Around here, the water isn't just scenery. Paddle quiet coves, take a sailing lesson, head out on a boat tour or simply find a protected place to launch a kayak. Whether you want a gentle morning on the water or a full coastal adventure, there are plenty of ways to experience the South Shore from its best vantage point. Most operators are seasonal and many tours need booking ahead, so plan a day or two in advance. Wind and weather make the final call, so keep your plans flexible and pack layers, sunscreen and a hat.
| Kayak | Ovens Natural Park Sea Kayaking; Pleasant Paddling | |
|---|---|---|
| Paddleboard | Cape LaHave Adventures; Lunenburg Kayak Rentals | |
| Sail | Star Charters' Eastern Star; Bluenose II Harbour Cruises | |
| Take a Boat Tour | Star Charters' Heritage Harbour Tours; Lunenburg Kayak Rentals' island motor-boat tour | |
| Go Fishing | Lunenburg Ocean Adventures (deep-sea fishing); Star Charters (mackerel fishing) | |
| Swim | Risser's Beach (lifeguards in July and August); see Best Beaches for more | |
| Explore Calm Water | Lunenburg Kayak Rentals at Hermans Island | |
| Try Something New | A full-moon or bioluminescence night paddle with Cape LaHave Adventures; a learn-to-sail course with Sail and See | |
Drive times are calculated from The Salty Cribb
Ovens Natural Park Sea Kayaking | 3 minutes
Guided sea-kayak tours from The Ovens Natural Park, with a short tutorial before you launch, so no experience is needed. It's the closest paddle to Feltzen South, and easy to pair with the park's Sea Cave Trail.
Experience: Guided sea-kayak tour, up to 6 people per tour
Duration: Not published; ask when booking
Best For: first-time paddlers, couples and small groups; children 8 to 12 can join in a tandem kayak with an adult
Booking Needed: Yes. Tours are pre-booked by phone at 902-766-4621.
Season: June 1 to September 30 in 2026. Mornings Wednesday to Sunday at 10am, afternoons Tuesday to Saturday at 2pm, evenings by appointment.
Lunenburg Kayak Rentals & Tours | 18 and 31 minutes
A local outfitter with two bases. The Hermans Island site, home to their floating cottages, is a calm, protected spot for a self-guided paddle just minutes from downtown Lunenburg. The Green Bay base launches from a white-sand beach.
Experience: Rentals of kayaks, canoes and paddleboards, plus private tours: a 2 to 3 hour coastal paddle from Green Bay and a 3 to 4 hour motor-boat tour of the sand islands in Mahone Bay. Tours include life jackets and a dry bag.
Duration: Tours 2 to 4 hours; rental length by arrangement
Best For: calm water, beginners, families, and paddleboarders
Booking Needed: Yes for tours, which are private and booked in advance. Call 902-514-9222 or email mike@lunenburgkayakrentals.com.
Season: Not published; confirm when you book
Book: Lunenburg Kayak Rentals
Star Charters | 18 minutes
Sail Lunenburg Bay on the Eastern Star, a 48-foot wooden ketch, or head out on the smaller Harbour Star for a flexible harbour tour with mackerel fishing if you like. The day tours pass the Bluenose II and historic lighthouses, and the sunset sail views the Ovens sea caves.
Experience: 2-hour sailing tours (day or sunset) on the Eastern Star; Heritage Harbour Tours of 30 minutes to an hour on the Harbour Star, with optional fishing
Duration: 2 hours (sailing); 30 minutes to 1 hour (harbour tours)
Best For: first-time sailors, families, sunset views, and small-group fishing
Booking Needed: Yes. Reserve online and expect confirmation within 48 hours. Check in 30 to 60 minutes before departure. A minimum of six passengers is needed for a sailing tour to go ahead.
Season: From Victoria Day weekend through the fall; sunset sails run June to September
What to Bring: Rods and binoculars are provided on the harbour tours; you can bring a lunch or order a deli sandwich in advance.
Book: Star Charters
Bluenose II Harbour Cruises | 18 minutes
Climb aboard the replica of Nova Scotia's most famous schooner for a harbour cruise from Lunenburg. Expect an hour or more of actual sailing, and a look at the town from the water.
Experience: Public harbour cruise aboard the Bluenose II
Duration: About 2 hours, with 60 to 80 minutes of sailing
Best For: an iconic South Shore experience, families, and photographers
Booking Needed: Yes, online. Public cruises run on select dates only, at 9:30am and 1:30pm, so check the schedule before you plan around it.
Season: Summer and early autumn; the 2026 season ends at the end of September
What to Bring: A water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and a sweater or jacket, with non-slip shoes.
Book: Bluenose II cruises and schedule
Lunenburg Ocean Adventures | 18 minutes
Half-day deep-sea fishing trips from the Lunenburg waterfront, with bait, rods and reels provided. Private charters for up to 20 people are also available, including scenic cruises that visit the Ovens sea caves.
Experience: Deep-sea fishing trip with gear and bait provided
Duration: 4 hours, with morning (8am to noon) and afternoon (1pm to 5pm) departures
Best For: anglers of any level, groups of friends and families
Booking Needed: Yes, online. Group trips need a minimum of eight passengers; smaller parties can book a private charter.
Season: In season, 7 days a week
Cape LaHave Adventures | 18 minutes
Guided sea-kayak and stand-up paddleboard tours from Dublin Shore, on the water around the LaHave Islands. It's the best pick for paddleboarding, and its full-moon and bioluminescence night paddles are a memorable way to try something new.
Experience: Guided sea-kayak and paddleboard tours, night paddles and lessons, from beginner to advanced. Equipment rentals also available.
Duration: Evening tours about 2 hours; half-day tours 3 to 4 hours; full-day tours also available
Best For: beginners through experienced paddlers, and anyone wanting a guide
Booking Needed: Yes. Book ahead; call 902-693-2023 if you're booking within 24 hours.
Season: May 1 to October 12, with tours running Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm
Book: Cape LaHave Adventures
Sail and See | 23 minutes
Private sailing from the Mahone Bay marina for up to six guests, from a half-day sail to a full day with an island stop for a picnic lunch. It's also where you can learn to sail, with Sail Canada certified instructors.
Experience: Private half-day and full-day sails; learn-to-sail courses aboard a 35-foot cruising yacht, from a 3-hour introduction to multi-day certification courses
Duration: Half or full day for sailing; 3 hours for the introductory course
Best For: small groups, sailing lessons, and a private day out on Mahone Bay
Booking Needed: Yes. Call 902-541-0399 or book online.
Season: Lessons run June to early August; confirm dates for private sails
Book: Sail and See
Pleasant Paddling | 26 minutes
A sea-kayak outfitter at Blue Rocks running daily guided tours through the sheltered islands, with a morning tour to the seals. Wildlife is part of the draw, and the tours are family-friendly.
Experience: Guided tours: "Paddle Through the Islands" in the afternoon (2pm to 5pm) and "Paddle to the Seals" in the morning (9am to 1pm). Kayak rentals also available.
Duration: 3 hours (afternoon tour); 4 hours (morning tour)
Best For: families, wildlife watching, and a sheltered paddle out of the wind
Booking Needed: Yes, online or by phone at 902-541-9233. Tours are weather dependent.
Season: Not published; confirm when you book
Book: Pleasant Paddling
