McNabs Island

McNabs Island

McNabs Island
4.5
About
McNabs Island at the entrance to Halifax Harbour in Nova Scotia is part of McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park. McNabs Island is 30 minute boat ride from Halifax or Eastern Passage, but feels like a world away with its colourful past and unspoiled natural beauty. The Friends of McNabs Island Society is a volunteer-run registered charity that organizes island events, tours, and works to preserve and protect this spectacular island park for visitors to enjoy. Join us for our popular Fall Foliage Tours Sunday October 15, 2023! https://mcnabsisland.ca/events
Duration: More than 3 hours
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles78 reviews
Excellent
49
Very good
20
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
0

driftwood
Halifax, Canada101 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
We took the McNab's Island Ferry with Captain Mike from Eastern Passage. He told us a lot about the provincial spending on the island and where exactly our tax dollars were going, which was pretty interesting! He gave us a very detailed map and told us a route to take to ensure we didn't miss anything on our walk around the island. This definitely is not a strenuous hike by any means- if you walk the Garrison Road it's just a four-wheeler track that's mowed and cleared. Lots of history to explore while on the island. It can be done in 3-4 hours, but you could bring a picnic and stay all day! Make sure you bring water, snacks and sunscreen!
Written August 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Departure28992
Waterloo, Ontario1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I spent last wednesday hiking through McNab's Island.

It was one of the best hikes of my life. The McNab Island Ferry dropped me off, for $10.00 I was picked up in downtown Halifax and picked up when I was ready, try to get that service to Peggy's Cove! I was then outfitted with a detailed map and orientation of the Island (Please note that I was alone and still got this special treatment!) I was told what to look for, what paths to take and what I will see. The Island is only 2miles long and can be hiked in 1 hour! I was there for 4.5 hours.
So with my map, bug juice and sunscreen, all provided by the Ferry! I was off! within 5 mins I was upon the first Fort, there are 2 forts on the Island, both used as little as the 2nd world war. One still have 2 canons still on its tracks. There are 3 homes on the Island and an old light house. There is a site where a beautiful house once sat, where there are the most beautiful wild gardens.

There is no one living on the Island noe except for the Keeper and his dog. While I was there, there was no one else on the Island at all.

The path was well kept, the view beautiful, the photo opps where amazing!

This is the perfect get away from the city, and very close! Just remember to take lots of water and the only bathroom that you will find is out houses!

