Aerial image of Sable Island National Park Reserve (1905-07-11) by Gary BrintonParks Canada
Not your average island
Sable Island is perched on the edge of the continental shelf, 290 km from Kjipuktuk, Mi'kma'ki (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada). This virtual tour will take you to places that few visitors ever get to go.
Aerial view of grey seals hauled out on South beach, Sable Island National Park Reserve (2023) by Rogier GruysParks Canada
It is home to over 350 shipwrecks, a population of wild horses, and the largest grey seal breeding colony on Earth.
Take the pledge
In 2021, Mi’kmaw Youth and Elders travelled to Sable Island National Park Reserve. There, they shared their knowledge on the ecological integrity of the protected Mi'kmaw land we call Sable Island. They created a pledge for all future visitors to use.
Aerial view of Sable Island at sunrise in September (2023) by Rogier GruysParks Canada
I pledge:
• To tread lightly, have respect, reciprocity and open my senses to the land.
• To leave no trace.
• To learn about the interconnections of Mother Earth, Grandmother Water, and all their beings.
Aerial view of Sable Island at sunrise in September (2023) by Rogier GruysParks Canada
• To set good intentions and responsibility to the island upon arrival.
• To recognize that the island has its own life force that is sacred and spiritual to the Mi’kmaq, and its purpose goes beyond its human attraction.
• To learn from the delicate balance of life and unique environment that is imperative to protect for future generations.
• To honour the land and msit no’kmaq (all my relations).
Aerial view of Sable Island at sunrise in September (2023) by Rogier GruysParks Canada
Choose your own adventure!
There are several ways to travel to Sable Island.
Arriving by sea
With no harbour or wharf, vessels must anchor off shore and make a beach landing using a separate landing craft like a zodiac.
Arriving by helicopter
Travel by helicopter is 75 minutes from Halifax airport. Before take-off, Parks Canada staff work behind the scenes to check the fog conditions and ensure there are no horses (or horse deposits!) on the helipad.
Arriving by fixed-wing airplane
On Sable Island, the beach is the runway! Before the plane leaves Halifax, Parks Canada staff ensure there is a long enough stretch of hard-packed sand for a runway.
Use your mouse or finger to look around.
If there is a good runway and the weather cooperates, the flight is a go!
Welcome to Sable Island National Park Reserve!
Setting foot on the island is a truly magical moment.
Use your mouse or finger to look around this spectacular landscape.
You're on the road to Main Station.
Tap to explore
Main Station is the hub of the island where people live and work. The number of island residents varies from 3 to 20 throughout the year.
Tap to explore
The Sunroom is attached to the largest and oldest building in Main Station, called Visitors Quarters. This is your home base for the day where you can use the restroom, take shelter, and even purchase souvenirs.
Watch out for terns!
Sable Island is home to several tern colonies between late May and early August. The largest tern colony overlaps with Main Station.
Tap to explore
The freshwater ponds of West Light are teeming with life, from plants and fish to birds and horses.
Look out! Horses can change their minds quickly. You always have to be ready to adapt to the movement of wildlife.
Imagine sailing through a gale in the 1800s. Would a lighthouse warn you to stay away from Sable Island’s deadly shoals or lure you in?
Parliament fiercely debated before voting in favour of building the first lighthouse on the island in 1870.
You're in the "Graveyard of the Atlantic"
There are over 350 recorded shipwrecks around Sable Island. Some survived to tell their tale, including the entire crew of the Skidby in 1905. Her hull is still visible from the air.
Use your mouse or finger to look around a shipwreck.
Feel like you're being watched?
As you leave West Light and walk back along the beach toward Main Station, you are likely feeling the gaze of a grey seal.
Climb Bald Dune
One perk of this virtual day trip to Sable Island is that you can teleport to some hard-to-reach places. One such place is the summit of Bald Dune, the highest point on-island, over 100 ft above sea level.
Before you go
Take a moment to let the island play with your senses one last time: the sound of the waves and the wind, the sight of a seal on the beach, the fresh ocean air.
Helicopter on Sable Island National Park Reserve (2021) by Adam CornickParks Canada
It’s been a big day!
On behalf of our Parks Canada team, wela’lin / merci / thank you for visiting Sable Island National Park Reserve. We hope you’re leaving a little changed by the sandbar that called you out to sea.
Wela’lin / Thank you / Merci!
Credits: Images and videos
Acorn Art & Photography, BraeVR, Brinton Photography, Adam Cornick, Mathieu D'Astous, Debra Garside, Rogier Gruys, Dan Kehler, Audrey Levesque, Fawn Logan-Young, Sarah Medill, Jennifer Nicholson, Emma Rath, Brian Redmond, Sea to Sea Productions, Jason Surette, George Woodhouse
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