Ministers Island: A Road That Appears Twice a Day
Located in the Bay of Fundy, in the Canadian province of New Brunswick, Ministers Island offers one of the most unusual driving experiences in North America. To reach this historic 500-acre estate, you don't use a bridge or a ferry; you simply wait for the Atlantic Ocean to move out of the way, revealing a road hidden on the sea floor. It’s one of the periodically flooded roads around the world.
The access to the island is through the Bar Road, a natural causeway made of sand and gravel that is completely submerged twice a day. Driving here is a race against time, as the Bay of Fundy is world-famous for having the highest tides on the planet.
| Road facts: Ministers Island (Bar Road) | |
|---|---|
| Location | St. Andrews, New Brunswick (Canada) |
| Length | ~1 km (0.6 miles) across the seabed |
| Max Water Depth | Up to 4 meters (13 ft) at high tide |
| Access Window | Approx. 5 hours per day |
| Surface | Sand, Gravel, and Shells |
How to drive across the ocean floor?
The Bar Road is only drivable during low tide. For approximately five hours each day, the receding waters expose a wide, firm path of gravel and sea shells. During this window, visitors can drive their vehicles directly onto the ocean floor to reach the island. However, as the tide turns, the water returns with incredible speed, covering the road under nearly 4 meters (13 feet) of salt water.
Is the road to Ministers Island dangerous?
Yes, if you ignore the clock. The primary danger at Ministers Island is the speed of the rising tide. It is not a slow process; the water can rise at a rate of several centimeters per minute. Every year, unsuspecting drivers get their vehicles trapped or swept away because they didn't check the tide tables. Once the tide starts coming in, the road disappears quickly, and there is no "middle ground"—you are either on the island or on the mainland.
What is at the end of the road?
Beyond the thrill of the "disappearing road," the island is a National Historic Site of Canada. It was the summer home of Sir William Van Horne, the visionary president of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The island features 500 acres of history, including a massive sandstone mansion, a circular bathhouse, and one of the largest barns in the country. Exploring the island’s nature trails provides stunning ocean views, but every visitor must keep one eye on the horizon, waiting for the ocean to claim its road once again.
Essential Driving Tips
- Consult the Tide Schedule: Always check the official tide charts before starting your trip. The window of accessibility changes every day.
- Don't Linger: If the tide is scheduled to return at 4:00 PM, aim to be off the Bar Road by 3:30 PM.
- Wash your car: You are driving on salt, sand, and mud. A thorough undercarriage wash after the trip is essential to prevent corrosion.
Road suggested by: ro Atkins
Pic: https://www.ministersisland.net/