We'll be in Nova Scotia for two weeks - last week of July and first week of August, and definitely want to include a whale watching tour in our itinerary. If possible, we'd like to see puffins also.

Where is the best location for taking a whale watching tour from?

We could conveniently leave from Cheticamp, Lunenburg, Brier Island, or Digby.

We'd prefer smoother water where we won't get seasick.

Does anyone have advice on tours from these locations?

Are there any specific boats that you would recommend?

We're also going to Cape Breton at the end of July. From what I've read, there are whale watching tours out of Pleasant Bay, north of Cheticamp on the Cabot Trail.

I am going to be in the same area in early July. The trip recommended to me by the innkeeper in Annapolis Royal is Pirate's Cove Whale Cruises, LTD., Box 624, Tiverton, Long Island, NS BOV1Go. You may want to request their brochure. email [email protected] and website www.piratescove.ca

We went whale watching out of Pleasant Bay, Cabot Trail. It is a small village and we drove to the harbor and found many different trips leaving frequently. Can't remember the specific boat, but we had a great time with calm seas and saw a lot of whales up close.

There is a post today on the Trip Advisor forum on this subject. You might want to check it out.