Discover the Ocean Wave That Travels Almost 500 Miles!

There are many waves in the world, some much more dangerous than others. Tsunamis are a type of ocean wave that travels over 500 miles per hour and reach up to great heights, making them quite dangerous.

However, they aren’t the only scary waves the ocean produces. There’s a wave in the world that’s a rather common occurrence. It appears several times a year, causing havoc, and ripping up the oceans, houses, and plants that get in its way.

This wave is strong enough to reverse the flow of water and travel over 500 miles inland. It does this several times a year, bringing destruction and havoc with it. It also brings the opportunity for surfers to test their skills and endurance with a wave that can carry people for over an hour.

Interested yet? Continue reading below to find out more about this wave, including its name and where it occurs in the world.

Where Is the Wave?

The Amazon River is rather famous for being one of the largest rivers in the world. However, people don’t realize it’s also home to an immense tidal bore wave. This wave travels from the Atlantic Ocean into the river, going against the normal current.

It starts in the waters near Chaves, Brazil in South America. Depending on the weather, the wave starts there and travels 500 miles inward.

About the Wave

The name of this wave, “Pororoca,” is said to likely come from a Tupi word, pororka. The word is said to mean either “big roar” or “destructor.”

Both are apt descriptions of this wave. As it leaves the ocean and moves into the river, it announces its presence with a huge roar. Though it’s traveling against the river’s current, it’s able to travel up to 15 miles per hour. In some areas, the wall of water reaches up to 12 feet high.

At its peak, this wave travels back inland via the Amazon River for up to 500 miles, bringing flooding and debris with it.

Though it’s a normal occurrence that isn’t influenced by underwater earthquakes, the wave acts and looks very similar to a tsunami. The powerful Pororoca rips up the river banks. It also takes down anything in its way, including trees and houses.

Surfers who dare to challenge the wave call it “The Wave That Never Ends.” This is because, while most waves in the world are only ridable for a few seconds, people can ride the Pororoca for nearly an hour.

When to See Pororoca

Pororoca works a little differently than other tidal bores. Instead of decreasing with the flooding season, it actually increases. This is because the amount of mud in the drier seasons leads to a loss of energy, creating smaller and slower waves.

If you want to see the wave in all its glory, you need to go to the Amazon River before the spring tides.

Specifically, Pororoca is strongest in the periods between the new moon and the full moon between January and May, and then again between September and December.

The Changing Opinions About Pororoca

For a long time, Pororoca was associated with destruction and tragedy. While many locals aren’t ready to give up their outlook on this wave, some are starting to see it in a better light.

Once surfers from around the world started to hear about the world, it became a huge tourist attraction. The area where surfers go to try out the wave is known as Dangerous Canal. However, despite the warning, surfers still try out the area. It’s not only a dangerous area for surfers, but boaters and jet skis that are in the area to help out surfers.

People come around from all over the world to try their skills against the giant wave. It’s a way to prove your skills and show that you’re a talented surfer. Because of the challenge, the area has become a major surfing destination.

As more and more people come to try out the wave, the area around Dangerous Canal becomes a bigger tourist destination. In fact, this wave that was for so long associated with the loss of life and property is now giving back to the area. The wave is one of the main sources of tourism in Chaves.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Oskari Porkka/iStock via Getty Images