trip to sable island

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Explore the Sandy Sable Islands: A Caribbean Island Vibe in Northwestern Ontario

Near the south end of Lake of the Woods lies Sable Islands, an elongated barrier sandbar featuring marshes and rounded sand dunes. The dunes are part of the Sable Islands Provincial Nature Reserve . Not to be confused with Sable Island National Park east of Nova Scotia. 

What Is There to Do on the Sable Islands? Explore!

The south end of Lake of the Woods is much different than the central and north parts of the lake. The Big Traverse Bay is relatively shallow (about 35’ deep at the maximum depth) and has no weeds or rocky reefs. There are beaches everywhere around the Morson area and many sandbars as well. Unlike much of the surrounding area, there aren’t any massive rock cliffs towering over the water. In fact, standing on the sand dunes and looking towards the Big Traverse, you feel like you're in the Caribbean. The water is shallow and crystal clear and the view goes on for days. 

You can walk for a long time exploring the sand dunes. This year the water was a bit more shallow than the last time I visited which allowed for better exploring. The sand is soft and powdery. It’s really fun to walk around in the shallow water, find cool driftwood, go birdwatching, climb the sand dunes, or have a picnic lunch.

In my two visits to Sable Islands, we stayed nearby overnight to do some camping, but many of my friends who live in Kenora have left early in the morning, spent some time at the islands, and then headed home for a beautiful sunset boat ride. So depending on where you are staying on Lake of the Woods, it may be an hour or two outing or it may take the whole day. Just make sure it's a calm one. The waves coming from the Big Traverse can get pretty wild on a windy day.

What are Some Facts About the Sable Islands, Ontario?

• Sable Island is roughly 10 km (6.2 m) long and is low enough in some parts that it becomes two or three islands in high water. 
• It's part of the Lake of the Woods Sand Spit Archipelago which consists of Sable Islands, Burton Island, and Windy Point in Canada as well as Pine, Currys, and Tern Islands, Morris and Rocky Points, and Zippel Spit in the United States. 
• Burton Island is covered in birds, and while occasionally smelly because of all the bird droppings, you can see many types of birds including pelicans. 
• The fishing is great around the island too. 

• The area is an IBA (Important Bird Area) . 

256 bird species have been identified in Sable Islands Provincial Nature Preserve and 137 of those have been recorded as nesting. Sandhill cranes can be seen and at least one sandhill nesting crane nest has been documented. The dunes are regarded as suitable nesting habitats for the endangered piping plover and they are periodically observed on the island. It is an important staging area for migratory birds using the Central Flyway, resulting in the congregation of thousands of birds between the Sable Islands and the mouth of the Rainy River in early spring.

Plan a Trip to the Sable Islands, Ontario Today

So, if you’ve been saying for years that you’re going to take a boat ride to Sable Islands, go and check it off your bucket list. It’s truly like you are in a different world. 

Disccover the towns and accommodations available near Sable Islands on the map below. You can also search for accommodations all over Sunset Country  by using our accommodation finder .

Order your free Sunset Country Travel Guide & Map for more vacation ideas.

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I grew up on Black Sturgeon Lake in Northwestern Ontario. I am a staff writer for the Sunset Country Travel Association. Through my articles I hope to entice you to visit the wonderful region I call home. We are all about outdoor adventure; with 70,000 lakes and rivers and a whole lot of forests how can we not be? Whether you like to fish, hunt, canoe, kayak, boat or go camping, Sunset Country has something for you. Enjoy!

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One Of The Earth's Most Remote Islands Is A Strange, Secret Canadian Gem With Expansive Views

Set approximately 180 miles from Halifax, Nova Scotia, the tiny, isolated Sable Island is a 26-mile-long shifting sandbar that boasts exceptional and unique natural beauty. While it became a Canadian national park reserve in 2013, aside from tourism, it is perhaps most famous for its shipwrecks, as hundreds of vessels have met their untimely and unfortunate demises here. That's just one reason it has a reputation for being among  the most dangerous islands in the world . 

