Whale Watching on Cape Breton Island

Cape Breton Island is a nature lover’s paradise with seemingly endless outdoor activities and sprawling wilderness habitat. It’s almost as if there isn’t anything you can’t do on this beloved isle. And while the island’s interior is well-known for its many eco-tourism opportunities, such as the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton also offers some of the best whale watching in Nova Scotia, if not Canada! Seeing these behemoth marine mammals in their natural environment is something you’ll never forget. And to give you a few options for your visit to Cabot Shores, we’ll share three fantastic whale watching tours near the resort that are more than worthy of consideration.

Keltic Express Zodiac Adventures Ingonish

Less than an hour’s drive from Cabot Shores, Keltic Express Zodiac Advenures Ingonish boasts one of the highest success rates in Atlantic Canada for whale watching, with over 95 percent! The most common whale sightings include fin, minke, humpbacks, and pilot whales. You’ll also have a chance to see other marine and coastal animals like dolphins, seals, and puffins. On your way back to the resort, explore the Ingonish area and Broad Cove Beach, part of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. You may even spot some whales from shore!

Dixon’s Zodiac Seafari

Dixon’s Zodiac Seafari is just over an hour from Cabot Shores in the fishing village of Neil’s Harbour. Make yourself comfortable onboard their “733 Hurricane” zodiac boat, which the Canadian Coast Guard also uses, so you know it’s safe! This two-hour whale watching tour aims to put you up close and personal with a myriad of Cape Breton’s seafaring mammals. And if you go during the first part of August, you could see iconic leatherback turtles as they scour the ocean for jellyfish.

Oshan Whale Watch

Since 1998, Oshan Whale Watch has given visitors and locals alike a taste of the seafaring life with whale watching tours amid Cape Breton’s most remote coastal waters. Pilot whales and Atlantic white-sided dolphins are a common sight. Not to mention frequent sightings of minke whales along with the occasional fin and humpback whale. You’ll also snag a glimpse of several seals and unique coastal birds. The Bay St. Lawrence area is one of Cape Breton’s many captivating scenic destinations.

Cabot Trail Accommodations | Cottage Rentals Nova Scotia

If what we shared above isn’t quite what you’re looking for, check out these other Cape Breton whale-watching outfitters. Part of what makes Cabot Shores such a desirable landing spot is the ease at which you can navigate to and from various fascinating attractions, landmarks, and tours. And whether you want a cottage rental, dome camping, standard camping, a yurt, and more, we’ll have you covered with several Cabot Trail accommodations. To find out more or book your stay, please book with us online or call 866-929-2584 today!

Based on 248 reviews

Sandy Soule

February 21, 2023.

Stayed in the Blue Cabin -- cozy but adequate for our family. Dinner was surprisingly delicious, including tasty fresh salad with beets and whipped feta, perfect mussels, and delicious salmon and steak. Friendly staff and excellent guitar music (live). Tasty buffet breakfast included frittata, homemade yogurt and jam, home-baked bread and more. In short, the food and live music were outstanding, the accommodations just adequate.

Gabrielle Ventura

February 19, 2023.

If only I could rate them more than 5 starts, I really would.. This is our 2nd time in Cabot Trail and we will definitely be staying here again when we visit Cape Breton this fall! The Yurts we’ve stayed in were always so clean and beautiful. The owner, Paul, accommodated us so kindly with all our needs and more. It felt like we were just visiting a relatives home lol. The staff, most especially Katie, were so patient and helpful to us. Everyone here just goes above and beyond for their customers! I would recommend this to anyone who plans to visit Cape Breton. BONUS: THEY’RE OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND! ANOTHER BONUS: THEY HAVE THE BEST CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE (Made by Paul’s wife)!!!!

Lisa-Steven Sisson-Gledhill (HillSun)

December 31, 2022.

Wish we could give more stars 🌟 Service was top notch! Everyone was friendly, accommodating and informed about local interests. Food was mouth watering- recommend the seafood and homemade yogurt. Waves each morning were breath taking...highly recommend asking to do local hikes. Kids enjoyed games, sauna, hot tub and rooms felt very spacious. Will definitely return!

Clare Waque

December 16, 2022.

I attended a wilderness healing retreat and that experience completely changed my life. The low reviews are not a far representation of the authentic and high value experience being offered.

Annshani Fernando

December 15, 2022.

