Tidal Bore Rafting FAQ

What age do you need to be to go tidal bore Rafting?

We have rafters of all ages! However rafters must be at least 6 years of age and more importantly they must fit SAFELY in a lifejacket. We require adults to accompany children under the age of 16.

What age is considered a child?

Our child rate is for ages 12 and under.

What to expect?

The Shubenacadie is known for its waves and also its mud! Be sure to dress for the weather and also wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. The mud from the river tends to stain clothes and shoes so wearing older footwear and clothing is always best. If you get cold easily, having a hoodie or extra layer is always nice. Bring a spare pair of clothes to change into after rafting as well as a towel for showering when you are off the river!

Rain gear?

Every rafter will receive a life jacket for the tour and MUST wear it at all times during the trip. Rain gear is available for the colder days on the river but keep in mind it will not help you stay dry when the waves come!

Is Tidal Bore rafting safe?

Rafting comes with the inherent risk of Mother Nature and moving water. As a result, we train our guides to maneuver through the river safely and confidently and always have your well being in mind. As guides, our clients safety is top priority and is not taken lightly. We want all of our customers to feel comfortable when they are rafting with us.

What is your cancellation policy?

All cancellations must be done with written notice to shubiewranglers@gmail.com

All cancellations and reschedules are subject to a fee of $5 per person.

We require 72 hours’ notice of cancellation. Any cancellations made past the 72 hours will be charged 50% of the total invoice. Cancellations done within 24 hours of departure will be charged in full. ALL no-shows will be charged in full. 

Large groups (8+ people) must give at least one week’s written notice of cancellation. Any cancellations made less than one week prior to the tour, will be charged 50% of the total invoice. Cancellations within 24 hours of departure will be charged in full. No-shows will be charged in full.

If you need to reschedule during the cancellation period, you will be charged the same as if you were cancelling, but the fee will be applied as credit for the new date. In addition to this credit, there will still be a $5 per person booking fee.

What if I am only here to watch, not raft?

We have a deck on our lodge that provides some views of the river and the lower section of our property also allows tidal bore viewing access. However, if you are searching for a unique view we suggest checking out the Tidal Interpretive centre directly across the river from our site, only a 1 minute drive!

How many people can fit in one boat?

Our Zodiacs can carry a maximum of 8 passengers! Plus 1 awesome guide!

What is the difference between Tidal Bore and White Water rafting?

Although each type of rafting involves riding the water’s currents, tidal bore rafting and white water rafting are distinctly different experiences.

Tidal bore rafting only occurs in Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie River, where the incoming tide from the Bay of Fundy creates a powerful wave that travels upstream against the river’s current known as the tidal bore. This unique tidal bore rafting experience occurs due to the immense amount of water hitting the large sandbars stretching across the river in Nova Scotia and requires precise timing and expert guidance to catch and ride the tidal wave effectively. In contrast, white water rafting typically takes place on rivers with naturally occurring rapids of various intensities due to large rocks underneath, where paddlers navigate through turbulent waters, rocks, and drops, relying on teamwork and skill to steer their raft safely downstream.

While white water rafting offers diverse challenges and environments across various rivers, tidal bore rafting distinguishes itself through an exhilarating encounter with nature’s tidal forces, involving massive volumes of water—between 120 to 160 billion tons per tide cycle. This amount of water is sufficient to fill the Grand Canyon in just six hours. It creates a thrilling adventure that combines skillful navigation with the awe-inspiring power of the tides.

Another distinguishing feature about tidal bore rafting on the Shubenacadie River is that the flow of water changes 4 times a day due to the rapid pace of the inflow and outflow of water at 2 inches per minute. This phenomenon is different from a white water rafting river that constantly flows in the same direction.

Also, due to the larger amounts of water, tidal bore rafting waves are typically much larger than white water rafting waves. During extreme tides, waves can vary between 12-15 feet from peak to trough, and at certain angles can look closer to 20 feet! In addition, tidal bore rafting includes an extra element of safety as it occurs over sand bars as opposed to sharp rocks. This allows tidal bore rafters in Nova Scotia to ride the waves safely without the use of a helmet!

What is there to do nearby?

See our blog post listing the Shubie River Wranglers’ Top 10 Must Do Activities around the Shubenacadie River here!

Why should I choose to go rafting with the Shubie River Wranglers over any of the rivers’ other rafting outfitters?

Check out our “Why Raft With Us?” section for more compelling information on why you should book your Bay of Fundy Tidal Bore rafting adventure with us! Or click here to read some of our 5-star reviews!