Winter on Sable Island

Travel by helicopter with a small group and your experienced photographer-guide to embark on a thrilling winter adventure, unlike any other on Earth! Experience a spectacular wildlife event as more than 300,000 grey seals arrive to battle, breed, and give birth at Sable Island National Park Reserve and the famed wild horses are adorned in their thick, woolly winter coats.

Winter light casts a magical glow over the island’s stark beauty and rolling dunes, providing a dramatic backdrop for photographers and nature enthusiasts to observe the abundance of island wildlife such as seals, birds, and wild Sable Island horses. More people visit Mount Everest than Sable Island each year. Book now to be one of the few to witness this amazing winter wildlife event off the coast of Nova Scotia.

Winter 2025 Dates

• Picture Perfect – January 21st (back-up 22nd & 23rd) 2 x Seats Left
• Picture Perfect – January 25th (back-up 26th & 27th) 
• Picture Perfect – February 1st (back-up 2nd & 3rd) 

Private group offered, subject to availability. Please email info@pictureperfecttours.ca for more information

Price: $3390

• Book two or more seats and save $200 per person.

GIFT CARDS NOW AVAILABLE FOR 2025

Experience Includes:

• Full-day, guided tour of Sable Island National Park Reserve with Picture Perfect Tours. Experience Sable Island like never before, as winter covers the island the famed wild-horses grow wooly winter coats. Take in the most spectacular wildlife event in Eastern Canada as more than 300,000 grey seals call Sable Island home while birthing more than 100,000 seal pups before they head back to the sea – a fascinating time of the year with sights and sounds found nowhere else on earth!

• Experienced guides take care of all trip details and ensure you and the wildlife stay safe as you experience this amazing island. Park fees and welcome orientation of Sable Island with Parks Canada staff are also included.

• Return helicopter and shuttle transportation. Pick up and drop off in downtown Halifax with Picture Perfect Tours. Enjoy a round-trip helicopter flight with Vision Air Services from Halifax Stanfield International Airport (about 1.5 hours each way).
• Photography insights and a custom gift pack of professional, downloadable images of your winter adventure to Sable Island from Picture Perfect Tours!

Good to Know

• When booking this excursion, guests must also be available for the day following the tour date. This 2-day travel window is due to unpredictable island weather and landing conditions.
• Please expect to walk/hike around 6 km. Depending on where we locate wildlife, we may travel anywhere from 6 km to 8 km. In the winter, we often find an abundance of wildlife nearby to the visitors’ quarters at Main Station.
• This trip has a maximum group size of 7 guests to ensure personalized attention.
• Expect cooler temperatures on the island, but will often be warmer than the mainland. Dress in layers and in comfortable, active clothing for the time of year and weather. Wear warm, comfortable, water-resistant walking or hiking boots for walking in sand and possibly some snow. 
• As per Transport Canada regulations, all helicopter crew and passengers must wear survival suits that are provided for the flights. 
• Bring your favourite packable lunch and snacks and a water bottle. There is potable water on the island to refill. A warm hat, gloves, a face covering, sunglasses and ski goggles are also recommended. 
• Don’t forget your camera, extra batteries, and memory cards!

Itinerary

• 06:30 – Downtown Halifax pickup for airport transfer
• 07:00 – Arrive at the Halifax Heliport hangar
• 07:10 – Introductions, load helicopter, safety briefing, etc.
• 08:00 – Helicopter departs
• 09:15 – Land on Sable Island at Main Station
• 09:30 – Safety orientation with Parks Canada
• 10:00 – Hike to the South Beach and West Light
• 11:30 – Turn east and hike back along the North Beach
• 12:00 – Return to Main Station for a snack and warming break
• 13:00 – Hike north and east along the north beach
• 14:30 – Head west back to Main Station through the dunes
• 15:00 – Arrive back at Main Station and load the helicopter
• 15:30 – Helicopter departs
• 17:00 – Arrive at the heliport
• 17:30 – Unload helicopter and depart for drop-offs in Halifax

Highlights

• The largest colony of grey seals in the world gather here
• Wild horses of Sable Island in their shaggy winter attire
• Our small group of 6-7 guests has the island to ourselves
• A package of 50+ images to download from the adventure
• Incredible aerial views of coastal NS & Sable Island
• Welcome & tour of Sable Island with Parks Canada staff
• Your guide is a local with a family history of the island
• Learn how the island’s resilient wildlife endure winter
• Winter photo tips & insights for all skill levels
• 6 hours minimum on Sable Island
• Survival suits for the helicopter rides are included
• Airport transfers from downtown Halifax

Click here for full details on our Sable Island cancellation & refund policy.

Get To Know Geordie

Geordie Mott is the owner and tour director for Picture Perfect Tours and has made numerous trips showcasing the beauty and history of Sable Island since 2017. His family were former superintendents of Sable Island during WWI and he has a unique connection to the island. Geordie has over 25 years of experience working in the hospitality and tourism sectors and is a graduate of NSCAD with degrees in photography and art history.

A guide with deep personal connections to Sable Island – tours the remote home of horses, seals and shipwrecks.