
Ministers Island: A Road That Appears Twice a Day
Canada, north-america
N/A
4 m
moderate
Year-round
Ever driven on the ocean floor? Head to Ministers Island in New Brunswick, Canada, near the Bay of Fundy, for a truly unique experience. Forget bridges and ferries; here, you drive across the Bar Road, a natural gravel causeway revealed only when the tide is out.
But hold on tight because this isn’t your average Sunday drive! The Bay of Fundy boasts the world’s highest tides, so you’re racing against the clock. You've got about five hours during low tide to cruise across this seabed road to the 500-acre island.
The real danger? The speed of the incoming tide. It’s not a gentle rise; the water can surge several centimeters per minute, quickly submerging the road under a whopping 13 feet of saltwater. Miss your window, and your car might become an unexpected submarine!
Beyond the adrenaline rush, Ministers Island is a Canadian National Historic Site. Explore the summer estate of Sir William Van Horne, former president of the Canadian Pacific Railway, complete with a grand sandstone mansion, a round bathhouse, and a massive barn. Enjoy coastal hikes, but keep one eye on the horizon, because that disappearing road waits for no one!
Where is it?
Ministers Island: A Road That Appears Twice a Day is located in Canada (north-america). Coordinates: 60.0145, -110.4607
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 4 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 60.0145, -110.4607
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