Bay of Fundy Tides Schedule & Best Viewing Times 2024
WORLD'S HIGHEST TIDES:
• Maximum Height: 16.3 meters (53.5 feet)
• Location: Minas Basin, Nova Scotia
• Cycle: Two high tides and two low tides daily
• Duration: 12 hours 25 minutes per cycle
• Volume: 160 billion tonnes of water twice daily
Best Viewing Locations
TOP TIDE VIEWING SPOTS:
• Hopewell Rocks, NB: Famous flowerpot rocks
• Five Islands Provincial Park, NS: Dramatic tidal flats
• Grand Pre, NS: Minas Basin maximum tides
• Halls Harbour, NS: Harbor drains completely
• Burntcoat Head Park, NS: Highest recorded tides
• Economy, NS: Tidal bore viewing
Understanding Tidal Cycles
DAILY TIDE PATTERN:
• High Tide: Every ~12 hours 25 minutes
• Low Tide: ~6 hours 12.5 minutes after high tide
• Time Shift: Tides occur ~50 minutes later each day
• Spring Tides: Highest tides (new/full moon)
• Neap Tides: Lower tides (quarter moon)
SPRING TIDE DATES 2024:
• January 11 & 25: New/Full Moon
• February 9 & 24: Maximum tide heights
• March 10 & 25: Spring equinox boost
• April 8 & 23: Eclipse-enhanced tides
• May 8 & 23: Tourist season begins
• June 6 & 22: Summer solstice period
• July 5 & 21: Peak tourist viewing
• August 4 & 19: Warm weather tides
• September 3 & 18: Fall equinox enhancement
• October 2, 17 & 31: Autumn maximum
• November 1 & 15: Late season viewing
• December 1, 15 & 30: Winter tides
Best Viewing Times
OPTIMAL CONDITIONS:
• Spring Tides: 2-3 days around new/full moon
• Time Planning: Arrive 1 hour before low tide
• Stay Duration: 6+ hours to see full cycle
• Weather: Clear days for best photography
• Safety: Never walk on mudflats alone
Tidal Bore Phenomenon
TIDAL BORE LOCATIONS:
• Shubenacadie River: Most accessible bore
• Salmon River: Smaller but reliable
• Truro: Urban tidal bore viewing
• Maitland: Historic bore location
• Size: 1-3 meter wave moving upstream
Safety Considerations
CRITICAL SAFETY RULES:
• Never walk alone on tidal flats
• Check tide tables before venturing out
• Stay within sight of shore
• Incoming tide moves faster than you can run
• Mud can be extremely sticky and dangerous
• Always tell someone your plans
EMERGENCY CONTACTS:
• Emergency: 911
• Coast Guard: *16 on VHF radio
• Park Rangers: Available at provincial parks
• Tide Information: fisheries-oceans.gc.ca
• Weather: Environment Canada
Photography Tips
BEST PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:
• Low Tide: Exposed sea floor, ships on mud
• High Tide: Dramatic water levels
• Transition: Time-lapse possibilities
• Golden Hour: Sunrise/sunset lighting
• Comparison Shots: Same location, different tides
Tidal Power Generation
RENEWABLE ENERGY:
• Annapolis Tidal Station: Operating since 1984
• Capacity: 20 MW renewable power
• Future Projects: In-stream tidal turbines
• Research: Fundy Ocean Research Center
• Environmental Impact: Fish-friendly designs
Marine Life and Tides
ECOSYSTEM IMPACT:
• Tidal Pools: Rich marine biodiversity
• Mudflats: Critical shorebird habitat
• Fish Migration: Tides affect spawning
• Whale Watching: Tides influence feeding
• Seaweed Harvesting: Low tide collection
Historical Significance
HUMAN HISTORY:
• Mi'kmaq: Traditional fishing with tides
• Acadian Dykes: Tidal marsh agriculture
• Shipbuilding: Tide-dependent launching
• Trade Routes: Tidal navigation
• Modern Science: Tidal research station
Visitor Centers and Information
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:
• Fundy Discovery Site (Economy): Interactive exhibits
• Interpretation Centre (Five Islands): Tide information
• Grand Pre National Historic Site: Acadian dykes
• Hopewell Rocks Interpretive Centre: NB side
• Online Tide Tables: Real-time predictions
Accommodation Near Tide Sites
NEARBY LODGING:
• Parrsboro: Hotels and B&Bs
• Truro: Full service accommodation
• Wolfville: Wine country lodging
• Five Islands: Camping and cabins
• Windsor: Historic inns
Seasonal Considerations
BEST SEASONS:
• Summer (June-August): Warmest, most accessible
• Fall (September-October): Clear weather, fewer crowds
• Spring (April-May): Dramatic tides, variable weather
• Winter (November-March): Harsh conditions, ice formations
Scientific Research
ONGOING STUDIES:
• Tidal Energy: Renewable power potential
• Climate Change: Sea level impact on tides
• Marine Biology: Tidal ecosystem research
• Geology: Erosion and sediment studies
• Oceanography: Current and water movement
Planning Your Visit
RECOMMENDED ITINERARY:
• Day 1: Arrive, check tide tables
• Day 2: Full tide cycle viewing (6+ hours)
• Day 3: Multiple locations comparison
• Day 4: Tidal bore experience
• Advance Planning: Book accommodation early
ESSENTIAL RESOURCES:
• Tide Tables: fisheries-oceans.gc.ca
• Weather: weather.gc.ca
• Road Conditions: 511 Nova Scotia
• Park Information: parks.novascotia.ca
• Emergency Preparedness: novascotia.ca/emergency