McNabs Island, Provincial park island in Halifax Harbour, Canada.
McNabs Island is a forested expanse of about 980 acres (400 hectares) in Halifax Harbour featuring woodlands, wetlands, and shorelines. The varied landscape supports diverse wildlife populations and contains scattered structures from its residential and recreational past.
Scottish settler Peter McNab acquired the island in 1783 and started a community focused on fishing in Halifax Harbour. Over time, military fortifications were built to protect the strategic harbor, transforming it into a defended outpost.
The island is named after Scottish settler Peter McNab, who arrived in 1783 and established one of the first communities here. Scattered remains of Edwardian amusement facilities and Victorian gardens tell stories of the wealthy visitors who once enjoyed leisure time on these shores.
The island is accessible only by private ferry departing from Cable Wharf in Halifax, with local boat operators offering regular tours. Visitors should prepare for changing weather and uneven terrain by bringing appropriate footwear and layered clothing.
Three abandoned military forts once protected Halifax's harbor from attack, and their ruins still stand scattered across the island. A cove with a shipwreck and a derelict lighthouse add to the collection of mysterious remnants from earlier times.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
