The Bay of Fundy, located between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, is known for having the highest tides in the world. The average difference between low and high tide worldwide is about one metre, while in the Bay of Fundy it's as much as 16 metres, about the height of a five-story building. The tides are due to the bay's substantial amount of water, unique shape and size, and resonance. The water in the bay has a natural rocking motion called a seiche, which takes about 13 hours to rock from the mouth of the bay to the head and back again. The Atlantic Ocean tide, which rises and floods into the bay every 12 hours and 25 minutes, reinforces this rocking motion.
The Bay of Fundy coastline is about 530 kilometres long. On the east end, towards Nova Scotia, are the Hopewell Rocks, and on the west end, close to Maine, U.S.A, are the Fundy Isles. The best places to experience the tides include the Hopewell Rocks, the Fundy National Park, St. Martins Sea Caves, and the Fundy Trail Parkway.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Location | New Brunswick's Bay of Fundy |
Height | Up to 16m (53ft) |
Tide Difference | 3.5m (11ft) to 16m (53ft) |
Tide Cycle | Twice a day |
Time Between High and Low Tide | 6 hours and 13 minutes |
Volume of Water | More than the flow of all the world's freshwater rivers combined |
Best Places to Experience High Tide | The Hopewell Rocks, Fundy National Park, St. Martins Sea Caves, Fundy Trail Parkway, Alma Beach |
What You'll Learn
- The Bay of Fundy's high tides are the highest in the world
- The Bay of Fundy's tides are the result of an unusual combination of resonance and the shape of the bay
- The best place to experience the Bay of Fundy's high tides is at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
- The Bay of Fundy coastline is about 530 kilometres long
- The Bay of Fundy has two road trip routes: The Fundy Treasures & Tides Ride and the Fundy Wonders & Whales Route
The Bay of Fundy's high tides are the highest in the world
The Bay of Fundy, located between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, is known for having the highest tides in the world. The average difference between low and high tide worldwide is about one metre, while in the Bay of Fundy, it can be as much as 16 metres, which is about the height of a five-story building. The tides here are so high that they are one of the world's greatest natural wonders.
The high tides in the Bay of Fundy are due to a combination of the bay's size, unique shape, and the volume of water that surges in and out of it. The bay is about 250 kilometres long and has a funnel shape, which means that the deeper into the bay, the more dramatic the tide change. Twice a day, a billion tonnes of water fill and empty the bay during each tide cycle—more than the flow of all the world's freshwater rivers combined.
The best place to experience the tides is at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park, where the tide difference is around 14 metres. At low tide, visitors can walk on the ocean floor and explore the sea stack formations, and then return a few hours later to see those same formations surrounded by water. The park also offers guided kayak tours around the famous ""flowerpot rocks" at high tide.
In addition to Hopewell Rocks, there are several other places in the Bay of Fundy region where you can experience the high tides. These include Fundy National Park, St. Martins Sea Caves, Fundy Trail Parkway, and the Fundy Isles. The Fundy Treasures & Tides Ride and the Fundy Wonders & Whales Route are two road trip routes that take visitors through the region and offer the chance to see the high tides from different perspectives.
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The Bay of Fundy's tides are the result of an unusual combination of resonance and the shape of the bay
The Bay of Fundy, located between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, is known for having the highest tidal range in the world. The average tidal range of all oceans around the globe is 1 metre (3 ft), but the Bay of Fundy's tidal range is about 16 metres (52 ft). The tides in the Bay of Fundy are the result of an unusual combination of resonance (or seiche) and the shape of the bay.
The water in the Bay of Fundy has a natural rocking motion called a seiche, which can be compared to the movement of water in a bathtub. This motion takes about 13 hours to complete, as the water rocks from the mouth of the bay to the head of the bay and back again. The Atlantic Ocean tide rises and floods into the bay every 12 hours and 25 minutes, reinforcing the rocking motion. The length of the Bay of Fundy is important as it allows the seiche frequency to match the pulse from the Atlantic Ocean tides.
The shape of the Bay of Fundy also plays a role in the tides. The bay becomes narrower and shallower towards its head, forcing the water higher up the shores. The combination of the bay's length, shape, and the resonance of the water creates the extremely high tides that the Bay of Fundy is known for.
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The best place to experience the Bay of Fundy's high tides is at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
The Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick is home to the world's highest tides. Twice a day, the bay fills and empties a billion tonnes of water during each tide cycle—more than the flow of all the world's freshwater rivers combined. The height of the tide difference ranges from 3.5 metres along the southwest shore of Nova Scotia to 16 metres in the Minas Basin.
One of the best places to experience the Bay of Fundy's high tides is at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park. The park is located in Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick, and is one of the province's top attractions. Hopewell Rocks offers a unique natural experience of both high and low tides. With over twenty free-standing sea stacks along two kilometres of shoreline, no Atlantic Canadian vacation is complete without experiencing these icons.
The park's admission ticket is valid for two consecutive days, allowing visitors to experience both high and low tides. There are three primary access points to the ocean floor, with the Main Deck offering a large metal staircase with a spacious viewing platform. For those who prefer a more accessible option, there is a ramp with benches leading down to North Beach. The third access point is a trail leading south from behind the Interpretive Centre, which gently descends to sea level.
The sea stacks at Hopewell Rocks come in a variety of sizes and shapes, with whimsical names like Elephant, Bear, Dinosaur, ET, and Mother-in-Law. The park is designed to be self-guided, but interpretive staff are available to answer any questions. Visitors can also enjoy a multi-media exhibit in the Interpretive Centre, scenic walking trails, lookouts, and guided tours.
