Exploring Sable Island: An Accessible Travel Dream

Sable Island National Park Reserve is an extremely isolated island located in the Atlantic Ocean, 290km off the coast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The island is accessible by air or sea and welcomes visitors from January to February and from June to October. Visitors must obtain permission from Parks Canada in advance and can plan their trip through a Parks Canada-licensed operator or by private vessel. Tour operators include Kattuk Expeditions, Picture Perfect Tours, Sable Aviation, and Vision Air Services Inc. The island is known for its Sable Island wild horses, grey seals, and shipwrecks, offering a unique wilderness experience to its visitors.

Sable Island is accessible by air or sea

Sable Island is a small Canadian island situated 300 km southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is accessible by air or sea.

Air Travel to Sable Island

Day-use visitors can travel to Sable Island by air through Parks Canada-approved tour operators and air transporters. All trips by air must be made through a Parks Canada-approved air transporter or operator. These include Kattuk Expeditions, Picture Perfect Tours, Sable Aviation, and Vision Air Services Inc.

Sable Aviation offers the only fixed-wing airplane service to Sable Island. The airplane lands on the beach as there are no permanent runways on the island. This fixed-wing airplane can transport up to seven passengers. Fixed-wing visitor flights are scheduled on Saturdays, with Sundays as the alternate date if conditions on Saturday do not allow a flight.

Sea Travel to Sable Island

Travel to Sable Island by sea can be done through Parks Canada-approved tour operators and air transporters or with written permission from Parks Canada when travelling by private vessel or small-expedition ship. All trips by private vessel must be made through Parks Canada, and visitors must complete a private vessel visitor request form.

The possibility of heavy fog, shifting sandbars, and rough seas in the waters around Sable Island can pose challenges to boat access. There are no wharf facilities or mooring buoys on Sable Island, and vessels must anchor offshore and have a zodiac or other small boat suitable for a beach landing.

Peak Season and Winter Travel to Sable Island

Visitors are welcome on the island three times a week from the end of May to the end of October. Visitors are also welcome on select dates in January and February.

Important Information for Visitors

All visitors must obtain the proper travel approval from Parks Canada or a Parks Canada-licensed operator in advance. Make transportation arrangements to and from Sable Island with a Parks Canada-licensed operator and be prepared for delays and cancellations, especially due to weather.

Be prepared for a backcountry-like wilderness experience and be self-reliant and responsible for your own safety. Follow the biosecurity measures in place to protect Sable Island.

Trips by air must be through a Parks Canada-approved transporter

Sable Island is a crescent-shaped island located 290 km southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the Atlantic Ocean. It is known for its diverse wildlife, including wild horses, grey seals, and unique plants and birds. The island is accessible by air or sea, with day-use visits allowed. All trips by air must be made through a Parks Canada-approved transporter or operator. These include:

• Kattuk Expeditions (plane, helicopter)
• Picture Perfect Tours (plane, helicopter)
• Sable Aviation (plane)
• Vision Air Services Inc. (helicopter)

These approved transporters will be able to provide you with the necessary travel approval from Parks Canada. It is important to note that Sable Aviation is the only transporter that offers fixed-wing airplane service to the island, landing on the beach due to the absence of permanent runways. Vision Air Services Inc., on the other hand, provides the sole helicopter service, landing on a permanent helipad.

When planning your trip to Sable Island, it is essential to be prepared for potential delays and cancellations due to weather conditions or the lack of a safe landing area. Visitors should ensure they have adequate supplies, including any prescribed medication, in case of unforeseen delays. Additionally, be mindful that only day visits are permitted, and camping is not allowed.

Trips by sea must be registered with Parks Canada

Sable Island is an extremely isolated island located at the edge of the Continental Shelf in the Atlantic Ocean, 290 km southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. It is accessible by air or by sea. Visitors are welcomed in January and February and from June to October.

If you are planning to visit Sable Island by sea, you must register your trip in advance with Parks Canada. This applies to all visitors planning to arrive by private vessel or small-expedition ship. To register, you need to complete the private vessel visitor request form. Visitor requests are approved by Parks Canada on a first-come, first-served basis.

It is important to note that there are critical guidelines for a safe landing when travelling to Sable Island by sea. The waters around the island can be challenging due to heavy fog, shifting sandbars, and rough seas. There are no wharf facilities or mooring buoys, so vessels must anchor offshore and have a zodiac or other small boat suitable for a beach landing. Visitors arriving by sea are responsible for their safe arrival and departure, as Parks Canada has limited capabilities for marine rescue or emergency.

Before departing for Sable Island, vessels should contact the Parks Canada Operations Coordinator to ensure they are aware of your itinerary and any relevant activities or conditions that may impact your plans. It is also essential to have life jackets for all boat passengers and ensure that zodiacs or small boats are not overloaded beyond the manufacturer's recommended capacity.

When your vessel is within 10 nautical miles of Sable Island, you should contact the island on Marine Radio Channel 8 or 16 to confirm your arrival and receive any special instructions. Vessels must anchor off the north side of the island, maintaining a distance of at least 500 meters due to submerged sand bars. A zodiac or small boat is necessary for a beach landing.

By following these registration and safety procedures, visitors can ensure a safe and enjoyable trip to Sable Island by sea.

Visitors are welcome on select dates in winter and peak season

Sable Island is a small Canadian island situated 300 km southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. It is an extremely isolated island located at the edge of the Continental Shelf in the Atlantic Ocean. The island is accessible by air or by sea.

Winter Visitors

Sable Island is open to visitors on select dates in January and February. Visitors must obtain permission from Parks Canada in advance. There are two Parks Canada-licensed operators that offer helicopter tours during this time:

• Kattuk Expeditions
• Picture Perfect Tours

Peak Season Visitors

During the peak season, from the end of May to the end of October, visitors are welcome three times a week. There are several options for visiting the island during this time:

• Book a tour with a Parks Canada-licensed operator: Kattuk Expeditions or Picture Perfect Tours (plane or helicopter).
• Purchase seats on a flight: Sable Aviation (plane, up to 7 seats) or Vision Air Services Inc. (helicopter, up to 8 seats).
• Partially guided experiences: Spend two hours with a Parks Canada tour guide and then explore on your own.
• Sail by private vessel: Visitors must obtain permission from Parks Canada in advance and complete the private vessel visitor request form.

It is important to note that delays and cancellations are common due to weather conditions, so visitors should be prepared for potential changes to their travel plans.

Sable Island is extremely isolated

The isolated location of Sable Island makes it a unique and remote destination. It is known for its wild horses, seals, and shipwrecks, offering an unparalleled sense of solitude amidst the vast expanse of the sea. The island is a fragile ecosystem consisting mainly of sand dunes, with a variety of wildlife, including horses, seals, birds, and insects, some of which are unique to the island.

Due to its isolation, access to Sable Island is limited and dependent on weather and geographical conditions. Visitors can only access the island through approved tour operators or air transporters, or with written permission from Parks Canada when travelling by private vessel or small-expedition ship. The island has no permanent runways, and aircraft land on the beach.

The isolated nature of Sable Island also contributes to its sense of mystery and intrigue. It has sparked the interest of people worldwide for centuries, with its history of shipwrecks and remote location. Visitors to the island often express a sense of wonder and privilege at being able to experience this isolated place.

The isolation of Sable Island also presents logistical challenges for visitors. They must be prepared for possible delays or cancellations due to weather conditions and the lack of a safe landing area. It is recommended to visit during the months of August to October when there is a decreased chance of fog.

Frequently asked questions