McNabs Island is one of Halifax, Nova Scotia's best kept secrets. It is located in the middle of the harbour between the twin cities of Halifax and Dartmouth. The most interesting thing about this island is that most local Halifax residents are not even aware of what is here. It is a government park, but unlike many others, it is very minimally maintained. I think of a ghost town when I am there, as you can see remnants of what life used to be like in the days past but unlike many parks where the past has been recreated, this island is almost entirely left in its natural state. What buildings remain are as they were when they were built, and have basically been left alone. The best part for me is that you can clearly see that while the city around the island has continued to develop, residential life on the island discontinued a long time ago. This is an island where some of the more famous Halifax residents used to live, including the McNab family and the Lynch family. These days, most of the houses are gone completely. A glimpse of an old foundation or the ruins of an old structure is the best you can see. There are ruins of several forts, an old radio communications building, and other private buildings. Most of the island is now owned by the government except three or four private cottages on the island. Several other remaining buildings are run by The Friends of McNabs. The elements that I love about the island are: 1. There are no guided tours. If you want to go to the island, you have to travel by your own private boat or book passage on a chartered ferry. You have to guide yourself through the island. However, because of this freedom, you can stay as long as you want, stop where you want, for how long you want, take as many pictures as you want, and basically be free to visit the island as you please, and don't have to worry about being trampled by a traveling tour group of twenty. 2. There are no regularly scheduled ferry runs to the island. To me, this makes the island even more secret and makes it that much more of a delightful discovery when you finally find out about it. If you want to book a ferry to the island, the best way I have found is to call Mike from the McNabs Island Ferry. Mike's ferry runs from Fisherman's Cove in Eastern Passage, which is just outside of Dartmouth. He is available any time you want to go, and tries his best to meet you at your convenience. Last time I went to McNabs, which was two days ago, the round-trip price was $11.50. Well worth the money. You can reach Mike at 902-465-4563. 3. You can camp there over night, and for free. Unlike many other parks, which are maintained by a full staff, this island is mostly maintained by a single caretaker plus the Friends of McNabs society volunteers. The bonus is no camping fee. Once you get to the island, you can stay in a wonderful wilderness right in the middle of the city metropolis without reaching into your pocket book again. My favorite part of visiting the island is walking around the houses that remain and trying to imagine what life must have been like on the island when it was "bustling". Many locals don't even know that the current traveling Bill Lynch Fairs originally started on this island, on the property of the Lynch family. These days, the island is championed by volunteers from the Friends of McNabs. If you are interested in more details on the island, you may wish to check out their website at: www.mcnabsisland.ca Since the Friends of McNabs volunteers also do much of the clean up on the island, it is courteous to take your trash with you when you leave. If you are like me and just like to discover glimpses of the past, especially in the midst of a thriving city, then this island is for you.

i loved my stay, it was great and i think everyone should go there, if your into hiking and fun camping go!!!