ustwo

Want to travel with only carry-on luggage for plane, not many pairs of shoes. Was planning on old pair of sandels for viewing Flower Pots at Hopewell (then discarding them). Read somewhere here sandels were not good idea. Will my shoes be soaked from walking on ocean floor, or can I wear the same shoes that I hike the Fundy Natl, Park with? Is it rough walking down to the flower pots?
I'll say now, that I am sorry for this question to all of you that hate the "what should I wear questions".

NorthwestMale

LOL - well, I don't think you need worry that the SAND in Canada's maritimes will be any different from the sand you know elsewhere.

The answer to whether your shoes will be soaked when walking on the ocean floor depends largely upon at what point relative to the ferocious tides you are walking there.

There is a reason why a sign at Hopewell Cape says:

"WARNING!!! YOU MUST be off of this beach by ______ to avoid being trapped by the incoming tide"

IF you are there right AT low tide, with the surf hundreds of feet out and away from you... there would have been plenty of time for the water to go away, and no chance of your having to worry about waves washing up on your feet.

I'd say that sneakers are just fine for such activity, and that they could be the same sneakers in which you toured the rest of the maritime provinces.

Scotia

Having walked on the bottom of the Bay of Fundy at low tide many times, you have to be beware of the "mud" that sticks to your shoes. I use to do it in my bare feet.

ustwo

Thanks NorthwestMale & Scotia. Really don't plan on staying on bottom of the Bay of Fundy anytime near high tide coming in. To old to try rushing out of there!!!

Scotia, is it a little cool to be walking barefoot in September?

Scotia

September weather can be beautiful in N.S. Carry your sandals/shoes in your hands, but make sure you have a towel or cloth to wipe your feet after the walk!

DHJ

Just returned from Bay of Fundy and walked it at low and high (ok...just a few feet from the stairs). You will get dirty! You don't want to be barefoot because you may not be sure of what your are stepping on, and some of the rocks are slippery. Also, it is quite a hike down to the Hopewell Rocks through a forested area - wouldn't have been pleasant barefoot.
At low tide it is more muddy than sandy. But after you come up the stairs from walking the bottom, there are a number of sprays to wash your feet. I WOULDN'T do sneakers unless you want to throw them away afterwards as they will get really muddy. Sandals really are the best thing to wear. I don't like flip-flops because I think they aren't as stable on rocks and things. I wore my Ecco sandals and it was perfect...washed off all the dirt after coming back up and they were as good as new.

Scotia

To clarify, I have never been to Hopewell Rocks--only to the N.S. side of Bay of Fundy. My experience has been at Evangeline Beach near Grand Pre in N.S. where there is no forested area.

mat54

Have visited Fundy National Park and Hopewell Rocks a number of times. I travel with good quality (i.e. good soles and foot support) Sports Sandals plus Hiking boots for the more rocky and/or steeper trails (whichever I wear, I keep the others handy in the car so I can change as needed). I think good soles to navigate slippery rocks, slopes or steps are a good idea near the water.

I just looked at my photos from our last Hopewell Rocks visit and I see my spouse and I are wearing our Sports Sandals and everyone else in the photos (lots of people there) seem to mostly be wearing either running shoes or sandals (including some nice white runners, leather sandals and even a few flip flops which I personally don't like or recommend). I don't remember getting terribly muddy (my sandals are washable so maybe I just didn't pay much attention), but my pics do show some people were avoiding a few wetter areas.

ustwo

Thanks everyone, looking forward to our trip. Heading out Saturday morning. Sure do appreciate all the good information.