Bird Island Boat Tour
Bird Island Boat Tour
5
Full view
About
Loads of Puffins, plus seals and bald eagles - boat tours daily from early May until early Sept. Puffins guaranteed from early May until mid-late Aug. Over 45 years running. Our new tour boat, 'Puffin Express' was built in 2010. A coastal experience all in the family will love with lots of open windows for great photos and fresh sea air.
Big Bras d'Or, Nova Scotia, Canada
Features animals
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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Bird Island Boat Tour
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
296 reviews
Excellent
256
Very good
22
Average
9
Poor
4
Terrible
5
Raven
Ottawa, Ontario26 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Couples
We had a great time and felt safe and comfortable on this tour. We saw lots of seals and eagles, a few puffins even though it was late in the season, and a variety of other seabirds. The scenery was also beautiful!
I liked that everyone was able to move around the boat once we were out at the islands. It meant that everyone had a chance to have a good view. I recommend bringing water and snacks, but generally packing light so you’re not having to wrangle too much stuff.
I liked that everyone was able to move around the boat once we were out at the islands. It meant that everyone had a chance to have a good view. I recommend bringing water and snacks, but generally packing light so you’re not having to wrangle too much stuff.
Written September 4, 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.
Elizabeth W
Toronto, Canada349 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Couples
This is a family owned and operated business that really delivers value! While you motor out to the bird islands, there is a running monologue about tides, geology, history, climate change, fishing, and of course birds.
The father and son team do a great tag team commentary with plenty of stories, facts and anecdotes. Sure, it’s highly scripted, but they work it !
We were too late in the season for the puffins (you need to go before mid July) but we saw seals, eagles, cormorants and tons of other wildlife.
The boat is comfy and passengers can move about inside and out to the small seating area at the stern.
There are washrooms and a small gift shop at the launch point, but if you are planning to grab lunch before you go out, the pickings are pretty slim and a lot of places are closed on some week days. I recommend you pack a lunch and eat it before you board.
They do early morning and dinner time excursions, as well. Definitely a great family outing, even if you are not a birder.
The father and son team do a great tag team commentary with plenty of stories, facts and anecdotes. Sure, it’s highly scripted, but they work it !
We were too late in the season for the puffins (you need to go before mid July) but we saw seals, eagles, cormorants and tons of other wildlife.
The boat is comfy and passengers can move about inside and out to the small seating area at the stern.
There are washrooms and a small gift shop at the launch point, but if you are planning to grab lunch before you go out, the pickings are pretty slim and a lot of places are closed on some week days. I recommend you pack a lunch and eat it before you board.
They do early morning and dinner time excursions, as well. Definitely a great family outing, even if you are not a birder.
Written August 31, 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.
Terrific Trekking Teacher
Thunder Bay, Canada138 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Family
We had a fabulous time with their team. We had a family joke that my husband chased puffins away. Even previously in Iceland when puffins were meant to be around they couldn’t find any that day. Well they broke the family curse and the husband finally saw a puffin. Others members in the boat were getting sick and they helped them to feel comfortable. I only wish they had some kid friendly information on board like pictures on their tick list and simplified laminated information.
Written August 21, 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.
Ben E
1 contribution
Aug. 2023 • Couples
Very good and knowledgeable staff, able to identify birds which were not typically seen on tours. They were also very friendly and open to questions about the area and any experiences during the tour.
Written August 18, 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.
joe s
3 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Family
Fantastic tour led by knowledgeable guides and Captain Vince. Eagles are magnificent! Seals and Puffins and other birds are a joy! I'll remember it forever. Thanks!
Written August 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.
ELLEN B
Kittery, ME5 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Couples
We had a great time, lots of puffins, seals, bald eagles, gulls & cormorants and a couple of other birds I can’t recall the names of. The crew was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The boat was very comfortable and stable, good viewing from every seat. I would recommend this trip.
Written August 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.
David C
6 contributions
Aug. 2023
Splendid and charming family-run tour that expertly mixed comedy, animals, and lots of educational commentary. My wife and I will no doubt remember this experience fondly.