Getting to an island as remote as Sable is tricky and expensive. There are no facilities on the island to speak of — no town, no port, and certainly no airport. The only year-round residents are park officials, a handful of researchers, herd of hardy wild horses, and many seals. The only way to get there is by boat or aircraft, and anyone arriving by the former will have to come ashore on the beach through the surf on an inflatable boat.

Why go to the trouble of getting to Sable Island? It's an adventure within one of the last true wildernesses on the planet. Remote and stunningly beautiful, this wind-swept crescent of shifting sand is virtually untouched by humans. Unlike Canada's other beautiful island and beach destinations , nearly all trips to Sable are fully or partially guided excursions. Even if you arrive on your own boat, you must get permission to land before exploring this isolated outpost.

How to get to Sable Island

If you consider the adventure of getting to a destination to be part of the fun, Sable Island is a great choice. There are only a few ways to get to the island: On an approved tour that arrives by boat, plane, or helicopter, or by coming on a private vessel. The park allows public tours in January and February, as well as June through October, while private vessel visits are approved on a case-by-case basis.

In addition to the limited time windows for visits, the weather presents a major hurdle for any visit to Sable, so prepare to be flexible. The island features milder weather than mainland Nova Scotia, but it is windier and fog is common. There is only one airplane tour available, and the plane lands on the sand beach since there is no airport. If the sand is too soft or wet, it cannot land. Peak season on Sable Island is from June to October, although winter tours are sometimes also offered. June tends to be the foggiest time of year, but has the best temperatures. August is the hottest month on Sable, while September brings a greater risk of hurricanes.

Besides limited availability and weather issues, cost is a factor. While Canada boasts some beautiful and budget-friendly settings , there's no inexpensive way to get to Sable Island. Tickets on the fixed-wing airplane are about CAD 2,000, photography and artists expeditions from Halifax by helicopter are CAD 3,000 to 3,500, and adventure cruises that call on Sable begin around CAD 4,500.

What to do when you're on Sable Island

The most frequent visitors to Sable Islands are researchers, adventure travelers, nature enthusiasts, photographers, and artists — for many of them, a trip to this remote island is a bucket list item. Parks Canada rangers greet all guests for an introductory tour of the island, including dos and don'ts and tips on where to go and what to look out for. But booking a fully guided experience — like those offered by Picture Perfect Tours or Kattuk Expeditions — is a good idea since you have such a limited time on the island.

Hiking is your main way around the island. Climbing 120-foot-high Bald Dune, a 6-mile hike from the Main Station, affords unforgettable, expansive views of the North Atlantic. It's also a good way to meet Sable's most famous residents: The horses and seals. A herd of wild horses descended from a few animals introduced to Sable Island in the 1700s now numbers around 450. Sable is also the world's largest colony of grey seals, as 80% of them come here to breed during the winter, with around 100,000 pups born each year. Additionally, the island is an important breeding ground for various other species, like the Ipswich Sparrow.

Another thing to look out for on Sable is evidence of past shipwrecks. Known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" due to the more than 350 ships that have met unfortunate ends around the island, the island offers a chance to spot the "bones" of old ships popping up through the sand — ancient wood timbers covered by sand for centuries. 

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11 Facts About Sable Island That Might Surprise You

If you’re from the Maritimes you’ve probably grown up hearing stories about the mysterious, isolated, and wild wind-swept sand bar known as Sable Island . Often referred to as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” Sable Island is a place of wonder with strange origins and untouched beauty. Located 300km southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, for centuries the Island has captivated and continues to intrigue explorers, researchers, artists, and travellers from around the world. You’ve likely seen photos and heard tales about the Island’s wild horses, but really how much do you actually know about Sable Island? Test your knowledge or get to know the Island a little better with our list of eleven facts about Sable Island that will surprise you!

