03/15/2026
****What dates are available in 2026?****
Our visitor flights to Sable Island happen on weekends, with Saturday being the primary day and Sunday the backup; you must be available to travel on either day.
Partially guided trips:
Jun 6 (1 seat only), 13 (1 seat only), 20
Jul 4, 18, 25 (all flights - 1, possibly 2 seats)
Aug 8
(May 30, Jun 27, Jul 11, Aug 1 & 15 sold out)
Fully guided trips:
Aug 22 (1 seat only)
Sep 19
Oct 17, 24, 31
(Sep 5 & 26 sold out)
****How much does a seat on a flight cost?****
The cost of a seat on our same-day return flight to Sable Island in 2026 remains the same as in 2025 - $1,929.83 (including fees*) + HST (tax) = $2,200.00 CAD. An additional non-refundable 3% fee applies if paying by credit card.
*Contact our office for details on the fee breakdown
****How do I book a seat?****
Please make your request by email to [email protected], including all of the information listed in the next question.
****What should I include in my booking request?*****
You should indicate the number of seats requested, your preferred date(s), the name of each passenger and their fully clothed weight (see below).
Please be accurate when giving us individual weights - we must be careful not to oversell the number of seats. Since most people only know their weight without clothing, each person should step onto a scale wearing their intended "Sable outfit", including footwear and coats, but not including a backpack. You may be surprised at how much hiking boots and layers of outerwear can weigh!
We will eventually require an address, contact number, and email address for all travellers. For those less than 16 years old, also include their age. If you don't have contact info when you book, that's okay, just get it to us when convenient.
****When is payment due?****
Once we have contacted you and confirmed that we have a seat(s) available for you on your requested day, a $200/seat deposit is required to secure your seat ($206 if paying by credit card). Payment in full must be made at least 60 days prior to the flight (90 days for groups of 4 or more) and becomes non-refundable at that time unless cancelled by us due to weather, beach condition, etc. Although non-refundable, seats are fully transferrable to another person; we do not carry bookings forward from one year to the next. You may want to consider trip cancellation insurance, since refunds will not be given for any reason other than cancellation by us.
****What methods of payment do you accept?****
We accept cash, e-transfer, or credit card (Visa or Mastercard only). Payment by credit card will incur a 3% processing fee, which is non-refundable in all cases, including if the flight is cancelled by us due to weather, beach, etc. We value your security, so please call us if you want to pay by credit card; don't send your private information via email - it is not secure.
****Can I cancel my booking and get a refund?****
Your payment (less credit card fees) will only be refunded if you cancel more than 60 days (90 for groups of 4 or more) in advance of the flight. If you are within the 60/90 days, your payment is non-refundable unless the flight is cancelled by us due to weather, beach, etc. In no case are we responsible for other expenses such as travel costs to and from Halifax, meals, accommodations, difference in exchange rates from foreign currency, etc.
Despite the non-refundable credit card fee, some folks whose credit card includes trip cancellation insurance prefer to pay that way. Another option is to buy separate trip cancellation insurance, from Blue Cross, CAA, etc, or have a friend who is willing to step in and purchase your seat on short notice.
****Do I need to contact Parks Canada for permission to visit?****
No, you do not need to contact Parks Canada, we do that on your behalf, and pay all applicable fees. You will be sent an info packet from Parks Canada a week or so before the flight with final details on your trip.
****How many people will be on the flight?****
Our aircraft can carry 6 - 8 passengers (5 - 7 on fully guided trips), depending on each person's weight (see next question).
****Why do you need my weight?****
The aircraft manufacturer has defined a maximum amount that the aircraft can safely and legally carry, so we will weigh everyone and everything that goes onto the flight to ensure that this value is not exceeded. Please be as accurate as possible when you book - hop on your bathroom scales dressed for the day, including footwear, but not a backpack. We promise to be discreet with this sensitive information.
****Is there a weight limit for my backpack?****
If the flight is close to its maximum weight, each person may be limited to 10 lb of baggage, however, as often happens, if there is weight to spare, we will increase the allotment for each person's pack. Fair warning, though - your pack will feel heavier as the day goes on!
