Hopewell Rocks - it really does!!
What do you get when you
combine the gravitational pull of the moon, a narrow bay with a sloping bottom
and 100 billion tonnes of rushing seawater? The highest tides in the world! At
Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick, Canada, you can watch the tides rise and fall
over 14 metres twice a day. Better yet, you can ride the tides on a guided
kayak tour with Baymount Outdoor Adventures. http://www.thehopewellrocks.ca/
Later, return to walk the ocean floor.
Our adventure began in Moncton,
New Brunswick. We flew in the night before, rented a car, and then made the
short and easy drive to Hopewell - about 40 minutes door to door. There's lots
of parking and an easy walk to the admission gate. $9 adults/$6.75 kids (2015)
and you've bought yourself a two day pass, in case you'd rather not stick
around for the tide to change, but return the next day at your leisure. There's
an interpretive centre to explain the science and history behind the tides -
some of the oldest rocks in the world can be found in this neck of the woods,
here long before the Rocky Mountains were even a twinkle in anyone's eye.
Then, if all that reading makes you hungry, grab a reasonably priced bite at
the High Tide Café. When it's time to work off the calories, head
outside and start walking - don't stress - it's all downhill. There are viewing
platforms along the way, and a pleasant path through the woods. Best of all -
there's a $2 shuttle ride to avoid the walk back up! At the end of the trail
you will find a large warning sign, and a staircase. This is how you reach the
ocean floor, when the tide is out. But be sure to take a peek at high tide to
see the water rushing in around the steps. You must know the tide times before
you plan this trip - they are accessible on the web site http://www.thehopewellrocks.ca/
The sign is there to warn you
how long you have on the ocean floor before the tide comes rushing back in and
you find yourself trapped! Actually, there's little chance of this unless you
choose to live dangerously - the tide is out long enough to allow for about
three hours of walking time. We arrived at high tide all set to kayak - but on
one of those windy days when the waves are 4 feet high and the chance of
tipping is even higher. Though disappointed, we were no poorer. Baymount is an
excellent company that prides themselves on safety - chickening out came with a
full refund. But what to do? Cape Enrage - but that's another post. Had
we kayaked, we would have passed two hours on the water and then
spent the remaining hour until low tide trail walking. Instead,
we returned in time to descend the stairs and walk right out on to the ocean
floor.
The scenery is truly stunning. You can walk under arches and around
giant "flowerpot" rock formations, or wander down to the muddy
water's edge. Closer to shore the ground is sandier and fairly compact. Should
you need to, hoses are provided at the top of the staircase to clean off any
mud. Or, if you are 14, to spray your mother. Give yourself at least an hour to
wander - there are caves for the more adventurous, but even for the less
inclined, the beauty needs to be enjoyed at length. End your visit with a stop
at the gift shop - one of the nicest we visited over a 14 day Maritimes road
trip.
What do you get when you
combine the gravitational pull of the moon, a narrow bay with a sloping bottom
and 100 billion tonnes of rushing seawater? The highest tides in the world! At
Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick, Canada, you can watch the tides rise and fall
over 14 metres twice a day. Better yet, you can ride the tides on a guided
kayak tour with Baymount Outdoor Adventures. http://www.thehopewellrocks.ca/
Later, return to walk the ocean floor. 
Our adventure began in Moncton,
New Brunswick. We flew in the night before, rented a car, and then made the
short and easy drive to Hopewell - about 40 minutes door to door. There's lots
of parking and an easy walk to the admission gate. $9 adults/$6.75 kids (2015)
and you've bought yourself a two day pass, in case you'd rather not stick
around for the tide to change, but return the next day at your leisure. There's
an interpretive centre to explain the science and history behind the tides -
some of the oldest rocks in the world can be found in this neck of the woods,
here long before the Rocky Mountains were even a twinkle in anyone's eye.
Then, if all that reading makes you hungry, grab a reasonably priced bite at
the High Tide Café. When it's time to work off the calories, head
outside and start walking - don't stress - it's all downhill. There are viewing
platforms along the way, and a pleasant path through the woods. Best of all -
there's a $2 shuttle ride to avoid the walk back up! At the end of the trail
you will find a large warning sign, and a staircase. This is how you reach the
ocean floor, when the tide is out. But be sure to take a peek at high tide to
see the water rushing in around the steps. You must know the tide times before
you plan this trip - they are accessible on the web site http://www.thehopewellrocks.ca/
The sign is there to warn you
how long you have on the ocean floor before the tide comes rushing back in and
you find yourself trapped! Actually, there's little chance of this unless you
choose to live dangerously - the tide is out long enough to allow for about
three hours of walking time. We arrived at high tide all set to kayak - but on
one of those windy days when the waves are 4 feet high and the chance of
tipping is even higher. Though disappointed, we were no poorer. Baymount is an
excellent company that prides themselves on safety - chickening out came with a
full refund. But what to do? Cape Enrage - but that's another post. Had
we kayaked, we would have passed two hours on the water and then
spent the remaining hour until low tide trail walking. Instead,
we returned in time to descend the stairs and walk right out on to the ocean
floor. 
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