Mariner Cruises Whale and Seabird Tours
Mariner Cruises Whale and Seabird Tours
Mariner Cruises Whale and Seabird Tours
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Come have a whale of a time with Mariner Cruises! Enjoy our friendlines, hospitality and expertise on board the Chad and Sisters Two as you watch whales and birds while sailing on the famous Bay of Fundy waters off of Brier Island. Expect to be amazed while making memories that last a lifetime!
Brier Island, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,091 reviews
Excellent
1,046
Very good
35
Average
3
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Woody0155
Lewistown, PA25 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Couples
We saw at least four huge humpback whales on our cruise. At the time when one of the whales was putting on the best show, my phone rang. It was my daughter giving us good news about her early stage pregnancy! Penny, the owner, was right there to share this special moment with us! We couldn't have asked for a more unforgettable experience the Graham family!
Written September 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lauratS3980WV
Toronto, Canada2 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Family
This was a magical experience. Though the fog was thick, it was great to stop and hear the whales all around us and made all the sightings just that much more magical. We heard a total of 9 humpbacks and saw 5 (one sleeping, a few tail dives, one on their back slapping their fins on the water and then the most magical was one that came up and "smiled" at us about 3 feet away from the boat).
It was an honour to be part of this adventure to see these gentle giants. Thank you Mariner Cruises and the wonderful staff for sharing their passion with us!
It was an honour to be part of this adventure to see these gentle giants. Thank you Mariner Cruises and the wonderful staff for sharing their passion with us!
Written September 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorna M
2 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Friends
Phenomenal bucket List experience! Knowledgeable, friendly crew. Humpbacks breach , whale tail, dolphins, puffins
Written September 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Passenger56090889327
1 contribution
Sep. 2023 • Family
Our trip was beyond our expectations! We spent over an hour watching 4 humpback whales playing,eating, and diving!
Penny and family and crew were the best!!.
Highly recommend this group!!
Penny and family and crew were the best!!.
Highly recommend this group!!
Written September 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barb S
2 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Family
Most awesome whale tour. The captain took us out despite the water being a bit choppy. We found a pod of 4 whales and spent over an hour watching and taking pictures. Penny Graham, the owner is a jewel. She makes absolutey sure everyone is having fun. Amy is super knowledgeable about whales and share any information she has. It is rated the number one tour for a reason.
Written September 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sunshine24798615456
Nova Scotia, Canada1 contribution
Sep. 2023 • Family
MAGICAL!! Great trip!!!!
Amazing staff, amazing accommodation at the Inn BnB
You WILL regret it if you pass on this one!!
This will definitely be on the 2 times a year yearly family trip!!
Book it now! You will not be sorry!!
Amazing staff, amazing accommodation at the Inn BnB
You WILL regret it if you pass on this one!!
This will definitely be on the 2 times a year yearly family trip!!
Book it now! You will not be sorry!!
Written September 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul R
1 contribution
Aug. 2023 • Friends
If you are even thinking about going to Briar Island to Whale watch, consider this company first! Stay at the beautiful Inn, enjoy a lovely continental breakfast, then go see the whales! Penny Graham and her knowledgeable crew welcome you aboard to one of the best experiences of your life! We went yesterday, and there were whales at every turn! We go almost every year, and the experience never gets old!
Written September 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BG10339
Nova Scotia, Canada16 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Couples
We know that the whale watch companies have no control over either the weather or the whales, but whoever was in charge of those things the day we went out with Mariner Cruises did a stellar job! We can't say enough about the professionalism and knowledge of the crew, either.
We did the 4:30 trip on August 23, and the Humpback Whales gave us a real show - a lot of tail-flapping, pectoral fin slapping, and breaching - it was just amazing to see. Several of them also swam under the boat at different times, and while that could make you nervous, the guides were so excited and enthusiastic that we were quite at ease. We also saw some white-sided dolphins, but alas, not as many sea birds as we had hoped.
The boat was excellent, those in charge of running it and locating the whales certainly knew their stuff, and the guides were very knowledgeable and informative. It was clear they loved what they were doing. They made a special effort to be sure that children could see, and as we were returning to the harbour one of them did a sort of class to explain a lot about whales, and showed examples of various things. There was also a Q and A session that went on for quite awhile, and really engaged some of the children on board.
All told, just a great experience!
We did the 4:30 trip on August 23, and the Humpback Whales gave us a real show - a lot of tail-flapping, pectoral fin slapping, and breaching - it was just amazing to see. Several of them also swam under the boat at different times, and while that could make you nervous, the guides were so excited and enthusiastic that we were quite at ease. We also saw some white-sided dolphins, but alas, not as many sea birds as we had hoped.
