Bay of Fundy’s Reversing Rapids
The Reversing Rapids, formerly known as the Reversing Falls, are a series of whirlpools, waves and white water rapids that are produced as the high tides of the Bay of Fundy – the highest in the world – collide with the St. John River in a rocky passage in Saint John, New Brunswick. This is an incredible phenomenon that, to be really appreciated, has to be viewed three times – at low tide, high tide and slack tide.
At low tide, Fundy’s tides are below the level of the St. John River. The river flows thru the gorge and into Saint John’s harbour and the Bay of Fundy. As the water flows through the gorge, the submarine terrain forces the water to become turbulent with a lot of white water rapids and whirlpools that turn in both counter- and clockwise directions.
At high tide, however, the Bay of Fundy rises above the St. John River and the power of the tides actually reverses the flow of the river, creating big waves.
There are 2 low tides and 2 high tides each day – it takes about 12 hours and 13 minutes to move from one end of the tide cycle to the other. In between low and high tide is a period called “slack” tide. At slack tide the Bay of Fundy and the St. John River water levels are equivalent, as a result creating calm waters in the gorge. Lasting for approximately 20 minutes, slack is the only time in the tide cycle that boats can safely cross the Reversing Rapids. To work out the time of low slack, add 3 hours and 50 minutes to low tide. Likewise, to calculate high slack, add 2 hours and 25 minutes to high tide.
To reach the Reversing Rapids, set your GPS to take you to 200 Bridge Road or to 50 Fallsview Avenue. Visiting the Bridge Road location lets you look down on the rapids from an observation deck above the Falls Diner, gift shop and community visitor information center, while the Fallsview Avenue location sits at water level.
Alternately, on a sunny day, you can decide to leave the City Centre and walk along the Harbour Passage walkway to reach the Reversing Rapids. Interpretive panels along the cranberry-painted path provide fascinating historic information regarding Saint John and its harbor as well as the uniqueness of the region’s geology.
To get an up-close view of the Reversing Rapids, take part in one of 2 harbour ship tours or a jet boat thrill ride. The well-experienced kayaker might even test their skills by paddling the rapids. For a bird’s eye view, fly over the Reversing Rapids on a zip line adventure.
An absolute must while you are in the Saint John neighborhood is tidal bore rafting. It’s also only a short drive to the famous old sow whirlpool, which is definitely worth a visit!