1 - Sable Island is part of Halifax

Despite being located 290 km offshore from Halifax , Sable Island is part of the Halifax Region ! In fact during 2017 provincial election, a polling station was set up for the Island’s hand full of voters for electoral district 27 Halifax Citadel – Sable Island.

2 - The Island is a lot bigger than you think

Often people ask if it’s possible to walk from one end of the thin crescent-shaped island to the other end. And unfortunately the answer is no. Sable Island is 42 km long , which is the equivalent of walking in sand from Downtown Halifax to Peggy’s Cove .

3 - There are over 500 wild horses on Sable Island!

After surviving centuries of harsh winters, the exact origins of the Sable Island Horse population are still unknown. Some believe they are the ancestors of horses that survived shipwreck, while others claim Norsemen, or John Cabot, or Portuguese explorers, or Acadians had left them on the Island. The most popular and likely explanation is that a Boston merchant hired to transport Acadians during the Expulsion put the horses on the Island.

4 - The Sable Island horses were almost removed from the Island and turned into pet food!!

In 1959, the Canadian government decided to remove the horses after a particularly harsh winter with the plan to turn most into pet food! Fortunately, thanks to letters written by children from across the country and around the world to then-prime minister John Diefenbaker, begging him to leave the horses on the Island, this never came to pass. Diefenbaker wrote their protection into law with the Canadian Shipping Act that prohibits any interference or the removal of the Sable Island Horses from the Island.

5 - There’s only one single tree on Sable Island

A scrawny pine tree planted dozens of years ago, and at a mere three-feet tall is Sable’s solitary tree. And if you were to see it, you’d think it resembled more that of a bush than a tree. Trees can’t survive the Island’s furious winds and lack of real soil to put down roots.

6 - Sable Island is a birdwatcher’s paradise.

More than 350 species of birds have been recorded on the Island, with sixteen species known to breed there. From terns, gulls, ducks, and shorebirds to more rare birds like the Ipswich sparrow and tropical species being blown north by powerful storms, Sable Island is not just for the horses, it’s also for the birds.

7 - The Island has the world’s biggest breeding colony of grey seals

Grey seals are a popular sight on the beaches of Sable Island. Harbour seals are also year-round residents but aren’t as common as the grey seals.

8 - Sable Island was home to Canada’s first life-saving station, established in 1801

With a nickname like “the Graveyard of the Atlantic” this fact real shouldn’t come as a surprise. Due to rough seas, thick fog and submerged sandbars surrounding the island there has been over 350-recorded vessels wrecked by Sable. Thanks to advances in technology and navigation, shipwrecks are extremely uncommon around the Island today. The last wreck was in 1999 by a yacht named the Merrimac, and parts of the wreckage can be found today on the Island’s South Beach.

9 - Sable Island is Canada’s 43 rd National Park

The final legislation went through in December 2013 designating Sable Island a National Park Reserve. Though closed in the winter months (November through until June), June 2014 marked the first time the Island has been open to the public. This was amazing news for all of us Atlantic Canadians with childhood dreams of visiting Sable Island!

10 - Sable Island is moving

Some scientists say the island is gradually moving eastward as it slowly washes away on the west end, while sand builds on the east end, a constant state of flux as the centre of the island moves eastward. Others believe that its centre is not shifting, but  that the Island is shrinking and might eventually disappear!

11 - That balloon you accidentally let fly up into the clouds… probably ended up on Sable Island

What goes up must come down. Ever wonder what happens to balloons that float up into the sky? Often they end up on Sable Island, where plastic has become much more prevalent. Discarded waste and fishing gear, along with the remains of balloons wash ashore daily. Sable Island resident and researcher Zoe Lucas gathers thousands of balloons each year and tracks their origins from the advertising written on the balloons.

Interested in taking a trip to Sable Island? Here are  3 ways you can get there !

Welcome to Halifax

P'jilita'q wla kjipuktuk.

