Whale Watching on the
Bay of Fundy

Going to the Bay of Fundy for whale watching is undoubtedly a great way to spend your holidays. This is a fun and exciting activity that will surely give you and your loved ones a great time.

Watching whales are a great activity for families who want a fun bonding time. People who have experienced going to the Bay of Fundy for a trip out to watch the whales had a great time. Make sure to bring your cameras or camcorders to capture or record the amazing whale sightings.

Whale watching on the Bay of Fundy is some of the best in the world. The reason for this is simple. The highest tides in the world are found in the Bay of Fundy. Here a hundred billion tones of water basically empties and fills the Bay of Fundy twice a day.

This very strong current traveling back and forth stirs up plenty of plankton. This plankton attracts an abundance of fish such as herring and mackerel. Whales feed off these fish, so of course they come to where their food is.

Starting in the spring sightings of Finback Whales, Minke Whales and Harbour Porpoises will have started. These are the first to arrive back from their winter homes.

The Humpback Whales start to appear back around the first of June from their winter-feeding grounds in the Caribbean Sea. The White Sided Dolphins have started to appear at this time also.

Then by mid July the Pilot Whales and other species have returned and will be around until late fall.

The greatly endangered Right Whale is also spotted here at times, as are the White Beaked Dolphins. There are also occasional sightings of Beluga, Sperm and Blue Whales.

Other marine life observed on these tours are Grey Seals, Harbour Seals, schools of Herring, Bluefin Tunas, Sea Turtles, Ocean Sunfish and Basking Sharks.

Have your camera ready, as the whales are very curious creatures, especially the Humpback - "the clown of the sea". Some of the antics you may see them do are jumping out of the water (a breech); slapping the water with their tail or flipper (flipper slap or tail lob); or they may sky hop which means they bring their nose out of the water so they can have a look at you.

Whale watching cruises are great for the bird watchers also.

The Bay of Fundy lies directly in the migration path for many species of shore birds and raptors. The shores around the Islands make a great stopover for these birds to rest and feed. In late August through September are the best times to view thousands of these birds converging on the shores to feed.

Species to be seen include the Atlantic Puffins and several varieties of Gannets, Petrels, Shearwaters and Phalaropes.

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Brier Island Whale & Seabird Cruises

When you join the Brier Island Whale & Seabird Cruises you not only have a fabulous opportunity to observe many different species of whales and seabirds but you will be joining a scientific survey studying an area teeming with marine life.

The crew are experienced well trained and friendly with Marine Emergency Duty and First Aid Certificates. The cruises are piloted by professional, licensed captains and each cruise is narrated by experienced naturalists. You will learn important information on endangered or rare species of whales like the Humpback, Finback and Right Whales, and on other species of Cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and on seabirds.

Brier Island Whale & Seabird Cruises offer two boats to choose from for you whale watching experience. The 50-foot MV Mega Nova (a fiberglass Cape Island Style boat) and the 24 ft. Cetacean Adventure, (a Zodiac™ inflatable boat). Both are certified passenger vessels which meet or exceed all Canadian Coast Guard safety Standards.

There are three departure times for the Mega Nova Cruises each day. Each cruise is 3 - 5 hours in duration. Mega Nova Cruises are from early June until mid October. A minimum of 10 people are required for the Mega Nova to depart. A washroom is available on the Mega Nova.

The Cetacean Adventure (Zodiac™) cruises have fine departure times per day and last for 2 - 2 1/2 hours each. The Zodiac™ cruises are scheduled from May 15th until mid October and need a minimum of 6 people per cruise to leave. There are no toilet facilities on the Zodiac™. These are not recommended for children 5 and under, expectant mothers or those with back ailments.

Please arrive for check in 1 hour prior to your scheduled departure. Sightings are guaranteed; free passes will be issued at Captain’s discretion if no whales are sighted.

For more information you may check out the Brier Island Whale & Seabird Cruises website.

Dockside Whale Watching & Charters

You are invited to get up close and personal with some of the world's largest mammals with the Dockside Whale Watching and Charters in Digby, Nova Scotia.

