Captain Mark's Whale & Seal Cruise

Family-run whale watching out of Pleasant Bay, in operation since 1992. The Marks family knows where the pilot whales feed off the Cape Breton Highlands, and the boats they run are stable, comfortable, and built for spotting.

What to expect

• Roughly two-hour cruise from Pleasant Bay harbour
• Covered and open seating; washroom on board
• Captain narrating sightings — generations of local knowledge in the wheelhouse
• A friendly, family-vacation crowd

Don't miss

• Pilot whale pods, the area's signature species
• Minke whales and the occasional fin whale
• Cliffs of the Highlands from the water

Good to know

• Operates June through mid-October
• Bring a windbreaker and motion-sickness pills if you're prone
• Reservations recommended in July and August
• Parking right at the wharf

Pair it with

• Lunch at the Rusty Anchor before the cruise
• The Whale Interpretive Centre across the harbour
• A drive over French Mountain on the way back