Minas Basin

Minas Basin is a large inlet within the Bay of Fundy that divides into four distinct sections: Minas Channel, the Central Basin, Cobequid Bay, and Southern Bight. Several rivers feed into it, including the Shubenacadie, Cornwallis, Avon, Gaspereau, and Salmon, bringing fresh water into the system.

French Acadian settlers arrived in the late 1600s and built extensive dike systems around the inlet. These structures turned tidal marshes into farmable land and allowed permanent communities to develop.

The Mi'kmaq used these waters for fishing and trading long before other groups arrived in the region. Their seasonal camps along the shores reveal how central this area was to their way of living.

Be aware of the extreme tidal conditions that shape this water system. Low tide reveals more of the landscape and brings calmer conditions for viewing and exploring the area.

Burntcoat Head witnesses some of the planet's most powerful tidal movements. The water level swings dramatically and creates currents far stronger than most other coastal areas.

Location: Nova Scotia

Part of: Bay of Fundy

GPS coordinates: 45.25000,-64.16583

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:42