Highland Tours: Cabot Trail Excursion Sydney Cape Breton Island
Badge of Excellence
Sydney, Canada
+19
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Explore far more of Cape Breton than you could hope to when traveling alone with this full-day guided cruise shore excursion. Gaze out over the waters of St. Ann’s Bay from the Englishtown Ferry, sample sweet treats at the Cabotto Chocolate Factory, discover Cape Breton’s Gaelic heritage at the Gaelic College, and much more.
- Your driver-guide will point out the best vantage points for photos
- Easily spot your driver-guide holding a signboard outside the terminal
- Don’t worry about delayed arrival—the tour will automatically adjust
- Learn facts about the region you won’t find in most guidebooks
What's Included
- Admission Fee - Admission fee
- Lunch
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Your guide will be waiting for you at the cruise terminal, just outside the security gate on your left, holding a sign with your name. Please disembark promptly so the tour can begin on time. Your guide will wait for up to 30 minutes after your ship has docked. If your ship’s arrival time changes, your tour will automatically adjust to the updated schedule.
Operating hours
- 09/25/2025 - 10/19/2027
Monday - Sunday : 1:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Itinerary
1
Cabot Trail
4 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Englishtown (Pass By)
2
Cabotto Chocolates and Gallery
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Glass Artisans Gallery
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Cape Smokey Provincial Park (Pass By)
4
Ingonish
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
5
Green Cove Trail
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Gaelic College
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Saint Anns (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- Please ask for infant seats in advance. Thank you!
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.5
based on 59 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Very long ride from port dock to Cabot Trail. Only travel approximately 20% of trail and return same route coming and going.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback. Our tour is designed specifically around the cruise ship schedule and the limited time available in port.
We cover the eastern side of the Cabot Trail. Since the full trail is approximately 298 km long, the available time does not allow us to complete the entire loop, so we return to the port using the same route.
Our priority is to provide guests with a meaningful experience while ensuring they return to the ship well before departure. We’re sorry the itinerary did not match your expectations.
Wonderful tour with Michael. Gave us so much information about the island . It’s clear how much he loves his home and how much he loves what he does. Scenery was beautiful and he took us to places a big coach would not be able to get to
Would definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour with Michael. It’s great to know his passion for Cape Breton and his love for what he does came through. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back again!
The description of this tour is not what you get. We were told to “disembark promptly, your guide will wait 30 minutes after the ship has docked.“ we hurried off to wait for over an hour before we started. Positive note: the Breton coast was beautiful, the Englishtown ferry was as advertised. No other stop was as advertised. Gaelic College “immerse yourself in the music, language, and traditions” amounted to a small 2-room gift shop. 20 minute stop. Ingonish “enjoy a leisurely lunch on your own and discover highlights like Kelton Lodge, Ingonish Beach, tranquil Freshwater Lake” amounted to a hurried lunch which the driver preordered. Glass Artisans Gallery “Watch skilled craftsmen…” was a gift shop, no blower. Cabotto Chocolates “expert chocolatiers craft handmade chocolates right before your eyes. Sample an array of decadent treats” amounted to 3-4 chocolate chips, no “learn about the chocolate making process.” The Green Cove Trail was another 20 minute stop, difficult for mobility impaired people, with the hope of seeing seals, which are long gone this time of the year. Why not tell what time of the year you might see seals in your advertising? Whoever wrote the glorious advertisement for this tour had obviously never gone on the tour. Better to rent a car and do it on your own, unless you like one crowded gift shop after another.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry the tour did not meet your expectations, but we would like to clarify a few points.
The stops mentioned in your review are part of the advertised itinerary, and the tour did visit the scheduled locations. The experience at local businesses can vary by day, hours of operation, and season, and we cannot guarantee that demonstrations or specific staff will be available.
Wildlife sightings, including seals, can never be guaranteed. We stop at the designated viewing area when conditions permit, but whether seals are present depends entirely on nature and the time of year.
We understand that the experience may not have matched your expectations, but the tour did follow the advertised route and included the listed stops.
Great tour! Very well curated and planned. Ari, our guide, was so kind and we learned a lot about the area. Highly recommend!!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re glad you enjoyed the tour and learned about the area with Ari. We truly appreciate your recommendation!
