HIGHLANDS BY AIR & SEA

Cape Breton Highlands by Air & Sea

By utilizing long-range helicopters and a high-powered rigid-inflatable boat (zodiac), we are able to show you the Cape Breton Highlands like never before. What would normally take a minimum of 3 days to complete, you can do in a single adventure-packed day seeing the Cape Breton Highlands in a way few have the opportunity to. This entirely unique adventure tour is offered nowhere else and is an immersive journey into one of the most beautiful places on earth.  - Condé Nast Traveler Magazine named Cape Breton Island the #1 Island Destination in the Americas not once, but twice.  Travel and Leisure Magazine named Cape Breton the best Island off continental North America and the 3rd of the top 11 islands in the world.

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Expedition Overview

​A Nova Scotia helicopter, and zodiac whale & nature expedition.  This adventure packs in aerial views of Cape George, The Cape Breton Highlands, Mabou Highlands, beaches, fjords, rivers and lakes and seeing whales, seals and towering mountainside cliffs and hidden coves and beaches up close by high powered private zodiac.

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What would normally take several days to accomplish, we are able to bring to you in just 9 hours.  ​Join us as we fly from Halifax aboard a Sikorsky S76 A++ helicopter or Bell 206 Jet Ranger to world renowned Cabot Trail and the Cape Breton Highlands, where the mountains meet the sea. When taking the Bell 206, a 15 minute fuel stop in Port Hawkesbury is necessary.

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​​During our zodiac whale & seal watching adventure we will make every effort to land in a quite cove for a picnic lunch, however if sea conditions don't permit landing, we'll enjoy our picnic lunch before taking off for a flight across the Cape Breton's Highland Plateau, Lake Ainslie and the Margaree Valley before landing back at Halifax airport.

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​​​​​​​​Activities

• Guided helicopter tour of Cape George, Mabou Highlands & Cape Breton Highlands

• Visiting and guided tour of Pleasant Bay Whale Interpretive Centre

• Private, guided tour on high powered zodiac

• Wildlife viewing/observation including whales, seals, sea birds & birds of prey

• Ecological interpretation

• Underwater hydrophone with speaker to listen to whales

• Solitude

• Geological interpretation

• Visiting sea caves in zodiac

• Landing on hidden beach (when tide and sea conditions permit)

• Delicious picnic lunch

• Return helicopter flight over highlands interior, Margaree Valley and Lake Ainsley

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Itinerary

9:00 AM - Arrive in hotel lobby for transport to Halifax airport

9:30 AM - Arrive at heliport to meet your guide and receive helicopter safety briefing and orientation.

10:00 AM - Depart Halifax airport en route to fly over Antigonish and Cape George, crossing to Port Hood and along the Mabou Highlands, over Cheticamp and along the Cape Breton Highlands.

11:30 AM - Arrive in the village of Pleasant Bay, unload and walk 2 minute to Whale Interpretive Centre for guided introduction to the center and species common to the area. (wifi and washrooms available)

12:30 PM - Check in and meet with zodiac captain and crew for tour registration and zodiac safety orientation.

1:00 PM - Depart Pleasant Bay harbour by high powered RIB (zodiac) in search of whales, seals, birds and explore quiet, sandy coves, sea caves and dramatic cliffs. We'll make our best effort to land on a private beach for a picnic lunch if sea conditions permit, otherwise lunch may be enjoyed on board the vessel or upon our return at Pleasant Bay.

3:30 PM - Arrive back at Pleasant Bay harbour, disembark the zodiac and bid adieu to our captain and boat crew. Make our way to the helicopter (2 minute walk).

4:00 PM - Board helicopter and fly to Halifax, crossing high over the mountains plateau looking for moose, continuing on to fly over Margaree Valley and Lake Ainslie and over mainland Nova Scotia to Halifax Airport.

5:30 PM - Arrive at Halifax Airport, big adieu to pilots and guide and transfer to Halifax hotel. 

6:00 PM - Arrive at your Halifax hotel.

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​What's Included?

Return transportation from The Muir Hotel on the Halifax waterfront (pickup at alternate hotel can be arranged). Guided helicopter tour of Cape George, Mabou Highlands, Cape Breton Highlands, the Highlands Plateau, Margaree Valley and Lake Ainslie. Fully guided, private charter high-powered zodiac to look for whales, seals, birds, sea caves, hidden coves and beaches. Zodiac will have hydrophone aboard to listen to whales communicating. Every effort will be made to stop in a quiet cove for an delicious picnic lunch (included) and admission to the Pleasant Bay Whale Interpretive Centre. Waterproof jackets for zodiac are available if required. 

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What Is Not Included?

Travel insurance, gratuities to guide, items of a personal nature and any incurred cost related to weather. Outdoor clothing (rain jacket for zodiac is included if required) and footwear that can potentially get wet.

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Activity Level / Mobility

Guests should be able to walk up to 1km unassisted, step up into and out of the helicopter, step in and sit and stand while in the zodiac and be able to walk on a rocky/sandy beach. ​Please keep your ability in mind when considering this adventure so that you and others on the day of your visit have the best experience possible.. 

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Suggested Items to Bring

It is best to dress for the weather and in clothing that can handle being splashed. Footwear should be something that can get wet. It is always cooler on the water so layering is idea even in the summer.

 

Following are some suggested items to bring:

• Fleece jacket/lightweight wool sweater

• Light layers (long sleeve tops, soft shells etc.)

• Rainproof/windproof jacket

• Sturdy walking shoes 

• Sunglasses

• Hat

• Toque/beanie in autumn

• Sunscreen

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​Payment and Cancellation Policy

A deposit of $750 CAN is required per person is due at time of booking. The remaining payment is due 90 days prior to the arrival date. For cancellations prior to 90 days, a full refund less a 5% admin fee will be returned. After 90 days prior to arrival trips are non-refundable. We recommend that all travelers purchase travel insurance that covers tour cancellations.  If Kattuk Expeditions has to cancel this trip due to weather any unforeseen circumstances, 100% of payments will be refunded.

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