Operating since 1972, puffin sightings guaranteed, rain or shine!
Daily tours from mid-May to late August can accommodate up to 35 passengers on our 37 ft covered tour boat
Stay with us! Our Mountain Vista Seaside Cottages are available onsite
Overview
Come aboard on a bird island boat tour with Bird Island Boat Tours in Cape Breton Island to see puffins and other seabirds, seals and bald eagles. Our tours take place daily between mid-May and late August each year and offer educational, uniquely narrated 2 3/4 hour tours. Tours run rain or shine, thanks to our covered boat where most windows are removable for glass-free photography. Tours can accommodate up to 35 guests per tour.
Puffins guaranteed from May 15 until mid to late August. Reservations are recommended so please visit our website and book your seats at least by the night before.
Bird Island Boat Tours is the longest-running boat tour in Cape Breton, operating since 1972 by the same family – now with our third generation of Captains! Our goal is for you to leave with an appreciation of nature. We have hosted over 100,000 satisfied customers on our tours, including the Princess of Japan. We have been awarded many Certificates of Excellence from Tripadvisor.
Our location within the Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve, between Baddeck and North Sydney, gives you the shortest ride out to the island nesting area. It is an ecologically sensitive tour that will be enjoyed by young and old alike. Our boat, the “Puffin Express”, is wide, roomy and very stable, and our Captain is able to easily maneuver it to allow our tours to get as close as possible to the Islands and the birds to allow our tour guests to have the best experience possible. Binoculars are available for rent, but not required.
We provide easy walk-on access to the Puffin Express with only five steps down into the boat and we have optimized our seating plan for the easiest interaction with the captain and crew.
Bird Island Photographer’s Tour
Our Photographer’s Tours run June 15 to July 31 and offer a less narrated experience that is geared towards providing photographers with the best opportunity for capturing great photos. Captain Ian is also a photographer and can chat about and share information and tips about types of lens ans tripods to consider, how to capture photos on a moving boat, etc. to help set you up for success.
Photography tours may be 3+ hours in length, depending on what photo opportunities present on the tour. The maximum amount of passengers on this special tour is limited to 18 to allow for more room.
Giftshop
Looking for puffin-alia? We have a puffin gift shop for your souvenirs available onsite.
