Nova Scotia Comes Alive in 2011!

Explore Georges Island

Photo: Jeff Vienneau

Anyone who has ever gazed on Halifax Harbour has seen Georges Island. A product of the last Ice Age the island is actually a drumlin carved by the slow-moving continent-grinders.

The French first called this piece of rock in the harbor île à la Raquette which means Snowshoe Island. However, the British soon renamed it upon taking over Halifax and named it after King George II. For most of its nearly 200 hundred years since its takeover by the British Georges Island has been a: military enclave called Fort Charlotte; prison camp, gunned defense position; Acadian prison camp; and a quarantine station. In World War II it was part of strategic defense of the harbor, especially against German U-boats.

One of the main duties of Georges Island since the 1800′s has been to place a light for navigation. From 1876 to 1976 it was home to many a lighthouse keeper and his family but went unmanned in 1977.

Oddity:  Georges Island garter snakes (quite harmless) have a greater instance of abnormal amounts of black pigment (or melansitic) than garter snakes in any other part of Nova Scotia.

Although Parks Canada does not allow visitors to the island on June 13th & 14th, 2009 the island will open up:

Saturday, June 13, 2009

10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm departure times from Halifax Ferry Terminal – please arrive 15 minutes prior to your departure time

Sunday, June 14, 2009

9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, departure times from Halifax Ferry Terminal – please arrive 15 minutes prior to your departure time

Tickets on sale starting Monday April 27, 2009 at 11am

Ticket Price

Full price $15 + $2 service charge each
All children 0-6 years $5 + $2 service charge each
Prices include tax.
Tickets subject to an additional $4 per order fee if ordered on-line.

Availability

Tickets available to purchase at:

* The Ticket Atlantic Box Office
* Charge by phone at (902) 451-1221
* the 17 participating Atlantic Superstore outlets
* Online - click ‘Buy Tickets’ button above once on sale