Tidal Bore Park

Tidal Bore Park is a small riverfront park in downtown Moncton, New Brunswick, set beside the Petitcodiac River and next to the Treitz Haus, also written Treitz House, one of the oldest surviving houses in the city. Its purpose is simple: it is a place from which to watch the tidal bore, a wave of incoming tidewater that surges up the river twice a day. The park has an amphitheatre of steps and benches facing the water, with a viewing platform, and from there the river can be watched as the tide changes.

The bore is a result of the Bay of Fundy, which has some of the highest tides in the world. At high tide, the sea pushes up the narrow, funnel-shaped Petitcodiac, and the rising water can meet the outgoing river flow as a visible wave front. Watching from the bank, you see the river run low and muddy, and then a line of rippling water moves up the channel, followed by a rapid rise in the water level. The whole river changes within an hour from a shallow stream bordered by brown mudflats to a broad, brimming channel.

The bore was once much larger. A causeway was built across the river between Moncton and Riverview in 1968, and it altered the flow and caused silt to build up, which reduced the bore. After years of campaigning, the causeway gates were opened in 2010, and a bridge later replaced the causeway, allowing the river to flow more freely again. The bore has recovered somewhat, though it remains modest compared with its historical reputation. Visitors who expect a surfing wave will be disappointed, but those who enjoy natural rhythms will appreciate the experience.

Timing matters. The bore arrives at a time that depends on the tide tables, and it shifts from day to day, so check a local schedule and arrive well before the stated time. A short wait on the benches is part of the visit, and there is a clear view along the river in both directions.

Access to the park is free, and it is open all day. Paid parking is available in nearby city lots and on the street, and the park is a short walk from downtown. After the bore passes you can follow the Riverfront Trail along the water, browse the shops and restaurants on Main Street, or visit the Moncton Market on Saturdays. It suits families, curious travellers and anyone who enjoys natural phenomena.