Bay of Fundy Tides

Tides are the periodic rise and fall of the sea caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the Earth. Fundy’s tides are the highest in the world because of an unusual combination of factors: resonance and the shape of the bay. The water in the Bay of Fundy has a natural resonance or rocking motion called seiche. You could compare this to the movement of water in a bathtub. Although the water in a bathtub sloshes from one end to the other and back again in a few seconds, it takes about 13 hours for the water in the bay to rock from the mouth of the bay to the head of the bay and back again. As the ocean tide rises and floods into the bay every 12 hours and 25 minutes, it reinforces the rocking motion. You should always check the tide table before exploring. All locations are not the same. Check first!

Lighthouses at high or low tide

With so much rugged coastline, our picturesque and numerous lighthouses serve an important navigational and historical purpose. There are 20 lighthouses in the Charlotte Coastal Region. Grand Manan has at least 7 alone! Some lighthouses are open to the public, like the Head Harbour lighthouse on Campobello and some you can explore yourself when the tide is low enough to walk across the ocean floor like Pea Point Lighthouse in Blacks Harbour. Most are still in use, and to this day guide captains away from the dangerous shores.

Driving on the Ocean Floor

Every six hours over 150 billion tons of water flushes in and out of the Bay of Fundy. The 50-foot tidal exchange creates opportunities for a different New Brunswick outdoor adventure. Witness the world-famous tides each day. Wharfs are a great visual reflecting the water coming in or out. Take a walk on the ocean floor or drive across to an island. Ministers Island is a perfect choice!