the area's most grandiose homes while the Legislative
- Assembly Building is an attraction in its own right.