School Group Programs

Harbour Hopper Tours​

Ribbit Ribbit! All aboard Atlantic Canada’s most popular tour – a fun, fast-paced adventure that introduces you to the best of Halifax by land and sea! Sitting 10 feet high, you’ll have an exclusive view of our historic, vibrant city’s famous sights, such as the Halifax Public Gardens, Citadel Hill National Historic Site, St. Paul’s Church and bustling Spring Garden Road. The real adventure begins when you make your big SPLASH into the Halifax harbour! Your driver is now your Captain, and it’s time to explore. Prepare your camera for unique photos of Georges Island, Cable Wharf, the waterfront boardwalk, and the Historic Properties. This fully narrated amphibious tour shares stories of the Halifax Explosion, Halifax’s connection to the Titanic tragedy, and the rich history of the Canadian Naval dockyards.

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Please note: This program is not available during the months of July & August

Deckhand for a Day

​Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work on a Tall Ship? Come aboard the Tall Ship Silva to see what it takes to be a crew member as a Deckhand for a Day! Join our Captain and crew of experienced sailors, and see where you can make the wind take you. Learn how the crew works together to get the vessel safely off and back on the wharf, how the Captains navigate, how to tie sailor’s knots, how to raise the sails, and fire the cannon! The crew will tell you all about how sailors pass the time away from home and family with storytelling and jokes. You will learn the basics of life on the sea with the crew on the Tall Ship Silva and once you leave, no one will be able to call you a Landlubber again!

Lobsters & Lighthouses​

​The Lobsters & Lighthouses Tour allows guests to experience life at sea by taking in the sights and sounds of the Atlantic coastline. Over countless generations, fishing and lobstering have been worked into the fiber of our lives on the East Coast, a history that we are all too proud to share with visitors to our Province. We’re home to some of the oldest, and still functioning lighthouses in North America, three of which stand fearlessly in the Halifax harbour: McNabs Island Lighthouse, Georges Island Lighthouse and Maugher Beach Lighthouse. This tour also includes informative, hands-on experiences which provide guests with an up close and personal understanding of marine life. Our crew will pull a real lobster trap from the Atlantic waters, demonstrate how it works, and allow guests to examine any captured sea creatures before our team send them back to their ocean homes. Guests will also be invited to observe and touch real marine life from our on-board marine touch tank and witness the spectacle when invited to feed seabirds.

Historic Halifax Cruise

​This tour is inspired by the popularity of our fun, fast-paced hour-long Harbour Hopper Tour. During this one-hour cruise, we’ll share highlights of our Harbour’s history, while you enjoy unobstructed views of beautiful Georges Island, the Historic Properties, and the picturesque Halifax skyline. This fully commentated tour provides some great history about Halifax, the founding, and some of our most notable moments in history such as the Halifax Explosion, our involvement with the recovery efforts of the Titanic tragedy, and our city’s role in the World Wars. You’ll travel on board our iconic Mississippi sternwheeler which is conveniently equipped with restrooms, a full-service bar, and available snack options. The Harbour Queen I offers an upper level with a covered roof and open sides, perfect for enjoying the ocean breeze while also being protected from the elements. The lower level is wrapped in beautiful, bright windows and is heated. This Historic Harbour Cruise is a comfortable, informative and very relaxing way to experience Halifax from the water.

Private McNabs Island Excursion

​Take your school group to McNabs Island for a day trip! Approximately five kilometers long by about 1.5 kilometers wide, this island is situated near the mouth of Halifax Harbour. Filled with history and beautiful scenery, this island is a perfect destination for an educational outdoor excursion! The historical features include military forts that were established early in Halifax’s history as part of the Halifax Defence Complex. Two extensive examples are Fort McNab, a national historic site, and Fort Ives. Friends of McNabs Island Society is an excellent source of information for educators. Visit: mcnabsisland.ca/education

Prom & Dance Cruise

​This two hour event on board one of our vessels will make your prom a night to remember! Come aboard to enjoy an evening of dancing to kick off the end of the year. The Halifax Harbour will be a beautiful backdrop to pictures you will have forever. A DJ is included in this package to ensure an easy planning process, so you can spend more time enjoying the view.

School Group Lunch, Dinner or Buffet Menu

​​Murphy's Restaurant & Patio offers a casual dining experience, and specializes in seafood dishes, local brews & fantastic views. Boasting a large indoor space, as well as a bright & airy covered patio, the restaurant sits on the edge of the longest extending wharf on the Halifax waterfront. With unobstructed views of the bustling Harbour, Georges Island, and even McNabs Island, you're sure to love that every seat at Murphy's, has a spectacular view!