Shore Excursions from the Port of Sydney
What you should know…
All cruise excursion tours pickup and return passengers to the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavillion in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Your guide will be waiting for you at the dock where your ship disembarks; this will either be the Main Dock or Liberty Pier. Please note that our tour times fluctuate in accordance with ship schedules that change daily. Please ensure when booking that you are selecting the appropriate date and ship. Our vehicles are comfortable and air-conditioned, and include a ten or twelve passenger Ford Transit. Larger tour groups may also be accommodated. We operate on all cruise ship days, rain or shine.
Check here to see where your ship is docking: Cruise Schedule. Please note, we generally cannot accommodate tours that are tendering. Please contact us directly to verify.
Please Note: Our Shore Excursions are for passengers travelling to Sydney on a Cruise Ship and are timed to match the Cruise Ship’s schedule. We do not offer these tours on dates that there are no Cruise Ships at the Port of Sydney.
Many common questions are answered below, so please be sure to read the full page and the FAQs before getting in touch.
Mini-Cabot Trail Tour.
Highlights include:
Extraordinary scenic views
Duration tailored to time in port
Includes entrance to Cape Breton Highlands National Park
As far as iconic road trips go, the Cabot Trail is the "Crown Jewel" of Cape Breton Island. The 300 kilometre (186 mile) driving route offers spectacular coastal views, unspoiled natural beauty, encounters with wildlife, and warm hospitality in the Celtic and Acadian villages that dot the coastline. Although time constraints do not allow for the entire route to be travelled from the cruise terminal, we offer a "mini" tour that shows some of the best highlights with many scenic stops along the way. Your guide will travel to Cheticamp or Ingonish, with stops at Kelly’s Mountain and St. Ann’s Bay.
Reaching the Cabot Trail from the Port of Sydney requires a good amount of driving, but the route is scenic and includes several stops. Please expect at least five hours of total drive time during the tour.
Please note: Weather can sometimes reduce visibility on the Cabot Trail. While we don’t cancel tours for this reason, your guide may adjust the route if the scenery cannot be safely or clearly viewed. As weather is unpredictable and outside our control, refunds are not offered for weather‑related changes. Our goal is always to provide the best possible experience under the conditions of the day.
*Starts at ship arrival time.
Pricing:
Shared Tour - $175 pp + tax CDN
Private Tour - $700 to $1,750 + tax CDN
Great Scots Tour.
Highlights include:
Fantastic scenery and cultural heritage
Duration 5 to 6 hours
Includes entrance to museums and/or attractions
For a place that has been blessed with significant cultural diversity, no group has made more of an impact on Cape Breton Island than the Scots! Hear unique stories of Scottish settlers and discover the impact on our music, language, and culture in this 5 to 6 hour tour. We head toward the village of Baddeck on the shores of the Bras D’or Lakes, Canada’s largest inland sea. Visit the communities where Scottish Gaelic settlement remains vibrant and strong today. Highlights may include stops in the village of Baddeck, Colaisde na Gàidhlig - the Gaelic College or Highland Village, along with stops for photo opportunities along the way.
*Starts at 8am or ship arrival time, whichever is later.
Pricing:
Private Tour - $720 to $1,800 + tax CDN
FAQs
Is there a minimum number of passengers to confirm the tour?
For all of our shared tours, there is a minimum of 4 passengers required to operate the tour. The maximum we can take in a single vehicle is 14 passengers.
What is the duration of the tour?
The Great Scots Tour is approximately 5–6 hours. The Mini Cabot Trail Tour is customized to fit your ship’s time in port so we can show you as much as possible. For example, if your ship is in port from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and you can disembark right away, the tour may run for about 9 hours. Actual tour length can vary depending on your ship’s schedule and how long it takes passengers to disembark.
Will you return to the ship on time?
Our goal is to return passengers to the ship one hour prior to their scheduled departure. If there are known delays due to construction, or other delays we adjust accordingly.
What happens if the ship’s arrival or departure time changes?
If your port times change, we adjust our schedule accordingly. The tour will proceed as planned.
Are there bathroom breaks on this tour?
All of tours stop at locations with public restroom facilities. However, if you would like to make a stop sooner, please let your driver/guide know and they will be happy to stop at the next available location.
Will there be opportunities to buy food during the tour?
Yes. While the exact timing depends on the pace of the tour, your guide will always make sure guests can stop for food or drinks when needed. Depending on the schedule, this may be a quick stop at a local café to pick up something to take along, or if time allows, a sit‑down meal at a nearby restaurant.
Are your prices in Canadian or US Dollars?
All of our prices are in Canadian Dollars and are subject to 14% federal/provincial sales tax on top of the price.
What is your cancellation policy?
For shore excursions our policy is that if for any reason your ship does not dock, you will be fully refunded for the tour. Outside of this, our cancellation policy can be found here.