Thinking about a visit to Georges Island in the Halifax Harbour? Here’s a no-stress guide to help you plan your visit!
Have you ever looked across the Halifax harbour, at the little island in its centre, and wondered, “what is that?”. Well, I’m here to let you in on a little secret: it’s Georges Island, and you can visit it!
What Is Georges Island?
Situated in the middle of the Halifax Harbour, it may seem surprising that many Nova Scotians have never gotten to visit this little island. However, it wasn’t until 2020 that it became accessible to the general public, when a new ferry line was introduced and the island was officially declared a national historic site!
Formerly used by the Canadian military, tunnels run beneath the island, and you can take a short (about 15 mins) guided tour of them for free once you’re there! With picnic tables and scenic views everywhere you look, Georges Island is the perfect place to spend a sunny day in Halifax.
How Much Does It Cost?
Tickets are $25 for adults, $14 for youth (6-17), and free for kids under 5. There are a limited number of tickets each day / each time slot, so be sure to book in advance! Price includes the ferry there and back (with an open-ended return time), and no additional cost on the island.
There are no cafes or restaurants on the island, so it’s important to bring your own lunch! Another option is to pre-order a boxed lunch from Murphy’s Restaurant to be hand-delivered to you on the ferry over. We did this and received in our boxes: a water bottle, an apple, a caprese sandwich, and kettle chips. The sandwich was great, and at $12, this was an okay value for the lunch combined with the convenience.
What Should I Bring?
As mentioned above: pack a lunch! Also, don’t forget a water bottle, a hat, and some sunscreen! Without any trees for shade, water fountains, or shops to purchase anything to protect yourself from the elements, it’s up to visitors to come prepared!
There are tunnels to be guided through, but you won’t be able to take refuge down there for too long. So, on a hot, sunny day, it’s essential that you come prepared for a couple hours in quite direct sunlight!
How Long Will I Be There?
You can stay as long as you like (the last ferry back is around 6 pm), but I’d suggest budgeting 3-4 hours at most. The island is very small and the ride to get there is only about 10 minutes long, so that’s more than enough time to arrive, walk around, take the tunnel tour, have a nice picnic, and return to the mainland.
Check out my reels about Georges Island on Instagram:
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