Logistics

Adventure Trip

This is an adventure sailing charter. You will be more than 100 nautical miles offshore and on the boat for multiple days. The weather will be the dictator of the itinerary; what you wear, how you feel, and where we go. Please keep in mind that the plans can change last minute and be prepared to standby in remote areas while we wait for the proper weather window to make the passage to Sable Island NPR.

On the Boat

You may move about the boat as you please. There are some safety rules that you must abide by. The captain and crew will go over these rules on the first day orientation.

We will choose cabins based on the make up of the guest parties. All cabins are very comfortable and cozy. The forward v-berth has an optional notch to make the head of the bed as big as a king size. The aft cabin has an ensuite head (bathroom) with a shower. The mid bunk cabin is private and has a head (bathroom) adjacent.

To get to and from land while on anchor we have a 10 ft rigid hull inflatable boat (RIB) with 10hp outboard. The RIB is stored on the foredeck of the boat while offshore. We tow it during coastal passages. Using the RIB to make landfall on the island is the crux of the trip. Be ready to get wet here. Bring quick-dry shorts or use our drysuits to make landfall on Sable Island.

On the Island

The experience on the island is by foot only. It is a wilderness experience, meaning that other than the Main Station, there are no other facilities on the island, including toilets. The the big island days sometimes the washroom may be behind the dune.

We will be walking for up to 6-8 hours on sand and dunes. It is a good idea to get into a routine of walking before the trip so you are not too sore after the first day.

Mobility

You need to have good physical mobility for both moving around the sailboat and hiking the beaches and dunes at Sable Island NPR. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns on the physical requirements of the trip.

What to Pack

Bring waterproof jacket and pants. Layers will be very important both on the boat and on the island. Be prepared to be cold. Be prepared to be hot. Temperatures can swing by more than 20 degrees celcuis (68 degrees F) in a day.

Be prepared to get wet.

• Waterproof Jacket and Pants
• Clothes for 7 days
• Long underwear
• Toque or wool hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Bathing Suit
• Quick dry hiking shirt, pants, shorts
• Gloves
• Synthetic long underwear
• Bathing suit
• Brimmed hat (Tilley hat or Baseball cap)
• Soft non-marking soled shoes for the boat (topsiders, non marking sneakers, sailing boots)
• Hiking boots/shoes for the dunes - These need to be clean
• Camera (If you plan to sell photos from Sable NPR, you will need to apply for a license)

Use soft luggage. Duffel bags are recommended. DO NOT bring hard-case carry-on type luggage. This is due to storage on the boat. If you have a dry bag, bring it for your electronics and excursion to the island.

Food

Food for 5 days on the boat is included. The meals are curated and prepped by a local caterer and served on board by the crew. Sable Ocean Adventures will ask you for any dietary restrictions and adjust the meal plan as necessary. We will be happy to serve you local maritime favourites including Nova Scotia lobster. Meals include daytime and evening snacks. If you have any special creature comforts please bring them with you.

Guests are responsible for the meal on the last night of the trip in Halifax. All other meals are provided by Sable Ocean Adventures. This is meant for the guest to explore the great restaurants in Halifax.

The boat has 900 litres of potable water capacity. The water in the tanks is clean to drink. We will also have bottled water and emergency water on board. Please bring your favourite water bottle if you have one.

Bonuses

• Learn to Sail: The captain and crew both have a lifetime of sailing experience as well as instructor certifications. Feel free to ask how everything works.
• Learn to Navigate: We will be using both electronic and paper charting during the voyage.
• Fishing: While at anchor, we can fish. Mackeral are abundant and very tasty.
• Sun tan: It's possible!
• Swimming/snorkeling: Generally discouraged at Sable Island but we can do it off the boat at your own risk.
• Get involved: Night sailing can be one of the most spectacular experiences. Stay up for a night shift and learn how to sail at night. Gaze at stars from horizon to horizon, and wake up for the ocean sunrise.
• Dolphins and whales: You are guaranteed to see the Grey Seal and Sable Island Horse. It will be a bonus to have a pod of dolphins lead us to Sable. Whales also call this place home.

Challenges

Weather

It is possible that we will not be able to make landfall at Sable Island. The North Atlantic is in charge. The two main culprits are heavy north winds and north swell. However we have 4 possible days to make landfall so the likelihood of landing on the beach during the weather window is high.

Ideal conditions are southwest winds, small swell, and high pressure. The Bermuda high weather pattern is the absolute ideal weather set up. We can sail in fog and low visibility conditions. We can sail in most condiitons other than very high winds. A deep low pressure system will usually keep us close to shore. The comfort and safety of the guests and crew are the number one priority so we will use that as the ethos when executing the daily plan.

Fog Likely

Be prepared to sail in the fog. Fog can de-motivate the crew, but we can still sail and make landfall. Fog navigation at sea and on land are inevitable at Sable Island.

Sea Sickness

Be prepared to get seasick. There is a small portion of the population that does not get seasick. They are the lucky ones! But don’t worry, seasickness can be mitigaged by some strategies and ultimately overcome by exposure, so the longer you are at sea, the less the effects.

On board, we have tricks to help with the sickness. This will be covered in the Sunday orientation.

Symptoms of seasickness include sleepiness, loss of apetite, and nausea. Usually the person will deny they are seasick and say they are just tired or not hungry. These are classic responses and a sure sign of the early onset of seasickness. If you feel tired, grab some water, a seasick tablet, and go to the cockpit to focus on the horizon. Do not fight it—try to sleep. If you feel nauseous, use the biodegradable vomit bags provided. You’ll feel better afterward! Looking at the horizon will help your brain focus on a stationary spot to help releive some of the symptoms. The symptoms will likely last until the sea state calms or you get off the boat.

The fog can exacerbate seasickness, as you will not have a horizon to look at. If it is foggy and you are tired, go to sleep.

Seasickness Tips

• Sniff rubbing alcohol
• Wear pressure point wristbands
• Drink lots of water
• Eat soda crackers if you are not hungry
• Drink ginger tea
• Stugeron or Gravol tablets

Alcohol/Drugs Policy

Absolutely no alcohol or illegal drugs while at sea.

Alcohol and cannabis are allowed while at anchor and within 10nm of shore, but not within 4 hours of going offshore. Medicinal cannabis and cannabis taken for sea sickness is allowed. If we only have one day on Sable and have to depart that evening, you may bring your drink of choice on the island as a celebratory drink.

Alcohol will not do you any favours while on the high seas. The policy is in place for the safety of the entire crew.