Nova Scotia Tours & Trip Packages

Nova Scotia Tours & Trips

11 Nova Scotia trips. Tours from 11 tour companies. 15 reviews. 4.5/5 avg rating.

11 Trips match your criteria (1 - 11 shown)

The Maritimes: Nova Scotia
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island

Highlights

  • See for yourself why the charming fishing town of Peggy’s Cove is one of the most photographed places in Canada.
  • Join a local guide for a walking tour of historic Old Town Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Walk the stunning coastal trails of Cape Breton Highlands National Park and follow the Skyline Trail mountain pass out to sweeping sea views.
  • Take a tour of the historic town of Baddeck, which marks the start (and end) of the famous Cabot Trail and is where Alexander Graham Bell had a summer home.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Water First. Donations support their work to provide critical clean, safe water for indigenous communities in Canada. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Themes

High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"Completed 3 trips with Intrepid this year. A prior last year. The Leaders are well organized, informative and fun. Travelling inland in Greece and the Greek Islands (second time), Intrepid through their amazing leaders, introduce you and share history, way of life, amazing scenery and places to eat. Yes, they are busy days and you walk a lot, but the days are full and stimulating. You make life long friends in the group and leaders. Thank you Mia, Dina and Nasos. Your energy and knowledge is a future of memories."

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Canada's Maritime Treasures Self-Drive
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Nova Scotia

Themes

50 plus, Hiking & Walking, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I recently booked a trip to Japan with Audley Travel, and unfortunately, my experience was far from satisfactory. While the initial booking process was smooth and included clear communication via phone calls, the overall experience was disappointing, especially considering the high cost. The initial booking process was straightforward, and I had a couple of phone calls to clearly describe my essential needs for the trip. Communication before the trip was generally fine, but there were notable issues. Audley was unable to confirm all accommodation details, particularly my request for booking connecting rooms for a 4-person family. Instead, we were often crammed into a small room, which was far from ideal. Additionally, I had specifically requested kid-friendly hotels that offered western menu options. This was not the case at our last stop, where the hotel provided exclusively traditional Japanese food, which was not suitable for my family. One significant problem was the overwhelming amount of information provided, both printed and online. Unfortunately, this information was often inconsistent and riddled with mistakes. The tour guides we worked with received different itineraries, causing confusion and frustration. Even worse, the itinerary included activities that were not actually booked, despite being paid for. The same issue occurred with accommodation specifics. Had I known they were not going to be able to book per my request (which they had claimed to be working on), I would have challenged the overall cost and probably used a different provider. During the trip, Audley's support was severely lacking. We repeatedly tried to contact them for solutions to various issues but received no response. Audley works with a local partner in Japan, but they were limited in their ability to resolve our problems and often directed us back to Audley. This resulted in a frustrating loop of no solutions and a waste of time. It also appears that Audley is very short-staffed. We received an out-of-office notice from the person who booked our trip, and no backup or alternative assistance was offered. This lack of support is unacceptable, given the price we paid for their services. Audley Travel also failed to point out important festivals happening on the dates of our travel. This was a significant oversight and something one would definitely expect a competent travel agency to handle. To their credit, Audley Travel did a decent job with very basic needs such as train ticket bookings and airport pickups. However, for everything else, their service was far below expectations. In acknowledgment of their shortcomings, Audley Travel issued a refund, but it was not commensurate with the impact these issues had on our trip. Overall, I do not recommend Audley Travel and will not be booking with them again."

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Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island 2021
4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island

Highlights

  • A legacy of seafaring gems… think seaside shanties
  • picturesque fishing hamlets
  • colorful 19th-century timber homes
  • and wildlife-rich waters. Private evenings in historic Halifax include the Citadel
  • and moving stories of Canadian immigrants at Pier 21
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Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"My husband and I booked the Yellowstone tour with Tauck expecting so much more with the accommodations, food, and tour director based on the price point. We were sadly disappointed but still tried to enjoy the experience. Rooms were dirty, food were often buffets and other group dinners with some food inedible. We noticed other tours staying in our hotels and paying much less for their tours. One positive was we never touched our luggage which was nice but my small suitcase was damaged during one transfer. Word to the wise… read their emails thoroughly as the email we received a few weeks before our trip reads like a disclaimer for poor service and accommodations."