Halifax is in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people. The people of the Mi’kmaw Nation have lived on this territory for millennia, and we acknowledge them as the past, present and future caretakers of this land.  Historically, a land acknowledgment is a traditional practice shared amongst Indigenous groups to recognize the Indigenous land and territory they are visiting. Today a land acknowledgement remains a way to express one’s gratitude to the Indigenous people for being stewards of the land that we live and work on.

Privacy Overview

Call 1-844-6-KATTUK (528885) Locally: (902) 407-1377

"I felt like I was dropped into a National Geographic movie" - Carole, Winter 2022 visitor

Winter on sable island npr.

2024 WINTER DATES: JANUARY 23RD, 26TH AND FEBRUARY 1ST

A full day of guided exploration of Sable Island National Park Reserve.

Departs Vision Air Services Helicopter Terminal. 

Max group size 7.  Cost $3,350 CDN per person + HST

Price includes $100 fuel surcharge.

Winter trip s add $250 per person for survival suit.

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Visiting Sable Island NPR during winter

Did you know that Sable Island is a winter destination too? 

Winter is a special time to visit the island for many reasons that you cannot experience in the other seasons. Sable Island has relatively mild temperatures compared to mainland Nova Scotia and winter is an exciting time to see the thick "woolly" coats on the majestic wild horses, perfect for capturing stunning photos. More than 300,000 Grey Seals, the largest colony on earth, grace the shores and dunes of Sable Island during the season. This is the only time of year to see the seals in various stages of breeding, weaning and mating. The sights and sounds of hundreds of thousands of seals on the island is incredible; the magnitude of this event can only be experienced in the winter and in person.  A guest of ours commented "I felt like I was dropped into a National Geographic movie" . Details for your expedition, unlike any other, are below.  For the 2023 season, Parks Canada is only allowing a total 35 guests to visit the island on these fully guided adventures.

About Sable Island NPR

300 kilometers off the coast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and at the edge of the continental shelf lies a lonely bar of sand shaped by wind and ocean currents.  It is a terminal moraine pushed by glaciers approximately 10,000 years ago that is home to over 500 wild horses and the largest grey seal colony in the world. Far away from any modern amenities and services, in the exposed open Atlantic ocean with the Gulf Stream and Labrador currents nearby. This is the wild of wild, so remote and extreme, yet positively beautiful and gentle. This expedition is for those who seek wild reality and remoteness, to be immersed in an environment that functions entirely on it's own and to visit it with just a handful of others.  It is a place unlike any other in the world. - Fred Stillman, Expedition Leader

Expedition overview

As a licensed Parks Canada tour company, we are proud to offer an experience of a lifetime. An opportunity to visit Sable Island National Park in a single day.  With it's stunning, ever changing sand dunes, hundreds of wild horses and the largest grey seal colony in the world, this will be a trip that you'll remember for the rest of your life.

On this full day expedition we will be travelling by twin-engine, Sikorsky S-76 A++ offshore helicopter. The aircraft itself is an adventure and with it's agility and ability to fly great distances in a variety of conditions, it is the perfect vehicle to ensure your trip to Sable Island is a successful one. The helicopter will land on the helipad and does not require specific beach landing conditions. 

Our expedition starts at Vision Air Services located at the Halifax International airport. Upon arrival you'll be greeted by your guide and pilots. After completing the island's pre-boarding biosecurity process and receiving a safety orientation, we'll board the  aircraft, a 1.25 hour flight has us landing on the helipad at Sable Island NPR.  After an introduction to the island by Parks Canada staff, your Kattuk Expeditions guide will lead a hike along the beaches and dunes to the areas most frequented by the island's horses and seals. A delicious picnic lunch is included and prepared by your guide.  After lunch we we continue our hike to other areas of the island. When the hike concludes we'll gather at main station and prepare for our departure back to the mainland.  