Their newly built (2001) 13 m (43 ft) boat "The Passage Provider" is a 100% fiberglass vessel custom fitted for your comfort and enjoyment. She is Transport Canada Inspected Certified for Passenger Carriage. She is partly covered and has a washroom on board. The qualified crew are trained and certified in all aspects of marine operation and safety.

They offer daily 3 hour whale watching cruises from May 1 until September 30. "The Passage Provided" docks at the Digby Marina and your tickets can be purchased at the Digby Marina, The Fundy Complex, Online at their website or by phone at 245-4950 /  1-866-445-4950 .

Freeport Whale & Seaboard Tours

Freeport Whale & Seabird Tours offer whale watching tours into the Bay of Fundy providing a wonderful adventure for all! They have been offering whale watching tours since 1995. All of their tours are professionally captained and plus they have experienced naturalists on board to narrate your tour. Every cruise is a unique maritime experience you will not soon forget!

Their boat is the 40-foot "George Porgie" which is wheelchair accessible, has washroom facilities and is Transport Canada inspected. The tours last about 3 hours and leave the dock three times daily so you will be able to fit a fun day of whale watching into your travel plans. They keep the whale watching tour down to 20 people to offer their customers an un-crowded cruise. Sightings are guaranteed and a free pass will be given if none of the bigger whales are sighted. They are open from mid June to mid September.

Before or after your whale watching adventure you can experience some of the best maritime cooking at Lavena's Catch Cafe. Our ticket office is located inside the Cafe. For more information visit the Freeport Whale & Seaboard Tours website.

Mariner Cruises Whale & Seabird Tours

Located at 325 Water Street, Westport, Brier Island they offer three whale watching cruises daily. Each tour last from 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours depending on where the whales are located. They are open from early June to mid October every year.

Experienced local naturalists narrate all cruises. Not only will you have the chance to observe the whales and seabirds but also you will experience the famous Bay of Fundy tides, view ancient basalt rock formations, observe the Peter's Island Bird Sanctuary and gain insight into the local history and geology of the region. A complimentary snack is provided with the cruise.

Their 50 foot fiberglass Cape Island-style boat the "Chad and Sisters Two" meets or exceeds the Canadian Coast Guard safety standards and guidelines. She offers a heated cabin, washroom facilities, an extended awning and a viewing stand for your convenience. Both the captain and crew are certified in MED First Aid and C.P.R.

Reservations are recommended; CAA & AAA discount available. For information call tool free  1 800 239 2189  or local  902 839 2346  or visit the Mariner Cruises Whale & Seabird Tours.

Ocean Explorations

Located in Tiverton Ocean Explorations "Zodiac" Whale Adventures is run by Marine Explorations and Research Ltd. The tour director, biologist Tom Goodwin, has overall training and experience in the fields of marine and wildlife biology and has undertaken graduate studies in environmental education. He is very knowledgeable about the whales as he spent many years studying them and helping to release several who had accidentally become trapped in fishing nets. Presently emphasizing education, Ocean Explorations will participate in various research efforts and will invite our guests to join in as well.

Ocean Explorations use a Zodiac (or Zodiac-type) boat, similar to those used by marine biologists, whale-watchers, and charter operations all over the world (even Antarctica). A zodiac provides you with the best way to get close to these giants of the ocean.

To make a reservation contact Tom at  (902) 839 2417  or toll free at  1 877 654 2341 . You may also visit Ocean Explorations website for more information or to make a reservation.

They are located 45 minutes from Digby, across one ferry to Tiverton, Long Island. Ocean Explorations' office is 100 meters/yards from ferry wharf (Road leads left and large white house in on the right).

Petit Passage Whale Watch

Petit Passage Whale Watching is located at the end of Route 217; at the Petit Passage Cafe across from the first ferry dock in East Ferry.

Their boat is a 45-foot long fiberglass Cape Island style boat the "Passage Provider 04". It is fairly new, launched in the spring of 2004. The vessel is equipped with padded benches for seating of 45, washroom facilities onboard and a roof over part of the boat for shelter. A ramp and three steps makes loading from the slip easy for even the most timid.

Passengers are encouraged to walk about the deck of the vessel and help with the sighting of the whales. You’re also encouraged to visit the captain in the wheelhouse and see the latest technology, for example the depth recorder can show you the bottom of the Bay of Fundy, and some spots are over 800ft deep.

