
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.
Docking at the wharf
- Hours of operation
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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:
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- Marina Office at marina@developns.ca or 902-229-2628.
- Photo
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The wharf
Washrooms
- General information
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- Located near the wharf.
- Gender-neutral.
- Compostable toilets.
- Hand sanitizer provided. There is no running water on the island.
- Accessibility
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- 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.
The washrooms
Trail
- Details
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- There is one trail on Georges Island, from the wharf to Fort Charlotte.
- The trail is about 220 metres long.
- More information
- Accessibility
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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 - There are many stairs in the tunnels.
- Stairs to Lower Battery
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- 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 - There are many stairs to the Lower Battery.
- Upper Battery staircases to embrasures
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- 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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