Sea Watch Tours
Sea Watch Tours
4.5
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Grand Manan, New Brunswick, Canada
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(21 reviews)
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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
4.5
75 reviews
Excellent
66
Very good
3
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
3
Dan L
Russell, Canada9 contributions
Jul. 2022 • Couples
Book as early as possible. For us, booking was done as soon as ticketing opened. We enjoyed the boat ride out to the island where we were shuttled to the blind to watch the puffins fly, fish and return to nests behind us. The experience was awesome. A Bird watchers paradise.
Written August 8, 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.
RTome
Edmonton, Canada8 contributions
Jul. 2022
Our trip to Grand Manan was specifically to see the puffins. We knew that the weather may cause a cancelled trip but we risked it anyway.
It turned out fantastically. We saw hundreds of puffins, plenty of seals and even an Atlantic sunfish!
Don't be disappointed if you can't get a spot to visit the puffins on land, the skiff tour is just as amazing.
Some key points to know: you will have to spend the night on Grand Manan due to the ferry schedule, the trip takes over 5 hours and for afternoon trips make sure your dinner is planned as many of the restaurants close quite soon after you return.
The business is in the process of changing ownership as the current owner retires. They are taking the time to hand everything over properly so I have high hopes that the business retains its high quality.
It turned out fantastically. We saw hundreds of puffins, plenty of seals and even an Atlantic sunfish!
Don't be disappointed if you can't get a spot to visit the puffins on land, the skiff tour is just as amazing.
Some key points to know: you will have to spend the night on Grand Manan due to the ferry schedule, the trip takes over 5 hours and for afternoon trips make sure your dinner is planned as many of the restaurants close quite soon after you return.
The business is in the process of changing ownership as the current owner retires. They are taking the time to hand everything over properly so I have high hopes that the business retains its high quality.
Written July 18, 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.
Inasue
Jupiter, FL157 contributions
Jul. 2022 • Couples
As much as I wld have loved this tour I had to rate it a 3 due to the “new captain” He obviously is not a people person and needs to clean up his vocabulary !More training is needed from Peter.. who is handing over the business to alex(not sure as to his name)! We were Also squeezed in on the boat which made it slightly uncomfortable. I am sure it’s probably too early in the season to see that many whales however we did see some in the distance. Peter where are you?
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.
Shawn_Lili_Teddy
Toronto, Canada5 contributions
Jul. 2022 • Friends
If you are traveling long distance to see the Puffins, my recommendation is to not plan your trip around this. It took me two days to get to this location from Dubai with my camera equipment and it cost me a fortune. As my family and I were waiting in line at the ferry, this company canceled the tour due to rough water, even though it was a beautiful calm day. I won’t be making this attempt again!
Written July 4, 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.
K-L-222S
Ontario, Canada52 contributions
Aug. 2021 • Couples
Spent approximately 4.5 hours whale watching. A beautiful sunny afternoon with many whale sightings. Captain and crew were friendly and knowledgeable and took the time to find the whales so everyone had a great experience.
Written August 16, 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.
AlbertKatz
Ontario, Canada92 contributions
Aug. 2020
We went August 13, 2020, and despite covid-19, the boat was full- face masks were mandatory, and because food etc was not available we were told to bring snacks & drinks & be prepared for it be cold out on the Fundy water. After 2 days of heavy fog, we were fortunate that the 13th was a glorious day, and relatively warm. We were delayed in leaving because the Captain was waiting for two families, just getting off the ferry at North Head. As soon as they arrived, off we went. About 1/2 hour our a whae was seen in the distance and I thought, OK, they found a whale and will now get paid (it's free if no whales are seen), and we'll turn back now. Wrong! we were out for two more hours before turning back to Seal Cove, where the boat is docked. And we saw whales, fin whales, Humpback, many of them, some quite close by, at one time three around he boat, and dolphins, coming almost up the boat and puffins in the water of flying. and seals. It was glorious. The captain and crew were excellent, and carefully described what we were seeing, naming whales they had seen on previous years (by the markings on their flukes). It was a wonderful outingand if back on Grand Manan, one that I'd gladly take again. Strongly recommenf.
