Dixon's Zodiac Seafari
Dixon's Zodiac Seafari
4.5
Boat ToursDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife Tours
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About
Nestled in the northeast corner of Cape Breton Island lies the quaint fishing village of Neil’s Harbour. Just two minutes off of the Cabot Trail, let the lighthouse guide you to Dixon's Zodiac Seafari. Prepare to have a smooth, exhilarating ride aboard the "733 Hurricane", the same type of vessel used by the Canadian Coast Guard. This is where your coastal, whale and marine life adventure will begin.
Neil's Harbor, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Dixon's Zodiac Seafari
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
45 reviews
Excellent
36
Very good
4
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Rob Dickson
Ottawa, Canada3 contributions
Jul 2022
My son and I took a zodiac tour with Captain Lowell Dixon this past weekend as part of our Canada-Day long weekend adventure tour of Cape Breton. It was fantastic!!! The zodiac boat is the way to do it, with some "wildness" (eg. spray of the waves, and quick nimble turns), but still with the feeling of stability. We were able to see a large whale (or shark) breach the water close to us. Captain Lowell was very diligent is searching the best spots for whale sightings, and was also very responsive to our many questions. The length of the tour, at just a bit under two hours, was perfect. Make sure you listen to the advice that Captain Lowell gives about what to wear on the boat. He made a point of checking our attire before we boarded. While we may have doubted the need to wear a rain/wind jacket due to how warm it felt on shore, he was bang on what the conditions would be once we got out on the water. And safety was top of mind - making sure life preservers were worn, and giving a clear safety briefing before boarding.
Also, all communications before and after the trip were prompt and professional. And we even got tips on good places in the area to get a great seafood lunch after the tour was over.
Thanks, Dixon Zodiac Seafari, for a superb whale watching adventure that we will remember!
Also, all communications before and after the trip were prompt and professional. And we even got tips on good places in the area to get a great seafood lunch after the tour was over.
Thanks, Dixon Zodiac Seafari, for a superb whale watching adventure that we will remember!
Written July 5, 2022
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.
Oranje2012
Fredericton, Canada191 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
Captain Lowell Dixon is professional, extremely knowledgable and a real great tour guide. We called about 3 days in advance and we kept communicating to find out the right time to go. The weather in Cape Breton can turn in seconds, and it is apparent that safety is paramount and he will only go in good conditions. We weren't sure if we were going to get out, but he found a window, called us and said you have 30 minutes to get here, we were there and got out just in time. When we came back the seas were getting to 1 to 1.5 meters high. We enjoyed the trip very much. He wouldn't go out the rest of the day due to higher seas and the wind picking up. We saw a pod of about 10-12 pilot whales. Once we found them, he could almost predict where and when they were going to pop up. Going in the zodiac made the trip so successful in tracking the pod. Lots of great photos, videos and memories. Thanks very much.
Written September 14, 2021
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.
Meredith G.
Fair Oaks, CA26 contributions
Jul 2022 • Solo
Saw lots of pilot whales amidst a lovely narration of the area by Lowell. It was also cool to see the lobster fisherman bringing in their boats to the harbor. He was a good captain and made the boat ride enjoyable and safe!
Written July 14, 2022
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.
Etz_Nice
CT112 contributions
Jul 2011
A nice guy who recently got a Zodiac boat. Looks like he lacks the experience in locating where the whales are.
Didn't have the courtesy of offering money back.
We saw whales in other places in north Cape Breton with no difficulty.
I guess as always, its a matter of getting the right person who knows his stuff.
Didn't have the courtesy of offering money back.
We saw whales in other places in north Cape Breton with no difficulty.
I guess as always, its a matter of getting the right person who knows his stuff.
Written August 11, 2011
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.
Jen M
Alliston, Canada7 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
In the past 4 years we have gone Whale Watching with Dixon's every time. We have had the pleasure of seeing everything from Bald Eagle's to Seal's, dolphins, fin whales, pilot whales and this summer a leatherback sea turtle! Lowell is a gracious and informative host and was helpful and excellent in his knowledge of the sea life!
My 82 year old grandmother absolutely loved every minute of being on the water and was very impressed with Lowell and his partner's warm personalities.
Looking forward to going again this summer!
My 82 year old grandmother absolutely loved every minute of being on the water and was very impressed with Lowell and his partner's warm personalities.
Looking forward to going again this summer!
Written February 6, 2015
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.
It was great seeing u and your family! It was so much fun having your grandmother join us as well! The leatherback turtles are truly amazing and we love to see our passengers love them as much as we do! Hope u will join us again in the 2015 season!
