Oshan Whale Watch
Oshan Whale Watch
5
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About
Bay St. Lawrence, Nova Scotia, Canada
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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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
5.0
269 reviews
Excellent
243
Very good
17
Average
4
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Sam C
2 contributions
Sept 2019 • Friends
Listen. I cannot say enough good things about this company. We were touring Cape Breton by road and meandering our way around and wanted a whale tour last minute. Most places we called were fully booked out or not going out based on their location and the greater chance of wind that afternoon. When we called Oshan they weren't planning to because they didn't have enough people yet, but the bay was sheltered so the viewing would be fine. They took down our name and called us back within the hour. Another group was interested in a tour so they were going to add a new sunset viewing which was not normally on the books for that night only. We said yes immediately and made our way up there.
You might be a little uncertain at first given a parking lot and a small shed sized building but it houses all the needed booking and card processing items. The boat is moored in harbor and while it can fit more we were lucky enough to have around eight on our tour. The boat driver was incredibly knowledgeable and respectful of space for the animals. He dropped a microphone in the water so we could hear a pod of nearly thirty pilot whales talking to each other. It was a really magical experience! Everyone working at Oshan (it's a family business) was wonderful and even if we hadn't lucked out and seen so many I would do this tour again in a heartbeat.
You might be a little uncertain at first given a parking lot and a small shed sized building but it houses all the needed booking and card processing items. The boat is moored in harbor and while it can fit more we were lucky enough to have around eight on our tour. The boat driver was incredibly knowledgeable and respectful of space for the animals. He dropped a microphone in the water so we could hear a pod of nearly thirty pilot whales talking to each other. It was a really magical experience! Everyone working at Oshan (it's a family business) was wonderful and even if we hadn't lucked out and seen so many I would do this tour again in a heartbeat.
Written January 7, 2020
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.
Shirley H
Sydney, Canada2 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
The boat ride itself and talking to the crew members was the best part.. They were funny and informative and made a point to keep coming back and speaking with a their customers. Seeing the large group of seals, wild horses, bald eagle and amazing shoreline was cherry on top. Well worth the money.
Written July 19, 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.
Pathfinder785308
Maun, Botswana3 contributions
Sept 2022
My trip with Oshan was great - just a few minutes into the cruise there were pilot whales and dolphins all around us. Our captain stopped the boat so we could watch their antics for a while before moving on to find some more.
We also saw grey seals, and had fun watching them bob in the water and pose on the rocks.
The crew was great, friendly and very knowledgeable. I learned a lot about the marine and bird life in the area, as well as about the area itself.
As well, the scenery was spectacular. Even if we hadn't see a single whale, I would have been happy just to have had the chance to see this beautiful part of Cape Breton from the water.
The cruise was about 2 hours long, and it flew by. It was over before I wanted it to be. Thanks guys!
We also saw grey seals, and had fun watching them bob in the water and pose on the rocks.
The crew was great, friendly and very knowledgeable. I learned a lot about the marine and bird life in the area, as well as about the area itself.
As well, the scenery was spectacular. Even if we hadn't see a single whale, I would have been happy just to have had the chance to see this beautiful part of Cape Breton from the water.
The cruise was about 2 hours long, and it flew by. It was over before I wanted it to be. Thanks guys!
Written September 13, 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.
Thanks for such kind words and coming out with us on a tour.
Written July 12, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
b_rbharathi27@yahoo.ca
Calgary, Canada3 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Captain Fraser was very friendly, patient and answered all of our questions. Also told us some interesting things about the whales. Even though we were not able see any whales, he took us all quite far to try our luck getting to see any whales. But we spotted some seals and birds. Overall we enjoyed the boat ride. I would for sure recommend to use his services.
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.
NJ
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada3 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Mr Fraser gave an outstanding tour. He was knowledgeable, inviting, and humorous. He ensured that we got our money's worth by loitering for a long time around the whales and sailing to Cape North, pointing out seals and bald eagles. Overall a highlight of our vacation.
Written September 19, 2024
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 the enjoying Captain Fraser's tour. We do our best to communicate before, during and after the tour.
