Cabot Trail & Baddeck Tour From Sydney Cape Breton Cruise Port

Very nice tour that covered several different stops. The Alexander G Bell Museum was interesting and the ride to Baddeck and the Cabot Trail was glorious with fall colors. Lunch was delicious at the Clucking Hen and we loved the glass blower and cho plate shop as well. Our guide, Lotus, was informative and gracious. The only downside was that his car was really too small for 4 adults. Three would have been much more comfortable.

Hersh was amazing tour guide to see some of the best of Cabot Trail and Baddeck. We went during the peak fall colors and even though it was fully overcast and little rain, Hersh made the trip amazing. There were four of us on this small group tour in a minivan that was comfortable and he made sure we were comfortable with the temperatures in the van. We were able to stop a many for scenic overlooks being in a small group tour than if we were on a large coach bus. Each transportation option has its advantages, but I believe for Sidney a small group would be best for flexibility. We were able to eat at the most amazing restaurant in this small town on the water which is not available for large bus tours (note that the lunch was not included in the cost of the excursion). I would recommend this tour to anyone looking to explore the area. One note is that we didn’t go up Cabot Trail as far as I was expecting, but most of that was because of limited time in port and probably repeat of scenic views further north on Cabot Trail. Probably a trade off of the nice lunch or further up the Cabot Trail. We did get to go on the Englishtown Ferry which was pretty cool and the shortest crossing on a ferry I have ever seen.

Lotus our guide, was really informative. We traveled we one other couple, there were 4 of us in the van which was comfortable. Lotus had water for us. It was a beautiful drive and we enjoyed the stops.

We were crammed in to a small suv with 4 other travelers and a driver. We had anticipated being in a bus with more room to breathe. The tour itself seemed rushed at times and it was hard to understand the driver who had a pretty thick accent. There’s no way people in back heard him at all. Stops were not explained well and we skipped one stop expecting more time at others but did not get that, just lost the time we would’ve had there.

There were three couples who did not know each other, so six people plus the driver (so seven people total!) crammed into a Kia. This is not the transportation that we expected and it made for a difficult day for all of the passengers. The guide was friendly, but not exceptional.

We booked a small group guided tour a year in advance. A few days before our cruise stop, the company reached out to say their bus was broken and would it be OK if they send a van for us. We agreed, but on the day of our tour they sent a taxi cab instead, without any option to get the Van, they promised us. The taxi sedan was too small a vehicle for four adults. The driver was brand new and just a driver, not the tour guide we hired. This all made for an uncomfortable and disappointing day. To Red Leaf Tours credit, I complained about our experience, and they provided a partial refund. I still would not recommend this tour until they get their operational issues worked out.

Our guide was super friendly and very entertaining. He was very knowledgeable and able to provide a lot of history about the area. I believe his name was Khush.

Brenda is a very knowledgeable tour guide having grown up in the area. She gave us options along the way to customize to our group's preferences.

We were very disappointed with this tour. The driver/guide was not trained to be a tour guide. He spoke very little. We had to ask him about the area. His driving skills were weak. He could not keep the car between the lines. The car was cramped as well. Supposedly the larger vehicle was still in the shop. Do not use this outfit! We wish we could get our money back.

Very straight forward to book. We actually were the only 2 people on our tour so it was like booking a private excursion. Our driver was a lovely guy who was focused on ensuring we had a great day and that included checking regularly whether we wanted a coffee stop or restroom break or if we wanted more photo stops. He was chatty, knowledgeable and it was just a great day all round. Thank you!

There were six adults on the tour in a Chrysler mini-van. Two people had to sit in the third row which was uncomfortable and crammed. You also could not see very much. Poor choice of vehicles. There was not much to see and the Gaelic College was closed. The stop at the candy shop was obviously arranged to benefit the shop owner and should not have been a stop. There was confusion as to start time which resulted in an early start for some and a delayed start for others. The driver was very apologetic but it messed up the morning. Not a good tour and very disappointed.

We thought this tour would have not only a driver, but also a tour guide. There were only five of us so maybe that was the reason but if we had known we would not have gone on this tour. The three other people in the group shared they felt the same way. The stops we made were all good ones but the experience would have been greatly improved if there had been a guide.

