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Why the
Bay of Fundy
is special
The differences between the low and high tides in the upper part of the Bay
of Fundy in Canada can be as high as 17 meters or 56 feet. The year-round average is 11
meters or 36 feet.
Tips & insights on
the Bay of Fundy
in Canada
 The
Bay of Fundy is 430 kilometers (270 miles) long and lies between the Canadian
provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
It
is tied with Ungawa Bay (farther north in Canada) for having the world's most
extreme tides.
A
full tidal cycle occurs twice a day, lasting approximately 12 hours. I recommend
you spend at least one night in the Bay of Fundy area so you can observe the complete
rise-and-fall phenomenon.
Hopewell
Rocks is a popular destination. Its tall, bizzarre red rock formations were
sculpted over the eons by the rushing tidal waters. When the tide is in, you can
walk on the ocean floor (see photo). Six hours later, the beach and lower half
of the vegetation-crowned rocks are underwater. You have to time your visit
based on the tides.
Also
see the Reversing Falls near the city of Saint Johns in New Brunswick. The tidal
water that rushes over rocks changes directions every six hours.
A
tidal bore is a surf-like wave that rushes up a river, then down it. Raft surfing
is a local sport. Unfortunately, some tidal bore sites are now only wimpy
versions of their former selves due to downriver construction projects.
Several
natural forces create the Bay of Fundy tides. Gravitation pull of the sun and
moon is one. Another is the funnel shape of the bay (as the bay's width and
depth decreases, the tide's momentum and
therefore its height increases).
The
water level will also be higher when its full or new moon - or when the moon is
closest to the earth during its orbit - or when an ocean storm creates a surge.
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