Battle Harbour: Labrador’s remote island retreat

Battle Harbour sits off the southeastern coast of Labrador, Canada. The small island once thrived as a centre for the salt-cod fishery and trade. After the cod moratorium and the departure of its year-round residents, its restored fishing buildings and stages became the heart of a seasonal historic retreat.

The island is car-free and has no mobile phone service. Guests stay in restored rooms and cottages, share meals, join history tours and explore the landscape on foot. The experience is deliberately quiet and simple: the old fishery, the coastline and the pace of island life are the main attractions.

Getting there takes planning. Visitors travel to Mary’s Harbour on the Labrador mainland, then take the operator’s passenger ferry to Battle Island. The operator currently lists one daily departure from Mary’s Harbour at 11 a.m. and asks guests to check in by 10:30 a.m. Battle Harbour is seasonal, with its accommodation and ferry operation available only during its summer season. Check the operator directly for current opening and closing dates, schedules, package prices, luggage rules and availability before arranging flights or the long drive. Leave your car in Mary’s Harbour: vehicles do not travel to the island.