zodiac boat tour cape breton

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Our Zodiac Vessels are known for having a personal feel with the water and whales. We offer a chance to see various marine wildlife and spectacular coastal views of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. A tour with Captain Mark's is a must for eco-tourists and photographers.

Captain Mark's WHALE & SEAL CRUISE in Pleasant Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada

The vessels we use are Zodiac Rigid Inflatable Boats. They are the workhorses of the ocean, and often used in rescue and polar expeditions.

Our zodiacs each accommodate 12 passengers and are for those seeking a little more adventure. They are powered by twin motors, which provide extra safety and makes for an exhilarating ride. They are also equipped with a hydrophone, which enables us to hear the whales sing underwater (when conditions permit). Seasickness is less likely on these types of vessels, since the pontoons help prevent the rolling motion that you normally get on a regular boat. Due to their flat bottom design, we can get very close to shore to view our spectacular rock formations and waterfalls. Join us on our search for whales such as Pilot, Finback, Minke and Humpback as well as Dolphins, Seals and numerous seabirds.

2024 Season Schedule

June 1-July 7  - 10am  1pm July 8-Sept. 30  - 10am  1pm  4pm October 1-19  - 10am  1pm

2024 Prices

Adults (Ages 19-64)         $85.00 Seniors (Ages 65+)           $80.00 Children (Ages 6-18)        $70.00 *Under 6 years old, not permitted.

* It is important to note that zodiacs are not recommended for anyone with back or neck problems, pregnant or children under 6 yrs old.

CUSTOM WAIVER This form must be filled out when booking your tour. VIEW FORM

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

Thank you for an enchanting day at sea.

Joe Basilone

Williamsburg, VA.

I especially enjoyed the newborn Pilot whales and the Minke whale.

Brenda Egberts

It was one of the finest 2 hours I have ever had in my life.

Jacki & Harold Wolf

You really impressed us with your sensitivity to the whales.

Kristina & Bill Hansen

Out of 5 whale watching trips out of Massachusetts.

Anne & Julie Schetinnikova

Capt. mark's whale & seal cruise.

• Meet the Crew
• Schedule & Rates

126 Harbour Road, Pleasant Bay Nova Scotia, Canada, B0E 2P0 [email protected]

Trip Advisor

Year in Operation

2024 © Capt. Mark's Whale & Seal Cruise All Rights Reserved.

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• 36 Lighthouse Road Neil's Harbour, NS
• +1 855-259-4122
• [email protected]

Family Rates & Charters Sunrise, Sunset and Private Charters Available Upon Request Call us

All wildlife photos are taken by Dixons Zodiac Seafari

Our boat " The Highland Hurricane " is a 25 ft. Zodiac hurricane, the same vessel used by the Canadian Coast Guard for rescue. It is a 12 passenger zodiac powered by twin 115 hp 4 stroke Yamaha outboards. The twin yamahas run very quiet and smooth with very little smoke emission. It is Canadian government, Dept of Transportation certified. So come join us and take a smooth exhilarating ride aboard the Highland Hurricane.

Tour times are:

Sunrise and sunset charters are also available along with private charters.

Family, senior and student discounted rates are available upon request.

Reservations

Advance booking is strongly recommended , especially during the busy July and August summer months . A credit card is required to hold your spot for the tours. Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance of the tour time.

Look For The Lighthouse To Guide You.

Family Rates & Charters

Sunrise, Sunset and Private Charters Available Upon Request

Call 1-855-259-4122

Cancellation Policy ~ 24 hrs  or if groups of 6 or more 48 hrs.  

Departure Times

Zodiac tours are scheduled daily at the following times:

World's ONLY R eal Money Back GUARANTEE! 

15407 cabot trail Cheticamp , NS B0E-1H0 Canada captain .zodiac @outlook .com

• OUR VESSELS
• Reservations
• Frequently Asked Questions

Departing from the scenic Fishing village of Cheticamp

 Our tour:   Departs from Cheticamp and views many species of whales during our season, most years around 10 different species , which all have their time of season to migrate here from spring to fall feeding before returning south for winter.

  TOUR Length (3 vessels running 2 to 3 hour tours each, average 2.5 hours)

     2 to 3 hour whale watching tour (depending how far whales are from port) , the odd time trips will be 1.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on weather and where whales are located , some conditions are best to show everyone whales then return to port in 1.5 hours , if whales are close and weather is not easy to travel in , on the other end the odd trip will go longer then 3 hour when whales are far and travel is slow, but most trips will be 2 to 2.5 hours , whale sightings   guaranteed on each trip, our policy : if no whales are seen , customers get a no questions asked full refund.

