Sailing Directions for Seal Island, Nova Scotia

The sailing directions for Nova Scotia says:

Seal Island: the outermost extreme of southwest Nova Scotia, lying about 14 miles west of Cape Sable. About 2.3 miles long and 0.5 miles wide, it is the largest and the south of a group of five off-lying islands which extend north for 7.5 miles. The middle of Seal Island is low and sandy with a pond on its west side, while the north and south ends are thickly wooded and about 15m (50ft.) high. The island is inhabited by fishermen all year around. At Crowell Cove on the west side, there is a breakwater 73m (240ft.) long with a depth of .3m (1.0ft.) at the outer end. A small slip is situated close east of the breakwater. A landing slip is situated on the east side at East Cove.

Light. - A light is shown at an elevation of 31.1 m (102 ft), from a white octagonal tower 21 m (68 ft) high, with two red bands, situated near the south point of the island (43'24'N., 66'01'W.). A fog signal of three blasts every minute is sounded from a horn close to the light; the horn points 183'.

Blonde Rock, which dries and generally breaks, forms the highest part of a rocky bank 3.3 miles SSE of Seal Island light. A shoal 1 mile west of Blonde Rock, at a depth of 8.2 m (27 ft), is marked by very heavy tide rips which show like a breaker. Buoy. - Light and whistle N4 is moored 2 miles SSW of Blonde Rock.

Between Blonde Rock, Seal Island and the group of islands to the north, there are many isolated shoal patches. Due to the prevalence of fog and the strong tidal currents, mariners should navigate with caution in this area.

Elbow Rock, at a depth of 0.9 m (3 ft), forms the least depth over The Elbow, a shoal 1.3 miles south of Seal Island. Zetland Shoal, at a depth of 6.1 m (20 ft), lies to the west of Elbow Rock.

Devils Limb, a rocky islet 2 m (7 ft) high, is situated on the west side of the island, 1.3 miles WNW of Seal Island light. Limbs Limb, a rock drying 3 m (10 ft), lies about 0.6 mile north of Devils Limb.

Purdy Rock, at a depth of 4.6 m (15 ft), and steep-to, on which the sea breaks in heavy weather, is situated 1.8 miles SE of Seal Island. In fair weather, during the strength of the tidal streams, there is a ripple over this rock.

Mud Island, 7.6 m (25 ft) high, with the south half wooded, lies 2.8 miles NNE of Seal Island.

Noddy Island, 5 m (16 ft) high, lies 0.4 mile south of Mud Island; the channel between these islands is obstructed by rocks. Noddy Island Bar, a rocky bank with a tide rip and a depth of 7.3 m (24 ft) at its outer end, extends 1.5 miles south of Noddy Island.

The Hospital, the channel separating Seal Island from Noddy and Mud Islands, can only be navigated with extreme caution. The direction of the tidal streams, NW and SE, and having a maximum rate of 4 knots, should be followed as closely as possible.

Round Island, 7.6 m (25 ft) high, and Flat Island, 4 m (1 3 ft) high, lie north and NW of Mud Island. West of Mud Island, within 2.5 miles, lie Turbine Shoal, at a depth of 4.3 m (13 ft), which breaks in very heavy weather, Alcor Rock, and Black Ledge, which dries 3 m (10 ft).

Soldiers Ledge, which dries 2.7 m (9 ft) and generally breaks, is situated 2.2 miles NW of Flat Island. Jacquards Ridge, with a least depth of 7.3 m (24 ft), situated 4.5 miles west of Soldiers Ledge, is marked by a long tide rip in fine weather and is reported to break in a heavy sea. Light and whistle buoy NS is moored 1.9 miles west of Soldiers Ledge.

Anchorages. - There is temporary anchorage in about 7 m (4 fm), rock and sand, off the east side of Seal Island. Temporary anchorage is also available off the west side of the island, in about 5 m (3 fm), 320', 0.5 mile distant from Scratch All Point. Vessels may also find temporary anchorage in 15 m (8 fm), mud, off the east side of Mud Island. These anchorages are only recommended in fine weather or in an emergency.

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The above exerpt taken from "Sailing Directions, Nova Scotia (Atlantic Coast) and Bay Of Fundy" first edition, 1990. Published by Fisheries and Oceans, Ottawa Ontario, Canada.

As you can see, Seal Island is indeed a dangerous place for anyone off course in heavy weather or fog.