I would recommend the island to anyone traveling to Halifax!
Written July 14, 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pmalenfa
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Canada39 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
McNabs Island is a nice place to spend half a day. Recently, the province has spent a lot of money to restore the roads and the sites. If you go on a warm day, bring your swimsuit and beach gear because the beaches are very nice! Nice hiking, nice historic sites, no facilities on the site so bring water with you. The hard thing is to find how to get there, because it's not well known. From Halifax, you have to cross to Darmouth, then go to Eastern passage and Fisherman's Cove. Then park in the gravel parking in th warf. The ferry is located at 99 on the warf. This is a small ferry (I've putted pics... ;-). But the Captain is a gentleman! 15$ adults 10$ childs
Written August 20, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TrAd44
1 contribution
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
I agree with all of the good and great reviews listed. My review is meant for the young families out there or anyone planning on bringing babies or toddlers who require a stroller. Don’t. We were 5 adults with a 3 month old and 18 month old. Some of the trails will NOT support a stroller (even a large-wheeled one). It was a struggle to say the least. Just a heads-up! Great island, though! Neat stuff to see!
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cphall2018
Dartmouth, Canada5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2018 • Couples
I have lived in Halifax area for 20 years and during that time my wife and have sailed out to McNabs Island, anchored our boat and walked the island on numerous occasions every summer. We have always considered it as our "quiet haven" in the midst of the city. As one who appreciates history, I really appreciate the restoration completed by Parks Canada on both forts (Fort Ives on the North End) and Fort McNab (on the South end facing the entrance to the harbor).
The breach-loading cannons are unusual in that they have rifled bores. I think they were placed there in the late 1800s, but as far as I can determine, they were never fired in anger.
Anyway, when you visit on a weekday you see very few people so the island is practically yours......no traffic noise, no sirens or other distractions.
Two years ago my wife and I sailed our boat to new owners in Newfoundland, but vowed we'd visit McNabs again. Funny thing, but just about every time we had been moored at the island we'd see this nautical-looking gentleman with the white beard and long white boots busy as a bee ferrying people out to the island in his aluminum boat. Well, we just met him this past Tuesday when we went to Eastern Passage and had him run us out to Ives Cove (North end) and arranged for him to pick us up at Back Cove (sometimes referred to as Wreck Cove) 5 hours later. We really enjoyed our trip, and you should know that getting there was very interesting too.
Mr. Mike Tilley of "McNabs Island Ferry and Nature Tours" is the consummate professional person who gives you a brief history of the island, describes the flora and fauna, and points out the more interesting places to visit (he also provides a map). My wife and I can't recommend him highly enough.
Written July 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AVeitch
New Glasgow, Canada29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2015 • Solo
I recently travelled to McNab's Island from Fisherman's Cove in Eastern Passage using McNab's Island Ferry (an 18' aluminum boat skippered by Capt. Mike Tilley, a wee bit of a character in his own right). It's only $20 return (with a bike no less) and the ferry ride takes all of 4 minutes. It was sunny and lovely when I went over - was by myself on the boat as there was no room for me and my bike with first group that Mike took over. He dropped me off at the south end of the island and gave me a good map and descriptions of attractions on the island prepared by Friends of McNab's Island group - Mike even drew on me where I should go on the island and we came up with a pick up spot at a wharf on the north end of the island for about 2.5 hours later. I had a ball cycling from the south end to the north end - you cannot bike everywhere, but with basically only a handful of other people on the island while I was there, I'd just prop the bike on a tree and hike to places to which I couldn't or shouldn't cycle. Two of the sites are military sites from the 1860s-1890s (Fort Ives) and World War II (Fort McNab) with intact gun turrets and bunkers, etc. Also there are three intact houses that were inhabited until relatively recently - they are maintained by Parks staff and the Friends of McNab's Island. I was lucky in that the grass had been mowed the day before when I got there, so the trails and around the houses were all nicely freshly mowed. It looked like you could open the doors and move right in to a couple of the houses! There is also a nice lighthouse and a "Hangman's Beach" on the west side - the Hangman's Beach is where the Royal Navy brass hung deserters in the early 1800s to dissuade others contemplating the same thing. I saw white-tailed deer tracks and deer are common on the island, but the rough winter in NS last winter has taken out quite a few of them. Lots of ducks and sea birds around the island. Bugs were definitely an issue, so take good bug dope. I got stung in the area of my left eye by a bee or wasp, so had a good puffy area around my eye by time I got home in the evening! Also, there is no water on the island, so definitely bring lots of water, particularly if it's warm or hot. Cell phone/Internet seemed to work everywhere - this was good for some of the folk that went in the boat before me as they managed to get a bit lost and instead of being at same wharf as me for pick up in the evening - they were at another spot, but they called Mike and we were able to get in and pick them up there. Signage on the trails is poor to non-existent, which is surprising as it's apparent the trails are quite well maintained. Some signs would help prevent folk going the wrong way. It was all-in-all a fantastic 2.5 hours, I took lots of photos, and Mike was bang on time for the trip home. For twenty bucks - it's a heck of a deal and is a trip that even most folk living in Dartmouth and Halifax have not done. Also, Fisherman's Cove itself is photogenic and there are lots of little arts stores, restaurants/ice cream spots, and a decent pub/restaurant. All in all - highly recommended for visitors to Halifax/Dartmouth and area!
Written June 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jane A
Truro, Canada171 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2014 • Friends
I went to McNabs Island with a large group and we took the McNabs Island Ferry across. The ferry is a motor boat that seats 5+ people. Our group was so large i was in the second boat which didn't dock from the pier but pulled in on a drive in boat launch the captain tried to steady the boat while you climbed in the front trying not to get your feet wet. Not a very graceful maneuver or an easy one with anyone with mobility issues. Once we get there Captan Red Beard gave us the most bizarre run down of the island i've ever seen from any guide. He didn't have enough maps to give all the people in our group one because he only had fifty left for the entire season so we had a couple of maps for a very large group. He spoke a mile a minute constantly looked at his watch and kept telling us to follow along on the maps we didn't have! At the same time he stopped while we all looked on and answered not one not two but three phone calls during this "orientation". We had a great day on the Island but only scheduled three hours there which wasn't nearly long enough! I would definitely go back but next time I would bring my own map and research where I wanted to go on the island before I got there and I would also pack a picnic lunch. I would probably even still use Captain Red Beard....now that I know what to expect.
Written August 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brooke S
Halifax, Canada2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2014 • Friends
Within the last few weeks I have gone out to McNabs Island a few times for the annual beach clean up and to do some hiking and take some photographs. Being from Halifax, it is surprising that it took me so long to visit- and if I had of known how beautiful it is there, I wouldn't have waited so long.