Written August 14, 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.
Kevin M
2 contributions
Jul. 2020
As a party of 4 we went on the puffin tour on July 16,2020. Captain Wilcox and crew were knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. . Unfortunately my back acted up and did not permit me to go ashore as did all other passengers. They reported a fantastic experience from seeing and hearing puffins up close as they stood in a blind. They have great pictures. I stayed on the boat but was able to see many puffins on the water and in the air.Captain Wilcox called in some puffins which allowed me to take up some close up pictures.. He told me calling is very hard on his throat so he does not always do it or for any length of time. I appreciated that he did it for me.
Written July 19, 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.
Robert C
Kanata52 contributions
Sep. 2019
The 4 1/2 hour tour was bang on the owner's promise of seeing whales or the tour is free - our tour was not free. Took a little while for the whales to show but before they did, we saw many acrobatic dolphins, a hugh variety of birds & some seals & a few puffins. The whales when they did show themselves were a joy to see. They are as big as you thought and some even bigger!
Captain Peter and his crew know where to go to find whales and easily maneuvor the boat so everyone gets a view. They are so knowledgeable about the whales to the point they know them by name.
If you have the time, make this a "to-do" item on your bucket list.
This trip is exciting and not risky!
Captain Peter and his crew know where to go to find whales and easily maneuvor the boat so everyone gets a view. They are so knowledgeable about the whales to the point they know them by name.
If you have the time, make this a "to-do" item on your bucket list.
This trip is exciting and not risky!
Written September 12, 2019
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.
Teri M
Riverview, Canada12 contributions
Aug. 2019
My husband and I booked a tour for August 9th which cancelled due to fog and chop. We hopped on the wait-list for the following day and crossed our fingers. The stars aligned with morning fog clearing and a group cancellation. Captain Peter and his crew of Durlan and Scott were informative, friendly and professional. They obviously love what they do. Lots of information was provided about the islands we passed on the way out to sea on our search for a whale. We were fortunate to find Tornado, a Humpback, and her calf. The hour and a half we spent watching them as they tail-slapped, breached and waved seemed like just a few minutes. The calf swam right up to the boat to check us out. When whales were out of sight, Durlan pointed out several seabirds, some porpoises and even a Puffin during our tour. I would highly recommend Sea Watch Tours!
Written August 17, 2019
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.
SidGerryts
Strathroy, Canada92 contributions
Aug. 2019 • Couples
Very knowledgeable and gracious hosts. We were able to track down a couple of humpback whales and saw them breach numerous time. We were fortunate enough to see the tail twice. Coffee and hot chocolate served on board. Very enjoyable experience
Written August 13, 2019
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 taking the time to review your tour with us. We're glad you enjoyed it. It's always a special treat to see whales breaching. I wish we knew what we did, or didn't do, to miss out on that fifth star.
Written August 14, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
da50
Ontario, Canada428 contributions
Hi. I am hoping to go whale watching on September 24 and wondered if this is too late to see many whales or are there still a lot around?
Thanks
da50
Ontario, Canada428 contributions
Hi. I am hoping to go whale watching on September 24 and wondered if this is too late to see many whales or are there still a lot around?
Thanks
Jennifer C
Saint Paul, MN2 contributions
What date will the puffin tours start in June of 2017?
Kenda W
Grand Manan, Canada1 contribution
Our puffin tours usually begin the last Thursday in June, which would be June 29, 2017.
Justine28
Yellowknife, Canada2,029 contributions
Does anyone know how long the whale watching tours are, please? I read somewhere it's a 5-hour trip? Thanks!
Kenda W
Grand Manan, Canada1 contribution
Hi! The whale watching tour is between 4-5 hours long typically. It varies depending on how far we need to go to get to the whales. We like to allow lots of viewing time. The tour is whales guaranteed or your tour is free! Reservations are held with a Visa or MC number, but final payment is made on the boat, during the tour, and can be with Visa, MC, cash or debit. We hope to hear from you!