The Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada

On a recommendation from a friend a couple of years ago, I visited The Bay of Fundy. He told me that you could actually leave your footprints on the ocean floor. Intrigued with the thought, I packed my car and drove to New Brunswick from Connecticut in about twelve hours. Well I have to tell you, it is one of the Marine wonders of the world. The Bay of Fundy actually experiences the world's highest tides. They rise and fall an amazing forty eight feet (that's over twelve meters in many places). What I found to be even more amazing was that it happens twice a day, every day. I was told that these tides come about by something known as the funnel effect. During the retreat of the ice age, the Bay of Fundy formed as a massive natural funnel. Like a funnel, the bay is very wide at the mouth and narrows as it moves up inland. This causes the gravitational pull of the moon to truly exaggerate the normal tidal effect as the water gains more momentum rushing into the narrow end of the funnel.

As this continues to happen every day, the natural landscape of the area is constantly changing. The reversing of the flow of rivers sends tidal bores (these are waves that travel up a river or narrow inlet that go against the direction of the current) for miles inland. Think about a building over four stories in height being totally submerged in water, and in a matter of hours, the water is gone. Now remember that this phenomenon happens twice a day!

There is a scenic road that parallels the bay from St. Stephen to Aulac New Brunswick that takes about four hours to traverse. While you are there you must take a tour of what is known as Hopewell Rocks. What you will find here are massive formations that are called "flowerpot rocks". Then in a matter of just around six hours the "pots' become islands being explored by people in kayaks. There are many extensive trails that wind all throughout Fundy National Park. I found a place called St.Martins where there are amazing vistas. You can take some great photos there.

I was quite surprised to find so many things to do there beyond exploring the tidal phenomenon. Quaint little towns and an actual jet boat ride that charges the reversing falls. Not for the faint of heart. Also the tides attract a lot of different sea life, and I was able to do some of the best whale watching I've ever seen.

This news article is brought to you by GOING GREEN NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.