Sunrise
Coffee with the first light
The sun comes up over the bay here. Put the kettle on (the coffee's on us) and take a mug out to the covered deck. Or stay put: in the fall you can watch the sunrise without leaving the queen bed.
Bay of Fundy · Parrsboro, Nova Scotia
Two Islands Tides and Trails Cottage
A cozy oceanfront cottage for four, perched above the highest tides in the world.
- 5.0 on Airbnb
- Guest Favourite
- Superhost
- Sleeps 4Couples & small families
- 2 bedroomsQueen, double & sofa bed
- 1 bathroomWalk-in shower
- OceanfrontBeach trail next door
- 10 minutesTo downtown Parrsboro
- Self check-inSmart lock, from 4 pm
Welcome
A front-row seat to the Bay of Fundy
Tides and Trails is a newly built two-bedroom cottage on a quiet, treed bluff in Two Islands, ten minutes east of Parrsboro on Nova Scotia's Fundy shore.
From the lawn you look straight out at the islands the place is named for (locals call them The Brothers) and along the red cliffs of Wasson Bluff. Twice a day the bay empties and fills again in front of you. Some guests plan their whole day around it. Others pull a red chair closer to the fire and just watch.
Inside it's bright, warm and stocked with the things you usually have to pack: good coffee, beach gear, board games, extra blankets. It suits couples, small families and anyone who wants the ocean without the crowds.
“The tide waits for no one.”a favourite saying at our house
Life on tide time
A day at the cottage, sunrise to moonrise
Nobody keeps a schedule here except the bay. This is roughly how a day tends to go.
Low tide
Walk on the ocean floor
When the tide slips out it leaves a wide, red sea floor behind. Follow the short trail beside the cottage down to the beach to comb the shoreline, look for fossils in the rocks toward Wasson Bluff, or dig a feed of clams. We keep shovels and buckets ready for you.
Afternoon
Lawn games and nowhere to be
Back up top there's a big lawn for washer toss, cornhole and badminton, bikes for a spin down the road, and a hammock strung in the trees with the bay glinting behind it. In summer, hummingbirds work the flower pots while you do nothing at all.
Suppertime
Supper on the deck
Fire up the Napoleon barbecue, set the picnic table and eat outside while the evening light turns the island cliffs gold. If the weather turns, the covered deck and its propane fire table keep supper outdoors.
Dusk
Light the fire
Four red Adirondack chairs circle the fire pit at the edge of the bluff, with the islands straight ahead. Bring marshmallows.
Before you light up, please check Nova Scotia's burn restrictions. They're updated every day at 2 pm.
Moonrise
Moonrise over The Brothers
On clear nights the moon comes up over the water and lays a path of light across the bay. We're far from city lights, so the stars put on a show too. When you're ready to come in, there's an electric fireplace, a shelf of board games and a guitar waiting.
The cottage
Inside Tides and Trails
Newly built, all on one level, and set up so you can arrive with a bag of groceries and little else.
Living room
Sink into the sectional and watch the bay through the big front windows. There's a 55-inch TV with a Fire Stick, an electric fireplace, two Sonos speakers, books and board games, binoculars for the birds, and a guitar and ukulele for anyone who plays.
Full kitchen
Full-size fridge and stove, dishwasher, microwave, Keurig and drip coffee makers, a blender, and the pots, pans, oil, salt and pepper you'd rather not buy for a weekend. The island seats four.
Queen bedroom
The main bedroom has a queen bed, a window on the water, and a washer and dryer for your use. Crisp sheets and extra pillows and blankets are provided.
Second bedroom
A quiet room with a double bed, a dresser and a closet. It works well for kids, a friend, or a second couple.
Bathroom
One full bathroom with a walk-in shower with a seat (there's no tub). Towels, a hair dryer, shampoo, conditioner and body wash are all here.
Covered deck
Rain or shine, the covered deck off the living room is the favourite seat in the house. Eat outside, play cards, or light the propane fire table when the evening cools off.
The yard
A big private lawn wrapped in birch and spruce, an open sun deck with a barbecue and picnic table, a hammock, and a fire pit at the edge of the bluff.
- Bedroom 11 queen bed
- Bedroom 21 double bed
- Living room1 sofa bed
Amenities
Everything's already here
Guests often tell us this is the best-stocked cottage they've stayed in. Here's what's waiting for you.
Comfort
- Heat pump for air conditioning and heat
- Electric fireplace
- Wi-Fi
- 55-inch TV with Fire Stick
- Two Sonos Bluetooth speakers
- Books, board games and a guitar
- Extra pillows, blankets and portable fans
- Washer and dryer in the cottage
Kitchen
- Full-size fridge, freezer, stove and oven
- Dishwasher and microwave
- Keurig and drip coffee makers, with coffee
- Kettle, toaster and blender
- Pots, pans, dishes and wine glasses
- Cooking basics: oil, salt and pepper
- Barbecue utensils
- High chair
Outdoors
- Fire pit with four red Adirondack chairs
- Covered deck with propane fire table
- Sun deck with umbrella and picnic table
- Napoleon gas barbecue
- Hammock in the trees
- Large private lawn
- Washer toss, cornhole and other lawn games
Beach & adventure
- Beach access by a short trail beside the property
- Beach towels, chairs and umbrella
- Bikes
- Clam shovels and buckets
- Binoculars and local field guides
Practical
- Self check-in with a smart lock
- Free parking for up to four vehicles
- Single-level interior with no stairs inside
- Towels, linens, hair dryer and iron
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- Fire extinguisher and first aid kit
- Security camera on the driveway only
The Bay of Fundy
The highest tides on Earth, right off the lawn
The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world. Here on the Minas Basin, the sea can rise and fall by more than 12 metres (40 feet), and it does it twice a day. At high tide the water laps at the foot of the bluff. About six hours later it has pulled far back from shore, and you can walk on the sea floor.
