Frequently Asked Questions

Oak Island is a 140-acre (57-hectare) privately owned island in Lunenburg County on the south shore of Nova Scotia, Canada. It is located in Mahone Bay, about 200 metres from shore. The island has been the site of treasure hunting activities since 1795 and is famous for the "Money Pit," a mysterious shaft that has drawn treasure seekers for over 230 years.

Oak Island is located in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada. It sits approximately 200 metres (660 feet) off the shore of the mainland, connected by a causeway built in 1965. The nearest town is Chester, and Halifax, Nova Scotia's capital, is about 70 kilometres (43 miles) to the northeast.

The island gets its name from the red oak trees that once covered much of its surface. Some were still standing in the early 1980s, visible in photographs as distinctive tall, slender trees with wide canopies. When treasure hunting began in 1795, the original discoverers noted a prominent oak tree with a ship's tackle block hanging from one of its branches, directly above what would become known as the Money Pit. A black ant infestation largely destroyed the oaks during the 1800s, and today the island is mostly covered by spruce trees and shrubs.

Oak Island is primarily owned by Oak Island Tours Inc., a company controlled by brothers Rick and Marty Lagina along with their partners Craig Tester and Alan Kostrzewa. They purchased a majority stake in 2006 and have conducted the most extensive exploration in the island's history. A small part of the island is owned by Tom Nolan.

Nolan's Cross is a formation of five large cone-shaped boulders discovered by treasure hunter Fred Nolan in 1981. When connected on a map, they form a Christian cross measuring approximately 867 feet north-south and 360 feet east-west. The stones weigh several tons each and appear to have been deliberately placed. Italian Archaeoastronomer Adriano Gaspani analyzed the cross and determined that its alignment corresponds to stellar positions from around 1200 AD, suggesting it may predate Columbus by nearly three centuries, making it contemporary with the legendary Knights Templar. The cross points toward the Money Pit area and it has been suggested it served as a surveying marker or a symbolic religious monument left by whoever buried treasure on Oak Island.

The Money Pit is a shaft discovered on Oak Island in 1795. Three teenage boys - Daniel McGinnis, John Smith, and Anthony Vaughan - found a circular depression beneath an oak tree with a ship's tackle block hanging above it. As they dug, they discovered oak log platforms every 10 feet, suggesting an engineered structure rather than a natural formation. The deliberate construction implied something valuable had been buried and protected - though what exactly, and by whom, remains unknown after more than two centuries of excavation.

The original Money Pit has been excavated to depths exceeding 200 feet (61 metres) over the centuries. The original discoverers reached about 30 feet before giving up. Later expeditions reached 90 feet before flooding occurred. Modern excavations have drilled even deeper, but the exact depth of the original construction remains unknown due to collapse and flooding. Ironically, the original pit's exact location has been lost. Centuries of overlapping shafts, collapses, and tunnels have made it impossible to pinpoint where the first searchers broke ground.

When early excavators reached around 90 feet in 1803, the pit suddenly flooded with seawater that could not be pumped out. Subsequent investigators concluded that flood tunnels connected the pit to Smith's Cove, and possibly the South Shore, allowing seawater to rush in when diggers breached a certain depth. If this interpretation is correct, the system would use the ocean's tides as an inexhaustible water source, a remarkably sophisticated piece of engineering for its time. However, some researchers have suggested the flooding could be explained by natural groundwater channels in the island's geology, making the "booby trap" theory difficult to prove conclusively.

At approximately 90 feet, early excavators reportedly discovered a flat stone inscribed with unusual symbols. Decades later, a professor claimed to have decoded them as "Forty feet below, two million pounds are buried." However, the original stone was lost, no photographs exist, and contemporary accounts from the actual dig make no mention of any inscription. A stone was certainly recovered from the pit. It was later recorded as being used as a hearthstone and then displayed in a Halifax bookbinder's shop, but no reliable record of its inscription exists, and the stone itself has been lost since the early 1900s.

While major treasure hoard has been recovered, excavations have unearthed intriguing artifacts spanning several centuries. The most significant include a lead cross found at Smith's Cove in 2017, with lead isotope testing indicating it was made from material sourced in Southern France dating to the 1300s or 1400s. Coconut fiber, first discovered at Smith's Cove in 1850 and carbon dated to between 1260 and 1400, is notable because coconuts do not grow anywhere near Nova Scotia. Wood samples from beneath a stone pavement in the swamp have also returned 13th century dates. Other finds include a crossbow bolt identified as medieval (possibly 13th century), blacksmith tools (swages) dated to the 14th century, 17th century Spanish and English coins, fragments of parchment and bookbinding leather from deep underground, pieces of gold chain, a garnet brooch possibly from the 16th century, and human bone fragments found at 155 feet, one of European ancestry and one of Middle Eastern origin. Roman coins have also been found on Lot 5.

