How excited were you to hear that Georges Island is open to the public this year ?!
Haligonians and fellow Nova Scotians will know of what beautiful but mysterious Island we speak of, and if you’ve ever visited Halifax before then you probably have a photo from the waterfront looking out to this small lighthouse Island and didn’t even realize it !
Located in the middle of the Halifax harbour, Georges Island has a fortification history dating back to 1750, and has been a Parks Canada historic site since 1965. Opening to the public just this year (August 2020) it has been a huge success. Drawing in people from all across the Atlantic Bubble, the public immediately sold out all the tickets, each wanting the chance to see first hand into a part of Halifax’s history that seldom have before.
BUT DON’T WORRY!
Additional tickets have been released up until October 11th and if you don’t get to experience it this year then add it to the top of your Nova Scotia bucket list items for 2021!
* Disclaimer : This post is in partnership with tourism Nova Scotia, because lucky us got a chance to explore Georges Island in working with them! Check out the #CreatorCoastNS hashtag to see what other amazing influencers got up to around the province.
Here are a few notes from our experience of exploring this hidden (yet not so hidden) gem of Halifax:
What to pack:
- A mask.
It’s covid times baby. Be sure to follow and respect social distancing as well as wearing a mask on the boat and in the tunnel tours.
- Sturdy shoes, an extra layer of clothing or jacket, sunscreen, hat, etc.
Weather in Halifax can change in an instant. For best enjoyment of your time on the Island we’d suggest you take good footwear incase it’s a bit muddy, an extra layer of clothing incase it gets cold, and sunscreen/hat incase the sun pops out to say hello.
- A camera.
As you can see from our photos, there are lots of photo opportunities here both on the Island and looking back at that beautiful Halifax skyline.
- A picnic lunch.
Please pack in / pack out your own food and water as there is no place to purchase either once on the Island. Since there is so much space to sit back and relax on the grass or at the picnic tables, we’d suggest bringing a lunch for the most epic Halifax picnic spot ever!
Bookings & How you get to Georges Island :
Tours to Georges Island are operated by Parks Canada with Ambassatours Gray Line / Murphys on the Water.
To book click : HERE.
Getting there will be on the beautiful Harbour Queen I, departing from
Cable Wharf, 1751 Lower WaterSt. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
The boat ride takes about 10 minutes and is quite the treat itself!
When you book you must decide on a departure time from the Cable Wharf, but once you’re on the Island can stay as long as you want up until 5pm. We loved this flexibility! With the boat leaving every 40 minutes, not being restricted to a return time allowed us relaxation and we were able to wait out some foggy skies to see the sun shine.
One thing we will note about booking is that even if the tickets are sold out please add your name to the waitlist. We talked to a Halifax local that got a call the night before saying they had a last minute cancellation and asked if she’d be interested in going the next morning.
What to explore :
Arriving on the Island you will be able to grab a map full of information to take yourself on a self-guided walking tour, or can ask a costumed interpreter (dressed as Second World War soldiers) for more information on the site.
A highlight and something not to miss is the guided tours of the underground tunnels.
Since Fort Charlotte on Georges Island was designed to protect and defend Halifax, you get an up-close view at the fortification history and walk the tunnels generations have before you. The tunnels are damp, echoey, and mysterious.. definitely one of the coolest things we’ve experienced in the Halifax area!
Thank you Lance Corporal Dello for the Tour !
Wandering the Island more, you will see huge cannons, interpretive panels on the history of Mi’kmaq & Acadians including the prison and internment camp for Acadians, as well as the famous George’s Island Lighthouse that so many have viewed from afar while lounging on the waterfront but never up-close!
… If you’re here reading this to see if we saw any SNAKES then you’ll be disappointed to hear that we didn’t. Though the Island is apparently crawling with around 500 garter snakes *screaming internally * they are seldom seen especially now with more human presence.
Being former Halifax residents, exploring Georges Island was such a treat to experience. We highly suggest trying to get here in 2021 and know that Parks Canada staff are excited to offer another season of rich history at this treasured National Historic Site.
For more FAQ please visit - HERE - or feel free to message us!