SKYWALK Saint John: Walking Above the Reversing Rapids in New Brunswick

Location: Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada

If you are planning a road trip through New Brunswick, SKYWALK Saint John is one of those easy and memorable stops that the whole family will enjoy. Perched high above the Bay of Fundy, this glass observation deck gives you a front row seat to one of the most fascinating natural phenomena in the world.

On our drive to Prince Edward Island, I was looking for unique places to break up the trip, and SKYWALK Saint John was just an hour from St. Andrews. It ended up being one of the most interesting stops along the way.

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SKYWALK Saint John

SKYWALK Saint John offers incredible views, but what makes it truly special is its location above the Reversing Rapids. This is where the Saint John River meets the Bay of Fundy, home to the highest tides in the world.

Twice each day, the tides rise up to 28 feet and force the river to reverse direction. It is one of the only places where you can actually watch a river flow backward.

One of the first things I noticed about traveling in Canada was how easy everything felt. We never dealt with crowds, traffic, or long waits. When we arrived at SKYWALK Saint John, we parked right out front and were the only visitors there at the time.

Before heading up to the observation deck, we stopped in the gift shop where the boys were excited to find new pins for their collection. Then we took the elevator upstairs to begin the experience.

What to Expect at SKYWALK Saint John

Your visit to SKYWALK Saint John starts with a short educational video that explains the science behind the reversing tides. It was quick, engaging, and helpful for the kids to understand what they were about to see.

From there, you step out onto the observation deck. The glass floor extends out over the cliffs, giving you a clear view straight down to the river 110 feet below.

I will be honest, I completely froze. Heights are not my thing, and stepping onto the glass took some serious courage. Meanwhile, the kids had no hesitation and were happily jumping and peering over the edge.

Even if you are not a fan of heights, the views from SKYWALK Saint John are worth it. Watching the powerful currents below is both thrilling and a little mesmerizing.

When to Visit the Reversing Rapids

Timing your visit can make a big difference in what you see at SKYWALK Saint John. The tides change roughly every 12 hours, creating different experiences throughout the day.

At high tide, the Bay of Fundy pushes water upriver, reversing the flow. At low tide, you can see dramatic whirlpools formed by the rushing currents.

We did not plan our visit around the tides since we were just passing through, but it was still impressive. We caught the whirlpools in action, and the force of the water was incredible to watch.

The tide is so strong that there are is only a short window, about 20 minutes each cycle, when it is safe for boats to cross the rapids.

Another thing to look for is the different colored rocks along the cliff side, which formed hundreds of millions of years ago.

You can actually see where 1.2 billion year old Precambrian marble, the lighter rock that originated near the South Pole, collided with 515 million year old dark igneous rock from the Caledonia terrain in Africa.

How wild is that?

Quick Tips for Visiting

SKYWALK Saint John does have an on-site restaurant with beautiful views, but it felt a bit formal for a quick stop with kids. We opted for something faster before getting back on the road.

There was previously a cafe next door, but it has since closed, so it is worth checking ahead to see what dining options are currently available.

Right behind the cafe, there is a wooden walkway that leads down to the water. It only takes a few minutes to reach and gives you a completely different perspective of the rapids. The kids loved getting closer to the action.

We spent about an hour here, which felt like the perfect amount of time. If you have extra time in your itinerary, pairing this stop with a visit to Hopewell Rocks would make for an even more memorable day.

If you are driving through New Brunswick, SKYWALK Saint John is an easy and worthwhile stop. It is quick, unique, and offers a chance to see something you really will not find anywhere else.