Top 15 Boat Tours in Halifax

1.Halifax Harbour Hopper Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,296 reviews · 55 minutes (approx.) · from $63Our pick

You will tour Halifax aboard a renovated amphibious Vietnam-era vehicle, seeing St. Paul’s Church, Citadel Hill, Public Gardens, Georges Island, Cable Wharf, and the waterfront. Guides such as Katherine, Dave, Abby, and Paisley bring local history and humor to a 55-minute land-and-water ride. Expect open-air views, harbor wind, and some vehicle noise.

“Great quick and informative tour. Good overview of the city with the opportunity to see Halifax from the water. Well priced with great tour guides.”

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2.Tall Ship Silva Sailing Cruise Ft. a Live Musician

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 289 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $40

Spend about two hours aboard the Tall Ship Silva, sailing from Halifax’s waterfront past the Harbour Bridge, Cable Wharf, Georges Island, Fort George, and McNab’s Island. A live musician performs onboard, drinks are available for purchase, and you may help raise the sails. Dress warmly, arrive early, and expect a relaxed harbour cruise with occasional engine use.

“If you don't do this cruise you will miss out on a great experience. High lite of our Halifax visit.”

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3.Harbour Hopper City & Water Cruise in a Duck Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 154 reviews · 55 min · from $56

You’ll tour Halifax by road and water in a retrofitted military duck boat, guided in English by an upbeat local narrator and captain. The 55-minute route covers downtown streets, the waterfront, Halifax Harbour, and Georges Island. Guides such as Annie, Paisley, Nelly, Abigail, and Adam have made recent departures especially entertaining.

“Having a tour of the city highlights was great, lots of interesting information about the historical sites. The splash into the water was fun and the view of the harbour was fantastic!”

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4.JFarwell Adventure Yacht Sailing in the Halifax Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 147 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $82Top rated

Spend about 90 minutes sailing Halifax Harbour aboard a yacht limited to 12 people. The crew, including captains such as Ryan, Jeff, and Frankie, invites you to help raise sails, steer, and assist with tacks. You’ll see Georges Island and the waterfront from the water, with Nova Scotia drinks available to purchase onboard.

“Brandon and Margaret were great hosts. Great way to spend a couple hours. Actually met another couple on a boat which led to dinner and drinks . Great way of meeting people”

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5.Halifax Sunset Cruise Aboard the Tall Ship Silva

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 116 reviews · 1h 30m · from $34

Spend 90 minutes aboard Halifax’s Tall Ship Silva as the sun drops over the harbour. You’ll pass Georges Island, Maugher Beach, McNabs Island lighthouse, and the waterfront skyline, with live music on board. The crew may invite you to help raise the sails when conditions allow. Drinks are available for purchase at the bar.

“exactly as promised. a tall sailing ship that cruises the Harbour unfurling its sails and catching sundown. the music and merry involvement of passengers made it very enjoyable too”

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6.Best of Halifax Harbour Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $44

Spend about an hour aboard J Farwell Sailing Tours’ Beneteau Oceanis 45, cruising Halifax Harbour with a captain and first mate. You’ll hear stories of the Halifax Explosion, Titanic, Pier 21, Georges Island, and the Canadian Navy Dockyard. Groups max out at 12, and children may help raise or lower the sails.

“Beautiful sail on a gorgeous day. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend it as a perfect way to spend a glorious summer afternoon.”

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7.Tall Ship Harbor Sailing Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 75 reviews · 2 hours · from $42

Set out from Halifax’s Cable Wharf aboard the three-masted Tall Ship Silva for a two-hour harbor cruise with live music, commentary, and views of Georges Island, Historic Properties, the waterfront, and the Northwest Arm. You may help raise the sails when conditions allow. Performers have included Gary, Garry, Tommy, and Keith.

“More narrative of area. Maybe some halifax explosion facts among other things. Music was awesome Great sail”

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8.JFarwell Moonlight Yacht Cruise from Halifax Waterfront

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Set out from Halifax Waterfront at 9:30 p.m. for a 90-minute 19+ moonlight cruise aboard a small sailing yacht. The crew may include captains such as Andrew, Frankie, Ray, or Ryan, with stories, harbor views, music, drinks for purchase, and blankets when the evening turns cool. The boat returns to the same waterfront dock.

