Turnagain Arm
Turnagain Arm is one of the most fascinating waterways in the world. The difference between low tide and high tide is so vast that the water rushing in for high tide can actually be surfed on. This area has the highest tide differentials in the world, except for the Bay of Fundy near Nova Scotia.
The name Turnagain Arm apparently comes from Captain Cook, a famous explorer who piloted his ship around these waters. He was looking for a way through Alaska, and went partway down this waterway. However, he decided it was not worth pursuing, and turned around again.
The view is simply gorgeous here. In this photo, you are looking from part way down the inlet, back towards the mouth. The sun was just starting to set, and the tide was out.There is a road which goes all the way along the north side of the waterway, then back along the south.
The arm is 30 miles long, sided by steep, dark craggy mountains and the textured hills. At the end of the arm is Portage Glacier, an extremely impressive wall of ice descending into a lake. Chunks of ice bob in the dark water at its feet.
If you're looking for an impressive show, you want to time your visit to be there during a bore tide. These happen when a super low tide forms, and then the tide comes rushing back in again. These happen during either a full moon or a new moon, as the moon is what causes tides to form. During a bore tide, the front 'wall' of water coming in can be up to 10 feet high and move at up to 15 miles an hour. Since this is faster than humans can run, a person risking a walk on the quiet ocean floor is in for quite a surprise!
Several people in Alaska told us tales about people attempting to cross shallow water in Turnagain Arm during a low tide, only to be caught by the rush of incoming water. Apparently the Coast Guard is very familiar with this phenomenon and ready to get out on the rescue task. Maybe those individuals were hoping for a glimpse of the harbor seals that enjoy riding the incoming waves.
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