The three of us were very disappointed with this tour, starting with the van where no one should be forced to sit in the rear seats. Not only is the leg room very limited, it is unusually difficult to get in and out; a step stool on the ground would be a big help. In reading the reviews of Red Leaf, many talked about how knowledgeable their guide was. We apparently had a driver, not a guide, because he truly spoke only rarely, never giving us any information about the places we were heading to or driving to. It was so poor I don't think he ever gave us his name. We also wonder about the schedule because we got to Baddeck, where he suggested we have lunch, about 11 o'clock. Sorry, that's not my idea of lunch time. On the positive side, our driver was pleasant, a very good driver, helped the people in the rear (we switched) in and out of the seats, and actually gave reasonable answers when asked a direct question. Still, this was an expensive disappointment and we cannot and will not recommend this company.

K was a great tour guide who provided great information on the area we were travelling through and the history. We saw some wonderful scenery.

“Jack” our driver/guide was on time and very informative. The sights were as represented. The only problem was he kept driving toward Wreck Cove after it was obvious that heavy fog had moved in and there was nothing to see. That involved at least 45 min on a very curvy slow road. Wasted time.

We took this tour on a one day cruise stop in Sydney. Everyone that we had spoken with previously about Sydney told us that there was not much to do there, so we opted to take this tour. This tour took us to the town of Baddeck, The AG Bell Museum, and also on the Cabot Trail. The distance to these locations is quite very far from the port, and this tour ended up being approximately 5+ hours. If we had not opted to take this tour, I don’t think there was very much else to do in the port of Sydney. Kulwinder was very knowledgeable and spoke the entire time. However, the bus that we were on made it often hard to hear. One suggestion would be for a little more downtime during the driving portion. We were given a lot of information, but not a lot of time to process it….it was as if the guide did not want any dead space, but most guests would have been fine with some downtime. There is not much to do in the town of the Baddeck, and if you’re not going to have lunch, you don’t need to spend much time there. The part of the Cabot Trail we drove was only accessible by ferry (which was neat) but took a very long time to go back-and-forth. We did not feel that the time spent made the Cabot Trail trail worthwhile. However, the Alexander Graham Bell Museum was absolutely wonderful! We really did not have any expectations about this, but this was wonderful and it was the one stop to not be missed. We spent an hour there, but easily could have spent more. Also, fall foliage might be better on the Cabot Trail and surrounding environments further into October. Leaves were just starting to change when we were there in late September.

This was an excellent tour. Our guide never rushed us at any of the stops and was informative about the area and the sights we were exploring. When ask he recommended a restaurant for us also.

Do not book this tour unless you know exactly what vehicle will be used and that there are no more than 3 adults and a driver in the vehicle, rather don't walk but run from this particular tour operator. I have booked tours around the world and this is the first time ever to have had such a bad experience as did all the other passengers. 6 adults crammed into a mini van unsuitable for that many. Tour was never completed because everyone was so miserable with improper seating that they asked the driver to return to port. Before the tour started everyone involved ask the driver to correct the situation and he insisted 6 adults must be accommodated in this van. The whole thing was unreasonable. Viator should vet these companies before allowing them to book on their site. Viator and Red Leaf Tours should offer a refund to the six people involved in this fiasco. All the other tours we booked operated as they should and were enjoyable. They are basically using a taxi cab and not suitable for this type of tour. Also, want to add the review posted on Trip Advisor received an incorrect response.

The tour we paid for is not the one we ended up. The Baddeck Tour included A.G. Bell but due to small numbers we were added to another Cabot Trail tour - East Coast Cabot Trail. We had considered both so we were OK with it but if we had really wanted to see Bell museum it would have been upsetting. We were advised by email while on cruise but did not have wifi. Our guide was excellent.

Wonderfull sights, lovely day with a very friendly and informative guide. Baddeck is a lovely town.,

Jack was amazing! Very informative, professional and just a great young man!! The stops and views were awesome!

A fun, interactive and highly recommended tour. Guide Jack was humorous, fun and very knowledgeable. You'll be awed by the rugged beauty of Cape Breton and the Cabot trail, and learn lots about the area. (Thanks Red Leaf for swapping tours, instead of cancelling me when quota was not met on my original tour!)

Excellent tour to Peggy's Cove and Cape Baddeck.Very knowledgeable guide

Small group, comfortable coach, tour guide was very informative. Probably went to places that otherwise we would have driven past.

We had a fantastic time and tour with Kulwinder of Red Leaf Tours. Logistics at the port were smooth and seamless. He was very knowledgeable about the local history and landscape. He was also super accommodating to us and meeting our interests and needs. The vehicle was super clean and comfortable as well. The return to Port was also smooth and timely. Great tour, great company, and great guide.

