ST. ANDREWS

off wharf: 45° 04.23’N 067° 03.30’W

4th ed. Cruising Guide page 398

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U.S. Charts: 13398 (inset) Chart Kit: 80 Canadian Charts: 4331, 4332

Passamquoddy region overview chart Harbor chart

Tidal Range: Mean 19.6 feet; Large 27.2 feet

ST. ANDREWS-BY-THE-SEA is a pleasant resort town at the southern end of the peninsula between Passamaquoddy Bay and the entrance to the St. Croix River. It is the largest Canadian settlement in Passamaquoddy Bay and a convenient port of entry.
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The wide streets and handsome houses of St. Andrews may remind you of the Maine town of Castine—not surprising since it was founded in 1783 by British loyalists from Castine who moved their houses here by barge. They prospered in the lumber and shipbuilding trades with the British and in dried and salted fish with the West Indies. St. Andrews never suffered a major fire, and it was overlooked by 19th century industrialists, so most of the original architecture has survived intact. On top of the hill looms the great old Algonquin Hotel.
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St. Andrews Harbour is partially protected by Navy Island and relatively easy to enter. The focus of the harbor for both working and pleasure boats is the huge Market Wharf. In 1994 a cigarette fell between the creosoted timbers, and in 45 seconds eight cars and three boats were consumed by the inferno. The rebuilt wharf opened four years later.
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Approaches. From the East or South. Enter Passamaquoddy Bay either through Letete Passage (p. 394) or Western Passage (p.391). As you approach St. Andrews, some of the buildings can be seen partially obscured by Navy Island, and the long red roof of the Algonquin Hotel emerges above the trees. Although the port can be entered from either side of Navy Island, the eastern approach is deeper and preferable.
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The southeastern tip of Navy Island is a sand bluff with offlying dangers marked by spar buoy “SX1.” Pick up green bell “SX3” (45° 03.50’N 067° 01.70’W) off the eastern entrance and follow the series of channel buoys through the flats into the harbor. It is almost a straight channel. To starborad, a flashing red light on a skeleton tower (between buoys “SX10” and “SX11”) marks the end of the former wharf.
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From the North. When approaching the eastern entrance to St. Andrews from the north, or leaving St. Andrews for northern Passamaquoddy Bay, be sure to clear red "SX2," which marks the eastern extremity of Tongue Shoal.
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From the West. Western Channel is well marked but narrow. Avoid it near low tide.
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Anchorages, Moorings. Overnight dockage on Market Wharf can be arranged in advance through the wharfinger (see “For the Boat”), or he may be able to direct you to a vacant mooring. Members of the St. Andrews Yacht Club are also helpful.
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If no moorings are available or if you prefer to anchor, drop the hook south of the wharf in 8 to 14 feet at low. The harbor is well protected at low tides by the flats surrounding Navy Island, but as the tide rises, they disappear. Current floods west and ebbs east strongly through the harbor, so you may hang askew. You will need lots of scope, and if the wind is contrary to the current, you may spend a rolly night.
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Getting Ashore. Dinghy to the wharf.
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St. Andrews is a convenient port of entry. Call 888-CANPASS for customs clearance. See “Entering Canada” on page 368 for more details.
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For the Boat. Market Wharf (Wharfinger B.B. Chamberlain, Ch. 78; 506-529-5170). Overnight dockage on Market Wharf can be arranged in advance by contacting the wharfinger. Water, pump-outs, power, and a pay phone are available on the wharf. Future plans include washrooms and showers. Ice can be bought at the Save-Easy supermarket, a block away. Walk left from the head of the wharf to Blue Peter Books, which sells charts (506-529-4466).
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St. Andrews Yacht Club. The club has a small clubhouse not far east of Government Wharf, a hundred yards from the water at low tide. There are no facilities for visiting yachtsmen, but you will find some kindred spirits there.
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For the Crew. Most of the streets of St. Andrews are named after the royal family except Water Street, which runs along the harbor. On Water Street you will find almost everything you might need within a short walking distance—banks, restaurants, a hardware store, a liquor store, a pharmacy, the post office, bike rentals, and a tourist information office which has maps of the town.
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Pay phones and public restrooms are across the street from post office. The Save-Easy supermarket is only a block away to the right. A beauty shop and laundromat are in the same direction. Quoddy Bay Fish Market is .7 mile east, near North Point. The Ross Memorial Library is two blocks up from the wharf.
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There are several places to eat in town. For a good dinner try L’Europe (506-529-3818) on King Street or Windsor House two blocks to the left from the wharf. For a fabulous Sunday brunch, walk up the hill to the Algonquin Hotel (506-529-8823).
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For a taxi—or an ambulance—call 506-529-3371. The St. Andrews Health Centre (medical, 506-529-8881; dental, 506-529-8814) is several blocks to the northeast of the wharf.
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Things to Do. St. Andrews is famous for its fine woolens and craft shops. The woolens, tweeds, and hand-knit sweaters at Cottage Craft, in the red building opposite the Tourist Bureau, are exceptional.
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St. Andrews is unique in Canada because of its high proportion of buildings that are more than 100 years old. Many of these attractive old structures are listed in the Walking Guide for Historic St. Andrews, available at the Tourist Bureau. Also noteworthy are the shingle-style buildings of Canadian architect Edward S. Maxwell.
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In town, historic plaques show where the Loyalists landed, and the old Loyalist Cemetery still guards their graves.
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It’s an invigorating walk up the hill to the great five-story Algonquin Hotel (506-529-8823, 800-563-4299). The hotel has a heated pool, tennis courts, and an 18-hole golf course (rackets and clubs can be rented). They also run a daily activity program for children aged five to 12. Children might also enjoy the vast playground at the Vincent Massey Elementary School, four blocks up from the wharf.
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Walk half a mile west along the waterfront to the Blockhouse, with a pleasant little park and three 18-pounders still commanding the harbor. This is the sole survivor of the 12 blockhouses built to defend New Brunswick during the War of 1812 between the United States and Britain. Don’t forget to check the machicolations.
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A walk of 1.8 miles to the west, or a short cab ride, will take you to Huntsman Marine Centre in Brandy Cove (506-529-8895), where you can watch seals being fed twice a day or dabble in a touch tank to pick up starfish, sea cucumbers, and other marine creatures in your own hands. Nearby is the St. Andrews Marine Biological Station (506-529-8854), which researches herring and salmon biology and aquaculture.
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The extensive beaches uncovered at low tides are rich beachcombing grounds. Pieces of china, Dover flint, and West Indian coral once used as ship ballast occasionally turn up.
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For those who ballast their own boats with ice skates and bowling balls, there are facilities for both at the W. C. O’Neill Arena (506-529-4578) several blocks from the waterfront. Skating is open to the public most evenings, year-round. Public tennis courts and the Chamber of Commerce (506-529-3555) are next door. Sea kayaking tours are available through Bruce Smith at Seascape (506-529-4866), at the head of the wharf.