Reversing Falls

The Reversing Falls, aka Reversing Rapids, can be seen from the riverside Fallsview Park. Visitors can also view the falls from a zipline suspended below the busy Reversing Falls Bridge. Reversing Falls Rapids Tourist Centre screens a 13-minute film explaining the phenomenon; it also has a rooftop viewing platform and Skywalk, with transparent viewing panels underfoot.

Guided shore excursions and organized tours around New Brunswick commonly stop at Reversing Falls, as well as at other local points of interest, such as the historic fishing village of St. Martins, the fertile Kingston Peninsula, and New Brunswick wineries, and other attractions in Saint John, like Saint John’s Old City Market. Multiday tours of The Maritimes sometimes stop at Reversing Falls, too.

• It’s best to see the falls during at least two of the three tidal stages (low, slack, and high) so you can appreciate the changes. The visitor center displays tidal times.

• The Skywalk Saint John is wheelchair accessible.

• An on-site restaurant allows you can eat with views over the falls and while away the hours between the tides.

The best way to get to Reversing Falls, located on Bridge Road in Saint John, is by car or organized tour. If you’re driving from Saint John, head west along Chelsea Drive. The journey takes less than 10 minutes, and you’ll find the visitor center on the far side of Reversing Falls Bridge.

The best time to visit is dependent on the tides. In between tidal extremes, Reversing Falls Rapids are calm and still. Time your visit to coincide with high or low tide during full and harvest moons; this is when tides are at their most extreme. The Skywalk and restaurants are open year-round. Ziplining takes place daily throughout July and August, and on select dates in June, September, and October.

Despite the falls’ urban setting, there is still plenty of wildlife to be seen. During rising tide, harbor seals can often be spotted hunting the fish that have been pushed upriver, while birdlife, including cormorants and gulls, often circle the skies above the rapids.

The Reversing Falls are a natural attraction in Saint John, New Brunswick, that are seen in the St. John River near the Reversing Falls Bridge. These waves, whirlpools, and rapids occur when high tides from the nearby Bay of Fundy collide with the waters of the St. John River.

The Reversing Falls occur in the St. John River near the Simms Corner riverbend. The Reversing Falls Bridge is the easiest landmark to find. From there, there are opportunities to see the Reversing Falls on either side of the bridge—at a lookout with a car park and Reversing Falls Restaurant.

Yes, the Reversing Falls Restaurant has views of the Reversing Falls. The restaurant is located just across the south side of the Reversing Falls Bridge at 200 Bridge Road. There are no other restaurants or cafes nearby, but you could bring a picnic to Fallsview Park.

There are two low tide, two high tide, and one slack tide period each day. The best times to visit are either a few hours after low tide, as the tide begins to increase, or soon after high tide, when the whirlpools and rapids are in full force.

Yes, visitors to New Brunswick have three options for viewing the Reversing Falls. The first is when taking a guided boat tour that sails near the falls. The second is when dining at the Reversing Falls Restaurant, and the third is when walking the Reversing Falls Trail to the lookout platforms.

While experienced whitewater kayakers do navigate the Reversing Falls rapids without harm, an inexperienced kayaker may feel at risk of injury when trying to maintain balance. The two safest ways to view the Reversing Falls are either from the platform or on a guided boat tour.