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Canadian Maritimes 2021
4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island

Highlights

  • Time stands still in the Canadian Maritimes... preserving a way of life that honors the land and sea – and a cultural mix of early French
  • Irish
  • Scottish and English influences.Halifax invites reflection with gracious Victorian parks and gardens. Fishing hamlets in Nova Scotia celebrate their rich seafaring heritage. Diverse cultural influences are chronicled in Lunenburg; in Acadian rug making traditions that produced 'talking' works of art chronicling the struggles of pioneer families; and at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts. Culinary specialties are on the menu from fresh lobster on Prince Edward Island to a Nova Scotia oyster shucking demonstration to a “Kitchen Party” at the Keltic Lodge. Tauck's New Brunswick
  • Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia tour immerses you in the lure and lore of this down-to-earth
  • mystical world of mountain lakes
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Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"My husband and I booked the Yellowstone tour with Tauck expecting so much more with the accommodations, food, and tour director based on the price point. We were sadly disappointed but still tried to enjoy the experience. Rooms were dirty, food were often buffets and other group dinners with some food inedible. We noticed other tours staying in our hotels and paying much less for their tours. One positive was we never touched our luggage which was nice but my small suitcase was damaged during one transfer. Word to the wise… read their emails thoroughly as the email we received a few weeks before our trip reads like a disclaimer for poor service and accommodations."

Trip dates & details
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Ontario & French Canada with Ocean Train to Halifax
4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Halifax, Maine, Montreal, Niagara Falls, Nova Scotia, Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We've taken over 10 group tours using Cosmos and Gate1. This trip last month, 9000 was not very good. -During booking, incorrect information was given about airport-hotel transfers -The whispers (listening devices) didn't work from the get-go, so no whispers were used during the 13 day trip. - Porters are no longer hired to bring your luggage to and from your room. (Very elderly had to handle their own luggage. Our friends had to help many of them.) -A few days into the trip one couple left. At the end of the trip we found out they had covid. Cosmos did not let us know; a few people weren't feeling well and two of our friends then tested positive. -One hotel was awful and not even up to "budget" standards -Many of the stops had castles, churches... but were not included, so be sure to count that in when pricing.  don't plan to use Cosmos ever again. Gate1 is the best in my opinion. When my husband's passport was stolen, they assigned someone to go with him to the embassy, translate, etc...It was above and beyond what we expected  "

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The Canadian Maritimes: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island
5/5 Excellent
35 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Nova Scotia

Highlights

  • Visit two fascinating picturesque destinations on the outskirts of Halifax: Peggy’s Cove and Lunenburg.
  • Get an opportunity to visit Grand-Pré National UNESCO Historical Site
  • Visit Gaelic College, exclusive Discovery Series event
  • Visit the Alexander Graham Bell Museum
  • Visit to the Millbrook Heritage Centre and Mi’kmaq Museum

Themes

Cultural, Overland Journeys

What travelers are saying

"I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. If you are on a slim budget try the " last minute" opportunities. We got an incredible deal on a river cruise two months out."

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Wonders of the Maritimes & Scenic Cape Breton
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island

Highlights

  • Peggy’s cove: Orientation tour with a traditional Nova Scotian breakfast
  • Lunenburg: Orientation tour
  • Halifax: Orientation tour; visit Citadel Hill; farewell dinner
  • Sugar moon farm: Enjoy a traditional sugar camp meal and guided tour
  • Hopewell rocks: SightseeingCONFEDERATION BRIDGE
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Very packed your with many good points, but let down by poor organisation of the bus seating. I was a solo traveller who was forced to sit next to the same person for every leg of the tour, except the last - after I emailed a complaint to Globus. Four people had a double seat to themselves the entire journey. When I asked the tour director for a turn, he fobbed me off & was rude & sexist. There was too much free time without access to hotel eg. One day we travelled early from Florence to Venice, got dropped by the bus at the ferry to the island (St Marks Place etc) & then had to spend the whole day in Venice with the heat & crowds, much of it undirected, until nearly 8pm when we caught the ferry back & then to our hotel. 43 people is too many. I was the only Australian with 42 mostly mid western Americans, mostly teetotallers and missionaries. Next time I'd choose a solo traveller tour, or a specific art or history one, but I wanted a short tour that went from Rome & ended in Paris, so chose this one. On the positive, the hotels & meals were good. Switzerland, even though raining, was a standout as we had two days at Lucerne & ample free time. Optional tours like Versailles were great."

