The Nova Scotia government has approved a 20-year lease for the Whale Sanctuary Project to operate a seaside sanctuary for whales in Port Hilford Bay. The decision was formalized through an Order in Council issued on October 21, following the recommendation of the Minister of Natural Resources.
Credit: The Whale Sanctuary Project
The lease covers approximately 83.32 hectares (205.89 acres) of submerged and terrestrial Crown lands in Guysborough County, with an option to renew for another 20 years. The Whale Sanctuary Project, a U.S.-based non-profit with an office in Sherbrooke, will use the site to establish and maintain a coastal refuge for whales, including necessary infrastructure.
According to the Order, the Minister of Natural Resources is authorized to execute documents required to implement the lease. With this approval, the organization can now begin construction and fundraising to complete the sanctuary and prepare for the arrival of its first whales.
Located in Port Hilford Bay, the sanctuary will encompass more than 100 acres of water with depths up to 18 metres. The area will be enclosed by a perimeter net anchored between Rocky Point and Barachois Island, with a walkway allowing staff access for care and maintenance.
The Whale Sanctuary Project’s Operations and Visitor Centre is based in Sherbrooke, roughly a three-hour drive from Halifax. The restored heritage building serves as the hub for sanctuary planning, design, and public education.
The Port Hilford Bay site is intended as a model for future sanctuaries worldwide, offering whales a more natural environment after captivity.
Public tours to the area are currently limited, though the site can be viewed from Port Hilford Beach.