Facilities and services

Georges Island National Historic Site

Facilities and services available at Georges Island National Historic Site include a wharf, beach, compostable toilets, fort, grassy trail from the wharf to Fort Charlotte, underground tunnels, and incredible views of Halifax.

Boat dock Docking at the wharf
Hours of operation
  • Visitation is permitted ONLY during specified hours of operation.
  • Visitors may dock with complimentary daytime berthing during Parks Canada hours of operation only, subject to availability. 
  • Overnight berthing is not permitted.
  • Daytime berthing is available through Develop Nova Scotia's marine program.
Where to dock
  • Private motorized vessels should dock in the designated areas of the wharf.
  • Canoes or kayaks should dock along the shore line to the west of the wharf in the designated area.
  • Please see the map or signage at the wharf regarding available areas.
Fees
  • Parks Canada admission fees apply.
  • If arriving by private boat, canoe, kayak or other commercial operator, please proceed to the Parks Canada Information Kiosk to pay admission or show your Parks Canada Discovery Pass.
  • More information about Parks Canada fees.
Accessibility
  • The width of the gangway is 1.68 metres or 5’6” inside the railings.
  • The slope of the gangway from the floating dock to the wharf varies from 10% at high tide to 27% at low tide.
  • The gangways is aluminum with a textured surface for grip.
  • The wharf surface is flat and made of wood.
  • The ramp from the wharf to the island has a 5% slope.
Marina Inquiries:
Photo
Georges Island wharf
The wharf
 
Toilet Washrooms
General information
  • Located near the wharf.
  • Gender-neutral.
  • Compostable toilets.
  • Hand sanitizer provided. There is no running water on the island.
Accessibility
  • Path from trail to washrooms has a 1% slope.
  • Path and ground around the washrooms is crusher dust.
  • There is a step up to the washrooms that is 2 inches high.
  • Doorway width is 36 inches.
  • Doors open out.
Washrooms at Georges Island
The washrooms
Hiking Trail
Details
  • There is one trail on Georges Island, from the wharf to Fort Charlotte.
  • The trail is about 220 metres long.
  • More information
Accessibility
  • The slope of the trail ranges from flat ground to a 12% slope.
  • The trail width ranges from 1 metre to 3 metres.
  • The trail is uneven and made of firm grass and gravel.
  • There are no benches along the trail/path.
Fort Charlotte and the tunnels
Accessibility
  • Width of gate entrance is 74 inches.
  • Surface of parade square is uneven. Ground is grass and gravel with a very small slope.
  • Fall hazards exist in and around Fort Charlotte.
The gate entrance to Fort Charlotte is 74 inches wide
Tunnels
  • Average tunnel width is 4 feet. Brick arches narrow the passageways to 3 feet 2 inches.
  • Tunnel entrance is 31 inches wide.
  • There is a stone threshold at the bottom of the entrance to the tunnels which is 2 inches on the outside and 5 inches on the inside.
  • Entrance to Lower Battery is 29 inches wide.
The brick arches narrow passageways to 3 feet 2 inches
 
Stairs to Caponier
  • There are many stairs in the tunnels.
    • 24 stairs from tunnel to East Caponier.
    • 6 stairs from East Caponier to ditch.
    • 21 stairs from tunnel to West Caponier.
    • 4 stairs from West Caponier to ditch.
  • Stairs are made of stone, with about the same 8” rise and 12” run.
Stairs to Caponier
Stairs to Lower Battery
  • There are many stairs to the Lower Battery.
    • 8 stairs from Upper Battery to Lower Battery door.
    • 35 stairs (3 sets) from Upper Battery to Lower Battery.
  • Stairs are made of stone, with about the same 8” rise and 12” run.
Stairs to Lower Battery
Upper Battery staircases to embrasures
  • There are wooden stairs to each of four different embrasures (where cannons are located).
  • Average of 8 stairs from path to embrasure, slope varies.
Staircase to embrasure

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