Trip dates & details
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Passage through New England & Eastern Canada
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bar Harbor, Boston, Halifax, Jackson, Maine, Montreal, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Stowe, Sydney, Vermont

Highlights

  • Boston : Orientation tourFRANCONIA NOTCH STATE PARK
  • North conway: Raven Interpretive Wildlife Program
  • Stowe: Visit a maple syrup farm and enjoy a local treat
  • Vergennes : Visit Shelburne Heritage Park
  • MontrÉal : Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit Notre Dame Basilica
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Very packed your with many good points, but let down by poor organisation of the bus seating. I was a solo traveller who was forced to sit next to the same person for every leg of the tour, except the last - after I emailed a complaint to Globus. Four people had a double seat to themselves the entire journey. When I asked the tour director for a turn, he fobbed me off & was rude & sexist. There was too much free time without access to hotel eg. One day we travelled early from Florence to Venice, got dropped by the bus at the ferry to the island (St Marks Place etc) & then had to spend the whole day in Venice with the heat & crowds, much of it undirected, until nearly 8pm when we caught the ferry back & then to our hotel. 43 people is too many. I was the only Australian with 42 mostly mid western Americans, mostly teetotallers and missionaries. Next time I'd choose a solo traveller tour, or a specific art or history one, but I wanted a short tour that went from Rome & ended in Paris, so chose this one. On the positive, the hotels & meals were good. Switzerland, even though raining, was a standout as we had two days at Lucerne & ample free time. Optional tours like Versailles were great."

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The Maritimes: Nova Scotia
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island

Highlights

  • See for yourself why the charming fishing town of Peggy’s Cove is one of the most photographed places in Canada.
  • Join a local guide for a walking tour of historic Old Town Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Walk the stunning coastal trails of Cape Breton Highlands National Park and follow the Skyline Trail mountain pass out to sweeping sea views.
  • Take a tour of the historic town of Baddeck, which marks the start (and end) of the famous Cabot Trail and is where Alexander Graham Bell had a summer home.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Water First. Donations support their work to provide critical clean, safe water for indigenous communities in Canada. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Themes

High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"Completed 3 trips with Intrepid this year. A prior last year. The Leaders are well organized, informative and fun. Travelling inland in Greece and the Greek Islands (second time), Intrepid through their amazing leaders, introduce you and share history, way of life, amazing scenery and places to eat. Yes, they are busy days and you walk a lot, but the days are full and stimulating. You make life long friends in the group and leaders. Thank you Mia, Dina and Nasos. Your energy and knowledge is a future of memories."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

Nova Scotia Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
15  Reviews
See all Nova Scotia tour reviews
Excellent
1
Great
0
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
M

M Anne Capper

Oct 2022

Written on

Enchanting Canadian Maritimes

Itinerary: plausible, excellent. Canada has long stretches of "rocks, and trees and water". We're BIG. Coach: compared with European tours, somewhat lacking... no 2...

L

Laurel Sawatzky

Oct 2022

Written on

Enchanting Canadian Maritimes

It was interesting but not enchanting. The hotel in Baddeck was disappointing and should be taken off the list. It needed some TLC and was outside of Baddeck. We wer...

S

Sally Doerksen

Oct 2022

Written on

Enchanting Canadian Maritimes

The days start very early in the morning. The tour guides are in...

M

Michael Wager

Sep 2022

Written on

Enchanting Canadian Maritimes

all our stops were great and our guide ,bus driver, and health person were very freindly and fun

D

David Wolfer

Sep 2022

Written on

Enchanting Canadian Maritimes

It is filled with beautiful landscapes and ocean scapes. It involves h...

Write a Review

Nova Scotia Tour Selection Trips

  • Nova Scotia is pretty large, which means lots of driving. Consider this when deciding accommodation. It may be easier to book a few places rather than trying to do day trips from a home base.
  • There are many outdoor water activities. Being on the north Atlantic ocean, the water is cold year round. Consider traveling in the late summer once the Ocean has the ability to warm up a bit.
  • While the summer offers awesome water based activities, the winter equally is a great time to visit. If you can handle the cold, (temperatures in peak winter are often below freezing), there is skiing, ice skating, and sleigh rides through snowy Nova Scotia.
  • If you’re looking to visit museums, consider a museum pass. The Nova Scotia museum pass is $47 CAD, and let’s you visit any museum in Nova Scotia for 12 months.
  • Public transportation in Nova Scotia is a bus system. Buses can take you around the city center, and out to the suburbs. For further distances, look into the Maritime Bus, which will connect most of the Province’s towns/cities.

Additional details

Where is Nova Scotia?

