Top 6 nature & wildlife things to do in Halifax

1. Halifax Tiki Boat Cruise — two hours on the harbour

Two-hour cruise on Halifax Harbour — view McNabs Island and the waterfront while enjoying drinks and karaoke on a licensed Tiki Boat.

2. Full-day private tour of Nova Scotia from Halifax

Eight hours by private vehicle — visit Peggy’s Cove, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg, Ovens Natural Park, Titanic Graveyard, and Citadel Hill with an English-speaking driver.

“This was a great opportunity to explore more of Halifax beyond the cruise ship terminal area. With Anant, our driver, we tailored our private tour based on our interests. We reached locations inaccessible to larger buses and got closer to attractions, which was beneficial for our older passengers. Our trip allowed us to see a lot!”— Robert_M

3. Three-hour electric bike tour of Halifax

Three hours by electric bike with a local guide — ride to Citadel Hill, Halifax Boardwalk, Public Gardens, and more, with helmets, water, and audio gear provided.

“Our visit to iHeartBikes in May during our cruise stop in Halifax was fantastic. The location was easy to find along the waterfront, and they quickly set us up with bikes and helmets. I used the suggested app, Routzz, for audio route directions and interesting facts, and we were on our way. As experienced cyclists, though in our middle age and not at peak fitness, we managed to bike around the city and to the Titanic graves in about 4 hours. If you prefer a more relaxed pace with multiple stops for photos and lunch, I suggest planning for around 8 hours. We enjoy more active excursions compared to the typical cruise ship options, and this one was perfect. Point Pleasant Park was beautiful, and we had no issues riding in traffic on the suggested downtown roads. I would happily rent from iHeartBikes again and recommend them to anyone looking for an active way to explore the city instead of being confined to a bus.”— Maps188249

4. Halifax Harbour Hopper land and water tour

Fifty-five minutes aboard a restored amphibious vehicle — see Halifax's highlights on land before splashing into the harbour for waterfront views and local stories.

“We enjoyed the Harbour Hopper tour in Halifax Harbour with our group of four. Our adventure kicked off perfectly as we relaxed on the pier with local Halifax beer, enjoying the warm sun and embracing our roles as sophisticated maritime folks—despite being tourists about to board a bus that would drive into the ocean. The harbour was stunning, the beer refreshing, and the sun intense. Halifax is unique in that you can experience both frostbite and sunburn simultaneously. Our guide, Adam, was full of energy and humor, sharing Halifax’s history along with amusing local anecdotes that only got funnier as we went along. Captain Shannon expertly maneuvered the large bus through downtown Halifax’s narrow streets, which seemed more suited for bikes and compact cars. Interestingly, the bus measures 10.5 feet wide, while some streets felt just shy of that. At times, it was wise to keep hands and elbows inside, unless you were okay with risking them. One moment we were cruising through the city, and the next, our captain smoothly launched the bus into the harbour like it was a typical Tuesday routine. Our reaction was akin to kids at an amusement park the instant we hit the water. A heads up: if you’re in the front window seats, be prepared to get splashed. I knew I was in trouble the moment I saw the wave coming, and soon I was leaving with a soaked backside. Would we do this again? Definitely. Strongly recommended.”— June H

5. Halifax highlights tour: Peggy's Cove, Citadel Hill, Titanic Cemetery

Four hours by private transport — visit Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, explore Citadel Hill, and a narrated tour of downtown Halifax including the Titanic cemetery.

“I had a fantastic outing led by Omar, who took us to the Citadel and the Titanic Cemetery in Halifax before heading to Peggy's Cove. He was friendly, well-informed, and a skilled driver. Omar arrived on time, and we enjoyed a delightful, engaging, and informative afternoon. Peggy's Cove was stunning and tranquil as we explored the area. Thank you, Omar.”— gilliann458

6. Halifax hop-on hop-off bus tour

A flexible 60-minute bus loop with 7 stops at key Halifax attractions including the Citadel, Titanic Cemetery, and maritime museums, with live commentary throughout.

“Rhonda provided an excellent tour experience. Her extensive knowledge really enhanced our enjoyment. We completed the full route, planning to hop off and explore on our second ride. Unfortunately, on that ride, the other guide focused excessively on buying gummies, which we found unprofessional. However, Rhonda's storytelling, infused with personal anecdotes about her family, made her tour truly engaging and personable. Overall, we had a great time with her.”— Christy_R