Written August 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.
Tracey W
1 contribution
Jul. 2023
Loved the trip! The Capitan and his son made the trip very informative. I highly recommend this experience to others looking for a tour of Bird Island
Written August 7, 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.
Kathy P
1 contribution
Aug. 2023 • Couples
Wonderful tour of the Bird Islands with captain and crew. Very knowledgeable about the history of the area, the many various birds.
Written August 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.
RGRCNwFl
NW FL107 contributions
Jul. 2023
Everything about this excursion was great. The safety briefing was thorough, and the commentary throughout the trip was excellent--informative and entertaining.
the crew has no control over the wildlife, of course but the captain and first mate (his son) kept a sharp eye out for everything. Dare I say, eagle eyes (sorry, bad joke as the eagles are not nice to the puffins).
the crew has no control over the wildlife, of course but the captain and first mate (his son) kept a sharp eye out for everything. Dare I say, eagle eyes (sorry, bad joke as the eagles are not nice to the puffins).
Written August 5, 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.
Wife gets seasick pretty easily. Generally, how smooth is the boat ride in July/August, lots of up and down? Thanks
Hi from Cape Breton,
Most of our trips have soe wave action but not enough to make someone sick. A few days it is really calm and a lovely trip out. about 6-7 times a summer we have a rough choppy tour, not dangerous, but not easy on you timmy either. And about 4-5 times a summer we have to cancel the tour because it is too rough to go. You can contact us by phone the evening before you want to go, and we can give you a marine forecast and what we are ecpecting in our area. Just call us at 1-800-661-6680. Hope to see you in July or August.
-Sheila, Owner
nfwdlf49
Pembroke, MA32 contributions
Can anyone advise on which time of day is preferable for best viewing of puffins?
88Tropicsfan
North Port, FL394 contributions
We went on the 1:00 tour and saw tons of birds. But because of the nature of the island, I doubt if time of day has any influence.
Tina W
Irishtown, Canada15 contributions
How close to the puffins do you get.
Julie T
8 contributions
For the birds floating on the water, as close as they want the boat to get before they fly away. A lot of them are in the cliffs of the islands. The captain will get you as close as they can, but it’s rather rocky around the islands. For photos, bring something with a decent zoom on it. Sorry, I’m not a good judge of actual distance. But the birds are all over, flying, swimming, on the rocks, in the cliff faces.
iMak80
Toronto, Canada
Hi, would you recommend the boat tour with an infant? I would have him in a carrier.
Bird_Island
Boularderie
Yes, you can bring a babe in a carrier . Both our boys were on the boat before their first birthday. Very safe, and they tend to fall asleep with the rocking motion.
Sheila
arlynbence
Orlando, FL
Are you closer to the port in Halifax or Sydney Nova Scotia? We are going on a cruise and would love to do the tour. Also, what's the best (cheapest) way to get there from the port?
Thanks!
Bird_Island
Boularderie
We are closer to Sydney port. But the cruise ship has already pre-booked all the seats on our tour boat for that day's tour to see puffins. And they have arranged a bus to bring you the 40 minutes out to us, and provided box lunches and binoculars. You can contact them to get on board. Or you can visit us on a future trip to Cape Breton, we will be here. We have been running boat tours here for 45 years. -Sheila
Gary K
Welland, Canada5 contributions
Hey Captain Vince & family! Like a dummy I completely forgot to add in my review that we saw PUFFINS galore - in the air, on land and in the water. Sorry. Must be the after effects of the gravol...
Bird_Island
Boularderie
Glad you enjoyed your tour with us. -Sheila
ao-at-peace mentioned cottages for rent. Where are these and can you give us info so we can find out more? thanks
Bird_Island
Boularderie
Hi from Cape Breton, we own Bird Island Boat Tours and the cottages on the same property, Mountain Vista Seaside Cottage. Both are located in Big Bras d'Or, Cape Breton, 20 minutes from the Cabot Trail. You can reach us toll-free at 1-800-661-6680. -Sheila