who runs the oak island tours

• Shore Excursions

Oak Island Tour

Come aboard for an Oak Island adventure. Join us as we cruise around the shores of Oak Island on a fully narrated trip to explore the history and the mystery of the world's longest running treasure hunt.   This fully narrated trip allows you to experience the magic of the greater Mahone Bay area and view the key sites of the island as seen on the History Channel show The Curse of Oak Island ! We will travel in style aboard our new tritoon boat, the Island Belle , in comfort and stability where you will be able to see such landmarks as the Causeway, Lot 5, Boulderless Beach, Smith's Cove, the Money Pit and all the new work happening on the island.

Return transportation to Oak Island 1.5-hour guided cruise

• 10:30am, depart from Ambassatours Tour Ticket Centre (near the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic) • 11:30am, arrive at Oak Island Marina • 11:45am, board Salty Dog Tours' Ocean Belle • 12:00pm, depart Oak Island Marina for Oak Island Tour • 1:30pm, return to Oak Island Marina, disembark • 1:45pm, depart Oak Island Marina • 3:00pm, arrive at Ambassatours Tour Ticket Centre (near the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic)

Saturday, September 7, 2024: 10:30am-3pm (additional dates may be added)

Adult: $190 Youth (3 - 12): $145 Infant (2 and under): FREE

Unless otherwise noted on your ticket, this tour departs the Ambassatours Tour Ticket Centre at 1675 Lower Water Street, Halifax

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Peggy's Cove Tour

Of the over 160 historic lighthouses located across the province of Nova Scotia, none is more well-known, most visited, and likely most photographed than Peggy's Point Lighthouse.

Visit Georges Island

Enjoy scenic views from a new perspective and immerse yourself in the rich history of Halifax! Take a self-guided tour of the fort or a guided tour of the historic tunnels!

Tall Ship Sailing Cruise

Your visit to Halifax will simply not be complete without experiencing a scenic sailing cruise on the world's second-largest natural harbour – the Halifax Harbour.

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The mystery of oak island.

Please Note: Access to Oak Island and the Interpretive Centre are both temporarily closed.

Do you believe there's treasure there?

That's been the question for more than 200 years. A question that remains largely unanswered and it's not for lack of looking.

The only thing for certain is the international spotlight shines brightly on this 57-hectare (140-acre) privately owned island off the coast of Western Shore . That's thanks in great part to brothers Rick and Marty Lagina who led the current team of treasure hunters on the hit HISTORY Channel series The Curse of Oak Island .

 The causeway to Oak Island can be found at the bottom of Crandall Point Road off of Hwy 3 .

Oak Island Boat Tours will allow you to get up close and personal to the mysterious island from the water's edge. Salty Dog Sea Tours  operates out of the Oak Island Resort Marina . Captain Tony Sampson, who was part of The Curse of Oak Island cast, leads the 90-minute tour filled with historical facts and the inside scoop on the series.

And then just right next door,  The Station 20 Shoppe has prints of Oak Island maps.

In the fall of 2018, the Chester Municipal Heritage Society launched a comprehensive website dedicated to the Oak Island Mystery filled with incredible facts, historical photos, and maps, plus detailed timelines, theories and so much more. You can even send a secret message using the famous Oak Island cipher to send an encrypted email!

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• © Municipality of Chester. All Rights Reserved.

Visit Oak Island

Salty Dog Tours

Salty Dog Tours offers you an opportunity to explore Oak island by boat. You will be able to explore the mysteries of Oak Island by boat as well as the magic of the Mahone Bay region. You can take a narrated trip through the sea to have a look at the unique sites of the island. The guided sea tours of the Oak Island run daily from the Oak Island Resort and around the island.

If you have watched The Curse of Oak Island show on the History Channel, you can experience the key sites of the Island as you take a trip. You will travel aboard the new triton boat in stability and comfort along the shore of the Mahone Islands.

There are also daily charters where up to twenty-four passengers leave for the Oak Island to tour three times a day. You will find adventure charters that are in partnership with the Oak Island Resort. Other features and services include private charters as well as island excursions. Besides, you can get digital gift cards.

• PEGGY'S COVE & LIGHTHOUSE
• Halifax Titanic & Fisherman's Cove
• ANNAPOLIS VALLEY /  BAY OF FUNDY
• LUNENBURG AND THE SOUTH SHORE
• OAK ISLAND AND SOUTH SHORE COASTLINE
• EXPERIENCE BOTH LUNENBURG & PEGGY'S COVE
• EXTENDED DAY TO PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
• CUSTOMIZED MULTI-DAY TOURS
• SELF DRIVE TOURS
• TESTIMONIALS
• REVIEW YOUR TOUR
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• Tour Articles

DURATION - 6 Hours 

BOOK YOUR 6 HR Oak Island and South Shore Coastline  TOUR NOW

A 229 year old mystery ... Oak Island is a privately owned island on the south shore of Nova Scotia and is best known for various theories about possible buried treasure or historical artifacts and the many associated explorations that have taken place there since the 1850s.  

