Bay of Fundy

Bay of Fundy, large tidal inlet of the North Atlantic Ocean, separating the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, south-eastern Canada, and bordering on eastern Maine. The bay is about 275 km (170 mi) long and up to 80 km (50 mi) wide. In the east, Fundy divides into two arms, Chignecto Bay on the north and Minas Channel (which leads into Minas Basin) on the south. The funnel effect of these narrowing arms increases the tidal range of the bay, and at times the water in the arms rises by as much as 18 m (60 ft), creating one of the world's highest tides. The tidal surge in Chignecto Bay produces a large crested wave, or bore, ranging to 1.8 m (6 ft) in height, in the lower Petitcodiac River in New Brunswick. The rising tide in the bay itself creates a “reversing falls” on the lower Saint John River, at Saint John, New Brunswick, where the height of the tide is enough to reverse the flow of water even over a series of rapids. Although Fundy is very deep, navigation is difficult because of the rapid rise and fall of the tide. These powerful tides have the potential to create enormous amounts of hydroelectric power, although engineering difficulties and environmental concerns have so far prevented much development.

Major deep-water harbours are located at Saint John and at Digby and Hantsport, Nova Scotia. These ports flourished as logging and shipbuilding centres during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Passamaquoddy Bay, a western arm of Fundy, forms part of the boundary between New Brunswick and Maine. The surrounding shoreline of the bay, flanked by steep cliffs and heavily indented by coves, is noted for its thick forests and spectacular rock formations. The French explorer Pierre du Guast, sieur de Monts, was the first European to sail into the bay, in 1604.