Kaushik was a great tour guide. He made the trip much more than a drive around Cape Breton. The drive was exactly what I wanted — four of us in a very comfortable vehicle and gorgeous scenery all around.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so glad Kaushik made your day more than just a drive and that you enjoyed the comfortable ride and beautiful Cape Breton scenery. We really appreciate you choosing Highland Tours!
Our guides were amazing (Ari/Parm). They were very knowledgeable and very accommodating and lovely. Would highly recommend both the tour and also the tour guides.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that Ari and Parm made your experience so enjoyable. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with both of them. We truly appreciate the recommendation!
The Excursion was not what we expected, especially given the high ratings. We left 15 minutes but we were 45 minutes late returning to the cruise port at the end of the tour. Even though Cabot Trail was beautiful, we really did not have too many opportunities to stop and enjoy the views and culture. The Excursion felt very rushed. We only had a 15 minute stop at the Celtic College with only enough time to use the restroom so we never saw the college. The majority of the tour was driving in silence with very limited narration. Our tour guide, Ari was very friendly. However, English was clearly his second language and his accent made it somewhat difficult to understand his limited narration. So we spent the majority of the Excursion driving in silence.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are sorry that the excursion did not fully meet your expectations, and we appreciate the opportunity to clarify a few details about the tour.
The excursion was operated according to the advertised itinerary. Most sightseeing stops are approximately 15 minutes, allowing guests time to enjoy the views, take photographs, and briefly explore each location while completing the full Cabot Trail route. The itinerary also includes a separate 45-minute lunch stop, providing additional time to relax and enjoy the area.
At the Gaelic College, our scheduled visit focuses on the art gallery and gift shop, where guests can view tartans, Scottish cultural items, and handcrafted work created by local artists, students, and faculty. We include this stop because it provides a meaningful introduction to Cape Breton’s Gaelic and Scottish heritage. It is also the first scheduled washroom break of the excursion. Based on the overall itinerary, we consider approximately 15 minutes sufficient for guests to visit this area and use the facilities while preserving enough time for the remaining scenic stops.
Because the Cabot Trail covers a considerable distance, the schedule must be carefully managed to visit all advertised locations and return cruise passengers to the port safely before their ship’s departure.
The scheduled duration of the excursion was six hours; however, the guide spent approximately six and a half hours with the group to accommodate additional requests and provide more time along the route. Although the tour ended later than the original estimated time, all guests were safely returned to the cruise port within the required ship schedule. Ensuring that our cruise passengers return in time for their ship is always our highest priority.
We also appreciate your kind comments regarding Ari’s friendliness. He has received many positive comments from previous guests about his local knowledge, welcoming personality, and dedication as a tour guide.
We understand that every guest may have different expectations regarding narration, pacing, and the amount of time spent at each location. We sincerely appreciate your feedback and will continue working to communicate the tour format, stop durations, and itinerary as clearly as possible before booking.
Worst excursion ever! It was nothing more than a very long overpriced van ride!
The way the tour was described was nothing like what we experienced. In addition, several spots on the listed itinerary was never even gone to!
Very little information about the area was given by the guide during the tour. We sat driving mostly in silence for the 2 hour drive to the last point on the tour. Then had to drive another 2 hours back mostly in silence!
Needless to say, it left us with a very poor impression of Viator who promoted this tour and the Port of Sydney that we visited
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re truly sorry that your experience did not reflect the high standard we strive to provide.
It’s disappointing to hear that you felt the tour lacked the engaging commentary and itinerary you were expecting. Our mission is to give every guest a memorable introduction to Cape Breton, its history, culture, and breathtaking scenery, and we’re sorry we fell short during your visit.
Because this was a cruise ship excursion, our guide had to adjust the route to ensure everyone returned safely and on time. While this can occasionally result in changes to the itinerary, we understand that these adjustments should have been communicated more clearly.
Your comments have been shared with our team, and we’ll use them to improve our guide training and guest experience. We genuinely appreciate you bringing these concerns to our attention.
We hope you’ll accept our sincere apologies. Thank you for visiting Cape Breton, and we wish you many wonderful experiences on your future travels.
