Haunts by the Sea and Ghostly Maritime Tales

The Maritimes is full of stories passed down through the centuries, but some are far more chilling than others. From wandering souls to phantom trains, there is a tale or two that will send shivers down your spine. Dim the lights and pull out your flashlight; it's time to share a few of our favourite Maritime ghost stories.

Today, Wolastoq Park is a peaceful green space in Saint John, but for 150 years, it was home to a healthcare facility once known as the Provincial Lunatic Asylum. Over the years, the facility housed hundreds of patients, but some remained long after the building was demolished. These days, visitors claim to see former patients and staff wandering the park, as well as mysterious shadowy figures. Also, reports of phantom crying babies, malfunctioning electronics, mysterious mist and general feelings of unspeakable dread continue to make this park a popular spot for fans of the paranormal.

An iconic resort in St. Andrews By-The-Sea, New Brunswick, The Algonquin boasts beautiful views, iconic charms and over 400 rooms. With so much to offer, it's no wonder that more than one guest has decided to stay on the grounds past their expiry. That’s right, The Algonquin is also home to multiple ghostly guests, including a night watchman who endlessly roams the hallways and stairwells of the resort. Legend has it he makes his presence known by jangling a set of keys throughout the halls at night. The watchman is not the only presence in the building. A child is often heard (but never seen) laughing and playing throughout the expansive hotel. And, if you’re spending the night, you may get a history lesson on the hotel itself from an old man who loves to talk…then vanish into thin air!

The Five Fishermen is a popular spot to grab a delicious meal in downtown Halifax, but the space it calls home wasn’t always a restaurant. In fact, in the early 1900s, the building was a mortuary and funeral home — one that housed victims from the Titanic and the Halifax Explosion. Could some of these poor, unfortunate souls have decided never to leave the building? Any regular visitor of The Five Fishermen would say that’s undeniably true. Patrons and staff claim to hear mysterious whispers, see glasses fly off shelves, and, on certain occasions, witness haunting apparitions sporting clothing from a bygone era — who are certainly not looking to make a reservation! One former employee even spotted an elderly woman on the security camera, only to find the doors locked, the lights off and not a soul in sight when they went to investigate.

Georgetown’s King’s Playhouse is one of the oldest community theatres on Prince Edward Island and in all of Canada. Over time, the actors gracing its stage have delivered performances of a lifetime… and an afterlife! This theatre is home to Captain George, who is said to love a great night of entertainment — so much so that a front-row seat is reserved every night just for him! When he’s not watching the performances, the Captain is known for playing with the lights, occasionally causing them to flicker at random and reaching out to touch patrons with his phantom hand during performances.

The trains no longer run on Prince Edward Island, but that doesn’t mean they’re no longer there. That’s especially true when you’re walking The Confederation Trail near Deblois. The Confederation trail follows the path of a railroad track destroyed by a terrible train accident during a snowstorm almost a century ago. These days, when you’re out walking, it’s not uncommon to hear a haunting phantom train whistle, as well as see a mysterious orb of light floating along where the tracks used to be. As the legend goes, this orb is the train’s engineer, desperately trying to prevent the tragedy for all eternity.

Mysterious images on security cameras. A soldier in uniform walking into one of the rooms in the old prison area only to simply vanish. A man in a red cloak. Voices, unexplained noises, sudden gusts of wind in closed-off rooms and an eerie feeling of being watched. There have been numerous reports of unexplained happenings and ghostly appearances at the Halifax Citadel. Perhaps not surprising for a historic fortress that guarded prisoners and kept watch over the city for so long. Some say the Halifax Citadel is Canada’s most haunted historic site. Take a tour or wander through passageways on the ghost walk—if you dare.

If you dare, take your Halloween planning to the next level and explore some of the haunted locations across the Maritimes. Who knows, maybe you’ll encounter a ghost or two when you least expect it!

Share your journey by tagging us on Instagram or Facebook. We’re sure you’ll have a tale or two to tell!