15 Boat Tours in Halifax That Live Up to the Photos

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

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

Spend about two hours aboard the tall ship Silva, leaving from Halifax Waterfront for views of the Harbour Bridge, Cable Wharf, Georges Island, McNab’s Island, and Fort George. A live musician provides the soundtrack, while the crew may invite you to help raise the sails. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase.

“Pleasant time sailing in the Halifax Harbor. The scenery is pretty, the crew was exceptional and the musician was very good.”

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

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

Ride Halifax’s retrofitted military duck boat from Salter Street through downtown and into the harbour. An English-speaking guide such as Abigail, Nelly, or Paisley provides history and jokes while your captain handles the road and water sections. Expect a quick, cheerful overview with views of Georges Island and the waterfront.

“our guide Paisley was fabulous, and the whole trip was fantastic 👏”

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3.JFarwell Sunset Wine and Cheese Yacht Sailing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 149 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $150Top rated

Spend 2.5 hours sailing from Halifax Waterfront past George’s Island and McNabs Island into the Northwest Arm. You’ll taste four Nova Scotia wines with local charcuterie, hear local stories, and may help with the sails. Captains and crew such as Ryan, Finn, Andrew, and Ali are praised for their sailing, wine, and Halifax knowledge.

“What a lovely sunset sail experience. Ryan and Finn were professional and attentive yet so down to earth and knowledgeable with both historical and modern day factoids. Well orchestrated from Start to Finish. Highly recommend!”

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4.JFarwell Adventure Yacht Sailing in the Halifax Harbour

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

Join J Farwell Sailing Tours for a 90-minute, small-group sail from Halifax’s waterfront. Captains such as Ryan, Jeff, and Frankie invite you to raise sails, assist with tacks, and sometimes steer. Enjoy harbour views, local drinks for purchase, and the fun bow-side pancake when the sail swings across.

“There wasn’t much wind for sailing, so we motored around the harbor. But it was a beautiful day and the crew did the best they could under the circumstances.”

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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 the Tall Ship Silva, sailing from Cable Wharf past Georges Island, Maugher Beach, and McNabs Island lighthouse. You’ll have live music, sunset views of Halifax, and a chance to help raise the sails when conditions allow. Drinks are available from the onboard bar. Performers vary, with Gary, Jackson, and Tommy Green Jr. among past musicians.

“The sunset cruise was great! There was live music, a beautiful sunset, overall, a great evening. A little bit of narration would have been nice, like what am I looking at and why is it important, but perhaps it was not that kind of cruise.”

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6.Best of Halifax Harbour Boat Tour

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

Spend an hour aboard J Farwell Sailing Tours’ Beneteau Oceanis 45, with a captain and mate sharing Halifax stories, folklore, and sailing basics. You’ll pass Georges Island, the waterfront, Pier 21, the Titanic connection, and the Canadian Navy Dockyard. Groups are limited to 12, and children may help raise or lower the sail.

“Fun little short excursion on a little sailboat .. only 10 people which is perfect a the captain and first mate were great … gloves and blanket given if needed.. wine and beer for a small fee … beautiful hour trip around the bay !”

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7.Tall Ship Harbor Sailing Cruise with Live Music

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

Sail Halifax Harbour aboard the 130-foot Tall Ship Silva for two hours of waterfront views, live music, commentary, and possible hands-on sail raising. Performers such as Gary and Tommy have entertained past departures. Board at Cable Wharf, arrive 15 minutes early, and bring comfortable shoes.

“The Harbor Cruise on The Silva was fabulous !! Very smooth with a great MC/Musician playing along the way. The boat was comfortable and thoughtly enjoyable. The sights along the journey were outstanding. Only advice I can offer is be prepared for full sun for 2 hours !!”

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8.JFarwell Moonlight Yacht Cruise from Halifax Waterfront

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

Board at 9:30 p.m. on Halifax’s waterfront for a 90-minute, 19+ moonlight cruise with a maximum of 12 people. The crew sets sail when conditions allow, while captains such as Andrew, Frankie, Ray, and Ryan have shared local stories on past departures. Bring a sweater, step onto the bow, and watch the harbour lights from the water.

“Totally wonderful. Excellent staff and exceptional views. A highlight of our NS adventure. Highly recommend.”

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9.Halifax Sunset Cruise Ft. a Live Musician

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

Sail Halifax Harbour aboard the tall ship Silva for about 90 minutes, with sunset views, live music, and help raising the sails. Musician Gary or Tommy Green Jr. may perform, while the crew serves snacks and drinks from the onboard bar. The cruise begins and ends at 1751 Lower Water Street and costs $41.44 per person.

“The wrong address was indicated on the ticket. So the activity did not take place 😢ce was so disappointing.Auto-translated”

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10.Halifax Summer Breeze Sail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $95

Set sail from Halifax at 4:00 pm with J Farwell Sailing Tours for a two-hour harbour cruise limited to 12 people. Enjoy a custom local cocktail or mocktail, choose a sunny bow or sheltered stern spot, and pass Georges Island, Pier 21, the waterfront, and McNabs Island while the crew handles the sailing.

“It was really lovely. The Captain & 1st Mate were friendly & engaging. A bit of history of the harbour area thrown in , & an overall great experience”

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11.JFarwell Private Yacht Wine & Cheese Sunset Sail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $149

Set out from 1599 Lower Water Street for a 2.5-hour private yacht sail with Nova Scotia wines, cheese, and sunset views. Your crew may include captains and hosts such as Finn, Ryan, Paul, or Caleigh, who share local waterfront stories while you cruise Halifax Harbour and the Northwest Arm.

“We had a wonderful cruise. Enjoyed the small group we were with.”

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12.Happy Hour Cruise with Live Music

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

Spend two hours cruising Halifax Harbour and the Northwest Arm with live music, discounted drinks, and a casual party atmosphere. You will have time to dance, enjoy skyline views, and buy snacks such as popcorn, hotdogs, and sausages. A recent sailing featured musician Marty. You must be 19 or older and bring government-issued photo ID.

“It was nice to be on the water, there should have been more comfortable seating(chairs) down stairs, especially for older people.”

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13.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 Halifax Harbour party cruise. You get a 5-minute safety briefing, 110 minutes of dancing and waterfront views, plus an onboard bar serving beer, coolers, and spirits. The cruise suits adults planning a weekend night out, bachelor or bachelorette event, or birthday celebration.

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

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14.Sunset Wine and Cheese Sailboat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2h 30m · from $118

Spend 2.5 hours sailing from Halifax with a hosted tasting of four Nova Scotia wines and a local cheese board. You can help hoist the sails, assist with tacks, take the helm, or relax as Finn, Emerson, Ali, or Derek share stories about the wines, waterfront, and Northwest Arm.

“This event was truly excellent. The boat was spotless and comfortable, our skipper Finn and host Emerson were very knowledgeable and fun. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this event to others. Well worth the money!”

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15.Halifax’s Happy Hour Cruise Ft. a Live Musician

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $25

Sail from Halifax’s Cable Wharf for about two hours with live music from Party Marty, waterfront views, and a discounted drink menu. You’ll cruise past the boardwalk and Georges Island, then return to Lower Water Street. Food costs extra, and early arrival helps with seating.

“Relaxing, and fun with music. Good for dates, friends or special events. Would go again, and recommend it for everyone.”

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