   Ask around , there are no others that will offer such a guarantee! 

 In addition our Guarantee which has been in place now for 20 years, it is to show customers our committment to finding whales , some days that will be Many whales, and on more difficult days that could be only 1-3 whales, but you can be assured we are fully committed to introducing every last customer to whales. Other companies will have a much lower success rate since they do not put this in place , and if it's difficult or far, they will just do the same short route and come in without seeing any whales, and it has no consequences except the customers are missing out without knowing another company is going the extra mile and working harder to show everyone whales as we do every trip, and those few times we can not each year, a full refund is given! Our success rate is 97% , where other tours can often be around 50% 

  adult $59,   child $49 (2-16).

 SENIOR/STUDENT RATE 10% DISCOUNT

  Plus applicable taxes

  24 hour cancelation policy

  TOLL FREE RESERVATIONS

  1-877-232-2522.

Web Hosting by Turbify

Dixon’s Zodiac Seafari Whale & Coastal Tours

Outdoor Adventure

Email [email protected]

Telephone 1-855-259-4122

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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.

You will embark on a 1 ½ hour journey where you may experience close encounters with such species such as Minke Whales, Humpbacks, Fin Whales, Pilot whales, Dolphins, Porpoises, Blue Fin Tuna, Sunfish, Seals and Leatherback Turtles. Here, from the port of Neil’s Harbour, is where these Leatherback Turtles are tagged with satellite tracking GPS monitoring system so they can track these magnificent creatures journey throughout the Atlantic Ocean.

So come join us to see Cape Breton Island’s coastline and watch the marine life flourish in its natural habitat. It’s an experience you will never forget!

Your Cape Breton whale watching adventure awaits you. Join Pleasant Bay Whale Watching on an intimate sized tour, as we explore the coastal waters of Cape Breton and discover the area's abundant wildlife and spectacular beauty..Our tours generally run 1.5 to 2 hours. Every tour is guided by an experienced captain. We interact directly with you to answer your questions and provide interesting and insightful information about the whales, dolphins, wildlife and areas we encounter. We are dedicated whale and wildlife watchers. This is our passion, it is all we do, and it shows in the type of tours that we run. As an owner operated company, we take pride in providing a quality tour with a personal touch.

We make a point of not following a set route. Each tour is unique and each day is a new adventure. We are known for going the extra miles, searching for interesting encounters. You never know what will turn up out there. It is a truly amazing experience to view these wonderful animals in their natural environment. We hope you not only find our tours fun and exciting, but also enriching and enlightening. We always operate with the utmost respect for the wildlife we view and the environment we operate in and always follow current guidelines and regulations. We believe that the best way to ensure the long term survival of the wonderful whales and wildlife we encounter is through endearment and education.

We use Paypal to process credit card payments, no paypal account is required. Click on "Pay with Credit or Visa Debit card" and continue as guest.

Our crew makes all the difference

We are very passionate about what we do and where we live, here in Cape Breton

Grey & Hourbour

Departure Times & Rates

Departure Times

The gig economy

The danny lynn, 24 passager tour boat.

Fully equipped touring vessel with VHF radios, washroom, 24 person life raft and all safety equipment.

Transport Canada inspected and approved for touring

Custom handmade seats

KEZA Nova Scotia Whale Watching Tour Schedule

Common Sightings on our Whale Watching Tours

• Minke Whales that are fast and often curious around boats.
• Humpback Whales over fifty feet long breaching and rolling in the ocean.
• Fin Whales often travelling in pods and are the second largest whale on the planet.
• Dolphins that tend to be very curious and like to breach the water.
• Pilot Whales commonly travelling in large pods.
• Harbor Porpoises travelling in small pods (they are quite shy).
• Blue Fin Tuna that can be quite large; some are over 1000 pounds!
• Sun Fish that are prehistoric looking and enjoy basking in the summer sun.
• Leatherback and Loggerhead Sea Turtles dining on jellyfish.

