WINTER ON SABLE ISLAND

Winter on Sable Island.

Many people often ask: "What's it like on Sable Island during the winter?" Well, it's a wild barren place filled with life that thrives in spite of the conditions. The temperature is generally milder than the mainland of Nova Scotia due to it's proximity to the Gulf Stream with the average January temperature being +3 celsius. Horses have thick woolly coats and it's pupping time for the massive grey seal colony with close to 80,000 pups being born on the island each winter. Being there in winter is an experience like no other. Until now, Parks Canada has not allowed visitors during this time but have agreed to work with us on a pilot project to bring one small group of visitors to see this incredible island at this incredible time. - Fred Stillman, Kattuk Expeditions Owner.

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 its 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 its 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. At this time of year, all guests must wear emergency survival suits.  The suit rental fee ($250) is included in the ticket price.

​

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 continue our hike to other areas of the island. When the hike concludes, we'll gather at the 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
• Meeting with Zoe Lucas from the Sable Island Institute (whenever possible)
• Orientation by Parks Canada
• 6-8 hours 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