Sable Island is a deserted island in Nova Scotia, Canada, inhabited only by wild horses. A secluded, wonderful place, but also very strange because of the sinister reputation it carries. Today we will describe an incredible journey to one of the world’s special destinations: the desert island of Sable Island.
In addition, living on a desert island can provide an extraordinary opportunity for personal reflection, contact with the wilderness, and inner discovery. You may find yourself building a shelter, fishing, or simply enjoying the silence and unspoiled beauty around you.
Where the deserted island of Sable Island is located.
Sable Island is one of the most mysterious and fascinating islands in the world, located in the Atlantic Ocean about 300 km southeast of the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. This long, narrow crescent-shaped island is famous for its sand dunes, wild horses, and exceptional biodiversity. It is a protected area and has been declared a National Park of Canada since 2013. The island was formed by sand deposits brought by the Labrador Current and the Gulf Stream; its existence is considered temporary geologically. The dunes, which can reach 30 meters in height. are constantly shifting and may disappear with time. The profile of Sable Island is changeable as it is continually reshaped by strong winds and ocean waves.
Inhabited only by wild horses
Perhaps the most iconic feature of the island are the 500 or so wild horses that roam freely. These horses are descendants of animals brought there by European settlers in the 18th century and have adapted perfectly to the harsh island environment. One of the main elements of the tourist attraction is watching the wild horses. Visitors can walk along the island to observe these animals in their natural habitat. Despite the harsh environmental conditions, the island is a refuge for numerous animal and plant species, many of which are unique. Sable Island is home to the largest colony of gray seals in the world and attracts more than 350,000 seals during the breeding season. It is also an important way station for thousands of migratory birds.
Atlantic cemetery for shipwrecks.
Sable Island is also known as the graveyard of the Atlantic because of the many shipwrecks that have occurred along its shores. It is estimated that more than 350 ships have sunk in its shallow waters due to its dangerous location and strong ocean currents. The causes of its dangerousness for ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean are the treacherous sandbars, combined with fog and frequent storms, which have caused a huge number of shipwrecks recorded from the 16th century onward. The history of Sable Island is steeped in tragic shipwreck stories. These are just a few of the ships that met their end in this treacherous area of the Atlantic Ocean. Although today navigation is safer thanks to modern technology, Sable Island continues to be a testament to how the ocean can be both fascinating and dangerous.
List of the most notorious shipwrecks on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada
- The Delphi (1761)
- The Amphitrite (1801)
- HMS Delight (1815)
- The Malabar (1847)
- The Bohemian (1853)
- The Scotsman (1868)
- The Hungarian (1860)
- The Corvette Gracie (1903)
- The Aldebaran (1905)
- The Manhasset (1947)
More than 350 shipwrecks in the waters surrounding Sable Island have been documented over the centuries, many of which are related to the harsh weather conditions and navigational difficulties in the area.
Penal colony, pirate den and finally study center
Among Sable Island’s many souls is its reputation as a land of dark and fascinating stories, ranging from shipwrecked sailors to confined convicts to pirates and their raids. Although today the island is best known for its unspoiled wilderness, its historical past has left a significant imprint, fueling the myth of a remote and dangerous, yet fascinatingly charged place. Over time, several rescue stations were built on the island to assist castaways, and these stations required the constant presence of watchmen. These men, and in some cases entire families, lived on the island in isolation for long periods, monitoring the coast and intervening in the event of shipwrecks.
The island’s guardians, however, had to contend with loneliness, harsh weather conditions and scarcity of resources.
The island has been populated only sporadically. Today there are no permanent inhabitants, but it is manned by small groups of researchers and park rangers who are involved in the conservation and monitoring of its natural resources.
Going to live on the deserted island of Sable Island
The best opportunities related to Sable Island are found in environmental conservation, scientific research and meteorology. If you have an academic background or a career in these areas, you could participate in temporary projects that take place on the island. Canadian and international universities often collaborate with Parks Canada on scientific research projects. Working with Sable Island’s wild horses. Sable Island horses, often called wild horses, are a unique population of feral horses that have lived on the island since the 17th century. They are believed to be the descendants of horses brought by European settlers, probably introduced during colonial times or following shipwrecks. These horses, now numbering about 500, have survived for centuries in a harsh environment with almost no resources, becoming a symbol of the island. Seasonal contracts with Parks Canada. Although rare, there are seasonal opportunities for jobs as rangers or research associates. Managing the observation of wild horses on Sable Island is a delicate activity and carefully regulated by Parks Canada, the agency responsible for managing the island. Sable Island’s horses are one of the most iconic features of this remote place, and their protection is a priority for authorities.
How to get to the island of Sable in Nova Scotia, Canada
Sable Island is remote and access is limited due to its geographical location and nature reserve status. There are mainly two ways to visit the island.
Airway. Most visitors arrive on Sable Island via small charter flights. Planes take off from Halifax, Nova Scotia, and land on an unpaved runway on the island.
There are no regular commercial flights, so one must book through specialized private companies that operate flights for authorized visitors. By boat. Some tour operators organize boat trips to the island, but weather conditions and rough waters make these trips less frequent and more difficult to schedule.
Tours by sea usually require a specially equipped boat, with an experienced captain who knows the pitfalls of the surrounding shoals.
Guided tours permits and rules for visitors
There are some licensed tour agencies that organize small group tours. These tours are monitored and regulated by Parks Canada to ensure that visitors do not harm the environment or disturb local wildlife, such as the famous wild horses. In conclusion, as a national park and protected nature reserve under the management of Parks Canada, a special permit must be obtained to visit the island. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed each year to preserve the environmental integrity of the island.
Did you like this article about deserted Sable Island? Then you might also read our article on Francis Drake’s Around the World.
