Donelda's Puffin Boat Tours

05/06/2024

Just to let you know there is a glitch in the online booking system and the webmaster is working on it . Until they get it worked out please send a message to [email protected] and we will get back to you .

09/03/2023

We are closed for the 2023 season as the Puffins and other seabirds are finished breeding for this season and have returned to the open ocean. Thank you to all that supported my business either taking a tour or referring passengers to me .it was all appreciated !
There is still lots of “Puffinalia “ left in the building so if you need something for a gift ( Christmas is coming )or your own " puffin fix " and didn’t have time to get it when you visited us we are open by appointment by sending us an email [email protected] and we do mail orders as well.

07/26/2023

Wondering what to do on these great days ! We sail daily ( weather permitting ) at 9:30 and 1:00 to Bird Islands . Use our convenient secure online booking site to get your seats .

06/18/2023

Today I spent 2 hours 49 minutes and 46 seconds talking to Chase Payment Services as the technician and then her supervisor tried to trouble shoot my credit card machine . The good news they both got paid for not getting my device working , I unfortunately wasted that time and still don't have a working machine !

06/14/2023

Today was the Big Day !
It's always around this time of the year that the puffin eggs hatch . Two days ago our puffin numbers were quite low and yesterday they were a shade better , today there were Puffins every where's ! After the eggs hatch the adults spend about 48 hours with the baby, then they are both out and about , today was the out and about day !

05/27/2023

Have you seen a Puffin yet ? We're sailing at 11:00 today with seats available !

05/24/2023

We are ready for the 2023 season starting today at 11 am !

04/08/2023

Here we are , Easter weekend , time is flying . We are busy on refit and hope to be able to sail by the middle of May. We have left the definite date well in advance of that in case the inspections will be longer as they were last year .We will keep you updated once we are inspected . It's never too early to book your tour . Our secure reservation system is open 24/7 . To contact us please send a message or information request from our website

Welcome to Donelda’s Puffin Boat Tours! Located on Cape Breton Island just 20 minutes east of Baddeck we are the Cabot Trail’s only Bird Island boat tour going to the nesting grounds of the Atlantic Puffin. Puffins Guaranteed! (during their … Continued

12/02/2022

And now the Boston Tree is lit up!

09/23/2022

We got the Highland Lass in her building for the winter , just before Fiona arrives . When I was reading about the storm I was seeing the predicted waves of 40 to 50 feet and thinking of the poor little puffins that are out at sea riding this storm out . They're small but mighty !

08/31/2022

Today was our last tour to Bird Islands for this season . I want to thank all those that supported my business either by coming for the tour experience or referring people to me . It all helped to make it a super busy season .
For those that have been emailing to book for next summer , my website will be updated for the 2023 season very soon .
My heartfelt thanks to one and all ! Stay safe and well and we'll see you next season !

06/14/2022

Due to Covid I didn't operate my boat tour for the past two years . With my inspections finally behind me I am operating again . One of the things that I missed the most of not doing the tours was the Bald Eagles paying us a visit . On Saturday they were as happy to see me as I was to see them . This is a picture that one of the passengers took with his cell phone and shared it with me .

06/10/2022

Today was the big day , final inspection finished , licenced to carry 41 passengers , bring on the calm seas and sunny days !

06/05/2022

We are not operating at present . We hope to be open for the 2022 season this week . We look forward to having you sail with us .

07/27/2021

06/12/2021

Well here we are again , different year and almost the same situation .
A couple of days ago we made the hard decision not to operate this season . We looked at all the factors, the start up costs for the season which we could be told to close on a moment's notice , we are still in a state of emergency and not sure when that will end , the variant that is already here and not sure if the vaccine will work against it , decreased capacity , the US borders being closed , the short birding season and part of it is already gone . Above all else the health and safety of our community as well as ourselves is front and center in this decision .
While we are not operating the boat tour , we are launching our online Puffin Gift Shop in the next few days . There are lots of different and unique Puffinalia that can be picked up curbside or we can ship it to you . There will be a shopping button on our page as well as our website .
We sincerely hope that 2022 will be a wonderful year and that you will come to our beautiful Island ! Stay Safe !

07/08/2020

After much thought and taking everything into consideration I have decided not to operate this season . I hope that everyone stays safe and I look forward to welcoming you next Puffin season !

06/14/2020

Hope you are all staying well in these strange times . At present we are not operating and we are trying to see what provincial guidelines are in place for boat tours . If we are able to operate it will not be before July 1 and we will be operating one trip daily . We will post here when we have more information from the province .

10/17/2019

Another storm coming today , so relieved to have my boat on land. As we are closed for the season the easiest way to contact us is by email , [email protected] . Also if you want to book your trip for the upcoming season you can use our convenient booking form on our website that is available anytime www.puffinboattours.com/book-now

10/17/2019

09/16/2019

Today was our last day for this season . Thank you everyone for making it another wonderful season . Have a great fall and winter and we look forward to seeing and working with you next season !

09/05/2019

The Puffins have left the Islands and headed out to the open North Atlantic . We have a few more days of Bald Eagle and Grey Seal tours left . Hoping " Dorian " won't be too hard on us !

08/26/2019

Tomorrow we start the Bald Eagle and Grey Seal tours at 10:00 daily until Sept. 16 .

08/24/2019

This week at the Bird Islands was full of surprises that started with a marriage proposal with a couple from Halifax . Then on Thursday we saw 2 white tail deer and then on Friday we saw a baby Puffin in the water and gave him a ride out to deeper water where he could be closer to the adult Puffins and away from the Bald Eagles .

08/19/2019

The Islands are a special place and last evening they became a very special place for one couple when he asked her to marry him and she said yes !

05/19/2019

I went down the road a few minutes ago to check the sea conditions and what did I see on and beside my boat . . . . two Bald Eagles ! I guess they were checking to see why I haven't sailed the past couple of days .

05/12/2019

Some pictures I took on our trip to the Islands yesterday !

05/09/2019

Inspections are finished and we are up and running!

04/19/2019

All season visitors are always asking if I go away for the winter and some of them seemed surprised when I say ,” no I’m here all winter”. Wednesday evenings is one of my favourite times to head up to the Gaelic College for the Ceilidh .Always a great variety of entertainers , tea , coffee and super oatcakes all for $10.00 ! The Ceilidhs are on year round, make sure to include one when you visit our Island . This was at this weeks Ceilidh with Troy MacGillivray on the fiddle, Joel Chiasson on the keyboard and Rodney Mac Donald CEO at the Gaelic College step dancing to a full hall.

04/08/2019

It's a beautiful sunny day in Englishtown today . We've started refit on the Highland Lass , inspections start the end of the month . We hope to be up and running on May 9th .We're looking forward to taking you to see the Bald Eagles ,Puffins and other seabirds !