Written March 3, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lisa260
Potsdam, Germany9 contributions
Oct 2013 • Family
We have been on Nova Scotia October 2013. As the whale watching season was already coming to an end we had a difficult time finding a vessel that would take us out. We had recommendations for Wesley's whale watching in Cheticamp. However, the first 5 days they couldn't go out due to bad weather.
We then tried Dixons Zodiac Seafari. That was the best decision during our entire vacation. Even though the sea was really rough that day we say a group of dolphins, seals, and eagles, but sadly no whales.
We tried again with Wesley's: We were promised a zodiac but went out on a bigger boat and did not see a singe thing. To add to that, nobody talked to us on the boat; we pretty much just shipped around for an hour. Very disappointing!!!
Since we still wanted to see whales, we went back to Dickson's for a private tour. And about 10 minute into the ride we spotted a large group of pilot whales. It was absolutely amazing. There were about 30 or so and the came really close to the boat as well. Lowell, the guide explained everything on the ride and would also share personal stories of other whales he had seen there before. It was a lot of fun to go with him, as you could tell that he enjoyed what he was doing as well. With him you feel like a family friend is talking you out to see the whales. I truly recommend Lowell, he is the best!
We then tried Dixons Zodiac Seafari. That was the best decision during our entire vacation. Even though the sea was really rough that day we say a group of dolphins, seals, and eagles, but sadly no whales.
We tried again with Wesley's: We were promised a zodiac but went out on a bigger boat and did not see a singe thing. To add to that, nobody talked to us on the boat; we pretty much just shipped around for an hour. Very disappointing!!!
Since we still wanted to see whales, we went back to Dickson's for a private tour. And about 10 minute into the ride we spotted a large group of pilot whales. It was absolutely amazing. There were about 30 or so and the came really close to the boat as well. Lowell, the guide explained everything on the ride and would also share personal stories of other whales he had seen there before. It was a lot of fun to go with him, as you could tell that he enjoyed what he was doing as well. With him you feel like a family friend is talking you out to see the whales. I truly recommend Lowell, he is the best!
Written November 27, 2013
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.
Thank you so much for coming out with us both times!! It was a pleasure to have you and your family aboard with us!! Keep in touch!!
Written July 3, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David J
Montreal, Canada1 contribution
Aug 2011
Went Neil's Harbour yesterday for an awesome whale watching trip. We went out with our teenage girls and they loved every minute of this experience. They thought it felt like a great roller coaster ride. We saw a leatherback turtle, fin whale, and lots of dolphins. He took us on an amazing coastal ride ending in a cave.. At the wharf we got to catch some mackeral with the fishing rod the captain loaned us . What a great supper we had!! Thanks for the great day!!!
Written August 31, 2011
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.
xfactor57
1 contribution
Its not the lack of experience, he has been on the water for 40 years. The jurisdiction only Allows to travel 5miles off and into aspybay. Whales swim large distances every day so its hard to get them into the right zone. The day the previous comment was out was most likely after a little storm. With that said they are stil seeing plenty of whales and the more rare tuna. There are alot of seals and the scenery of neils harbours coast is breath taking.
Written August 20, 2011
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.
Tracy B
Ontario6 contributions
Aug 2011
Went out last night on a sunset tour with Captain Lowell Dixon,,Got to see a sunfish, 5 or 6 tuna jumping..some dolphins and a huge whale..What a great time we had...Totally recommend this!!!
Written August 20, 2011
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.
Brown802
Jericho, VT2 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
We spent a great two hours on the water with Captain Lowell following two minke whales, watching gannets dive and even seeing a large bald eagle nest. Very happy to have been close to the water in a zodiac and not too rough for our group ages 9-81. Captain Lowell and his family were calm, funny and safe. Highly recommended.
We book ended it with chowder at the Chowder House and ice cream at the lighthouse.
We book ended it with chowder at the Chowder House and ice cream at the lighthouse.
Written August 15, 2015
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.
Thank you for joining me on the whale watch and taking time to write a review to help others!, so glad u had a great trip and hope to see u again if u get a chance to visit Neil's harbour,, cheers. Lowell dixon
Written September 5, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I'm not interested in whales but am interested in fishing, for mackerel, pollock or whatever. Does
this establishment or any other, nearby, offer fishing trips or is fishing allowed from the whale
watch boats? Thanks
Written April 30, 2017
Fishing during the whale-watching trip is not possible as the captain has to be alert to where the whales etc are surfacing, and then adjust position/location accordingly. The zodiac is a nimble craft for this. On a separate trip, I would imagine that you could charter a vessel for just fishing. It was late in the day when we visited, so we did not have an opportunity to check out possibilities for fishing - we just ate 'em up at the Chowder House!
Written May 2, 2017
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