NOTE: 2024 — The Oak Island Visitor/ Interpretive  Centre currently remains closed to the public.    For full details on this announcement by the owners of the island, please visit this link . Due to the island being closed, our Oak Island Tour can be modified to explore the local areas of Lunenburg, Mahone Bay and Chester. Additionally, we can arrange and recommend seeing Oak Island by boat.   Please contact me for more details.  Thank you for your understanding.

Your tour begins from Halifax with some narrative history as we head directly towards The Famous Oak Island. Could it Be ? Yes ! It is a real place !   Driving will mix highway & coastal making our way to/from the Famous Oak Island, location for the popular TV series, 'The Curse of Oak Island'.

We will cross the narrow causeway to the island & you will be able explore the Interpretation Center which house a vast amount of information and history of the dig along with many artifacts from the exploration.

The island is an active site with digs & filming throughout the season and we can not be held responsible for the island being closed unannounced. Thank you. **

For lunch you can enjoy lobster, fish & chips and other local favorites (an additional cost) at The Mug & Anchor (Mahone Bay) or other based on timing and availability.

Max seating is six guests  based on typical sized adults/children. The number of passengers would be reduced for over-sized/taller passengers to ensure comfort & accessibility.  See FAQ  for more details.

A Perfect Tour for a Cruise Shore Excursion or Day Trip.  

• DURATION 6 Hours
• COST $660 CND; approx. $485 USD,  includes local Tax (15%)   
• Pricing is ’per tour‘ not ‘per person‘ and are in invoiced in Canadian Funds
• Max. of 6 passengers & all tours are PRIVATE which means we do not fill seats.  
• No other group/persons will be joining your tour.
• Contact me to customized this tour !

Itinerary Outline

Your Private Tour is flexible based on your interests and wishes.

• P/U Cruise Ship Port; Hotel or other location
• Local History & "Theory Discussions"
• Highway & coastal to Oak Island (appr. 1 hr)
• Cross the causeway to the mystery *2024 Island remains closed … all tours go only as far as the causeway.  Thank you for your understanding. 
• Oak Island Interpretation Centre *2024 Island remains closed … all tours go only as far as the causeway.  Thank you for your understanding.
• Lunch Mug & Anchor at Madders Wharf or other based on availability
• Highway & coastal return to Halifax

Other options based on guest interests, time permitting:

• Fairview Lawn Cemetery - Titanic Graveyard 
• Acadian Maple Shop 
• Citadel Hill (a favorite place to stop for pictures of Halifax City and the waterfront)

Gratuities are not included and are never expected but always appreciated.

Tour Vehicle  

• Dodge Grand Caravan
• Clean, Comfortable & Sanitized
• Air-conditioned
• USB Ports for phones/tablets
• Free WiFi on board
• Booster seat available upon request *
• Seating arrangement – up to 6 persons - 1 in the front passenger, 2 in middle bucket seats, up to 3 in the rear bench seat. Max seating based on typical sized adults/children. The number of passengers would be reduced for over-sized/taller passengers to ensure comfort & accessibility.
• Commercially inspected and licensed as per the requirements of the Motor Carrier Licensing & the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
• Commercial Licensing & Insurance to operate in Nova Scotia and Interprovincially to Prince Edward Island & New Brunswick

All tours are senior and kid friendly ... However, please note the following:

• Kid Friendly -  Please advise if a booster seat is required and we can provide.
• I am unable to accommodate child/baby car seats in the vehicle. 
• Please advise of any mobility issues and if a guest has a walker, so I can ensure room the day of the tour.  I don't always have room for folding walkers. (I usually have cleaning suppliers and a cooler onboard)  I have very limited space for storage. But can fold down back seat if only a group of 4. Contact me with any questions at all. Ty 
• Wheel Chair -  I am generally not able to accommodate wheel chairs or motorized scooters due to available space. Having said that I have accepted some in the past on a case by case bases. Guests must be able to enter and exit the vehicle safely unassisted. This combined with a lower number of guests to accommodate space requirements.  (ie. Room in back or folded down back seat)   Please contact me before booking if this is a request.   Showing up for a tour without advising of a wheel chair or mobility scooter may result in delaying the tour or cancellation     due to lack of space/preparation.
• Thank you for your understanding.

