About Brier Island Whale & Seabird Cruises
One of Nova Scotia's longest-running whale watch operators, sailing from Westport on Brier Island since 1986 with naturalist-narrated cruises that double as marine mammal research trips.
Features & Highlights
Detailed Information
From the end of Digby Neck, where the Bay of Fundy funnels between Brier Island and Long Island, Brier Island Whale & Seabird Cruises has been putting visitors on the water since 1986. The company runs one of Nova Scotia's longest-operating whale watch programs out of Westport, the tiny island village that locals call the Whale Watching Capital of the province. Getting there is half the adventure: two ferry crossings carry you from the mainland to Long Island and then to Brier Island, and by the time the boat leaves the wharf you are already surrounded by some of the richest feeding waters in the North Atlantic.
The cruises double as working research trips. A portion of every fare supports ongoing marine mammal studies, and passengers join a scientific survey each time the boat leaves the harbour. The captains and naturalists on board record sightings for researchers tracking humpback, finback and right whale populations, so a day on the Mega Nova is a day spent contributing to real conservation work as well as watching whales.
The Vessels
Brier Island Whale & Seabird Cruises operates two very different ways to get on the water. The Mega Nova is a 15-metre (50-ft) Cape Island style tour boat that carries up to 48 passengers with a washroom, indoor shelter and seating for everyone. It is the comfortable, family-friendly choice, with fully narrated cruises led by naturalists and researchers. Trips run 2.5 to 5 hours depending on where the whales are feeding.
For a closer-to-the-water experience, the Cetacean Defender is a 7.3-metre (24-ft) rigid-hull inflatable zodiac that carries a smaller group at higher speed. Zodiac cruises run 1.5 to 2.5 hours and are partially narrated by the captain. Passengers wear full-length flotation suits, and the ride is a genuine adventure. The zodiac is best suited to adults and children at least 58 inches (142 cm) tall, and is not recommended for expectant mothers or anyone with back or neck concerns.
What You Can Expect to See
The waters around Brier Island sit at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy, where deep submarine canyons bring cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface. That upwelling draws enormous schools of herring and other prey fish, and the whales follow. Humpback whales are the most common sighting, with their acrobatic breaches and tail slaps. Finback whales, the second-largest animal on Earth, pass through regularly, as do minke whales. Endangered North Atlantic right whales are seen on occasion, which is one reason the area is so closely monitored by researchers.
The seabird show rivals the whales. Atlantic puffins, razorbills, common murres, shearwaters, storm petrels and gannets all work the same feeding grounds. Grey seals and harbour seals haul out on the rocks, and dolphins and porpoises frequently ride the bow. Sightings are guaranteed: if no whales are seen on a cruise, the captain issues a free pass for a return trip.
40th Anniversary Special (2026)
The 2026 season marks the company's 40th anniversary, and it is celebrating with a Customer Appreciation Special. On five dates - July 15, July 30, August 15, August 30 and September 12, 2026 - all cruises on the Mega Nova are $40 per person (tax not included), with children's tickets at $35. The special cannot be combined with other offers and applies to those dates only, so booking early is wise.
Practical Details
The 2026 season runs from June 13 through September 30. The Mega Nova sails daily at 9:30 am, 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm, with sunset cruises at 5:30 and 6:00 pm in peak season (July 11 through September 7). The Cetacean Defender zodiac departs at 10:30 am, 1:00 pm, 3:30 pm and 6:00 pm. Mega Nova prices are $65 for adults, $57 for seniors (60+) and students, and $43 for children aged 4 to 14; children 3 and under ride free. Zodiac cruises are $80 adults, $70 seniors/students, and $55 for children 8 to 14. A 14% HST applies to all prices, and bookings made online save 10%.
Check-in is one hour before departure at 223 Water Street in Westport. Reservations require prepayment by Visa, Mastercard or American Express, and online bookings save 10%. The office can be reached at 1-800-656-3660 or (902) 839-2995. Warm clothing, rain gear and binoculars are recommended even on sunny days, since conditions on the Bay of Fundy change quickly. The ferry from Freeport to Brier Island runs year-round and the crossing takes about 10 minutes, and both Digby Neck ferries are free. Plan to arrive on the island the night before if you are taking an early cruise, or use the day to combine the whale watch with the Brier Island Big Meadow Bog Trail and the island's two historic lighthouses.
