Micou's Island

Micou's Island is a roughly 22-acre tidal island on St. Margarets Bay connected to the mainland by a sandbar and bordered by rocky shores with diverse coastal plants. The island displays natural landscapes shaped by salt-water environments and coastal geology.

The island served as a seasonal camp for Mi'kmaq people, as shown by arrowheads and shell deposits found there. This early use reveals centuries of connection between the people and this coastal site.

Two shell middens on the island show centuries of Mi'kmaq shellfish gathering and mark places where people returned again and again. These remains tell of traditions that shaped how the island was used.

Access to the island is only possible during a roughly 5-hour window around low tide, with about 2.5 hours available before and after the lowest point. Visitors should check tide tables ahead of time and wear sturdy shoes since the path can be damp and slippery.

A sugar maple known as the Strong Arm stood for decades as a central landmark for visitors until its main trunk fell in 2021. The tree was over 185 years old and shaped how generations of visitors experienced the island.