Quick Fact: The Bay of Fundy, straddling Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in Canada, holds the world record for the highest tidal range, measuring up to 16.6 meters (54 feet 6 inches) at Leaf Basin in Ungava Bay. Coordinates: 45.3356° N, 64.0921° W.
Where exactly is the Bay of Fundy located?
The Bay of Fundy sits between Nova Scotia to the southeast and New Brunswick to the northwest, stretching about 270 kilometers (170 miles) inland from the Atlantic Ocean.
Why does the Bay of Fundy have such extreme tides?
Its funnel shape and length create a perfect storm of physics—concentrating tidal energy and amplifying natural oscillations into massive surges.
What’s the average tidal range at the Bay of Fundy?
At Burntcoat Head, the average tidal range clocks in at 14.5 meters (47.6 feet).
Where was the highest tide ever recorded in the Bay of Fundy?
Leaf Basin in Ungava Bay hit the record books in 1953 with a staggering 16.6-meter (54 feet 6 inches) tidal range.
How long is the Bay of Fundy?
This massive inlet stretches roughly 270 kilometers (170 miles) from its mouth to its inland reaches.
How wide is the Bay of Fundy at its mouth?
When you look at where it meets the Atlantic, the bay spans about 100 kilometers (62 miles) across.
What happens to the bay during low tide?
The water retreats so dramatically that vast mudflats and rock formations get exposed—sometimes for miles.
What causes the Bay of Fundy’s record-breaking tides?
A rare mix of geography and physics: the bay’s shape focuses tidal energy, while its length syncs up with the Atlantic’s natural oscillations to create those legendary surges.
What’s a seiche, and how does it relate to the Bay of Fundy’s tides?
A seiche is a standing wave that resonates with the ocean’s tidal cycle. In the Bay of Fundy, it’s what turns normal tides into a dramatic rise and fall.
Who first studied the Bay of Fundy’s tides?
The Mi’kmaq peoples knew the rhythms long before Europeans arrived, using them to hunt and fish.
What role does the Bay of Fundy play in marine biodiversity?
It’s a hotspot for life—over 350 bird species call it home, including endangered red knots, and it’s a critical feeding ground for whales like the North Atlantic right whale.
Hike the exposed ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks, go kayaking, or join a guided tidepooling tour to see starfish, crabs, and sea urchins up close.
Generally, yes—but watch those warning signs. Currents can hit 15 km/h (9 mph) during strong tidal flows, so stay alert.
