The High And The Low Of The Matter - Bay of Fundy

Vedika Anand

Last updated: Apr 3, 2017

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Want To Go ?

A phenomenon that occurs nowhere else on the planet; a phenomenon so amazing that it was nominated as one of the Seven Wonders of the World! A phenomenon that allows you walking access to the ocean floor! Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? Any guesses what this phenomenon may be?

For technical purposes it’s called the vertical tide effect but let’s figure out how these tides are different from the tides in other places around the world.

Awesome Heights

Located between the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, on the east coast of Canada, the Bay of Fundy stretches for 270 km. It has the most dynamic and dramatic coast line, owing to the amount of water that comes in and goes out of the Bay each day. The Bay witnesses 200 billion tones of water entering at high tide and leaving at low tide, causing the ocean to surge up vertically, causing the vertical tides (not waves). This amount of water actually equals the discharge of every single fresh water river on the planet! The tides can rise up to a height of 50 feet! Just to understand the awesomeness of it - the tides in Mumbai rise between 10 -15 feet!

Disappearing Rocks!

The Hopewell Rocks are a great place to witness the dramatic power of the tides at both high and low points. During low tide you can actually walk on the ocean floor with the cliffs and rocks towering over you. Come high tide and those same towering rocks are trying their best to peek out above the surface of the water! A few other great locations to experience this phenomenon are:

Burntcoat Head, East Hants County
Reversing Rapids, St. John
Cape Blomidon
Hantsport wharf at the foot of St. Williams Street
Petitcidiac River Tidal Bore, Moncton

Important thing to remember is that the time between high and low tide is 6 hours and 13 minutes, to be precise. You will have to check the tide timings for the day you are there. To see the effect of the tide, it is best to visit the same location, 6 hours apart, and you will be amazed to see how different it looks – probably unrecognizable because it will be either full of water or the ocean will be far away, revealing what lies beneath!

Things to do at the Bay of Fundy

While you are waiting for the 6 hours to go by, there are a lot of activities to keep you busy on your offbeat holiday.

Tidal Bore Rafting – This is the only place in the world to experience this unique sport. Due to the incoming tide, the tidal bore wave travels upstream twice a day, and before your eyes, the river turns into a beast when it changes direction, with the change of the tide! Hold on tight as you experience the tidal waves and rapids.
Whale watching – With one of the greatest ecosystems in the world, the Bay is the summer feeding ground for many small fish, making it also an attractive place for the whale. With a population of over 300 in 8 different species(including the humpback whale), you are sure to spot them, even from points along the shore.
Nature trails, hiking and cycling – The best way to explore the treasures around the Bay is this. There are many biking and hiking trails you can follow to enjoy the natural beauty of this area.
Fossils – Bay of Fundy is a renowned location for dinosaur bones, fossils and semi-precious stones.
Sea Kayaking – Explore curios caves, towering cliffs, wildlife and birds on your trip to Bay of Fundy. Visit ‘Nova Scotia’s open-air cathedral’ at the Cape Chignecto Provincial Park.
Golfing – In Fundy, you are never far from a golf course! The beautiful countryside with various terrains allows you to relax and just enjoy the game.
Wineries – Take a tour of a winery as the bay emerges as the newest wine growing region of Canada.

When and how to go

The tides here are the highest in end of August and beginning of September. Activities like whale watching can be best enjoyed in July and August. Planning a trip already? The closest airports are at Halifax, St. John or Moncton. It is also easily accessible by road, train, bus or the Bay Ferry.

Vedika Anand

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