****Is this a guided experience?****
Trips that occur at the first part of the season are partially guided experiences, while those from Aug 22 through Oct are fully guided. All guiding fees are included in the cost of your seat.
For partially guided trips, you will start your day with a 2 hour tour led by a Parks Canada staff member. This guided walk will provide you with an introduction to the flora and fauna of Sable Island, as well as providing you with vital information about navigating safely around the island. After that you are on your own for the rest of the day to explore the island's natural beauty.
For fully guided trips, groups stay together and will be accompanied by a guide for the entire day, with an option for some alone time (if you would like it) at the end of the day. Please note that you will still be responsible for bringing your own lunch and snacks. While the pace tends to be mostly leisurely, if you are in doubt as to whether or not you will be able to keep up with the group for a full day covering 4-10 kms, you should book the earlier partially guided experience. That way you can go at your own pace and stay closer to the station, where there is a sunroom for you to rest out of the elements.
****What if I am mobility challenged?****
Sable Island is a back country-like experience, and unlike other National Parks, outside the station compound, Sable Island National Park Reserve has no boardwalks or groomed trails. The terrain is hilly and sandy underfoot, and unfortunately is not appropriate for mobility limited people or those with medical conditions that would prevent them from walking 5 or more kms in the sand.
****How long can we stay on the island?****
We will try and give you 6-8 hours on the island, however, on very rare occasions, changing weather may necessitate an earlier departure. Since we must be airborne from Sable before dark, the shorter days of fall will slightly affect the time on island. That being said, it is often quite late when we get back to Halifax (e.g. an hour or more after dark), so if you live very far out of town, you may want to grab a hotel for the night after the long and exhausting day on Sable.
****How long is the flight to Sable?****
With typical winds, it usually takes 1:10 in the air to get to Sable, and 1:35 for the return trip; taxiing in and out from the hangar adds time onto that. Please note that there are no bathroom facilities on the airplane, so you may want to forgo your morning coffee.
****What is the best time of the year to visit Sable?****
Sable Island is amazing no matter when you visit, but some folks wonder what month has the best chance of the flight being successful. Weather is unpredictable in this area of the world, and the only constant on Sable is change. May through July (or even mid-August) is known to local pilots as "fog season", July and August may be too dry for the beach to be landable, and September and October are hurricane season.
The temperatures on Sable Island tend to lag those on the mainland, so dressing in layers is always a good idea. May and June tend to be quite chilly, but summer can feel rather hot with the high humidity; fall tends to remain mild.
****Do flights get cancelled very often?****
On average, 20-35% of our flights end up cancelled due to poor weather or unsuitable beach conditions at Sable Island. Fog, low clouds, and hurricanes are all part of the reality of flying to a sand bar in the North Atlantic. While we will do our best to get you to the island on the main or backup day, we will never depart in unsafe conditions - safety will always be our first priority.
****Are there age limits for the trip?****
Due to seat configuration and limitations on safety equipment, we cannot carry children under 2 years old. That being said, Sable Island is a backcountry-like experience and a long day - we do not recommend this trip for children under the age of 12. Please let us know if you are travelling with a child or youth.
Regarding an upper age, the day is very long, and walking in soft sand requires a certain mobility - this trip may not be suitable for everyone. We will not dictate an age limit since everyone is different, but in the past we have had seniors who were quite unhappy at the end of the day, as they were simply not prepared to spend such a long day on the island. If in doubt, we'd be happy to discuss it with you.
****I want to sell my photos - is there anything I need to do?****
If you intend on using the images of your visit to Sable Island for commercial purposes, you must have a Parks Canada commercial photography permit. Contact Audrey Levesque, Visitor Experience Coordinator for Sable Island National Park Reserve ([email protected]) if you have questions or wish to fill in an application permit.
****Can I rent a vehicle or get a ride somewhere?****
All guests are driven from the aircraft to Main Station, and back to the aircraft again at the end of the day. Other than that, there is no option to be driven to other locations or to rent a vehicle.
