Experience the sights, smells and sounds of sailing on a Grand Banks fishing schooner! Bluenose II welcomes passengers on board for 2-hour harbour cruises twice a day in Lunenburg and Halifax as indicated in the schedule. For more information and to book a sail, visit our Schedule page.

Pricing for the 2024 season (includes taxes and fees):

Adult: $95

Children (3-12): $45

No charge for infants 2 & under 

Buy a gift certificate for a harbour cruise here.

Book a cruise online

Harbour Cruise FAQs

What should I bring on my cruise?

We care about your comfort and safety.
For your convenience, we suggest bringing a water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and a sweater or jacket. Since it can be cooler at sea, we recommend dressing in layers and wearing comfortable, non-slip shoes if possible. If you forget anything, we’ve got you covered with our selection of water, sunscreen, hats, and sweaters/jackets at the Bluenose II Company Store.

How do I check in?

You must check in to receive your boarding pass prior to boarding. If you're joining the morning cruise, check-in is between 8:00-9:00am. For the afternoon cruise, check-in is between 12:00-1:00pm. In Lunenburg, you can check in at the Bluenose II Company Store to pick up your boarding pass. In Halifax, you can check in at the dock beside the ship (at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic wharf). There will be a mandatory safety briefing at 9:10am and 1:10pm, and boarding will start afterward.

Can I bring my pet?

Unless your pet is a certified service animal, we cannot accommodate pets on board.

What’s your cancellation policy?

We care about your experience and understand that unexpected situations can happen. Please let us know 24 hours in advance if you need to cancel your cruise in order to receive a full refund. If we have to cancel a cruise due to weather or mechanical issues, we'll notify you as soon as possible via email or text and you'll receive a full refund.

What if I have accessibility needs?

If you need help boarding due to accessibility needs, please inform our shore crew when booking. During low tides, the gangway may be steep and challenging to board. You can check the tide height for your cruise in the tide chart provided here.

What is the procedure for the wait list?

People who want to join our waitlist must register in person, starting 90 minutes before the cruise departure. We will start taking names for the morning cruise at 8am, and for the afternoon cruise at 12pm. Please visit the Bluenose II Company Store to join the waitlist for a Lunenburg Cruise, or see the Shore Crew beside the ship at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic wharf for a Halifax Cruise.

Where can I park?

Please allow extra time for parking, especially for afternoon cruises, or cruises in Halifax.

• Lunenburg: there is paid parking at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. There is free parking along Linden Ave, certain parts of Bluenose Dr., at the Lunenburg Community Centre (15 min. Walk to the ship). There are metered and unmetered parking spots around the town of Lunenburg.
• Halifax: There are pay stations for on-street parking, and several pay-by-plate parking lots along Lower Water Street. Find more information on parking in Halifax here.

Where can I use the washroom?

Public washrooms can be found in Lunenburg at the Zwicker Building and at the head of Bluenose Drive. We recommend using the washroom before your cruise as it can be difficult to access the onboard washroom, especially for those with mobility issues.

What is the cost of a cruise, and do you offer discounts?

Unfortunately, we do not offer discounts for group bookings, or for seniors. We have different price levels for adults and children ages 3-12. There is no charge for infants 2 and under, but they still need to be booked in.

Will we actually sail?

Bluenose II will depart the dock at 9:30am and 1:30pm sharp. Your sail will be largely weather dependent. Most times, cruising, there is enough wind to sail and we will shut off the engines. If there is no wind, the engines will likely stay on, though we try to shut them off for at least a while. Please note the generator will be running at all times. Feel free to ask the crew if the ship is motoring or sailing.

Where does Bluenose II sail on a Harbour Cruise?

Lunenburg: The ship will motor out of the channel, showing stunning views of the Lunenburg waterfront. Once past the Battery Point lighthouse, the ship will turn into the wind and the crew will set the sails. You will sail for 60-80 minutes, either toward the coast of The Ovens or Blue Rocks. Sails are struck (typically around the same place they were set) and the ship will motor back through the Lunenburg harbour, tying up to the dock at 11:30am and 3:30pm.

Halifax: Depending on the weather, Bluenose II will either sail toward Georges Island, or into the Bedford Basin

Can I bring food and drink aboard?

Yes, you can bring snacks and drinks with you as long as they are not too messy. We do not have waste cans aboard for public use, so please take any waste with you and dispose of it once we dock.

What safety measures are in place?

Your safety is our top priority. Bluenose II adheres to strict safety standards as per Transport Canada and the American Bureau of Shipping. The ship is equipped with modern navigation systems, life-saving equipment, and crew members trained in emergency procedures. Each cruise will start with a mandatory safety briefing which will explain how to don a lifejacket, where life rafts and lifejackets are located, and what to do in the case of an emergency.

Will we see wildlife?

We sometimes catch glimpses of seals, sunfish and porpoises in the Lunenburg bay. Nova Scotia’s official bird, the Osprey, nest in the area, as well as bald eagles. Other birds we often see include cormorants, belted kingfishers, loons, and great blue herons.