- 2 × 2Two high tides and two low tides every day
- 12 m+Between low water and high water
- 6 hrsRoughly, from high tide to low tide
Respect the tide. It comes back faster than you'd think. Check today's tide times for Parrsboro before you head down, and leave yourself plenty of time to get back to the trail.
Guest reviews
A five-star Guest Favourite on Airbnb
“That view”
Nearly every review starts here. Guests describe losing whole afternoons watching the tide come and go from the lawn, and say the photos don't do it justice.
“They thought of everything”
From the welcome note to labelled cupboards, beach gear and bikes, guests regularly call this the best-equipped cottage they've stayed in.
“Spotless and cozy”
Clean, comfortable and thoughtfully decorated come up again and again, usually followed by a promise to come back.
- Guests mention most:
- The view
- Hospitality
- Cleanliness
- Location
- Comfort
- Amenities
- Outdoor spaces
- The beach
- Kitchen
- Decor
Your hosts
Hosted by Lori & Roger
We fell for Parrsboro about ten years ago, and spent four years clearing, building and planting this piece of land ourselves.
It was hard work and the most fun we've ever had. Lori has spent more than 30 years as a flight attendant, so looking after travellers comes naturally. We love the quiet here and the wildness of the bay, and we hope you will too.
Enjoy your stay. Lori & Roger
Location
Where to find us
The cottage is in Two Islands, a quiet stretch of Fundy shoreline about ten minutes east of Parrsboro in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia.
We're inside the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark, so many of the region's best beaches, lookoffs and hiking trails are an easy drive. Parrsboro has groceries, restaurants, a theatre and the Fundy Geological Museum.
- Parrsboro shops, dining, museum10 min
- Five Islands Provincial Parkabout 35 min
- Amherstabout 1 hr
- Truroabout 1 hr 15 min
- Moncton, NBabout 1 hr 30 min
- Halifaxabout 2 hr 15 min
Drive times are approximate. The exact address and directions are sent through Airbnb once you book.
Good to know
Before you come
House rules
- Check-in is any time after 4:00 pm, with a smart lock
- Checkout is by 11:00 am
- Four guests maximum, registered guests only
- No pets
- No smoking
- No parties or events
- Quiet hours from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am
On the Fundy shore
- The bluff at the edge of the lawn isn't fenced. Logs mark where the slope begins, so please stay behind them and keep little ones close.
- The beach trail is short but rocky. Wear sturdy shoes.
- Check tide times before any beach walk, and take care if you swim.
- Check the daily burn restrictions before a campfire.
- We're in the country. Please keep garbage indoors so the wildlife isn't tempted.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Where is Two Islands Tides and Trails Cottage?
The cottage is in Two Islands, Nova Scotia, on the north shore of the Minas Basin at the head of the Bay of Fundy. It's about 10 minutes' drive east of Parrsboro, roughly 2 hours 15 minutes from Halifax and 1 hour 30 minutes from Moncton.
How do I book the cottage?
All bookings are made through Airbnb. Use any “Check availability” button on this site to see the live calendar, nightly rates and cancellation terms. We don't take reservations or payments on this website. Open the listing on Airbnb.
How many guests does the cottage sleep?
Up to four. There's a queen bed in the main bedroom, a double bed in the second bedroom and a sofa bed in the living room, plus one bathroom with a walk-in shower.
Can you walk to the beach?
Yes. A short trail right beside the property leads down to the beach. Turn right out of the driveway and look for the dinosaur sign about 50 feet along. The trail is rocky, so wear good shoes, and always check the tide times first.
Are pets allowed?
Sorry, no. The cottage has a no-pets policy.
Is the cottage good for families with children?
Yes. Families enjoy the big lawn, the lawn games, the bikes, the beach and s'mores at the fire pit, and there's a high chair in the cottage. Please note that the bluff at the edge of the lawn is not fenced, so young children need to be supervised outside.
Is there Wi-Fi and air conditioning?
Yes to both. The cottage has Wi-Fi, a heat pump that provides air conditioning and heat, portable fans and an electric fireplace.
When is the best time to visit the Bay of Fundy?
Summer is warmest for beach days and campfires. September and October bring fall colour, quiet beaches and big moonrises over the islands. The cottage is heated and has warm bedding for the cooler months. Check the Airbnb calendar to see which dates are open.
What is there to do near the cottage?
Walk the ocean floor at low tide, see Wasson Bluff where Canada's oldest dinosaur bones were found, visit the Fundy Geological Museum and Ship's Company Theatre in Parrsboro, and take day trips to Five Islands and Cape Chignecto provincial parks. See our guide to things to do nearby.
Ready when you are
Your chair by the fire is waiting
See open dates, nightly rates and the full photo tour on Airbnb. Booking and payment are handled securely there.
Follow along on Instagram: @tidesandtrailscottage
