About us
At the heart of the Oak Island experience, is a deep commitment to our local community.
Stewarding the Past, Engaging the Present, Building the Future
The Oak Island Archives and Research Organization (OIARO) is a Nova Scotia–registered non-profit dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing the Oak Island story—not only for fans of the legend, but for residents, educators, business owners, and future generations. We believe this island, steeped in mystery, history, and folklore, belongs to all who are inspired by it.
With the support of Cerca Trova Ltd., Oak Island’s majority owners, OIARO has formed a collaborative agreement that puts community values at the forefront of the island’s future.
What We’re Doing for the Community
Our vision extends well beyond the causeway. We’re working to:
Support local businesses and accommodations, ensuring more revenue stays in the community
Enhance visitor experiences with thoughtful interpretation and storytelling
Advocate for improved infrastructure, like roads and access points
Develop educational opportunities for students, researchers, and the public
This is a long-term strategy and we are taking a slow thoughtful approach to keep Oak Island publicly accessible, its history protected, and its stories shared in meaningful ways.
Responsible Stewardship Through Science
The research and preservation work on the island is conducted by Oak Island Materials and Archaeological Services (OIMAS), a scientific branch of our society. OIMAS uses high-precision, non-destructive tools to analyze materials from both archaeological and modern sources, including:
X-ray imaging & 3D morphological analysis
Elemental and mineral interpretation
Data collection & rendering services
These capabilities help deepen the world’s understanding of Oak Island while preserving its physical legacy.
New in 2025
To help fund this important work—and give back to the community—we’re proud to introduce:
The Oak Island Treasure Shop
Located at 6992 Trunk 3 (formerly ShoreCycle), just minutes from the island.
Open Daily, 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
A portion of every sale supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
OAK Island Tours have Returned
Weekend Tour bookings are now available through our new booking platform. We are proud to partner with TIDAL Events, an Atlantic Canadian company. The new platform supports online bookings, visitor updates, and more.
Weekends only to begin
Smaller, more personal group sizes
Our first season with our Money Pit Express Tram.
Improved traffic flow and new parking areas to reduce congestion.
We’re committed to balancing tourism growth with thoughtful logistics that respect both guests and residents.
Sign up for the Oak Island Legend newsletter
Open Lines of Communication
To keep the lines of communication open and responsive. We believe in being good neighbours first. We met with local residents and business to keep them in the loop regarding our slow move to be open full-time.
We’re excited for what’s ahead, and even more grateful to be doing it together—with our local community at the centre of everything we do. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to our team using the form below.