We had a wonderful stay at this beautiful resort and would recommend it to nature lovers. Big shoutout to Paul and his family for going the extra mile to make us feel comfortable.

Varuna Indraratne

December 12, 2022.

We spent three nights attending a relative’s wedding in early September at this wonderful resort conveniently located right on the world-famous Cabot Trail. We stayed in one of the main lodge rooms which had spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean from the window. The resort has a vast property overlooking beach that also includes an apple orchard and organic vegetable garden leading to the shores of the Atlantic. The amazing staff led by the owners Paul and Barbara are very hospitable, friendly and helpful. The food at the wedding reception prepared by the in-house team was so delicious. There are also plenty of options for breakfast and lunch nearby serving a variety of cuisines with Cape Breton flair and friendliness. We highly recommend the Cabot Shores Wilderness Resort for anyone planning a visit to Cape Breton Island!!!

Uthpala M

December 11, 2022.

We had our wedding at this beautiful venue in September, 2022. Our experience was amazing. Paul, Barbara, and the crew was super helpful from the planning stage all the way until we checked out after the event. The location of this property is unbeatable. We had our wedding ceremony in between two chalets - Red and Blue - overseeing the Atlantic Ocean. We booked three chalets and rooms at the main lodge for our guests and some of the guests rented yurts. The crew at Cabot Shores organized a bon-fire on the night before the wedding and organized a cookout with brick-oven pizzas that was out of this world! The food for the wedding was prepared by the chef of Cabot Shores - Ron - and it was superb. Paul and Barbara also organized local musicians for the event and Flo and her group was fantastic! We have nothing bad to say and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality of the staff and the natural beauty of the location. We highly recommend this lovely place to anyone planning their wedding or vacation.

Ruwanthika Premalal

December 11, 2022.

We stayed for 3 days at this amazing resort during the end of summer 2022. A great resort with many activities and you can easily access the Cabot shore trail. There are many close by boutique restaurants too for breakfast, brunch or lunch. But you definitely need to try resort's food too which might come from there organic garden to your plate. Their wood fired pizza is so good. During the last day at our stay, we had a wedding of one of our close friends, at the resort. The food was so delicious. The staff was really helpful. I love their compost bin, vegetable beds and mushroom garden too. They have so many isolated yurts which is really great for star gazing and to see the milky way. The little ferry at the river is such a great way to reach the private beach of the Atlantic ocean. We are visiting again, hopefully next year!

Jangchub Zangmo

November 29, 2022.

a wonderful place to get out into nature and meet like minded people

Based on 50 reviews

Lukas

September 21, 2022.

Very nice people and a place full of joy ! Stayed 2 nights in the „Eagle dome“ which was really comfy and clean! Had really delicous dinner at the main lodge where paul played some music just for us and had nice conversations whith him and the other staffmembers. Also booked the hot tub at our dome for our last night from where we had a great view on the campfire. Lovely place where you see how much effort they put in every detail.

Nicole

August 22, 2022.

Amazing adventure! Lots of fun sleeping underneath the stars!

Ryan

August 14, 2022.

Relaxing

Nigel

July 25, 2022.

Beautiful place and very friendly staff. Perfect location if you’re travelling along the Cabot Trail, I highly recommend checking this place out! Would definitely stay here again. Thanks for a fantastic experience.

Anooj

October 25, 2021.

This was our first time staying in the Eagle Dome and we absolutely fell in love with this beautiful place. Super clean place to stay!

Redwan

October 17, 2021.

Very nice place to spend a couple of nights in the nature! My wife and I enjoyed our stay. It might be a good idea to install a heater in the dome as it can get chilly at night.

Brooke

October 1, 2021.

Beautiful, quaint place to stay! So unique and off grid. We loved staying at the dome!

Madison

September 9, 2021.

We had a great stay in the Eagle Dome! We loved watching the sunset and sunrise, and being able to hear the waves from the ocean. Next time we would stay a few more days and prepare a bit better - we weren’t packed for off grid but we made it work. Outhouse was a few steps away, shower and toilet a short walk. We didn’t get the hot tub or use the sauna/other amenities but would certainly consider it next time.

Micayla

August 16, 2021.

This place is absolutely beautiful! We loved our stay here. I highly recommend it. All the staff are very friendly. The dome was such a unique experience looking at the stars and watching the sun rise. The beach is beautiful and there’s a little swimming spot 2 minutes down the road that we really enjoyed 🙂