Meet Captain Tony & the Salty Dog Crew
Tony's Story
Tony Sampson has spent his entire life on the water. A Master Dive Instructor, lifelong mariner, and proud Nova Scotian, Tony knows the South Shore the way most people know their own back garden — every cove, every current, every story the sea has to tell.
Tony has spent decades exploring and diving the waters around Oak Island and Mahone Bay. From underwater retrieval operations to navigating the intricate channels between the bay's 365 islands, he's accumulated a lifetime of knowledge that no guidebook can match.
That deep local expertise is exactly why he founded Salty Dog Sea Tours — to give visitors an intimate, authentic experience of Oak Island, Mahone Bay, and the incredible maritime heritage of Nova Scotia's South Shore. Tony shares the real stories with real people, and that personal touch is what keeps guests coming back.
Whether he's pointing out the Money Pit from the water, passing around genuine recovered artefacts, or sharing the legends and lore of Mahone Bay, Tony brings a warmth and energy that guests never forget. Over 375 five-star reviews say it all.
The Crew
The team that makes every tour unforgettable.
Tony Sampson
Captain & Founder
Tony Sampson is a venerable salty dog having been to sea for decades and thanks the winds of fate for having washed him up on the beautiful South Shore of Nova Scotia where he lives with his wife, daughter and other furrier family members. Originally from England and New Zealand, Tony has taught diving all around the world from the top of the Orkney Islands in Scotland to the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand and many places in between.
Tony has been both cast and crew on every season to date of the popular TV show, The Curse of Oak Island. Tony has a passion for the ocean and treasure hunting that has lead him on many adventures and he is keen to share these stories with you.
Maggie Woodworth
PT Skipper
Maggie is from the Annapolis Valley but spent her summers growing up on the beautiful South Shore of Nova Scotia. She backpacked around Australia/Asia after university, teaching scuba diving and honing in on her love of underwater photography.
When Maggie returned to Canada, she worked as a safety diver performing helicopter underwater escape training for the military and offshore industries, while studying paramedicine. For the last eight years, she’s worked on the Nova Scotia ground ambulance and in the Inuit hospitals throughout Nunavut.
However the ocean was calling her back! Maggie is now delighted to show you around the islands spotting all the wonderful wildlife along the way. Maggie has also been a safety diver and paramedic for The Curse of Oak Island tv show.
René Flinn
PT Skipper
Meet René, a true blue Nova Scotian from Mahone Bay who’s been living in the gorgeous village of Chester. Growing up, René was surrounded by the enchanting mysteries of Oak Island, which has always fascinated him.
Before becoming a skipper with Salty Dog Tours, René was the captain of the Harbour Hopper, an amphibious vehicle that took people on exciting land and sea tours of historic Halifax harbour. He also took cruise ship guests on guided bus tours around the city, taking them to stunning places like Peggy’s Cove and the magnificent UNESCO town of Lunenburg.
But René’s adventures didn’t stop there! He spent five incredible years exploring the underwater wonders of the Caribbean with a Canadian/Cuban joint venture operation.
Now, during the winter months, René embarks on thrilling sailing yacht voyages, covering thousands of nautical miles and visiting countless beautiful ports of call. Through these ocean travels, René has had the amazing opportunity to host live-stream virtual tours from various locations, including the Seychelles, Thailand, Singapore, Egypt, Sudan, Turkey, the Maldives, Jordan, the Caribbean, the West coast of Africa, and the East coast of Africa.
So, buckle up and join René on this incredible journey as he regales you with tales of a very, very mysterious island. It’s going to be an adventure you won’t want to miss!
Ken DeBoer
PT Skipper
Ken developed (long) sea legs while still a teen, working a summer job policing the waters as a Special Constable in a Boston Whaler. Ken used his extensive technical and electronic expertise to engineer and build several submersible ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles). The first prototype of “Little Buzz” began on his dining room table in 1988.
Many may recognize Ken (and his latest “Little Buzz”) from the History Channel’s The Curse of Oak Island, as their featured ROV specialist. An SSI certified Master SCUBA diver who started diving in the early 1980’s. Ken is also certified with Transport Canada as a commercial boat operator and has kept current on his first aid and safety skills since his Boy Scout days. Ken is thrilled to be part of the Salty Dog crew and is eager to welcome guests aboard, to share his love of the sea.
Ships Ahoy!
Noelle Segato
PT Skipper
Quickly dubbed the “little mermaid” of the family, Noelle Segato has always had salt in her veins. She has lived in and loved both Canada’s West and East Coasts, exploring the beautiful wilderness we have to offer, but never strayed far from the ocean. Her penchant for storytelling and learning has earned her her Masters in English, and any of the seven seas she hasn’t yet sailed in life, she’s devoured in books.
She’s currently engaged to a marine biologist who shares her passion for the waves, the creatures beneath them, and the tails (whoops! TALES) they hold. True to her Nova Scotian roots, Noelle knows how to spin a yarn and looks forward to unravelling the mystery of Oak Island with you!
The Island Belle
Your ride is a 25-foot G3 Yamaha tritoon — stable, spacious, and built for comfort. With a maximum of 12 passengers per tour, you'll never feel crowded. The all-weather canvas enclosure means rain or shine, you're covered. And with recliner-style seating, you might not want to leave.
12 Passengers
Intimate group size on every tour.
All-Weather Canvas
Full enclosure keeps you comfortable rain or shine.
Wheelchair Accessible
Accommodates walkers and wheelchairs with ease.
Recliner-Style Seating
Lean back and enjoy the ride in comfort.
Our Partners
Proud to work alongside these great organisations.