Excellent tour and excellent tour guide. “Jack” was knowledgeable and eager to show us the beauty of Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail. Many photo ops and interesting highlights (chocolate store was a favourite). Would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear you had an excellent time exploring the Cabot Trail with Jack. It’s wonderful that you enjoyed the scenic viewpoints, photo stops, and especially the chocolate shop! We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back to Cape Breton for another adventure. Safe travels!
This was amazing tour even though the weather was cold and wet. Our guide, Kulwinder, was extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. The only thing I would have wished for is sunshine but still so glad we did it.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We are very happy to hear that you had an amazing tour with us, even with the cold and wet weather.
We are especially glad that Kulwinder (Jack) made your experience enjoyable with his knowledge and accommodating service. We will be sure to share your kind words with him.
We are so glad you still enjoyed the beauty of Cape Breton and decided to take the tour.
Warm regards,
Highland Tours Team
The guide, Koolwinder, and the driver, Krant, were cool and friendly. We had a few nice stops. We are lucky to find them as all else was unavailable. They went all out to make us comfotable. Nice beaches, pretty views.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review! We are happy to hear that Kulwinder and Karan made your tour comfortable and enjoyable. We’re glad you enjoyed the beautiful beaches, scenic views, and friendly service.
We truly appreciate you choosing us, especially when other options were unavailable, and we hope to welcome you again on another Cape Breton tour in the future.
The trip was well guided. Our guide was very knowledgeable and well spoken, friendly, and looked after us. He also made adjustments to the trip to accommodate the group’s wishes.
First of all, let me say that Sydney, Nova Scotia was one of the most beautiful places we have been on this trip. The fall colors were at peak, the weather has been perfect, and the sights were stunning! Regarding our tour with BIPPIN, we were not overwhelmed. There was no one with a sign meeting us when we disembarked the ship so we had to search for our driver, then were told that our driver (Bippin) was not a full-time guide and was just helping out a friend. He was a very friendly, but did not talk very much throughout the tour, except to the person sitting next to him in the front seat. The rest of us could not hear a thing he was saying. The air conditioning on the van did not work and we had to crack the windows to keep from burning up. When it came time for lunch, he told us he had a reservation then when we arrived at the restaurant, he told us they do not take reservations and gave us 30 minutes to eat. His driving was very reckless and fast. He was well over the speed limit on many occasions and still did not get us back to the ship at our scheduled time. Bottom line, Sydney was one of our favorite stops but we would not recommend this tour operator (Highland Tours) or Bippin.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your feedback. I’m glad you enjoyed the beauty and fall colors of Sydney — it’s truly a special place.
Just to clarify, this was a shared tour, not a private one, and the other group on the same tour was very happy with their experience. Bippin is a full-time guide with our company and always aims to provide a safe and enjoyable tour.
The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, but he was only trying to help arrange one for your convenience. The tour returned before the ship’s departure time, and this vehicle has a speed warning alarm, which prevents reckless driving.
We appreciate your feedback and are always working to improve our service.
Loved this shore excursion from Port Sydney. We got to see the seal island bridge and the gorgeous fall colors on the famous Cabot trail.
Bipin, the guide, stopped at the best viewpoints, and navigated the route to avoid the morning crowds on the ferry. He took us on the ferry in the afternoon, after a lovely seafood lunch at the Main Street diner.
Bipin also gave us a good history of the area while showing the beautiful Ingonish beach, Keltic lodge at the highlands, closed steel factory.
Overall, a lovely visit to Cape Breton.
Member Pricing
From
$123.50
per personWas $130.00(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Member Pricing
Highland Tours: Cabot Trail Excursion Sydney Cape Breton Island
59
6 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$130.00
$123.50
5% savings
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
- Shore Excursions
- Nature and Wildlife Tours
- Bus Tours
- Day Trips
- Outdoor Activities
- Private and Luxury
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- Sydney
- Shore Excursions - Cape Breton Island
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Cape Breton Island
- Bus Tours - Cape Breton Island
- Shore Excursions - Charlottetown
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Charlottetown
- Bus Tours - Charlottetown
- Shore Excursions - Halifax
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Halifax
- Bus Tours - Halifax