When we 'talk tides' here on the world's biggest tide bay that conversation can veer in several directions. Depending on where you live in the Bay of Fundy the tides reveal their effects in different ways: whirlpools, sideways currents, bores, tidal rapids, vast expanses of exposed beach, etc.
One of my all time favourite tidal effects is the drained-looks-like-the-plug-has-been-pulled-from-the-sink effect evident in several communities around the Bay in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
This particular photo is of the Parrsboro, NS, harbour about 2 hrs after high tide. At this point in the tide cycle the tide is already over 1 mile from the downtown and has just dropped away from the wharf. By the time it gets to low tide in 4 more hours, it will end up another mile or so behind that lighthouse. And to think, this happens 2x a day, every day of the year!
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Where is a good place to experience the tidal change if you are on the opposite side of the bay ? we are travelling from Digby through to Wolfville
Hello there Paul.
There are three ways to see the tides in Bay of Fundy. If you haven't already read that section of our website, please take a look! http://www.bayoffundytourism.com/faqs
All three of these effects are available in Nova Scotia but in various locations. So yes, you're right, it takes some planning!
1. VERTICAL There are several tidal harbours on your drive from Digby to Wolfville that are completely dry (boats sitting on the ground) at low tide. Two of the best serviced ones are Harbourville (outside Berwick) and Halls Harbour (outside Kentville). They both have restaurants, with Halls Harbour also having a lobster pound where you can choose your own lobster, which is kinda fun. If you only have one day, I'd suggest trying to arrive at these harbours at LOW tide (high tide is 6 hr 13 min before or after low). Then you can use your imagination to figure out what high would look like!
2. HORIZONTAL - For the horizontal effect of the tides you are looking for a big low tide beach "walking on the ocean floor", if you go out to Halls Harbour, there is a good low tide beach at Blomidon Provincial Park (near Wolfville), Plan to visit for the two hours before the low tide time. Once the tide 'turns' from the low tide time and starts to come back in you'll probably want to come off the beach.
Perhaps best would be to drive past Halls Harbour 2 to 3 hrs before low tide, visit Blomidon Park and walk on the ocean floor for a couple hours, then backtrack (only about 30 min) to Halls Harbour to see tides at dead low....
You can check the tide times on our interactive map. you can search tide times for the date of your visit. If you need help reading the tide chart go to: http://bayoffundytourism.com/tides/chart
The tide time for Halls Harbour is linked there & the time for Blomidon Park should be approx the same http://www.bayoffundytourism.com/tides/times - but check with Park staff when you arrive to confirm.
3. BORES & RAPIDS - As far as the 3rd tidal effect (bores & rapids), the bore is best seen in the Shubenacadie River, in Maitland which is about 1.25 hour past Wolfville. The bores occur at a particular time in the tide cycle (varies every day) so you'd want to check with staff at the viewing centre to see the bore times. IT probably won't work to see all 3 tidal effects in the same day....(i.e. the bore will probably be past by the time you get from Wolfville to Maitland).
Viewing deck at S Maitland for tidal bore - http://www.southmaitlandns.com
Note that the tidal bore is about 12 feet high (not 50 feet as some people think). There is also the option of rafting the tidal bore...which is huge fun. see links to rafting companies from our website.
http://bayoffundytourism.com/things_to_do
Hope this helps!~
Terri