Written September 23, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Summer C
12 contributions
Sept 2021
This was such a great excursion! We saw a ton of pilot whales, beautiful coves and caves. What I think I like most about this whale watch is that we were the only boat from visible distance meaning we weren't amongst 50 boats disrupting whales in their natural habitat which you often see at other wildlife attractions. The whales actually seemed to chase us and give us a show they were so friendly! I think this was an eco-friendly option for whale watching and would highly suggest it. Also the price was very well worth it.
Written September 29, 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.
Deborah P
3 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Bay St.Lawrence Oshan- A magical experience
Everything was as it should plus….our weather was excellent, we took the 4:30 excursion, there were several families, however on 20 of us altogether which was not overcrowded. We were surrounded by a pod of adult long finned pilot whales. There were two marine biology students, Erin x2 taking charge, answering all of our questions. They were a wealth of knowledge. Our Captain/owner and his family, made our trip feel like we were all part of the family.
Everything was as it should plus….our weather was excellent, we took the 4:30 excursion, there were several families, however on 20 of us altogether which was not overcrowded. We were surrounded by a pod of adult long finned pilot whales. There were two marine biology students, Erin x2 taking charge, answering all of our questions. They were a wealth of knowledge. Our Captain/owner and his family, made our trip feel like we were all part of the family.
Written August 25, 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.
Kelley
8 contributions
Sept 2022
I was very nervous to go whale watching because I am prone to sea sickness. I prepped by taking a gravol half hour before and had ginger candies on hand. It was a rough day due to a Northwest storm - I was a little sea sick when we stopped and watched the Pilot Whales swim by us (!!!!!) but once we were moving I was good. I was better when I watched the waves coming towards the boat as opposed to watching the shore. I am writing so indepth because I wish more people reviewed about their sea sickness. Near the end of the trip they go near the shore and we can check out seals and see the beautiful landscape. This was as great as seeing the whales.
The staff was very friendly and left us to our own devices for most of it, which I appreciate. If we had questions they were very informative.
The staff was very friendly and left us to our own devices for most of it, which I appreciate. If we had questions they were very informative.
Written September 13, 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.
Thank you kindly for coming out with us when you get motion sickness. You are very brave!
Written July 12, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
outdoormomKathy
Calgary6 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
We lucked out and had beautiful weather for our whale watching tour. But we also had a mix of calm seas and high waves (at least they were big to us). The captain did a great job of navigating a tour around the shoreline, finding us pilot whales and seals in addition to birds. We all (10) had a great trip. Well worth it, highly recommend.
Written July 19, 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.
Thank you kindly for navigating some bumpy waves to get to some calm sections and some whales.
Written August 6, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Steph L
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • Family
We chose oshan whale watch after reading so many good reviews. We can’t say enough good things about this! The crew and captain was awesome! So much knowledge and they got us to a group of pilot whales ! It was so mesmerizing to see them and what I appreciated the most was the respect the captain had for the whales. Most importantly seeing the coast line from the water was the best part. It’s so beautiful honestly even if we didn’t see whales the boat ride was worth it. If you are thinking of booking, do it! You won’t regret it !
Steph
Steph
Written August 20, 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.
What time of the day is it best to catch the whales? Also is the boat a good size, as opposed to zodiac boats?
Written August 22, 2022
The afternoon and evening tours both saw whales the day we went. The boat seated approx 20 people, no upper deck.
Written August 23, 2022
hi
i hope you are well today
i have a few questions
1. how much does this cost
2. is this also for kids
3. what days are you open
have a great day
Written June 14, 2019
Captain F
Bay St. Lawrence, Canada
Hello!
1. Our prices are: Adults - $45, Seniors/Students - $35, Youth - $25, and kids 5 and younger are free. All prices include taxes.
2. Yes, we welcome people of all ages aboard!
3. We are open everyday from July 1st - September 30th (weather permitting).
Feel free to check out our website for additional information.
Written June 15, 2019
What’s would be the price for 3 adults and 3 kids ages 8,10 and 11.
Also how far in advance to you adovis making reservations.
Thanks Kelly
Written July 24, 2018
We would love to book a tour with your company June 10th, 11th or 12th of June. Is there a possibility? And how can we get in touch with you directly? Layla
Written May 29, 2018
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