Theories about what lies beneath Oak Island include: Knights Templar treasure brought from Europe, Captain Kidd's pirate gold, Marie Antoinette's jewels smuggled out during the French Revolution, Shakespeare's original manuscripts, the Ark of the Covenant, the Holy Grail, Aztec or Inca treasure, and British military payroll from the American Revolution.

This theory proposes that Scottish nobleman Henry Sinclair, with Venetian navigators the Zeno brothers, sailed to Nova Scotia in 1398 carrying treasures rescued from the suppressed Templar order. The theory draws on the Zeno narrative (letters published in 1558 describing a voyage to the New World), carvings of apparently American plants in Scotland's Rosslyn Chapel (built by Sinclair's grandson), and the Westford Knight, a carved effigy in Massachusetts said to depict one of Sinclair's companions. What gives the theory traction on Oak Island specifically is a cluster of 13th century dates from the swamp area. Wood beneath a stone pavement has been carbon dated to the 1200s, and archaeoastronomer Adriano Gaspani dated Nolan's Cross, a formation of large boulders, to around 1217 based on stellar alignments. A lead cross found at Smith's Cove in 2017 was traced to Southern France and dated to the 1300s or 1400s, while coconut fiber from the same area returned dates of 1260 to 1400. If accurate, these dates would place activity on the island centuries before Columbus and within the timeframe of Templar flight from European persecution.

Organized treasure hunting on Oak Island has continued for over 230 years, since the original discovery in 1795. This makes it the world's longest treasure hunt and there is little doubt it is also the most expensive one. Dozens of companies and countless individuals have tried their luck, with modern expeditions spending millions of dollars on sophisticated equipment and excavation.

Rick and Marty Lagina are brothers from Michigan who lead the current treasure hunting operation on Oak Island. Rick, a retired postal worker, dreamed of exploring the island since reading about it in Reader's Digest as a child in 1965. Marty is an engineer and entrepreneur. Together, they purchased a majority stake in Oak Island Tours Inc. in 2006 and have conducted the most comprehensive search in the island's history.

The Oak Island curse is a modern legend claiming that seven men must die before the island's treasure can be found. According to the prophecy, six treasure hunters have already perished during excavations, leaving one death supposedly required before the mystery can be solved.

The curse has become inseparable from Oak Island's identity, repeatedly referenced in documentaries, books, and especially the History Channel's The Curse of Oak Island series. The show's title itself emphasizes this dark legend, with episodes frequently reminding viewers that the island sits "one death away" from revealing its secrets.

Despite its prominence in popular culture, the curse's origins remain murky. No written record of this prophecy exists before the 1970s, and it appears nowhere in the extensive documentation from the 1795 discovery or the 19th-century expeditions that followed. The legend seems to have emerged sometime between the tragic 1965 deaths of four men in a single day and Leonard Nimoy's 1979 television special In Search Of..., which described it as "a local legend."

Whether the curse represents genuine folklore, a psychological phenomenon born from repeated tragedy, or simply effective marketing, it has proven remarkably powerful. The unfalsifiable nature of the prophecy - it can neither be proven nor disproven until the treasure is found - ensures it remains a compelling part of the Oak Island mystery.

The true origin of the "seven must die" curse remains one of Oak Island's unsolved mysteries. Despite extensive research, no documented evidence of this prophecy exists before the 1970s - nearly 180 years after treasure hunting began in 1795.

The Timeline of Emergence:

The curse appears to have crystallized following the August 17, 1965 tragedy, when Robert Restall Sr., his son Robert Jr., Karl Graeser, and Cyril Hiltz all died in a single day after succumbing to hydrogen sulfide fumes in a shaft. This devastating incident brought international media attention to Oak Island and may have planted the seeds for the curse legend.

The first documented reference appears in Leonard Nimoy's 1979 television episode of In Search Of..., where Nimoy states: "A local legend says the mysterious treasure of Oak Island will be found only when seven lives have been lost." Notably, he offers no source for this "local legend," and researchers have been unable to locate any earlier written record.

Some researchers attribute the curse to Nova Scotia folklorist Dr. Helen Creighton, who documented regional ghost stories and legends. However, careful examination of her published works - Folklore of Lunenburg County (1950) and Bluenose Ghosts (1957) - reveals no mention of a specific "seven must die" curse, though she did record general beliefs about Oak Island being haunted.