Keltic Express Zodiac Adventures (KEZA)

Toll free: 1-866-688-2424

Local: 1-902-285-2858

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7 Boat Tours & Charters on Cape Breton Island 

Story by: Team Destination Cape Breton

Chart your own course for adventure. From a relaxing sail on the Bras d’Or Lake or cruising on a whale watching tour , our Island offers a wide selection of boat tours and charter options. Set against a backdrop of rugged coastlines, you’ll encounter abundant sea life including whales, seabirds and more.

1. Cape Breton Sailing Charters

Day sailing adventures with Captain Greg on the Bras d’Or Lake and Cape Breton’s ocean coast. Join them for a half-day, full-day, or sunset private sailing charter with your party of up to 6 people. Guests can take the helm, handle the sail – with instruction from the captain – or just kick back and enjoy the ride.

2. Sailing CBI

Sailing CBI   is a true sailing adventure that cannot be replicated anywhere else. They have recommended routes that are meant to provide a starting point to your own unique experience. Whether it’s a golf and sailing vacation, a week of pure sailing, or an experience that truly captures Cape Breton’s spirit, scenery, and people – Sailing CBI wants to customize the yachting experience of your life.

3. Cruise and Learn Adventure Sailing School (CLASS)

CLASS offers Canadian Recreational Yachting Association accredited sailing lessons. Students will live aboard the 37-foot Tayana Cutter-rigged sloop for 3 or 5-day sessions, learning and applying all aspects of handling and sailing the vessel. Experience the excitement and thrill of the sea while learning the skills needed to explore the maritime world by sail.

4. Richmond Adventure Planning

Set sail from St. Peter’s on part of the UNESCO Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere . Your captain, Gordon Kerr, will teach you the ropes of sailing and give you a chance to try it for yourself if you wish. This adventure departs from the lakeside of the St. Peter’s Canal National Historic Site , a historic locks system that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Bras d’Or Lake .

5. Sail Cape Breton

Our Dufour 41 Classic “Grand Cruiser” Plus is built by Dufour Yachts in France. She sleeps six in three double cabins and has a spacious saloon with seating surrounding a central mahogany table. Upholstered in blue Alcantara. Large linear galley. Her large cockpit, with solid teak, trimmed seats and sole, and two large storage lockers under bench seating leads to a bathing platform with a swim ladder and deck shower.

Come explore the Bras d’Or Lakes , Cape Breton, and the Atlantic Coast with us!

6. Bird Watching Tours

Experience our majestic Island coastline as you join knowledgable and passionate tour guides for an adventure of a lifetime! Take a puffin tour with Bird Island Boat Tours in Big Bras d’Or or Donelda’s Puffin Boat Tours in Englishtown. Capt. Cox’s Whale and BirdWatch  in Bay St. Lawrence provides boat tours along the rugged northern coast of the Island.

7. Whale Watching

Our salty shores and biodiverse waters teem with local marine life and seasonal visitors. Come say hello to the gentle giants of the North Atlantic: pods of pilot, minke, humpback and finback whales.

Your ocean encounters will leave you wanting more! Spend a day with one of our experienced captains while whale watching, sharing stories, and admiring the seacoast. Tours are offered by:

• Captain Cox’s Whale Watch – Bay St. Lawrence
• Captain Mark’s Whale and Seal Cruise  – Pleasant Bay
• Captain Zodiac Whale Cruise  – Chéticamp
• Dixon’s Zodiac Seafari  – Neil’s Harbour
• Guaranteed Whales – Pleasant Bay
• Ingonish Whale Watching Tours  – Ingonish
• Keltic Express Zodiac Adventures  – Ingonish
• Oshan Whale Watch – Bay St. Lawrence

Looking to Port Hop? You’ve come to the right place. 

Marinas and yacht clubs offer everything you need to launch, dock, haul-out and store for the season. Moor in one of our many ports and discover some of the community clubs, centers, and harbours that make Cape Breton Island a mariner’s paradise.

• Baddeck Marine
• Chéticamp Marina
• Isle Madame Boat Club & Marina
• Mira Boat Club
• St. Peter’s Marina
• The Barra Strait Marina
• Ben Eoin Yacht Club & Marina
• Royal Cape Breton Yacht Club Marina at the Port of Sydney
• Ingonish Landing Marina
• Northern Yacht Club
• Strait of Canso Yacht Club

Team Destination Cape Breton

Our team at Destination Cape Breton is always exploring our beautiful Island. We love discovering our hidden gems, working with partners, and putting our Island on the pedestal it deserves!

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