Whenever possible, we'll visit with researcher Zoe Lucas, head of the Sable Island Institute . In order to lend our support to the research taking place on the island, a portion of your tour cost goes to the Institute.

Trip highlights

Return 300km helicopter flight to Sable Island National Park Reserve from Halifax

Orientation by Parks Canada

6-8 hou rs of guided walking and exploration by fully equipped Kattuk Expeditions guide

Visits to the many grazing areas of the island's wild horses

Delicious picnic lunch

Guided walk will include the main station and some outbuildings (exterior), the areas most frequented by horses and Grey Seal colony

Insight into daily life on the island

Walking / hiking on sand beaches and over sand dunes on horse paths

Wildlife viewing / observation

Ecological interpretation

Bird watching

Photography 

6:15 a.m. - Arrive at Vision Air helicopter terminal for flight orientation

8:00 - Depart Vision Air Services Airport en-route to Sable Island

9:30 - Land on Sable Island National Park Reserve

10:00 - Orientation by Parks Canada staff

10:15 - 12:30 p.m. - Exploring the dunes and beaches in search of wild horses

12:30 - Lunch at Visitor's Quarters building

1:15 - 4:15 - Continued hiking / exploring including the north beach seal colony

3:00 - Time to muster and prepare for 3:30 p.m. departure

5:30 p.m. - Arrive back at Vision Air Services (island departure times vary depending on time of year)

What's included

Your flight to and from Sable Island National Park Reserve aboard a Sikorsky S-76 aircraft, properly equipped Kattuk Expeditions guide from beginning to end, a delicious, organic, locally sourced picnic lunch, farewell on the beach, all park and landing fees, a donation to the Sable Island Institute, an experience like no other in the world.

Things that a ren't included

Transportation to Vision Air terminal Halifax, travel ins urance, gratuities to guide, items of a personal nature and any incurred cost related to weather (it is very rare, but possible to be stuck on the island due to weather and, cost for accommodation may be applied by Parks Canada).

Weather is often a challenge when planning a visit to Sable Island NPR, it's location 300km out to sea from Halifax and proximity to the gulf stream, create opportunity for varying weather.  During winter trips. Parks Canada allows us the 2 following days as backup weather days.  All guests must be available for both backup weather days in addition to the scheduled day.

Payment, cancellation policy

$1000 payment is due in full at time of booking and the remainder is due at 30 days  .  A full refund less a 5% admin fee will be returned to anyone cancelling more than 60 days prior to departure, after 60 days prior, a $250 cancellation fee will be charged.  Trips are non-refundable after 30 days prior to departure. Any trip c ancelled by Kattuk Expeditions due to weather will be 100% refunded.

Preparing for a trip to Sable Island

Although only 300 km from mainland Nova Scotia, Sable Island is one of the most remote places in Canada. You must dress appropriately for this and for the weather, keeping in mind that there are no trees or shelter other than the Parks Canada buildings. In case of emergency, with the exception of your guide and park staff, help is far away. If you are on any medications, it is advised that you bring 1 week's supply with you; and if the medication is life-crucial, bring all that you have.  There is no cell service on the island, however your guide will carry VHF radio in communication with the park's main station staff.  If guests choose to take time on their own at the end of the day, each guest will be required to carry a two-way UHF radio (provided) in communication with their guide.

Suggested items to bring:

Comfortable, active clothing for the time of year and weather. Dress in layers, expect cooler temperatures on the island in the summer and slightly milder temperatures during the winter

Comfortable walking shoes /hiking boots.  Walking in sand all day is tough, make sure you'll be comfortable

Hat, sunglasses & sunscreen

Water bottle. There is potable water on the island. Your guide will have extra for the hike.

