Wildwood Water Sports

We're now open weekdays in Shubie Park from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. (earlier bookings may be available when staffing permits). We're also open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reach out to book a time, or just stop by!
902-210-8576 🛶 ☀️

🚣☀️ Wildwood Water Sports is now open for the season in Shubie Park! ☀️🚣

Located at the boathouse and dock at the entrance to the park, Wildwood Water Sports offers rentals for single kayaks, double kayaks, SUPs, and canoes on the beautiful historic Shubenacadie Canal. 🌿

📍 wildwoodwatersports.ca
📍 54 Locks Rd., Dartmouth
🕙 Open Saturdays & Sundays in May from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
📞 902-210-8576
🛶 All safety equipment provided

Get out on the water and enjoy Shubie Park from a whole new perspective!

We’re opening May 9 for the 2026 season!

During the canal's construction, workers were tasked with removing earth to create the navigable "Deep Cut" featured in today's Shubie Park. This involved extensive excavation and blasting of solid bedrock. Extremely expensive and back-breaking, they had to dig for three years to complete it.

Many of the stones cut from the bedrock still line the canal's banks today!

Though Shubie Park is closed due to the province wide burn ban, you can still enjoy this piece of history and natural beauty from the water. You are welcome to launch your canoe or kayak at the docks near the park trail head (54 Locks Road). In addition, if you don’t have one, you can rent from nearby Wildwood Watersports.
Happy paddling!

Summer may be winding down, but many of us are still soaking up the warm days at our favourite lakes. If you’re heading out for a late-summer swim or paddle, keep these safety tips in mind:

1. Know your zone: Stay in designated swim/boating areas. On Lake Banook, swimmers must avoid the training lanes used by paddlers.

2. Stay alert: Swimmers and boaters, keep an eye out for each other. Even small boats can cause big injuries.

3. Respect the rules: Launch boats only from approved spots and steer clear of swim zones.

4. Never boat impaired: Boating under the influence is illegal and dangerous.

5. Look for Lake Safety Patrol: They’re out on Lake Banook and Lake Micmac to help keep everyone safe.

Play safe. Stay aware. Enjoy the lake!

This is our last week for daily rentals in Shubie Park! 🚣‍♀️ We’ll switch to weekends only for September and October, so don’t miss your chance to get out on the water. Call or text 902-210-8576 to book! (Open weather permitting)

We are open. While all trails are closed at Shubie Park, Wildwood Water Sports has been granted a special provincial operations permit and is permitted to continue rentals. 🛶

🚨 UPDATE 🚨
Important Notice – Temporary Closures Due to Fire Risk

Due to extreme wildfire risk, the Province of Nova Scotia has implemented temporary restrictions on travel and activities in wooded areas, effective August 5, 2025. These restrictions apply to all forested parkland, including trails and wooded spaces.

⚠️ NEW: Shubie Park Update
• Trails are now closed.
• Access to the dock and Wildwood Water Sports kayak rentals is now permitted under a provincial operations permit (dock is approx. 120 ft / 36.5 m from the parking lot).

As reported yesterday the following Shubenacadie Canal Commission sites continue to be closed until further notice:
🔒Portobello Incline Plane – Entire site closed
🔒 Lock 4 Park (Fall River) – Trail closed
🔒 Lock 5 Park (Wellington) – Trails closed. Park and boat launch remain open
🔒 Lock 6 Park (Enfield) – Entire site closed

📢 Please read the full provincial update here:
👉 https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/08/05/travel-activities-woods-restricted-prevent-wildfires

✅ Thank you for helping keep our parks and communities safe during this high-risk period.