We hired Steve from Taylor Made Tours to take us out, and spend the day. There is nothing for purchase on the island so it is very important to pack lots of food and water for the day. The Island is the perfect spot to do some hiking, have a picnic and truly take a relaxing breather. If you're someone who enjoys hiking and being outdoors, this spot is not to be missed. It is the perfect place to take your family for a summertime day outing/picnic, go on a date or just get some time alone. Next time I would love to try kayaking out there!
Written June 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

154976Happy
Halifax, Canada44 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2014 • Family
Yesterday being one of our first spring days, my husband,son and and I kayaked over to McNab's Island in Halifax Harbor to have a picnic on the beach and to hike the island. Because we have our own kayaks getting there was not a problem but we did see one other couple there who had come over from Fisherman's Cove in Eastern Passage where there is a small boat service. Mike will take you there,supply a map ,give you information and return to pick you up.
What a treasure we have here in Halifax with this island ! Once you are there ,it is like being transported to a remote spot even though you are surrounded by the city just a short boat ride away.Cell phone service is excellent if needed. We chose to hike along the trail to Maugher's Beach where we could sit in the lee of the sand dunes ,eating our lunch and seeing the full expanse of Halifax Harbor, the lighthouse ,the pond and the hills surrounding it the harbor .. Then we continued on our walk to the old abandoned stone Tea House where there are a few camping sites,down another trail beneath a great variety of trees and plants ( leaves are not yet out ) until we came upon 3 old houses which seem to be in great shape ,have lovely trees and landscaping. One was owned by the last permanent resident of the island ,Gladys Conrad , another by the father of Bill Lynch and the third one is a question.. It was almost magical to come upon these places ,obviously used now only in the summer . We thought the Conrad House reminded us of some of the grand homes in Savannah or Charleston with its large verandahs up and down, Then we continued on to Fort Ives,abandoned and rusting but still magnificent with its 2 large cannons perched on a track overlooking the harbor ,several buildings ,walls ,a collection of smaller cannons and such an aura of history. In all our hiking we saw only 3 other people and in the 3 hours we covered only a part of this gem of an island. It is sad to see all the deadwood which came down in Hurricane Juan but it seems to be left to rot and replenish the earth. We remarked that there was such a contrast with this quiet ,uncrowded and easy hike to the ramparts of Halifax Harbor compared with the crowded hot conditions climbing up to Diamond Head in Oahu . Both have ramparts at the top: one with wonderful views of the city of Honolulu but there is such a feeling of history , nature and adventure being all alone on the ramparts of Halifax Harbor far away from the crowds who wind their way in a never ending line up the trail of Diamond Head. You feel like you are on a real adventure.
Written April 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anchorage1976
Eastern Passage, Canada1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2013 • Family
I went to Mcnabs Island for the 1st time and it will not be my last. We took a passenger ferry with Taylor Made Tours, the captin has alot of information to share about the island. It is load and go so call ahead 902-448-4982. We had a map and hit the trails. This is a wonderful way to spend a few hours. I highly recommend a visit to McNabs Island.
Written May 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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