Financial Considerations
How much does it cost to fly to Sable Island?
For the 2018 visitor season, the cost of a flight to Sable Island, same-day return (regardless of the number of people on board), is $5500.00 CAD plus $71.00 Halifax airport fees plus $434.78 Parks Canada flight support fee (which helps defray the high cost of vehicle support for the flight). The 15% harmonized sales tax (HST) is then applied, giving a grand total of $6906.65 CAD for the flight.

Can I buy just a single seat on a flight?
We frequently receive requests from people wishing to purchase tickets on a flight, however, under the conditions of our Operating Certificate, we are not legally allowed to sell individual seats - the aircraft must be chartered in its entirety. Any sharing of costs by individuals must either be privately arranged (check out the Facebook group Sable Island Aircraft Charter for a chance to find other like-minded individuals), or you can reserve a seat with Kattuk Expeditions or Picture Perfect Tours, two local tour operators. In any case, Sable Aviation will issue a single bill for the flight and a single payment is required.

What forms of payment do you accept?
Payment must be made prior to departure from Halifax by e-transfer, certified cheque, bank draft, money order, traveller's cheques, or cash (unfortunately, we cannot accept non-certified cheques). We also now accept Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit cards, however, a $250.00 administrative fee will apply. All payments must be in Canadian funds.

Is there a cancellation fee if the flight doesn't happen?
No, you only pay for the flight if the airplane gets airborne. If the flight is cancelled prior to departure, you are not charged (note that this does not apply to groups who do not show up for their bookings without calling). Once the flight becomes airborne, however, you are liable for the cost of the trip (or the portion flown).

How far in advance do I pay for my flight?
Because many flights are postponed or cancelled due to weather, we generally wait until the day of the flight. At that time, payment must be made in full prior to departing. In the case of e-transfers, there is often a daily limit, and processing can take up to an hour to complete, so we recommend that you arrange to complete payment several days ahead of your scheduled flight date, and we will e-transfer the amount back to you if the flight doesn't go.

When should I book the flight?
All flights must be booked through Parks Canada - see the Booking Your Trip page for details. For any given visitor season there are a limited number of travel dates available, so be sure and get your request in promptly at the start of the new year. Dates will not be assigned prior to Jan 1 of the year in which the flight is to occur.

How many people can the aircraft carry?
!!EXCITING NEWS!!
We hope to soon be able to resume carrying up to 7 passengers on all flights!
In 2014, Transport Canada introduced a new regulation requiring specialized avionics equipment to carry more than 5 passengers, or strict weather/daylight limitations. We have recently acquired this equipment and will shortly have it installed (unfortunately, the limiting factor will be the timing of the Transport Canada approval, over which we have no control). Don't forget, though, the aircraft still has a defined maximum weight limit (see next question).

Is there a total weight limit for the flight?
Yes, the aircraft manufacturer has defined a maximum amount that the aircraft can safely and legally carry. Due to the weight of the seats, this amount will vary from 1480* lbs with no passenger seats installed, to 1370* lbs with 3 seats (each passenger seat holds 2 people, plus a passenger may also sit in the co-pilot seat). These numbers are for operations with one pilot only, with two pilots, the weight will be reduced by approximately 200 lbs. While most flights can be operated single pilot, there will be occasions when aircraft configuration, scheduling, or duty day limits will require two pilot operations and the lower limit.
*Please note that at present these are approximate weights - we will not know the exact amounts until the new equipment (mentioned in the previous question) is fully installed.

When do we depart from Halifax?
Departure from Halifax cannot occur until we hear from the Operations Coordinator on Sable that there is a safe area to land on the beach. This could be as early as 8 a.m., but is often later if the most recently used landing area is not suitable that day. In that case, he/she must search the entire 10 km length of the landing beach for an area that will meet the requirements for a safe runway. Often, there is no suitable area at all, and the flight will have to be rescheduled for another day.

How long can we stay on the island?
The length of time that visitors are allowed to stay is primarily based on time of sunset, other station operations scheduled for that day, and to a lesser extent, changes in weather. While Parks Canada has the final word on how long a group may stay on the island, departure must occur prior to dark (i.e. not long after sunset), or several hours earlier if more than 5 passengers are carried. Also, if unforeseen weather deteriorations occur in Halifax, enroute, or on the island, the pilot may require an early departure to ensure the safety of the flight. While we will do everything in our power to avoid cutting your day short, weather in the Maritimes can change quickly, and the pilot's decision will always err towards the side of caution when it comes to flight safety.

How long will it take to fly to Sable?
In normal wind conditions (i.e. tailwind on the trip out, headwind on the return), the trip to Sable takes about 1:10, with a return time of approximately 1:40.

Are flights delayed very often?
Unfortunately, yes - flights to Sable are often delayed by a few days due to poor weather or unfavorable beach conditions. Flight delays of even a few weeks are not uncommon, and on a few occasions in late fall/early winter, flights have been delayed for months. When you contact Parks Canada, they will assign you a primary flight date and a back-up day. If neither of these days is suitable, and a third day is not already booked, you may be able to try again. Every year there are groups who simply do not make it out to Sable that year due to poor conditions - such is the nature of landing on a beach on a remote island in the North Atlantic!
Please note that station operations must take priority over visitor flights. While Parks will do everything in their power to avoid bumping you, there are times when equipment requirements, stranded personnel, etc may necessitate cancellation of your booking.

What time of the year tends to have the least number of delays?
Although the weather is unpredictable in this area of the world, historically, mid to late August until the middle or end of September seems to provide the best rate of success for visits. Spring and early summer are known locally as "fog season", while later in the fall is hurricane season. In the winter, in-flight icing conditions will often delay or cancel flights.

What should I take with me on my day trip?
Obviously a camera is a must-have, but also don't forget to pack a hearty lunch - there is nothing like walking in soft sand to build up a good appetite! Visitors have access to a fully equipped kitchen, including a microwave, should you feel inclined to heat your lunch. In addition to food, you may want to carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer, tissues, and sunscreen.

Can I drink the water on Sable or should I bring my own?
Sable Station uses treated well water, so there is no need to bring drinking water out to the island, however, you should bring along a small bottle to fill with water after you have arrived, to carry with you for hiking in the hot sun.

Is there cell phone coverage on the island?
There is no cell coverage on Sable Island, so leave your smartphone behind and enjoy the peace of this beautiful location.

Are there any vehicles, such as ATVs, available to rent so I can tour around the island?
No, due to the fragile nature of the landscape and the prohibitively high cost of maintaining vehicles in such a harsh environment, there are no vehicles available for rent.