Ross Creek Area Bay of Fundy Coast. Cycad Bed 

• Picture taken in early spring. Do to the position of this place along the Bay of Fundy the ice and snow are slow to melt.
• This area produces mainly cycads but excellent agates, opal, jasper and zealites can be found.
• There are five small coves to the right ( facing the water) each has a small beach worth looking for gemstones. 
  

• There are many small caves on this section of shoreline.
• The name was derived from the darkness these caves show from out on the water.
• This area has several good agate seams and zealites. 
• This area is hidden from the sun , so the snow and ice are slow to leave.

• Agates and zealites are the main rock to be found along here.

• The sun does not fall on these cliff faces so they loose there ice very slowly. Any rock falls are very late in the spring.
• Agates and zealites are the main rock to find here.

• This beach is one of the best collecting areas there is.
• Family friendly for swimming or rock hounding.
• Nearly every type of rock found along the Bay of Fundy will end up here , do to the way the tides run and the shape of the peninsula.
• The rock gets well worn here and is difficult to identify when dry.
• Carrying a small source of water to wet the stones you are looking at is very helpful.
• The minerals mostly found here are agates of all colours, fire opals, jaspers and small cycads. Small zealite formations can be found as well.

Scots Bay Beach Nova Scotia with Tide Out. Agates, Opals, Jasper & Small Cycads

• The assortment of gem material here is well hidden by the rolling action of the waves. When rocks are dry they all have a gray look to them. Carrying water to wet the stone is recommended.
  

• This is not accessible without a guide or many days of watching tides and watching to find a way to get down to the beach.
• Flame agates are found here. There are approximately 10 seams of many different colours. The wave action keeps the beach well turned. 
• The hike is approximately  11/2hrs one way.

• This seam is variegated agate.
• Only shoreline walking will find this seam.
• his is usually taken in on a trip to Big Cove approximately 2 hrs of hiking one way.
• Time will vary with hiking ability.

• Shore line hiking is required to see this seam of variegated agate.
• Approximately 11/2hrs of hiking one way.
• This is not accessible without a guide or many days of watching tides and watching to find a way to get down to the beach.

• It is difficult to see them because of wave action . The stones are well rounded and chipped to cause surface of stones to be gray in colour.
• This is a  2 hr hike and a guide is needed to get you to the beach.

Little Split Cove Nova Scotia

• This the place that you can get to the beach, if you are out on the Cape Split hiking trail.
• The trail down is not marked so a guide is required.
• The tides are to be watched with safety in mind.
• There are several banded agates , a red jasper , amethyst and zealites that can be collected here.

Click pictures for larger views

Accessing Amethyst Cove

• The pass is used when we hike around the split to get to Amethyst Cove side.
• When doing this hike there is one section that gives you a 20 min. window to get by at 5ft or lower low tide.
• A guide with knowledge of this would be required. 
• The beach all the way is full of different types of agates and Zealites.
• The problem is the distance. It is a long way back to the cars and if you are going around to the ropes you will have a 4-5 hundred foot cliff to climb, so pick only the very best.

• App. 1 hr walk from Little Split Cove.
• There are several slides and cave areas to look for zealites and agates.
• One small cave area has an Amethyst seam in it. Hard to get at but frost usually loosens up a piece or two.

• Looking to right of ropes, distant point is where the main amethyst slide is. 
• Depending on speed of hikers, 11/2 hrs. ( 45 mins. running ) one way.
• There is an excellent supply of all varieties of quartz crystals, I am still finding new forms of agate ( after 20yrs ). Discovered a source of green turquoise in 2006 and a source of Saphire quartz crystals in 2005.
• The variety of agates and mineral combinations is very difficult to list.  Zealite slides are numerous with good specimans of natrolite, mesolite, stillbite, apophyllite, analcime and magnetite, has a slide as well.

• To left of ropes. 21/2 hrs of hiking to get to Cape Split.
• The rock specimens are larger in this direction.
• There are zealite slides and several agate and amethyst slides.
• As you near the 11/2 hr point the tides must be watched, for there is no place to go if caught in one of the small coves.

• The beach at Amethyst Cove has miles of this kind of rock assortment.

• The ice and frost are slow to leave these cliffs because they are always in the shade.

• Borden Brook Trail ( 2km ) - Moderate Climb along spectacular falls.
• Woodland Trail ( 3km ) - Pleasant forest stroll.
• Look-off Trail ( 1.5km ) - Excellent views of Minas Basin.
• Joudrey Trail ( 6km ) - Some difficult slopes, excellent views.

Rock shoreline at Cape Blomidon

• This area has several things to pay close attention to.
• The tide will cut you of from returning to the sand beach for several hours at high tide. There is plenty of room on the upper rock beach at high tide so there is nothing to worry about except you will have to wait to return.
• The cliffs and slides are to be watch carefully for material falling.
• The selection of agates , jaspers, and quartz crystals are abundant. Some of the darkest amethyst I have seen came from this area.

• Tide must be well out to enter this cove.
• A Guide is required.
• Layered and variegated agate are mainly found here.

• There is a view of Big Cove in distance.
• At little split cove you can get down to beach to explore along cliffs to Cape Split.
• There is agates, jaspers and Amethyst in this area.
• Tide timing is very important. A guide is recommended.

• There are agates , jaspers and zealites along the beach leading to the split.
• Great care should be taken if exploring around the split area.
• A Guide is recommended.