If you like to be dry, clean, and stationary, tidal bore rafting on the Shubenacadie River in Nova Scotia is not for you. But it is a lot of fun.
Bay of Fundy Tidal Bore
The Bay of Fundy, located between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, has the highest observed tides in the world. Worldwide, the average tidal range (the difference in height between low tide and high tide) is about 3 feet. The funnel-shaped Bay of Fundy has a tidal range of 38 feet (12 meters). 
Bay of Fundy and Shubenacadie River (NASA image).
Every 12 hours, tides from the Atlantic Ocean push through the Bay of Fundy, with more than 100 billion tons of water flowing in and out of the bay.
This effect – a tidal bore – is gradual, yet powerful, like lava flow.
Tidal Bore Rafting on the Shubenacadie River
The Shubenacadie River in Nova Scotia is a prime spot for tidal bore rafting. The Shubenacadie (pronounced shoo-ben-ACK-ah-dee) is 45 miles (72 km) long and up to 20 feet (6 meters) wide. Located near the end of the Bay of Fundy, the width of the Shubenacadie can accommodate the volume of water from the tidal bore. As the tidal bore moves inward, it reverses the course of the Shubenacadie to flow upstream. 
Shubenacadie River at low tide.
Shubenacadie River at high tide.
What is Tidal Bore Rafting? Unique in the world, the Bay of Fundy can rise up to 50 feet (15 meters) in 3 hours. As the ocean tide moves up the Bay of Fundy into the Shubenacadie River, rapids form over a series of sandbars. Tour operators use Zodiacs, high-speed inflatable boats, to navigate these rapids. As each section of the river fills with water, the rapids die down, and the boats move to the next set of rapids. 
High-speed inflatable Zodiac boats.
Unlike whitewater rafting, you don’t have to paddle, but you do have to hold on.
With tidal bore rafting, you must be prepared for “the wet”. Life jackets (always) and raingear (sometimes) are required by tour operators. 
Raingear and life jackets at the ready.
Putting in the Zodiac boats.
My husband and I stepped into the boat first, so we sat at the back, on either side of the driver.
Because you’re bouncing on the edge of the Zodiac boat, you may be tempted to grab hold of the very things keeping the boat in motion. Don’t do that. To my husband, the driver said, “Don’t pull out the key.” To me, the driver said, “Don’t grab the wheel.” My husband and I smiled at each other, as if to say, “Whose idea was this anyway?” (It was mine.) 
Waves form on the river.
In addition to the driver, the Zodiac boat carries a maximum of 8 passengers.
The river starts to rise.
Waiting for the waves.
To maintain your balance, lean forward and hold onto the rope that snakes its way around the top of the boat.
Here we go!
After taking a few photos, I tucked away my camera, held onto the rope, and enjoyed the ride.
The driver steers the boat directly into the waves, which lifts the boat into the air, before dropping the boat (thwump!) into the water again. The Zodiacs make several passes through each rapid before moving with the tidal bore upriver. Tidal bore waves can range from 6 feet (1.8 meters) to 10 feet (3 meters) high or more. Tidal Bore Rafting Video 
Tidal Bore Rafting - What to Wear When you go tidal bore rafting, what should you wear?
Tidal Bore Without “The Wet” You can see the tidal bore on the Shubenacadie River without “the wet”. During the season (May-October), you can watch the tidal bore – high and dry – from the observation deck at the Fundy Interpretive Tidal Centre. 
Shubenacadie River from the Fundy Tidal Interpretive Centre.
Fundy Interpretive Tidal Centre
9865 Route 236 Maitland, Nova Scotia B0N 1T0 Telephone: 902-261-2250 (during the season) https://www.easthants.ca/fundy-tidal-interpretive-centre/ Things to Know About Tidal Bore Rafting
Shubenacadie River Runners (partners with Shubie River Wranglers) 90 Phillips Road Green Oaks, Nova Scotia (one hour north of Halifax) Telephone: 800-856-5061 https://riverrunnersns.com/ 
Riding the tidal bore on the Shubenacadie River.
See more Places to Go: Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Ride Millicent Rogers Museum Authentic Native American Jewelry Jane Austen House Lacock Abbey England Cape Cod Lavender Farm Harwich 
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