To fully experience the magnitude of the Bay of Fundy's tides, it is recommended to visit Hopewell Rocks during both high and low tide. This will allow visitors to truly appreciate the height and range of the tides, as the ocean floor transforms in ways that are truly breathtaking.
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The Bay of Fundy coastline is about 530 kilometres long
The Bay of Fundy, located between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, is known for having the highest tides in the world. The coastline stretches about 530 kilometres long, with The Hopewell Rocks on the east end towards Nova Scotia, and the Fundy Isles on the west end, close to Maine, USA.
The Bay of Fundy fills and empties about a billion tonnes of water during each tide cycle, which is more than the flow of all the world's freshwater rivers combined. The tide difference ranges from 3.5 metres along the southwest shore of Nova Scotia and increases as the floodwaters travel up the 280-kilometre shoreline to the head of the Bay, where the height of the tide can reach up to 16 metres. The time between a high and low tide is, on average, six hours and 13 minutes.
The high tides in the Bay of Fundy are due to the bay's substantial amount of water, unique shape and size, and resonance. The bay's funnel shape becomes narrower and shallower towards its head, forcing the water higher up the shores. The water in the Bay of Fundy has a natural rocking motion called a seiche, which takes about 13 hours to rock from the mouth of the bay to its head and back again. The Atlantic Ocean tide rising and flooding into the bay every 12 hours and 25 minutes reinforces this rocking motion.
The Hopewell Rocks, one of New Brunswick's top tourist attractions, is a great place to experience the power and magnitude of the world's highest tides. Visitors can walk on the ocean floor at low tide and return hours later to kayak around the famous "flowerpot rocks" at high tide. The St. Martins Sea Caves are another spectacular coastal setting where low tide reveals red sandstone sea caves perfect for exploring, and kayaks can be used to explore the caves and coastline at high tide.
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The Bay of Fundy has two road trip routes: The Fundy Treasures & Tides Ride and the Fundy Wonders & Whales Route
The Bay of Fundy, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of North America, is home to the highest tides in the world. Twice a day, the Atlantic tide is forced into the Bay of Fundy, filling and emptying a billion tonnes of water during each tide cycle. The Bay of Fundy coastline is about 530 kilometres long, with The Hopewell Rocks on the east end, towards Nova Scotia, and the Fundy Isles on the west end, close to Maine, U.S.A.
There are two road trip routes that run through the region: The Fundy Treasures & Tides Ride and the Fundy Wonders & Whales Route. Each route takes about 5 days to complete.
The Fundy Treasures & Tides Ride
This route takes you through the following destinations:
- The Hopewell Rocks: Walk on the ocean floor at low tide and return hours later to kayak around the famous "flowerpot rocks" at high tide.
- Mary's Point Beach: A long sandy beach with tremendous mudflats that are exposed at low tide. Well-known for phenomenal birdwatching.
- Cape Enrage: Towering cliffs with spectacular views of the bay plus an iconic lighthouse. Ziplining, rappelling, rock climbing, walking paths, and fossil beach.
- Fundy National Park: Discover Acadian forest, ocean beaches, waterfalls, and excellent trails. Deluxe campgrounds with a variety of no-tent-required accommodations.
- St. Martins Sea Caves: Low tide reveals red sandstone sea caves perfect for exploring. Kayak around the caves and coastline at high tide.
- Fundy Trail Parkway: Hike or bike the 16 kilometres of coastal multi-use trail and drive the 19-kilometre parkway. Over 20 scenic lookouts, trails, picnic areas, and secluded beach.
- Fundy Footpath: Explore Magazine calls this one of the best hikes in the world. A challenging wilderness trail hugs the coastline from the Fundy Trail Parkway to Fundy National Park.
- New River Beach Provincial Park: This is the Fundy tidal beach, great for camping, kayaking, and hiking. The expansive sandy beach doubles in size during low tide, which also reveals tidal pools with periwinkles, whelks, and starfish.
The Fundy Wonders & Whales Route
This route takes you through the following destinations:
- Minister's Island: Accessible at low tide only, drive across the seafloor to be immersed in an experience from the late 19th century.
- Grand Manan: Well known as an artist's paradise, this is the largest of the Fundy Isles. Discover solitary beaches, fishing villages, hiking trails, excellent birdwatching and whale-watching, lighthouses, and ruggedly beautiful cliffs.
- Campobello Island: This tranquil island was a favourite of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He built his summer home here, which is now an international park maintained by Canada and the United States.
- Deer Island: The smallest of the Fundy Isles, you'll have the opportunity to see the famous Old Sow Whirlpool just off the southwestern tip of the island.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bay of Fundy, located between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, is known for having the highest tides in the world. The tides can be experienced in Fundy National Park, Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park, St. Martins Sea Caves, and Fundy Trail Parkway.
The average difference between low and high tide worldwide is about one metre, while in the Bay of Fundy it's as much as 16 metres, about the height of a five-story building.
There are two high tides and two low tides every 24-hour period in the Bay of Fundy. The time between a high tide and a low tide is, on average, six hours and 13 minutes.
Visitors can experience the high tides by walking on the ocean floor at low tide and returning a few hours later to see the same area surrounded by water at high tide. Kayaking and guided walks along the coast are also popular ways to experience the high tides.