The curse likely emerged organically in treasure hunting literature of the 1970s, perhaps as a way to make sense of the tragedies or to add dramatic weight to the ongoing search. By the time the History Channel launched The Curse of Oak Island in 2014, the legend was firmly established - whether authentic folklore or modern mythology.

What remains clear is this: the curse appeared sometime between 1965 and 1979, and no historical documentation places it any earlier, despite Oak Island's 230-year history of excavation.

Six people have died during Oak Island treasure hunting operations, all in industrial accidents typical of 19th and 20th-century mining work. These were not mysterious deaths - they resulted from the inherent dangers of deep excavation, primitive safety equipment, and the engineering challenges of working on the island.

The Documented Deaths:

1861 - Unnamed Worker: The first recorded fatality occurred when a boiler exploded during operations by the Oak Island Association. The worker's name has been lost to history, but the incident reflects the dangerous steam-powered equipment of the era.

1897 - Maynard Kaiser: A worker fell to his death while working in one of the deep shafts. Falling was a constant risk in excavations that often exceeded 100 feet in depth with minimal safety precautions.

August 17, 1965 - The Restall Tragedy: This single day claimed four lives in Oak Island's worst disaster. Robert Restall Sr. descended into a shaft not knowing his crew had inadvertently broken into a pocket of hydrogen sulfide gas - a colorless, toxic gas that causes immediate unconsciousness. When Robert lost consciousness at the bottom of the shaft, his 24-year-old son Bobby descended to save him, also succumbing to the gas. Two workers, Karl Graeser and Cyril Hiltz, attempted rescue and met the same fate. Only Andy DeMont, who tried to help but was pulled back, survived. All four men died despite rescue efforts.

The 1965 tragedy devastated the treasure hunting community and brought intense media scrutiny to Oak Island. It's widely believed that this event inspired or accelerated the creation of the "seven must die" legend.

The Curse Claim: The popular prophecy that "seven must die before the treasure is found" has no historical basis. This phrase first appeared in treasure hunting literature of the 1970s and was popularized by Leonard Nimoy's 1979 In Search Of... television special. No written record of this curse exists before the 20th century - not in the 1795 discovery accounts, not in 19th-century excavation records, and not in early 20th-century documentation.

These six deaths represent real human tragedies - men who risked their lives pursuing a mystery. They deserve to be remembered for their courage and sacrifice, not as fulfillment of a modern legend with no historical foundation.

The Curse of Oak Island is a reality television series that premiered on the History Channel in January 2014. It follows brothers Rick and Marty Lagina and their team as they search for the legendary treasure believed to be buried on Oak Island. The show documents their excavations, discoveries, and the various theories about what might be hidden there.

The Curse of Oak Island is currently in its 13th season, making it one of the History Channel's longest-running and most popular shows. New episodes typically air during the winter months, following the summer excavation season on the island. Check out our complete Episode Guide for all 247+ episodes that have aired to date.

Yes, The Curse of Oak Island continues to film new seasons. The team conducts excavation work during the warmer months (typically May through November) when conditions allow for digging, and new episodes air the following winter. The Lagina brothers have stated they will continue searching until they find answers.

Oak Island is privately owned and not generally open to the public. However, Oak Island Tours Inc. offers guided tours through their website www.oakislandlegend.com The tours are limited and must be booked in advance. The island can be viewed from the mainland at various points around Mahone Bay.

The best views of Oak Island can be had from the town of Western Shore on the mainland, from boat tours in Mahone Bay by www.saltydogtours.com, or from the causeway that connects the island to the shore (though access to the causeway itself is restricted). The Oak Island Resort and Conference Centre, located on the mainland nearby, also offers views of the island.

There is no dedicated Oak Island museum, but several places offer exhibits and information. The Explore Oak Island Display, curated by Oak Island historian Danny Hennigar, is housed in the beautifully restored Chester Train Station (circa 1904) at 20 Smith Road, Chester. It features original artifacts, photographs, maps, dioramas and items not displayed anywhere else, offering a chronological interpretation of over 200 years of Oak Island history. Admission is free and it is open during summer months or by appointment. The Oak Island Treasure Shop at 6992 Highway 3 in Martin's Point is the official merchandise outlet, with sales supporting the visitor experience on the island including the Interpretive Centre (scheduled to reopen in 2026 after a six year closure). The Oak Island Resort on the mainland also has a small display of photographs and a model of the island. The Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History in Halifax has occasionally displayed Oak Island artifacts from their collection.