Our guide, Kulwatter, was well informed, shared lots of local knowledge and was extremely accommodating and concerned about the guest’s comfort. The tour itself is very interesting especially the Bell Museum. Plenty of time for a relaxing lunch.

First and foremost, the mini-van was way too small for 6 passengers and the driver. Some people were larger and some had mobility issues and had a tough time making it to their uncomfortable seats. Passengers were complaining right from the start and wanted a larger vehicle or less people, that didn’t happen. We left for the excursion but patrons insisted on cutting the trip short. 5– 6 hours would’ve been way too much. The driver/tour guide spoke English although with a thick accent making him hard to understand and a lot of us couldn’t hear him properly. Very little information was given about the tour. Needless to say we will not use Viator in the future and will be seeking a refund.

Having traveled extensively in the world and booked many tours, sorry to say this is the worse tour ever booked First problem, they tried to cram 6 adult people in a van suitable for maybe 3 adults, plus driver and maybe 1 or 2 younger children. The group asked for another vehicle but was told one was not available . Two of the passengers (men who needed some space we're trying to be crammed into the back seat with my husband. They refused. We were told we needed to accept 2 more passengers. These ladies were crammed into the back seat and didn't even have sufficient room to sit and were terribly uncomfortable. Photo stops were not good because it was more than effort to remove yourself from the cramped space to get out and in again. After about the 2nd photo stop everyone including the passengers who actually had a seat (although couldn't move the actual seat) was all wanting to turn around and end the tour. The passengers discussed skipping parts of the tour because they were so uncomfortable and finally told the driver enough was enough and to head back. Therefore, no one enjoyed the tour and we missed alot of the Cabot Trail which we came from long distances to see. A stop was made at the Alexander Graham Bell museum but everyone was so fed up by then they didn't even want to see the museum. Think this stop was just made so the company could claim they had provided the tour. At the end of the tour everyone was so cramped they could barely walk. A miserable event and disappointing as it is expensive to travel and none of us will probably ever come here again. The driver was a safe driver but did not really provide information of the area. A word of advise, check to find out the type of vehicle and how many people the vehicle can accommodate before purchasing. Definitely feel all involved should be reimbursed for this tour. We were understandably Unhappy!

A very nice coastal drive around Sydney. Beautiful scenery . Our guide provided lots of information and facts on the area.

There were only 4 of us on the tour with the guide, Jack. He offered us many choices such as bathroom stops, stops at scenic overlooks, and even the order in which to do things. He was very knowledgeable about everything on the tour and he even offered many times to take pictures of us.

Gulwinder also known as Jack was a very knowledgeable, pleasant and courteous guide. He met us at the appointed place on time and brought us back on time as well. The narration and stops were well paced and we enjoyed every moment of the drive down the beautiful trail. I would definitely recommend this operator and tour to anyone who would like to enjoy the natural beauty that abounds here.

We had a wonderful Cabot Trail tour from Sydney with our family of four (2 adults, 2 kids). The comfortable ride made for a relaxing day, and we loved the beautiful scenic stops along the way for photos. The stops in Baddeck and at the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, along with the chocolate shop, were highlights of the tour. Our guide, Kalwinder, was knowledgeable, friendly, and made the experience enjoyable from start to finish. It was a fantastic way to see the beauty of Cape Breton without the stress of driving. Recommend this tour!

Our guide Jack was so sweet and accommodating it made this day really fun. He made sure the 6 of us in a smallish van were comfortable and happy and gave us choices along the way of where to stop and what to do in what order. We really enjoyed the stop at Baddeck and the Alexander Graham Bell museum, the chocolate factory and the locally owned cafe for lunch. It’s a lot of driving but the scenery was beautiful and we learned so much about the island and Nova Scotia. Extra bonus: We left a jacket in the van but when we got back to the ship we realized our guide had thoughtfully left it with security there - with our names on it! He really went above and beyond to ensure we had a nice day.

We did this tour primarily for the time at the Alexander Bell museum. The time there was very sufficient (40-45 min) as the museum was good but somewhat not quite what we were expecting.

Very professional tour guide Lotus. A great tour!! Very thorough and informative with plenty of time at our stops.

This would have been a 5 star as the guide, Vishnu was excellent, but it was a very long drive. We also happen to be in the backseat of the van and had trouble hearing the other passengers in the guide.