Petit Passage is owned and operated by the Theraiult family of Digby Neck. Craig Theraiult is the Captain of the Passage Provider. The crew is Coast Guard certified and is trained in CPR and First Aid and has their MED. Talk to them and they will be happy to answer any question you might have. They will provide you with important facts about the Bay of Fundy, the whales and local marine life.

This is a family owned business open from June to October. They offer two to three trips daily. Call  902 245 4162  for reservations or visit the Petit Passage Whale Watch website for more information.

Pirate's Cove Whale & Seabird Cruises

Located in Tiverton, only a quarter mile from the ferry Pirate's Cove Whale & Seabird Cruises are owned and operated by the Sollows family. They wish to invite you to Long Island, on the coast of the Bay of Fundy to venture among whales, seabirds and an amazing marine ecosystem.

They offer 3 - 4 cruises a day from June to October. Each cruise begins at the Tiverton Harbor. The whale watching cruises go out at 10.00 am, 1.00 pm, and 3.00 pm, with a 5.00 pm sunset cruise added upon demand. Their cruises last from 3 - 4 hours depending on where the whales are feeding, and are guaranteed. During the cruise expert naturalists will provide commentary and answer any questions.

As you depart Tiverton and enter the Bay of Fundy, you will pass Boars Head Lighthouse, a working lighthouse on the northern tip of Long Island. During the cruise you will see a wide variety of marine life and rare birds along with several species of whales. In 1995 and again in 1996, Pirate's Cove Whale Cruises documented the first ever sighting of a Blue Whale in the Bay of Fundy! Each trip is different and you never know what you're going to see.

Their vessel is the 42-foot M/V Fundy Cruiser which is a certified passenger vessel and meets all safety standards set by the Marine Safety Branch of the Transport Canada. The vessel is equipped with handrails, shelter and washroom facilities.

The captains and crew of Pirate's Cove Whale & Seabird Cruises are fully licensed and have had many years experience navigating the waters of the Bay of Fundy. All of their tours are narrated by guides.

Reservations are recommended, call toll free  1 888 480 0004 , or locally  902 839 2242 . Save 10% by booking online at the Pirate's Cove Whale & Seabird Cruises website.

Welcome Aboard Whale Watching Tours

The Bay of Fundy attracts a multitude of whales, dolphins, birds and other marine life which we take great pride in sharing with guests on our whale watching adventures. The Welcome Aboard Whale Watching Tours are sponsored by the Brier Island Lodge, located on the small Island of Brier Island, Digby Neck. Take Rt. 217 from Digby and cross over both ferries to Brier Island.

Their whale watching vessel is called the "Island Link" which was specially designed and built for whale watching in comfort and safety with features such as a heated cabin, upper observation deck and washroom. The captain and crew have plenty of experience in these waters as they have spent their lives living and working on the Bay of Fundy. They know where the whales are and are knowledgeable for answering any of your questions.

They also offer an "Evening Island Tour which is a special tour that takes you completely around Brier Island. This tour gives you a water view of our spectacular coastline including Westport Harbour, Northern Light, Seal Cove, Peajack Cove, Western Light, Whipple Point, Pond Cove, Gull Rock, Green Head and Peter's Island. This tour last for about 1 1/2 hours and provides you with some fantastic photo opportunities. You may even see a whale!

Their guarantee is that they only go when it is safe to do so. If your whale watching or evening island cruise is cancelled for any reason we will refund 100% of your ticket purchase. If no whales are seen on your whale watching cruise we will issue you a voucher equal to your ticket price for any product or service at Brier Island Lodge. You can use your refund voucher for dining, accommodation, gift shop, evening cruise or whale watching another day/time.

To find out more about this tour visit the Welcome Aboard Tours website.

This is the list of Whale Watching tours available in our area. These are all reputable businesses and no matter which one you choose to go on I am sure you will have a "Whale of a Time!"

I fully recommend this experience; it is one of my favorite things availably here. But then I love the water and being out on it. There is, however a certain thrill at seeing these giants of the sea, and for them to come so close to your boat. It is a feeling that is hard to match.

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