McNabs Island Fall Foliage Tours October 19, 2025 -Depart Halifax at 9:30am

Sunday October 19th (9:30 to 4:30)

Join the Friends of McNabs Island Society for the annual Fall Foliage Tours of McNabs Island Provincial Park. See the island in its autumn splendour and participate in either a guided Heritage Tour, Nature Tour, Adventure Tour, Coastal Shoreline Tour, or the Hangman’s Beach Tour based on the characters and setting from Thomas Raddall’s book Hangman’s Beach.

• Discover how important Mniku’j (McNabs Island) was for the Mi'kmaw First Nations
• From Fort McNab National Historic site, learn more about the role McNabs Island played during the world wars to protect the Port of Halifax . Military animators from Parks Canada will be at Fort McNab.
• Hear the story of Bill Lynch, the "midway king" and how he got his start in the fairground business on the island.
• Learn the tragic story of the SS England that was quarantined off McNabs in 1866.
• Discover the island's coastal environment, plants and wildlife.
• Learn from the Friends of McNabs Island horticulturalists how we are restoring the English Victorian Gardens.
• Visit the Outdoor Education Centre which was the former abandoned Teahouse.

We offer a variety of tours at the Fall Foliage Tours. There are two Heritage tours - one to Fort Ives and the North End of the island and the other to Fort McNab National Historic Site and the South End of the island; a Nature Tour; an Adventure Tour to Thrumcap suitable for hikers over 16 years of age; a Coastal Shoreline Tour AND a Hangman's Beach - McNab Family Homested Tour based on the characters and setting from Thomas Raddall's book Hangman's Beach.

Please select your top THREE tour choices on the order form. The Friends of McNabs volunteers will try to accommodate your choices but cannot guarantee them. We will process your requests on a "first ordered" basis. Remember that there is only enough time during the day to take part in ONE tour. You will have to come back another time to do another type of tour.

Wear comfortable shoes or hiking boots and dress for the weather. If you choose the Adventure Tour, wear waterproof boots. Bring a lunch and drinking water. Sunscreen and bug spray are a must, even in the fall.

Dogs are permitted but they must be on a leash at all times in the Provincial Park. Smoking tobacco or cannabis and the consumption of alcohol are prohibited in the Provincial Park.

The island's trails are rough in some places due to storms that have washed rocks up onto the trails which can make walking difficult for some people with mobility issues. Visitors must be able to walk at least 5 - 7 km on these tours. The Adventure Tour is longer from 10-15 km.

Departure Point: Halifax: Meet at Ambassatours, Cable Wharf (next to Cows Ice Cream)1751 Lower Water Street on the Halifax waterfront by 9:15 am for the 9:30 departure. Note that visitors must be back at Garrison Pier by 4:00 as the boat departs from McNabs Island at 4:30 and returns to Halifax by 5:30 PM. Everyone must get their tickets in advance.

There are NO refunds even if you do not get your choice of tour. Rain date is Sunday October 26, 2025. The event will be cancelled and tickets refunded if the park is closed or the weather cancels the event on both the scheduled date and the rain date.

Cost: $40 (Adult - non-members of the Friends of McNabs Island), $30 (members of the Friends of McNabs Island), $20 (children/youth 16 and younger). Babies and toddlers 4 years and younger are free but still need a ticket. Tickets on sale via Eventbrite.ca

For more information on this event contact; aW5mbyB8IG1jbmFic2lzbGFuZCAhIGNh or http://mcnabsisland.ca/contact.

For updates, follow us on social media:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/McNabsIsland

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/friendsofmcnabsisland/

Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Eastern Passage.