“A very enjoyable evening! Would highly recommend! Halifax at moonlight is delightful! We met some very interesting people. And our tour guides were very informative.☺️”

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9.Halifax Sunset Cruise Ft. a Live Musician

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 47 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $41

Spend about 90 minutes aboard the tall ship Silva, sailing past Halifax’s Harbourwalk, ferries, naval vessels, and Georges Island. Live musicians such as Gary or Tommy Green Jr. keep the mood light, while the crew raises the sails with passenger help. Drinks and snacks are available onboard, but seating can be tight and there is little shelter from wind or rain.

“Lovely evening sail. Bartenders and live music made the trip so enjoyable. Would highly recommend to any visitor😊”

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10.Round Trip Ferry Tour to Georges Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · 1 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $17

Take a short ferry from Halifax to Georges Island, circle the island for harbour views, then explore Fort Charlotte’s underground tunnels and historic remains. You can stay for about one hour or up to five, with a self-guided visit and a short guided tunnel tour. The ferry returns to the Lower Water Street meeting point.

“Great visit - ferry was punctual and then you're free to wander around on a self guided tour. Glad we joined the tunnel tour which was informative and well done...”

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11.Georges Island National Historic Site Ferry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 28 reviews · 2h 30m · from $16Best value

From Cable Wharf, you take a short ferry to Georges Island National Historic Site in Halifax Harbour. Your ticket covers Parks Canada admission, a scenic boat ride around the island, and a guided visit that may include the tunnels. Plan for about 150 minutes, with return time chosen on the island according to boat availability.

“This is a very great tour and not very well advertised. I would highly recommend you go. It just looks like a little island off the shore, yet it is steeped in history you wouldn’t realise.”

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12.Best of Halifax Harbour Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · 1 hour · from $40

Join J Farwell Sailing Tours for a one-hour harbor cruise aboard the Beneteau Oceanis 45 sailing yacht JFarwell. Your English-speaking guide covers the Halifax Explosion, Titanic connection, harbor islands, Pier 21, and the Canadian Navy Dockyard. Buy Nova Scotia wine or craft beer on board.

“Leuke activiteit om in Halifax te doen, helaas geen wind dus geen zeilen. Leuke, enthousiaste gids met veel feitjes over Halifax en de haven. Er staat een uur durende trip, maar uiteindelijk hebben we maar 45 minuten gevaren. Jammer!”

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13.Happy Hour Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · 2 hours · from $24

Trade the bar for a boat on this two-hour Halifax cruise through the harbour and Northwest Arm. You’ll get live music, skyline views, discounted onboard drinks, and snacks such as popcorn, hotdogs, and sausages. Musician Marty has helped set the tone on past sailings. Bring government photo ID and a credit card.

“My wife's sister was visiting from Ontario. she had a wonderful time along with my wife and I. lots of laughs and great music from Marty. Thanks - Mike”

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14.Cruise Ship Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · from $121

Spend about four and a half hours seeing Halifax by air-conditioned coach, with time at Peggy’s Cove and the Halifax Public Gardens. Guides such as Jonathan add local stories, humor, and careful timekeeping. Port pickup and return transport are included, but confirm the exact meeting point before leaving your ship.

“Great guide.. knowledgeable, funny with a strict eye on time to ensure we don’t miss the boat!! Jonathan was great.”

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15.Party Cruise on the Harbour Queen

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 6 reviews · 2 hours · from $37

Join DJ Mutts aboard the Harbour Queen for a two-hour evening party cruise from Halifax’s Cable Wharf. Dance to familiar party songs, request music, and buy beer, coolers, or spirits at the onboard bar while the city and harbour pass by. You must be 19 or older and bring passport or photo ID.

“We had the best time, drinks were cold and music was so fun!! We even got to watch fireworks!!”

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