Many people are interested in visiting Sable Island National Park Reserve in person.
One of Parks Canada’s mandates is to provide visitor experiences in the parks they manage. Friends of Sable Island supports maintaining limited, minimum-impact tourism to the island as a way to build awareness and support for the protection of this very special place in the world. Some people can care deeply about a place without visiting, while others need to feel the sand under their feet and the salty wind on their skin before they are hooked for life.
Parks Canada works with selected tour operators to limit tourist visits to day-trips only to minimize the impact on the island. We are aware of four ways to enjoy a visit to Sable Island this year. Availability is limited. Check with tour operators for up-to-date information. Please let us know if you hear of other ways to visit.
- KATTUK EXPEDITIONS
Kattuk Expeditions, based in Nova Scotia, has organized group day-trips by plane and helicopter to Sable Island. Included is a guided exploration of Sable Island, picnic lunch and rare opportunity to enjoy some time alone if desired. Kattuk offerings this year include fly in (7 guests on a fixed wing plane or 8 guests via helicopter). Special tour dates with resource people include: photographer, Sandy Sharkey (these dates are sold out) or painter Katherine Burns. Check Kattuk’s website for COVID-19 precautions.
Fixed wing – 2 seats available for September 5, 2020. $2250.00 CDN + HST.
Helicopter – 6 seats available with painter Katherine Burns on August 18, 2020; 1 seat available for September 16 (fly in) $3150.00 CDN + HST. https://www.kattukexpeditions.com/sableisland - PICTURE PERFECT TOURS
Picture Perfect Tours, a Nova Scotian photo tour company, has organized a one-day photo adventure by plane to Sable Island. Early bird price payment in full will save you $100.00. Total cost of $2274.00 CDN per person plus HST and fee = $2619.70. Reserve with 50% deposit. $1187.50 + tax and fee per person. Full payment due 30 days prior to departure. $2740.46 CDN. In addition to a guided tour with a professional photographer, guests enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch, and receive a gift pack. Both excursion dates of July 4 and October 10, 2020 are sold out. http://pictureperfecttours.ca/tours/sableisland - SABLE AVIATION
Visitors can charter the entire plane, a BN-2A Britten Norman Islander, to go to Sable Island for $7568.00 CDN (price includes all taxes and fees) from Sable Aviation 44 60 Inc., the official fixed wing service provider to Sable Island. Single seats are also sold on some flights. All single seats for 2020 are currently sold out, although sometimes they come available at short notice due to cancellations. Departures are from the Halifax International Airport. There is a limit of seven passengers and a maximum load limit of 1400 pounds (seats, people, and personal effects). http://www.sableaviation.ca/ - BOAT
If you have an ocean-worthy boat, or a friend with one, you can sail to Sable Island but there are no mooring or docking facilities. Unfortunately due to COVID-19, travel restrictions are subject to change. Check with Parks Canada website regularly. You’ll still need to register with Parks Canada to come ashore so make sure you do this before leaving the mainland to avoid disappointment.
Current visiting regulations are available on Parks Canada’s website at https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ns/sable/visit/directions
