Heading out a bit earlier today as we’re driving to South Maitland and the Fundy Tidal Bore Interpretive Centre and one of the best places to see the tidal bore. The Bay of Fundy is a unique place in the world, with one of the highest tidal ranges on the planet. Twice a day, more water than the combined total of all the fresh water outflows of every river in the world rushes into the Bay of Fundy – and six hours later, pours out again. If you had to put that amount of water in a tank, it would have to be 100km long, 100km wide and 100km high. That’s a lot of water. The result if that the water is coming in faster than the increasingly narrow water channels can cope with, causing a tidal bore, a k8nd of mini tsunami.
The observation platform is built on the remains of an old railway bridge. It’s cold and windy (the wind is party driven by the bore) and as you peer upstream, at first you see a silvery line in the distance. Then you become aware of breakers appearing on a distant shoreline. As the bore approaches it resolves into a continuous rolling breaker, and behind it, hugely turbulent water – roiling currents, whirlpools, standing waves. The power is truly awe inspiring. We stayed and watched the constantly changing currents of the water as the level rose up at a visible rate, while overhead, bald-headed eagles whirled around, hoping to catch fish caught up in the bore.
A lighthouse hunt
The guide at the interpretive centre suggested visiting the lighthouse at Burntcoat. The building was reconstructed by the local community after the original was decommissioned and burned down.
There are lots of stories about how the name ‘Burntcoat’ came about. The most credible historical explanation is tied to the Acadian name “Pointe Brûlé” (“Burnt Point” or “Burnt Coast”) on the opposite side of Noel Bay. Historians think later English-speaking settlers may have mixed up the locations and gradually transformed the French name into “Burntcoat.” Local legends, however, say a farmer accidentally burned his coat after leaving a pipe in the pocket.
Climbing up into the top of the lighthouse is a tight squeeze…
But the view from the top was worth it…
Just down the road we found the Walton Harbour lighthouse, with fantastic views across the vast Bay of Fundy. Walton Harbour was once a busy local port for shipping timber, gypsum, agricultural products, and other goods around the Bay of Fundy. With the massive tides on the bay, this little lighthouse was important for guiding ships in and out. Today, it’s mostly just a pretty decoration.
