Oak Island Halifax Shore Excursion
by: Brett Wendorf
“There is an island in the North Atlantic where men have been looking for treasure for over 200 years. So far, they’ve uncovered booby trapped flood tunnels, carved stones with strange symbols, 17th century Spanish coins, an evidence of a wooden vault, covered in concrete. Six men have even lost their lives trying to solve the mystery. And according to legend, one more will have to die before the treasure can be found.”
And so goes the introduction to The History Channel’s The Curse of Oak Island and for Canada and New England cruisers docking in Halifax, this enigmatic island can be visited on a shore excursion – if you dare to explore its secrets (and if your comprehensive travel insurance covers ancient curses).
If you’re not one of the millions of Oak Island devotees, who are affectionately known as “Acorns”, or haven’t watched any of the 230 episodes, the show takes place on Nova Scotia’s Oak Island, about 90km or an hour’s drive south of the Halifax Cruise Ship Terminals 20 and 22. The reality TV show chronicles brothers Marty and Rick Lagina who lead a group of treasure hunters searching for a fabled treasure, possibly buried by Captain Kidd in the late 1600’s.
Treasure seekers have been digging on the island since the late 1700’s, and as the holes go deeper, so does the mystery. What they have found are sophisticated flooding and draining systems, elaborate and well-engineered pits and tunnels, and many ancient relics. Even the most hardened of cynics would believe, at some stage, something significant happened here. But whether the treasure has already been taken, or just inches from being found, or is indeed cursed, are the questions that keep the Lagina brothers and the millions of viewers coming back.
The show is an emotional roller coaster ride, when hopes often crash, only to come back to life with the thrill of finding coins, ancient manuscripts or even a lead cross with a possible connection to the Knights Templar.
Whilst millions watch the show, very few have been on the island, and it’s something very doable in a day or as part of your port visit to Halifax. Traditionally, the island has been restricted to access to the island, there are some great private tour options for those who want to experience the island.
Rumours are that the island may become more accessible in 2026 which will likely see cruise lines offer Oak Island as a shore excursion, but if not, there are many ways for cruisers to engage with the island.
We used Halifax’s Down East Tours who run a 6-hour “Oak Island and South Shore Coastline” shore excursions to and from the cruise ship terminal. In 2025, the four cost is C$690/US$500 for the private tour, for up to seven people (only members of your party will be on the tour).
Owned and operated by native “Haligonian” Mel Zilkowsky, an admitted passionate “Acorn”, the tour can be tailored to your specific interests, the weather, and what’s available on your port day. Mel can tailor his spiels to match your interests, and discuss everything from local history, wildlife, vintners, and even share his views on the endless theories of Oak Island.
Included in the tour will be visits to various shoreside vantage points looking across the bay to the island so you can see the infamous Money Pit, Lot 5, and The Swamp. You then may be able to go across the infamous “Causeway” and briefly get on the island where you can take a picture next to the monument and explore the Interpretation Centre (which should reopen in 2026).
No trip to this region will be complete without getting a t-shirt at the Oak Island Treasure shop and then grabbing lunch (at your expense) at the favourite watering hole for Oak Island treasure seekers, The Mug and Anchor at Mahone Bay (you can even sit at the cast’s favourite table and drink their favourite drop, Mug and Anchor Ale).
For those of you who want a more interactive look of the island, Down East Tours can organise some amazing add-ons if they are available. Timing is everything, if you’re flexible and organised enough to coordinate your Halifax port day on a weekend, two-hour tram tours on Oak Island itself may be available at an additional cost (C$99), but are heavily dependent on demand, weather, and the shooting schedule.
We went on a weekday, so Down East Tours organised a 90-minute close up cruise (for an additional C$86) around the island with Salty Dog Sea Tours, which is run by English Kiwi Tony Sampson, who has been both cast and crew of The Curse of Oak Island since it started.
When to Go: The most popular time to cruise Canada and New England is during the fall foliage period, which is weather dependent, could start in late September/early October. We did a Northbound cruise from Boston which left on 16 September 2025 where the leaves were just starting to change in Halifax and some of the first ports, but by the time we got to the Saguenay and Quebec, we saw Autumn in all its red maple leaf glory.
Temperature, the amount of rain in the year, and frost all play factors in the season change. Generally, filming activity starts on the island in late May, and weather permitting, ends in early November.
As mentioned earlier, if you can find a cruise which docks in Halifax on a weekend, that’s when the tram tours of the actual island can place if all goes to plan. For true Acorns you can cruise to get into Halifax for Oak Island (the inaugural event was held on 23/24 September 2025, 2026 isn’t locked in yet). It would require you to overnight on land and disembark or the ship later in the next port, which might take a bit of work, but if you are indeed an acorn, you’ll make it happen.
And the beautiful town of Mahone Bay is awesome year round, but if you’re going to do a pub lunch, do it during their Scarecrow Festival which runs from late September to mid-October.
The Curse of Oak Island can be viewed in Australia on SBS OnDemand. Legend has it that Season 13 will begin or go around 4 November 2025 and will be streamed on SBS Viceland HD.
Brett Wendorf is a Princess Cruises Elite Guest and married to an Acorn (Oak Island devotee).
This article was originally published by Clean Cruising in their December 2025 magazine (Issue 65). We’re proud to be featured and to showcase the Oak Island experience for visitors to Nova Scotia.