Nova Scotia is a province in eastern Canada on the Atlantic Ocean. The province is east of the state of Maine, Southwest of New Brunswick, South of Prince Edward Island, and Southwest of Newfoundland.

Weather in Nova Scotia

The weather in Nova Scotia depends on the season, with warm summers and winter often dropping below freezing. The middle of winter often has temperatures between 0-32 degrees Fahrenheit. Locals know to expect snow for most of the winter, so they make the most of the chilly weather.

If colder weather and winter activities are your thing, this is a great time to visit. There are festivals, snowshoeing, ice skating and sleigh rides, making this a real life winter wonderland.

Summer brings warm weather, and a whole new experience to Nova Scotia. Temperatures range from 70-80 degrees, making it ideal weather to get outdoors and enjoy the natural beauty of the province. Spend the day relaxing at the beach, hike through the Cape Breton Highlands, or hang out at one of the many street festivals.

If you’re hoping for a balance between the two, consider visiting during the spring or fall. The earlier part of spring (mid-March to late April) is still a bit chilly with daily averages of 32-50 degrees fahrenheit. Later in the season is when the warm weather starts to kick in, with temperatures rising to 50-70 degrees.

You can expect the reverse for the fall, with warmer temperatures early in the season, cooling down as the fall season goes on.

Best time to visit Nova Scotia

The best time to visit depends on what activities and experiences you want to get out of your trip. There really is no “bad time” to visit Nova Scotia, and all seasons are worthy of a visit. There is plenty of activity year-round.

Summer is a popular season, because of the warm weather and the high amount of outdoor activities. For anyone hoping to spend a lot of time on the water (kayaking, swimming), it’s better to go during summer. Most whale watching tours in Nova Scotia don’t start until June, so if this is high on your list, consider holding off until summer.

If you’re hoping to experience the warm weather without the crowds of summer, try going in should season, when the crowds have thinned out. Late April-early May is a great time for this, before school is let out for the summer, or in late September-Early October when school has started again.

Even in the warmer months, it’s a good idea to bring a light jacket or another layer, especially if you’re near the water, as it can get a bit chilly. A notable reason for fall being a popular time to visit is the changing of the leaves. The autumn colors are pretty are pretty impressive, and is worth considering a fall visit.

Who Will Enjoy Traveling in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is a great destination for various visitors. The most common types of visitor for the region is one who likes to be outdoors. As said above, there is plenty of outdoor activities, from hiking, to cycling, to spending time on the water.

Many people head to Cape Breton Highlands to get kick their active drive into gear. There are beaches and paths to explore the great outdoors. Follow the cabot trail through the winding roads to the top of the cliffs for jaw-dropping views. This track is especially popular for motorcyclists. When the winter season hits, hiking trails turn into great snowshoeing opportunities. Hit the slopes for skiing or sledding.

Those who like to explore shops, museums, and spend time indoors are also in for a treat. The best place to visit for this type of travel is to Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia.

The city is filled with museums, galleries, and historic sites. Learn about immigration at the Canadian Museum of Immigration, or spend some time at the new Discovery Centre off the Halifax waterfront. Pop through the various distilleries and breweries around the city.

Common Nova Scotia Tour Routes

Common tour routes include a visit to the three Canadian Maritimes provinces, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island (PEI) and Nova Scotia. Options include driving through the provinces, or sometimes, taking a cruise through the maritimes.

Road trips usually stop in major cities such as Saint John, NB; Charlottetown, PEI; over to Nova Scotia towards Halifax. If you’re taking a cruise, the ports are a bit different, starting in Halifax, over towards Charlottetown, and sailing around New Brunswick through the Gulf of St. Lawrence towards Quebec.

Road trip routes through Nova Scotia alone are also a great way to see the region. A common route starts in Halifax, spending some time exploring the capital. The road trip heads west, stopping at Peggy’s cove and Lunenburg. Keep heading west towards Yarmouth, and explore the southwestern shores of the province, before heading north.

Make a stop in Digby, home to the famous digby scallops you can hand pick, before heading towards the coastal town of Annapolis Royal. Continue driving east towards Cape Breton Island to explore one of the most picturesque places in Canada! After a stop on the island, many visitors make their way back towards Halifax. If you’re short on time (less than a week), it’s better to break up this trip.

Either head west from Halifax and tackle Peggy’s cove, Yarmouth, and Digby, or break up the time between Halifax and Cape Breton Island. While the drive is beautiful, there is a fair amount of driving, and the whole trip shouldn’t be spent in the car driving between places!

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