Reversing Falls

These reversing falls are the best. But I must disagree with several reviewers. This reverse flow occurs all over the world, maybe not so dramatically as in Saint John. I was standing by the East River in NYC a couple of weeks ago. It was flowing north so rapidly, I don’t think Michael Phelps could make headway against it.

Check the tidal charts before you come here, you want to arrive about 30 minutes before the slack tide (midpoint time between high and low tides) and stay til about 30 minutes after that. There’s an outdoor viewing area but also a smaller indoor viewing area just outside of the restaurant area with big windows, which also has bathrooms and a gift shop to sell you items.
The tides are due to the nearby Bay of Fundy, which boasts some of the biggest tidal changes in the world. While it’s interesting to watch the flow of water change due to the tides, you get a much better effect by going to Hopewell Rocks (a 2.5 hour drive away) and walking on the ocean floor.

Growing up in Saint John, I must admit I have taken the reversing falls for granted.
It is cool to see, but dont be tricked into that horrible restaurant over looking the falls.
The falls itsself: only place in the world where the current flows the wrong way! Totally cool — i recommend taking the jet boat ride (expensive, but its the ONLY place in the world). Be ready to get wet — but its so fun.

This is a great place to experience the amazing power of Bay of Fundy tides. If you get there at the right time, it’s possible to see the river flow completely stop and then reverse direction. There is a convenient observation platform on the top, which provides a great vantage point.
Hint: the time of reversal changes daily. Check the times before going!
Read more here:

One of the few things to see in Saint John. Yes, as Brian S. wrote it is different at different times of the year. I’m no expert about when high tide and such is but while I was there there were tons of rapids and what looked to be multiple powerful whirl pools. This is powerful enough that yes, I could feel moisture and a powerful wind in the air however, of you know Saint John, you know that the weather is messed here and they get fog at least once a day. Anyway, if you’re in the area, definitely check this out. It is a great site to see especially if it’s nice out. As for the boat rides, I saw 2 companies offering tours With the earliest boat departing at around 11am and every 30 minutes after. Nice to see but unless you’re going on a boat tour, don’t expect to stick around too long, there’s a path you can walk down to get closer otherwise a bridge. Near that path (across) is the Fallsview Park which I did not have a look from. Kicking myself as I should have done that…

A place where
the water
doesn’t know
which way
to go
Reversing Falls is the only place in the world where the tide actually overcomes the current and the water flows the «wrong way». This is because of the tremendous power of the huge tides in the Bay of Fundy that flow into the river. It only happens at high tide and the actually water flow varies at different times of the year. It ‘s more of a series of rapids rather than an waterfall but when it’s ripping at full power the pressure of the water can actually be felt from several hundred feet away.
The best place to watch the phenomena is Fallsview Park but anywhere along the high cliffs offer cool views. Jetboat rides are also available and brave souls even kayak near the rapids.
Even without the confused water this would still be a fascinating place. The huge gorge is incredible and the power of the water during high tide is impressive. Across the river is the giant pulp mill of the J.D. Irving company, not exactly aesthetic pleasing but interesting in it’s own way. Plenty of tour buses arrive at the falls during high tide but a better way is to walk from the center of St. John’s along the river path. A cool way to experience a unique and impressive phenomena of nature.