Plan your trip
Everything you need before you come
Getting here, when to visit, what to bring, and how forty feet of tide shapes what you can do on any given day.
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Getting here
Spencers Island sits on Route 209, the Glooscap Trail, along the Minas Channel. Roughly 2.5 hours from Halifax, 45 minutes west of Parrsboro, 1.5 hours from Amherst.
Mobile coverage is patchy on the shore road — download directions before you leave Parrsboro.
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When to come
Boat tours run May to October. Hikes and fat bike tours run year round. July and August are warmest and busiest; September and early October bring better light, fewer people and the waterfalls running after autumn rain.
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What to bring
Layers, always — it is consistently cooler on the water than on shore. A change of clothes and footwear, sunscreen, a sunhat, a water bottle and snacks. Sturdy grippy boots for the canyon hikes.
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Where to stay
Our wooden tents sit directly on the beach. There are also cottages and B&Bs along Route 209, camping at Cape Chignecto Provincial Park, and more choice in Parrsboro and Advocate Harbour.
The one thing to understand
The tide decides your day
Every tide is about fifty minutes later than the one before, so a tour that leaves at 8:30 AM this morning leaves closer to 9:20 AM tomorrow. Over a week that moves right across the working day — which is why some days simply have no workable departure.
Rather than make you work that out, every adventure page shows a calendar with the days that work and the exact time for each.
Common questions
Before you book
Why do the tour times change every day?
The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world, and the times shift by roughly fifty minutes a day. Our boat tours need water at the wharf so they run around high tide, and the fat bike tours ride the exposed sea floor so they run around low tide. Every adventure page shows a calendar of the days that actually work and the departure time for each one.
How do I get to Spencers Island?
Spencers Island is on the Glooscap Trail (Route 209) on the Minas Channel shore, about 45 minutes west of Parrsboro and roughly two and a half hours from Halifax. The last stretch is paved but rural — allow more time than the map suggests, and note that mobile coverage is patchy along the shore.
What happens if the weather turns?
If we cancel a tour because of conditions there is no charge and we will rebook you for another day. That call is usually made the morning of, and we will phone you — which is why we ask for a mobile number at booking.
Do I need to be fit?
For the boat tours, no. The hikes are moderate, generally four to seven kilometres over uneven ground with some scrambling in the canyons. The fat bike tours are on flat sand and forest trail and suit most people comfortable on a bike. Tell us your group and we will be honest about which ones fit.
Can children come?
Yes, on most tours. Boat tours require everyone to wear a cold-water survival suit, so children need to fit the smallest size we carry — get in touch with ages before booking and we will confirm.
How far ahead should I book?
Advance booking is required for everything. In July and August the boat tours fill a week or two out, partly because only a fraction of days have a high tide at a workable hour. Shoulder season is easier, and often better light.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure. Inside 48 hours we cannot refund unless the spaces get filled. If we cancel for weather there is never a charge.
Where can we stay nearby?
We rent wooden tents directly on the beach at Spencers Island. Beyond that there are cottages and B&Bs along Route 209, campgrounds at Cape Chignecto Provincial Park, and a wider range of options in Parrsboro and Advocate Harbour.
Still unsure? Send us a note or call 902-216-0134.