Bore Tide

Last weekend we went with some friends to watch Alaska's version of the "bore tide" on Turnagain Arm.

I had never heard of the bore tide before, but it is a rush of sea water that returns to a shallow narrowing inlet from a broad bay after extreme minus low tides created by a new or full moon.

These tides apparently occur all over the world, although Alaska's is one of the biggest.  It can reach up to 6-10 feet tall and travel 10-15 mph. 

Apparently when the season is right you can watch harbor seals surfing the waves.  We did watch some crazy guys in wetsuits ride it for a few seconds.  

We waited quite a while for the tide to come in.  It didn't end up being quite as big as we anticipated, but it was pretty cool to watch the tide engulf the mudflats within a matter of seconds.