Other Information

• All Nova Scotia Health & Safety protocols are followed to ensure a safe experience including cleaning/sanitation of vehicle before and during tour.
• Hand sanitizer and extra masks are available for our guests who wish to wear them.
•  As of March 21, 2022 Nova Scotia has lifted all restrictions including mask mandates, other than in Hospital settings.
• More information on COVID 19 Protocols  

•   +1-902-222-2934  -  Down East Tours
•     [email protected]
•   Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

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Dame Flora Duffy starts new phase of career in Ibiza

Dame Flora Duffy enters a new phase of her triathlon career on the island of Ibiza this weekend.

At 5.30am Bermuda time on Saturday morning when most clubbers are just going to bed on the party island, Duffy will be entering the water for the swim leg in her first race on the T100 World Tour.

But she will not be exiting the Mediterranean as quickly as she is used to with Bermuda’s Olympic champion leaving the short-course triathlon scene behind to test her stamina against some of the best long-course competitors in the world.

Duffy will be challenging herself over 100km (2km swim, 80km bike, 18km run), starting with a swim off Figueretas Beach.

That is followed by three bike laps taking the talented field to Santa Eulalia City and back with taxing climbs, technical tests and flat-out speed sections, which should play to Duffy’s strengths on two wheels.

The event ends with a flat seven-lap run around the historic Ibiza Old Town, which was founded by the Phoenicians more than 2,500 years ago and still displays traces of the Moors.

There will, of course, be little time for sightseeing as the 35-year-old chases the $25,000 first prize on offer, with financial rewards all the way down to 20th position as well as the chance to pick up valuable T100 championship points.

But it is not the money that motivates Duffy just the chance to test her body over an unfamiliar distance.

“This feels like a big shift in focus for me,” she told the T100 Triathlon tour.

“I have achieved everything I wanted to in the short-course area of the sport and it would be nice to get some good results in the T100, to win a race and be in contention to win the series.

“It’s definitely quite intimidating for me moving up in distance and being uncomfortable, being a beginner again after so many years in the sport.

“A few world titles, an Olympic medal and suddenly you’re learning a whole new side of triathlon, but it’s really exciting.

“It’s going to be tough. Everyone’s good and everyone can have their day. I’m really just looking forward to racing everybody and see how the race goes.”

Despite the change in emphasis, Duffy is set to compete against some familiar famous faces in Ibiza.

Among them is Taylor Knibb, who won a silver medal in the mixed relay for the USA in Paris and was victorious on the T100 tour in San Francisco in June. Knibb’s compatriot and Olympics team-mate Taylor Spivey is, like Duffy, making her first appearance on the T100 tour.

Swiss triathlete Julie Derron, who won individual silver in Paris, is also competing as is Canadian Paula Findlay, who should give Duffy a run for her money in the bike leg after finishing in the top 20 in the time-trial at the Cycling World Championships this month.

Last week’s Ironman World Championship runner-up Kat Matthews is in the field as is Anne Haug, who was one of the favourites for that race but was forced out with a mechanical issue during the bike leg.

But for those Bermudians rising early on Saturday morning, all eyes will be on Duffy as she competes for the first time since finishing fifth at her final Olympics. The race will be shown live on the T100 World Triathlon Tour Youtube site

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Take a walk through the most ancient Kremlin in Russia

The Novgorod Kremlin, which is also called ‘Detinets’, is located on the left bank of the Volkhov River. The first fortified settlement was set here during the reign of prince Vladimir Yaroslavich, the son of Yaroslav the Wise. During these times, all the state, public and religious life of Novgorod was concentrated here. It was the place where people kept chronicles and copied the texts of books. The Novgorod Kremlin, the most ancient one in Russia, was founded here in the 15th century.

St. Sophia Cathedral (11th century), The Millennium Of Russia Monument, Episcopal Chamber (15th century) and the main exhibition of The State Novgorod Museum-reservation located in a public office building of the 18th century are all situated in the Novgorod Kremlin. The exhibition will tell you about the whole Novgorod history from ancient times to the present day. There are also restoration workshops, a children’s center, a library and a philharmonic inside the Kremlin walls.

Send a letter with the State Novgorod Museum-reservation stamp

While visiting the main building of the Novgorod Kremlin museum, you’ll see a small bureau near the souvenir area. Two more bureaus like that can be found in the Fine Arts Museum and the Museum information centre. This is the Museum Post, the joint project of the State Novgorod Museum-reservation and Russian Post.