Manny was a great tour guide. Once we disembarked, he was waiting for us with a sign right where they said he would be. We were a group of 6, and he drove a minivan which was comfortable. He knew a lot about the area and he also talked a little bit about his personal history and how he came to live and enjoy Sydney. He made good use of the time, and even led us to a small walking trail, which was a nice surprise (although note for future: bring bug spray). Communication was excellent, and he got us back to the ship in good time. I am glad we booked this tour, which combines a couple of places while other available tours only focused on one or the other. The tour gave a good impression of places we could spend more time on should we come back for a visit.

Jake took us on a very informative tour of Sydney. He shared so much information. We were never rushed at taking pictures. Jake told us we could ask him to stop if any one wanted pictures. We were very pleased with our tour.

All was covered but the day was foggy and Cabot Trail was difficult to see anything....but we enjoyed the Bell telephone museum and the 1 hour free at Baddeck exploring the town

Our tour guide really tried to make the best with foggy rainy weather. He gave us a lot of information but we could not really see anything.

Still learned a lot, even when the weather wouldn't cooperate. Operator did a great job adapting both to a foggy day and the interests of the group.

Our guide, "Jack", was wonderful. He was informative, entertaining and gave us a great overview of the area.

Kurvinder was a wonderful guide! We were so impressed with his knowledge anout Nova Scotia history and culture. He was so personable and made every effort to ensure our comfort. Highly recommended!

The tour guide tried his best with what he had to work with. "Jack" very nice and accommodating. The drive to Baddock was long, they gave us 1 hr for lunch, witch should have been skipped, rather walk through a town. We had 45 min at A.G. museum, we'll worth the history, time was plenty. The sights along the way were beautiful, but the stops were tourist stops, nothing exciting. Wish the itinerary was more focused on NS. Maybe find an oat biscuit factory (area is known for those) Gaelic college did not offer anything but gift shop of items, not made by student, and bathroom. Chocolate shop, very basic, but nice people. Country store, not sure why we stopped. There are a lot of art shops on the Cabbot trail, maybe choose some different art and stop at those shops, maybe working local artists, could make it more interesting.

This tour gave us a taste of all the beautiful things to experience in the area. Now we just want to go back!

Kuhlwinder was very knowledgeable, amiable and joy to be around. He was flexible and provided options for us of where to go and sight-see. We had 4 Travellers and added a personal touch Highly Recommend

I was very disappointed with this excursion and would not recommend it. Below is the email I sent to Red Leaf Tours. I was advised in an email from the tour company that I had 30 minutes after the ship docked at the port to meet the tour group. I disembarked from the ship, as soon as I could, and joined almost all of the other excursion passengers in the tent at 9:30. Because several passengers from another ship hadn’t arrived yet, the tour guide, Kulwinder, made the decision to keep our group waiting for them. We were forced to wait until 10:50, one hour and twenty minutes in the windy and uncomfortable tent before the excursion began. Because of the long delay, the excursion failed to adhere to the expected itinerary. Rather than eating a light lunch at our own pace, as stated in the itinerary, Kulwinder instructed us to purchase our food and eat it on the bus. We looked forward to enjoying our lunch while sitting comfortably outdoors and, instead we were forced to eat lunch on a moving bus. When we arrived at the Alexander Graham Bell museum, we were allowed only thirty (30) minutes to review the exhibits, an insufficient amount of time. The main reason I booked this excursion was because I was very interested in seeing the exhibits in this museum. Because of the limited amount of time we were given, I rushed through the museum and didn’t have a chance to do more than have a quick look at the displays. It was because of the late-arriving excursion group members that we were forced to rush back to the port to keep them from missing the tenders that were going to take them back to their ship. I received the following reply from the company. The payment I made for this tour was not refunded. We are truly sorry to hear that our tour guide did not meet your expectations. We take all feedback seriously and are currently reviewing the matter to better understand what happened and how we can improve. Due to a high volume of emails and customer inquiries, our response time may be slightly delayed. However, please rest assured that your concern is important to us, and we will get back to you with your refund request as soon as possible.

We did the Cabot Trail and Alexander Graham Bell Museum and lunch in Baddeck. Jack was our guide and he accommodated our every needs. He was very informative and professional. We highly recommend this tour.

"Kool"/ Jack was a marvelous tour guide and made the most of our short time in port and changing ship schedule. The Alexander Graham Bell museum was surprisingly fabulous. And the what we got to see of the Cabot trail was beautiful - many photo opps! Sad that the ferry wasn't running that day... but out of our control.