Tidal Bore

Day 113

The Bay of Fundy is known to have the largest tides in the world. Twice everyday the bay fills and empties a billion tonnes of water during each tide cycle, this is more than the flow of all the world’s freshwater rivers combined. The force created by this phenomenon is equal to 8000 locomotives or 25 million horses at the Minas Channel and Chignecto Bay. The immense energy of these tides will drive into the connecting rivers, creating what they call tidal bores. These tidal bores will travel sixty kilometres up the river changing the river flow as it goes. After the tidal bore passes, the river will continue to fill to high tide level within the hour.

We were in Moncton when the tidal bore was expected arrive on the Petitcodiac river that ran through the town. We drove to Bore View Park situated along the river and joined the mob of tourists already gathering. We found a spot that offered a little shade for the pups and began our wait. About thirty minutes into our wait, the tidal bore turned the far bend in the river and headed towards us. I will admit, it was something to see, the entire river flow changed complete direction and raised about two feet behind the bore. 

After the tidal bore, we headed to Magnetic Hill located at the north end of Moncton and took our turn rolling our truck backwards up a hill. I unfortunately missed the feeling due to a little difficulty keeping the truck straight as it rolled backwards, lori on the other hand did experience the feeling and agrees that you feel like your rolling up a hill. The five minute experience cost us six dollars and we feel it’s definitely worth doing once.

Our next stop after Moncton was the small town of Shediac, on the Bay of Shediac. The small town is known for its sandy beaches, warm water and the worlds biggest lobster. After a brief stop at at the lobster that I’ve named Pinchy, we decided to call it a day and begin out long trek home. 

Petitcodiac River at Moncton. 

On the far bank the tide will rise right to the grass. 

Tidal Bore coming through. It will travel another thirty kilometres up river. 

River raised by two feet as it passed. 

There is a fee to roll your vehicle up hill. 

In 2010, the secret was revealed by a Japanese scientist named Kokichi Sugihara, who successfully recreated the optical illusion that occurs on Gravity Hill. 

This was the best we could get. 

Pinchy the lobster!