The tradition to exchange letters (at that time written on birch bark sheets) dates back to the 11th century so it’s hardly surprising that such a project appeared here. The bureaus are desks and mailboxes at the same time, so you can send your friends a postcard with a view of Novgorod right from the museum.

Find the famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin among the figures of The Millennium Of Russia Monument

In 1862, 1000 years after the Varangians were called to Russia, a monument dedicated to this event was launched in Novgorod. To tell the story of Russia’s one thousand years, the sculptor used 129 bronze figures: from state and military leaders to artists and poets.

One of figures portrays Afanasy Ordin-Nashchokin, a politician and reformer who was responsible for Russia’s diplomatic relations in the middle of the 17th century. He is believed to be the father of international and regular mail in Russia. He was also the person who came up with the idea of the first Russian Post official emblem — a post horn and a double-headed eagle.

Cross the Msta River over the first arch bridge in Russia

The steel bridge in Borovichi town that connects two banks of the Msta river was built at the beginning of the 20th century. The project of the bridge was created by Nikolay Belelyubsky, engineer and professor of St. Petersburg State Transport University. This is the first arch bridge in Russia.

In 1995, it was included in the national cultural heritage register. More than 100 bridges across Russia were developed by Belelyubsky, but only this one is named after him.

Cast a virtual bell

When in the Novgorod region, you’ll definitely hear bells ring and learn about the Novgorod Veche Bell. During the siege of the city, tsar Ivan III ordered to remove this bell from the bell tower and send it to Moscow. Legend says that the bell didn’t accept his fate, fell to the ground near the border of the Novgorod region and broke to pieces against the stones.

In the biggest Museum Bell Centre in Russia located in the Valday town, you can see bells from across the world and learn why Novgorod bells are unique. The museum’s collection represents bells from different countries and ages, some of them dating back to the 3rd century BC. You’ll learn about the history of casting and modern bell-making technologies and also play games on a touch table. For example, harness virtual ‘troika’ (three) horses with bells or cast a virtual bell.

Spot the pigeon on the cross of St. Sophia Cathedral

St. Sophia Cathedral was built in Novrogod between 1045 and 1050 by Kievan and Byzantine masters. It was conceived as the main cathedral of the city, and during its first years it was the only stone building in Novgorod. So where does the pigeon on the cross of the cathedral’s biggest dome come from?

Legend says that while tsar Ivan the Terrible and his Oprichniki were cruelly killing peaceful city folk in 1570, a pigeon suddenly sat down to the cross of the city’s main cathedral. It looked down, saw the massacre, and was literally petrified with horror. Since then the pigeon has been considered the defender of the city. People believe that as soon as the pigeon flies away from the cross, Novgorod will come to an end.

Visit a monastery, that was founded by Patriarch Nikon

The Valday Iver Monastery is situated on the island in the middle of the Valday lake. It is considered to be one of the most important and picturesque orthodox shrines.

The monastery was founded in 1653 by the initiative of Nikon who had just been elected Patriarch. Nikon wanted the monastery to look like the Iviron Monastery on Mount Athos, including the architectural style and monk’s clothes. Legend says that Nikon saw the spot for the monastery in a dream.

Check out Fyodor Dostoevsky’s country house

Fyodor Dostoevsky, a famous Russian writer, first visited Staraya Russa town in 1872 during a summer trip with his family. They liked it so much that the next year they rented a house near the Pererytitsa River’s embankment and spent every summer here ever since.

Dostoevsky loved this house, called it ‘his nest’ and considered it the perfect place to work and to be alone. In Staraya Russa he wrote his novels ‘The Adolescent’, ‘The Brothers Karamazov’ and ‘Demons’. Today, this place is a museum where you can explore what Dostoevsky’s house looked like and see his family’s personal belongings, photos and letters.

Visit an authentic Russian ‘izba’ (wooden house)

If you want to really enjoy the atmosphere of the old Novgorod, you should come to the Vitoslavlitsy Museum of folk wooden architecture that is located on the Myachino lake not far away from Veliky Novgorod. In this open-air museum you’ll see the best examples of Russian wooden architecture, including authentic old ‘izbas’ (wooden houses), rural chapels and churches.

During the year, the museum hosts fairs of crafts and folklore, christmastides, and even an international bell ringing festival.

Learn what Brick Gothic looks like

The Episcopal Chamber of the Novgorod Kremlin is the only non-religious German Gothic building of the 15th century preserved in Russia. You can have a good look at the facets of the gothic cross-domed vaults inside the chamber. This is why this building is also called ‘Faceted Chamber’ or ‘Chamber of Facets’.