Walking stick, small backpack

If you have any questions, please contact us between 9:00AM and 6:00PM Atlantic Time  

at 1-844-6-KATTUK (528885) or email at [email protected]

6-8 hours of guided walking and exploration by fully equipped Kattuk Expeditions guide

Photo package of your trip

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Small-Ship Expedition Cruise

Sable Island, Cape Breton, Newfoundland, and the Magdalen Islands: Atlantic Island Odyssey

©Dennis Minty

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Horses, Birds & Whales: Experience Sable Island on Atlantic Island Odyssey

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Watch and learn about our expedition highlights, day-to-day itineraries, and what makes small-ship expedition travel so special.

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Visit four Canadian provinces and the French island of Saint-Pierre

Check Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Québec, and Newfoundland & Labrador off your bucket list—and visit Europe without ever leaving North America, with a stop in historic Saint-Pierre !

In a single trip by sea, you can maximize your time for adventure.

See the legendary wild horses of Sable Island

Be among the lucky few to have experienced the wonder of the famous wild horses of Sable Island , living protected and free one hundred miles off the coast of Nova Scotia!

Learn the island’s compelling history of shipwrecks and forced expulsions and enjoy the sights and sounds of the world’s largest colony of grey seals.

© Vladimir Rajevac

Explore Prince Edwards Island’s rich history and culture

Enjoy your free time while exploring Charlottetown. Wander through the historic downtown area, where the Charlottetown Conference took place and Canada's Constitution was born.

You could also opt for a guided cultural tour at Lennox Island Mi’kmaq First Nation.

Revel in Acadian culture at Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine

Spend the day exploring the robust Acadian heritage, culture, cuisine, and language of Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine (the Magdalen Islands).

Admire the striking red sandstone cliffs that, although a part of Québec, are in fact geographically closer to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

© Mike Beedell

Get a glimpse into Newfoundland's coastal lifestyle in Francois

Experience the warm hospitality of Francois, Newfoundland —a quaint and picturesque fishing village, with colourful homes and buildings that offer visitors a glimpse into Newfoundland's coastal lifestyle.

Explore the town, and hike to stunning lookout points and waterfalls. A day in Francois will stimulate your soul and remind you of the importance of good neighbours, stories, and music.

Spot whales and birds in rich marine environments

Keep your binoculars at the ready to see an abundance of marine and avian wildlife. Enjoy a Zodiac cruise at the Bird Islands, a critical nesting and breeding area for seabirds .

Spend time out on deck in the Gully Marine Protected Area to spot deep-diving whales and dolphins . On Sable Island, add the endemic Ipswich sparrow to your birding life list.

Expedition Team, Experts, and Guides

Garry Donaldson

Ornithologist

Dr. Lynn Moorman

Dr. Mark Terry

Climate Action Specialist

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On-island travel

Sable island national park reserve.

A well-organized day trip offers visitors the opportunity to experience many of the most compelling aspects of Sable Island National Park Reserve. The area around Main Station has many iconic features within walking distance. You can explore rolling windswept dunes, walk along beaches on both the north and south sides of the island, see wild horses, seals, birds, freshwater ponds, remnants of the island’s history, and experience the isolated nature of being on a remote island in the midst of the North Atlantic.

Be aware that walking on sand for prolonged periods can be more difficult than equivalent distances on hard surfaces or solid terrain. The sandy terrain and wilderness setting can prove challenging to some people. Please be aware of these accessibility issues when planning your visit. Keep in mind that Parks Canada staff will transport you and your gear from the south beach to Main Station if you are arriving by plane.

Vehicle use on Sable Island is currently restricted to activities in support of park administration and to facilitate research. The use of vehicles abides by strict regulations to ensure safe travel, avoid disturbance to wildlife, and minimize impacts on ecological or cultural resources. Vehicles may travel on the hard-packed sand of the beaches, the short stretches of defined roads around Main Station, and on select approved island crossing locations. Vehicles are restricted from driving on vegetation, dune slopes, or sand blowouts. Vehicles must go out of their way to avoid horses, seals, or birds, and travel slowly on all parts of the island.

Related links

• The Mi’kma’ki Sable Island Pledge
• The Coastie Initiative
• Parks Canada red chairs