The boat was excellent, those in charge of running it and locating the whales certainly knew their stuff, and the guides were very knowledgeable and informative. It was clear they loved what they were doing. They made a special effort to be sure that children could see, and as we were returning to the harbour one of them did a sort of class to explain a lot about whales, and showed examples of various things. There was also a Q and A session that went on for quite awhile, and really engaged some of the children on board.
All told, just a great experience!
Written August 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
messengrl
Shelburne, Canada1,209 contributions
Aug. 2023
My husband and I were so happy to share our Brier Island adventure with our dear friends from Indiana and Kentucky. For my husband and me, this was our eighth outing with Mariner. My friends from the States had never been whale watching before. There were whales aplenty, and we got to witness the Tusk Twist! Such a privilege to witness humpback whales doing their thing in their world.
As one of my friends observed, every passenger felt like a member of the family. We were treated so well. That has been my experience every time we have gone out with Mariner. To do this every day (usually three times a day), without ever going through the motions, takes real love, devotion and pride. So grateful to be able to share this special experience with my best friends. Thank you to Penny, Amy and the entire wonderful Mariner family!
As one of my friends observed, every passenger felt like a member of the family. We were treated so well. That has been my experience every time we have gone out with Mariner. To do this every day (usually three times a day), without ever going through the motions, takes real love, devotion and pride. So grateful to be able to share this special experience with my best friends. Thank you to Penny, Amy and the entire wonderful Mariner family!
Written August 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Goog G
1 contribution
Aug. 2023 • Family
Absolutely the most incredible experience!!!! Family of 5, kids ages 11,13 and 15 - everyone had the best time. Staff were incredible, knowledgeable all while being respectful of the whales. Can’t say enough good things!!!
Written August 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zuspeitash
Saint Thomas, Canada36 contributions
When is the best time of year for whale watching?
messengrl
Shelburne, Canada1,209 contributions
I would say that August is the best month for whale watching out on the Bay of Fundy. However, we have also gone out in late July and early September, and we have seen whales on every single outing. This year was our seventh trip off Brier Island, and our sixth with Mariner Cruises!
Leahannek
19 contributions
We are excited to take this tour this coming July. As it will be a busy time of year, we are wondering when we should book it?
Questbird3
Toronto, Canada66 contributions
In July, book now.
mauibound3
Bedford, Canada155 contributions
There are 3 whale watching trips out a day - morning - noon - afternoon. Any of those better? More chance of seeing activity?
sun~sand~snorkling
Nova Scotia, Canada542 contributions
I like going at the noon sailing. We always find we are pretty exhausted after so we can relax, have supper and tour around briar a little in the evening. We've always traveled down (we are 4 hours away) in the early morning, done the noon sailing and stayed that night. The 4 trips we've done have been extremely successful for seeing lots of whales
James R
Hamilton, Canada4 contributions
Does this tour go rain or shine?
Mary M
Fall River, Canada27 contributions
This company is very careful about planning ahead for weather. Our tour was to take place on a Friday but, when the forecast indicated rain and possibly thunder, we were contacted in plenty of time and offered an alternative for the day prior.
dkorwood
Navarre, FL1,943 contributions
How do I get there? I'm looking at map and I see no roads to this?
Juan-Y4254WQjuanm
Zurich, Switzerland48 contributions
From Digby, you need to count with 1.5 hours to get to Brier Island as you will get 2 Ferries to get there. You just follow the street down the Digby Neck. We were there a 23feet Mobile Home without any problem.
Foodieman4
Spartanburg, SC165 contributions
How long does tour last? What is the cost? Is the ocean rough? Possibility of sea sickness
Wendy G
5 contributions
Our tour lasted 3.5 hours. It was $49 per adult. The water was a bit choppy but only 1 person got queasy. If you are prone to seasickness I'd suggest bonnine or Dramamine and you'll be fine. It's such an amazing tour!
dwingate9
Toronto, Canada
What is the best time of year to see the whales? We are planning a trip east and want to make sure we have the best time to see the whales.
Thanks Donna
Bob S
Lincolnshire, UK
I went in September 18th. We saw upwards of 30 Humpbacks in the space of three hours.
Unfortunately there is no guarantee. The boat owners were extremely professional but they are not magicians. I've been before in Newfoundland and saw one the first time and none the second.
fardef05
4 contributions
I am considering coming to Nova Scotia around the 10th October. I would like to do a whale watching cruise but do not have a car. I will either fly into Halifax or come on the ferry to Yarmouth. Do you run tours from either of these destinations and if so, what is the likelihood of seeing whales at this time of the year. Also, I can get sea sick...is it likely to be rough?