Mount Hays & Butze Rapids: Capturing Prince Rupert’s Dramatic Tidal Reversals

Prince Rupert is home to some of the largest tidal ranges in the world, with tides fluctuating up to 25 feet. Nowhere is this hydraulic power more thrilling to witness than at Butze Rapids, where the ocean tide literally reverses the flow of Fern Passage.

Timing the Rapids

To capture Butze Rapids at its most dramatic:

• Consult local tide charts and arrive during the peak incoming or outgoing tidal surge.
• Use a fast shutter speed (1/1000s) to freeze the standing wave foam, or an ND filter (1-2s exposure) to create smooth, swirling water trails.

Afterwards, drive or hike up Mount Hays for an unmatched panoramic perspective overlooking Chatham Sound and the coastal islands.