The mouth of the Bay of Fundy, including the Fundy Isles, is a haven to a variety of whales, seals and seabirds. Attracted by schools of fish and zooplankton moving into the Bay, they find a natural habitat for nursing their young, courtship, mating and nesting. Finback, humpback, minke, and the rare North Atlantic right whales, harbour porpoises, white-sided and white beaked dolphins, harbour and grey seals abound around Grand Manan, as well as many species of coastal and pelagic (those that live on the ocean except to nest) seabirds. Even some large sharks and fish are sometimes seen such as basking sharks, bluefin tuna, and ocean sunfish. Marine wildlife watching starts when you board the ferry in Blacks Harbour. The ferry route crosses one of the feeding areas for marine mammals and seabirds in the Bay of Fundy. Harbour porpoises, and occasionally Atlantic white-sided dolphins, can be seen from the ferry as well as large whales. It is also possible to watch from lookouts on shore since Grand Manan Island creates complex oceanography which concentrates prey in certain areas (the lighthouses are situated overlooking many of these locations).
GRAND MANAN, NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA
Whale & Seabird Watching, Scenic Boat Tours & Kayaking
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The Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station
A great, little marine natural history museum will inform and delight curious minds. Our displays include whales, seals, seabirds, fish, sharks and invertebrates with additional information on how whales survive in the oceans and some hands-on displays for busy hands. We also highlight the endangered right whale and conservation efforts to protect them while in the Bay of Fundy, and our unique Harbour Porpoise Release Program, helping herring weir operators safely release entrapped porpoises and other large marine animals.
| Open: | June, September, October, 10 am – 4 pm, July and August, 9 am – 5 pm |
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| Phone: | 506-662-3804 |
| Address: | 24 Route 776 → North Head |
| Website: | www.gmwsrs.info adoptrightwhales.ca |
| Email: | info@gmwsrs.org |
Adventure High Inc.
We offer guided kayak tours, ranging from 2 hours to 5 days. Explore the coastline by sea kayak! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Adventure High’s qualified guides will teach you the basic strokes and make sure you enjoy a safe and comfortable trip. Whether you have only a couple hours or a week, whether you're planning an island getaway, pursuing a new paddling skill, or seeking a relaxing trip with the family, we have a tour for you! Adventure High guarantees you a memorable experience that will keep you coming back for more. Dates of Operation: May – October
| Phone: | 506-662-3563 |
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| Address: | 83 Route 776 → North Head |
| Website: | Adventure High Inc. |
| Email: | explore@adventurehigh.com |
Lambert Family Adventures
Welcome to the fabulous surroundings of Grand Manan! Together we’ll explore what Mother Nature has to share. Our unique tours happen several times each day from the beginning of July to the end of October. Our safe and friendly boat is great for individuals, couples and families! There’s a vast array of experiences here waiting for you!
| Phone: | 506-321-0944 |
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| Address: | 5 McKay Road → North Head |
| Website: | Lambert Family Adventures |
| Email: | lambertfamilyadventuretours@gmail.com |
Sea Watch Tours
Captain Peter Wilcox, along with his wife, Kenda, own and operate “Sea Watch Tours”. He is a native Grand Mananer whose ancestors arrived from New England during the American Revolution. He’s a proud islander who has served in local politics for the past eight years. After travelling to the mainland where he secured two college degrees, he returned to his island to pursue his love of the sea. Aside from lobster fishing for over 30 years, he has invested 40 years with the tourism industry on Grand Manan. His knowledge of the sea and the island lifestyle helps to make your excursion with Sea Watch Tours a memorable one.
| Phone: | 506-662-8552 Fax: 506-662-1081 |
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| Address: | Box 505 Grand Manan, N.B. E5G 4M5 |
| Website: | Sea Watch Tours |
| Email: | seawatch@nbnet.nb.ca |
Whale Camp
The Whale Camp at The Fundy Marine Science Institute was established in 1984. The Whale Camp’s marine science program has had an exceptional experiential impact on hundreds of students ages ten to seventeen. The Whale Camp’s hands-on programming and vibrantly personal experiences brings students face-to-face to study whales, porpoises, seals, puffins and numerous other marine and avian species in their own natural habitat. These experiences have proven to be both life-affirming and life-changing, igniting and inspiring a passionate curiosity to learn more about our oceans’ and planet’s life processes.
| Phone: | 1-888-54-WHALE(94253) |
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| Address: | Red Point → Grand Manan |
| Website: | www.whalecamp.com |
Top of the Island Boat Tours
Providing daily tours from North Head, Grand Manan. Experience weir fishing, breathtaking cliffs, natural wonders, and whale watching. Also, sunset tours, weather permitting. Charter tours available upon request.
Captain Stephen Robinson
| Phone: | 506-660-1122 |
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| Address: | North Head Fisherman’s Wharf |
| Facebook: | Top of the Island Boat Tours |
RESOURCES: Sealife
Seals and Whales– Download PDF
Weirs and Herring– Download PDF
Sharks and Allies– Download PDF
Fishing– Download PDF
Seaweeds– Download PDF