Positioned between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the Bay of Fundy is well-known for being residence to the world’s highest tides. Twice a day, day by day, the Bay fills and empties a billion tonnes of water.
This unimaginable pure incidence creates some fairly distinctive experiences and points of interest. You’ll be able to stroll on the ocean flooring, kayak amongst rock formations, go whale watching, or go Tidal Bore rafting.
Tidal Bore rafting. Photograph credit score: Tourism Nova Scotia
However earlier than we get too far, let’s first discuss in regards to the phenomena of the tidal bore.
About Tides and Tidal Bores
The typical tidal vary of all oceans world wide is 1 meter (3ft), and but the Bay of Fundy sees tides of as much as 16 meters (52.5 ft). You’ll be able to see vertical and horizontal tidal results across the bay’s shoreline, however the easiest way to expertise it’s by witnessing the tidal bores.
Tidal bores solely occur in a handful of locations worldwide, and the Shubenacadie River in Nova Scotia is considered one of these distinctive spots. The tidal bore phenomenon happens when the incoming tide of the bay meets the Shubenacadie River and causes an abrupt change within the present. It pushes the water again, resulting in a turbulent chaos of waves and roaring rapids.
The lead wave is known as the tidal bore. It may well vary from 8 to twenty toes (2.5-6 meters), and be categorised as common, excessive and excessive, relying on the timing.
Tidal Bore in motion
Tidal Bore Rafting on Shubenacadie River
One of the simplest ways to expertise the facility of the Bay of Fundy tides is to go Tidal Bore Rafting in Nova Scotia. This enjoyable expertise is barely discovered on the Shubenacadie River or domestically generally known as the Schubie River, famous as one of many prime 5 rivers in Canada by Lonely Planet.
Many firms provide rafting journeys on Shubenacadie River, however nobody does it higher than the unique founders of the expertise, the Tidal Bore Rafting Resort.
Shubenacadie River in Nova Scotia
The excursions are solely supplied within the hotter months from Could to October, and the extent of journey is scalable primarily based in your choice. These journeys vary from 1-hour to 4-hour rafting journeys!
4-hour journeys cowl round an 18 km (10 miles) stretch of the river. Shorter excursions cowl simply 9 km (6 miles) of the river however nonetheless provide the identical high-adrenaline journey.
As soon as a month, Tidal Bore Rafting Resort places on the Fundy Tides and Fireplace Journey expertise, which features a stunning lunch on the tidal flooring, a tidal bore rafting journey, a lobster boil dinner and an in a single day keep in one of many on-site cabins.
We couldn’t squeeze a keep on the resort into our East Coast Canada journey however managed to hitch the crew for a day lunch on the tidal flooring and a Tidal Bore rafting journey!
On the Tidal Bore Rafting Resort on Shubenacadie River in Nova Scotia
Tidal Bore Rafting: Our Expertise
We arrived on the Tidal Bore Rafting Resort, not likely understanding what to anticipate from this journey. After parking our automotive, we made our approach inside and had been happy to see the laid-back angle of the workers and the guides across the resort.
The information’s temporary introduction of the expertise made one factor clear: Tidal Bore Rafting was not a typical rafting journey!
Shubenacadie River at low tide
We grabbed security jackets and helmets and equipped for our journey. It was arduous to think about any highly effective rapids as we descended to the calm and peaceable Shubenacadie River.
“Simply watch for the bores,” laughed our information, noting our puzzlement. “You received’t acknowledge this river in just some hours time”
There was no higher option to watch for the rapids than to get pleasure from a wonderful seafood lunch on the tidal flooring. The tables had been fantastically set with linen tablecloths, and the lunch unfold featured contemporary seafood paired with native signature wines referred to as Tidal Bay.
Lunch on the Shubenacadie River flooring
After lunch, the river began to rework.
We jumped again on the raft and headed out to the river mouth. We shortly discovered that Tidal Bore rafting is just not precisely like different rafting journeys, as there are not any paddles concerned and the information has full management of the boat. So we obtained cozy and obtained prepared for the experience of our lives!
The joy started as quickly as the primary tidal bore reached our boat. Hastily, dozens of different Tidal Bore Rafting boats appeared round us, driving the waves as they sped up round us. Every wave was a thrill as we rode the highs and lows, getting splashed alongside the way in which.
En path to catch the Tidal Bores
Tidal Bore rafting on Shubenacadie River
On the Shubenacadie River for Tidal Bore rafting
Tidal Bore rafting on Shubenacadie River
On the way in which again to the resort, we obtained to get pleasure from some mud sliding across the banks of the river. Snacks and drinks awaited us again on the resort.
Tidal Bore Rafting Resort affords friends a non-public cottage on the property with both one or two bedrooms and loads of nice services, together with free wifi, ensuites, heating and AC. A number of the cozy pine chalets even provide a sizzling tub as properly, or there’s a seasonal out of doors pool for everybody to get pleasure from.
Sadly, we didn’t get to remain for the in a single day expertise. However it regarded like such a enjoyable journey for a special day! The expertise is made full with a lobster dinner and a beer or glass of wine by the fireplace for a calming chat with friends earlier than retreating to cedar rooms.
Tidal Bore Rafting: Suggestions & Recommendation
- As a result of energy of the river and the tidal bores, no paddles are used on the Tidal Bore rafting adventures, making the expertise extra akin to a rollercoaster experience than an exhilarating exercise!
- The Tidal Bore Rafting Resort provides obligatory life vests, rainwear and boots if wanted.
- River water temperature ranges between 20-27°C (55-80°F), whereas the air temperature is normally fairly a bit cooler. Heat flotation fits can be found at no additional cost.
- The Tidal Bore Rafting Journey is obtainable day by day in the summertime, however the particular Fundy Tides and Fireplace Journey is barely supplied just a few occasions a 12 months.
Tidal Bore rafting on Shubenacadie River
Why Go: Last Ideas
A tidal bore rafting journey is a once-in-a-lifetime expertise! The rafting journeys provide top-of-the-line methods to expertise the pure phenomenon of the Bay of Fundy tides. Plus, the in a single day Fundy Tides and Fireplace Journey and wilderness seclusion permit for the last word enjoyment, with enjoyable cabins, scrumptious meals and further time to expertise the realm. It was such a incredible expertise for our East Coast Canada trip, and we extremely suggest including it to your Nova Scotia itinerary.