The chamber was part of Vladychny Dvor, the place where all important city events took place: court hearings, gatherings of the Council of Lords of the Novgorod Republic, ambassador’s receptions and feasts. The seals of the city’s lords were kept here. The decree of tsar Ivan III on merging the Novgorod Republic with the Moscow State was first announced in 1478 in Episcopal Chamber. This is when the name of the new state, Russia, was first pronounced.

See the murals by Theophanes the Greek

The Byzantine Empire had a huge impact on the development of the Russian culture. Many works of art and architecture in ancient Russia were created by Byzantine artists and masters. Theophanes the Greek was one of them. He was born in Byzantine and created icons and murals in Constantinople and Caffa (modern Feodosia). After that he moved to Novgorod where he was commissioned to paint the walls of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior on Ilyina Street. You can enjoy his unique and expressive style if you look at the murals inside the dome of the church and the Trinity side chapel.

The most recognizable and the only monumental work of Theophanes the Greek that is preserved today is the chest-high portrait of the Savior the Almighty in the dome of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior.

Take a photo with an ancient Novgorod citizen who is learning how to read and write

In 1951, a letter written on birch bark dating back to the 14–15th centuries was found in Veliky Novgorod. Many decades later, in 2019, a sculpture designed by Novgorod artist and sculptor Sergey Gaev appeared on this exact site.

The sculpture portrays an 8–year old boy sitting on a stool and holding a piece of birch bark. At this age children in Novgorod started to learn how to read and write. During archaeological excavations in Novgorod, scientists often found ancient handwriting practice books and children’s drawings on birch bark sheets.

Feel like an ancient viking or prince Rurik’s guest

Novgorod is one of the waypoints of the famous trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks. The route passed through the Volkhov river. In the 9–10th centuries there was a fortified settlement of the Viking Age here.

Some scientists believe that Novgorod is named after this area which was called ‘Stary Gorod’ (‘Old City’) at that time. Some historians and archeologists consider this place to be the residence of Prince Rurik who was asked to rule the city in 862. That’s why this ancient settlement is called ‘Rurikovo Gorodische’ (‘Ruruk’s Old City’).

Learn more about the Soviet modernist architecture

On the bank of the Volkhov river near the Novgorod Kremlin, there is an incredible building that looks like a spaceship and contrasts strongly with the ancient buildings of the city.

This is the Fyodor Dostoevsky Theater of Dramatic Art that was built in 1987. It is one of the most striking examples of the Soviet modernist architecture. The theater was built for 10 years according to the project of architect Vladimir Somov.

See what an everyday life of Old Believers looks like

The Krestsy town in the Novgorod region has always been considered to be the center of the Novgorod Old Belief community, and it still is. Before the Soviet revolution there were three Old Believers churches here.

The Lyakova village, which is located not far from the town, used to be inhabited completely by Old Believers. You can learn more about their lifestyle in the local interactive museum. You’ll be introduced to Old Believers’ traditional crafts and ceremonies, drink tea with healing herbs and learn how to chop wood and use an old spinning wheel.

Buy a traditional embroidered tablecloth

A unique embroidery style that is now famous all over the world was born in the Staroye Rakhino village in the Novgorod province. By the middle of the 19th century, it had become a folk craft. Since then, linen tablecloths, towels and clothing items decorated with unusual ornaments have been popular not only among the locals, but also travellers.

In 1929, the first cooperative partnership of embroidery masters was created in Kresttsy. Later it turned into a factory that still operates today. The factory has a museum where embroidery traditions are preserved and new ornaments and technologies are created.

Find yourself in the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, Staraya Russa town could be called ‘the salt cellar of Russia’. That’s because salt making was the main trade here up to the 19th century. A few years ago, the old craft was brought back to life, and construction of salt works began. Later, an interactive museum was launched based on the results of archaeological findings.

This museum recreates a typical medieval manor of Staraya Russa of the 12th century with living rooms, a bathhouse, workshops, a livestock pen and traditional peasant household items. In this museum, you can also buy salt which is made in the same way as 1000 years ago.

See the place where Suvorov started his Italian campaign

Alexander Suvorov’s manor in the Konchanskoe village, which has now become the museum of the great commander, was originally the place of his exile. Suvovor openly disagreed with the reform of Russian’s army based on the Prussian model, and Emperor Paul the First didn’t appreciate such behaviour. He first fired Suvorov and then sent him away to his family estate.

However, the exile lasted for only two years. The great commander started the military campaign straight from his house in the Konchanskoe. During this legendary expedition, he crossed the Alps and defeated the French army.