The Bay of Fundy has the world’s highest tides. Twice a day, at high tide, the bay goes back upstream into the Petitcodiac river causing a wave that lasts for miles. It’s called a tidal bore and it only happens in a few places on Earth.
In 1968, a causeway was built between Moncton and Riverview to prevent agricultural flooding and to carry a crossing between the two communities. It caused several problems including shallow water, silt, pollution and made it difficult for salmon to go past it. And it stopped the tidal bore. Locals call it the Chocolate River now. In April 2010, with controversy, the causeway gates were opened and back came the tidal bore.
In July 2013 Colin Whitbread and JJ Wessels of Southern California set a new North American record for longest wave ever surfed when they rode the tidal bore for approximately 29 kilometers. It become a surfing hotspot after that. Moncton stresses it’s just for very experienced surfers with emergency crews for support.
When we went, there were no surfers. It’s an awesome sight to see. I had to delete the sound on the video because a nearby food truck was all you could hear. If you’re going to see Hopewell Rocks, see the tidal bore on the way in Moncton. Well worth it
