Murphy’s Cable Wharf offers unique and unforgettable tours of Halifax to all the major cruise and Motor coach lines visiting Halifax. For over 4 years Murphy’s has worked directly with the shore excursion/tour managers including:

As the largest tour boat and restaurant operator in Halifax Murphy’s Cable Wharf is able to offer something for everyone.

Tours Offered

Nature & Whale Watching Adventure
A guide will meet your group at the Cruise Ship Pavilion.   The group will be paraded on a 7-9 minute walk to the Haligonian III at the Tall Ships Quay.  Our purpose built Whale Watching vessel has a fully licensed bar, canteen, and washroom facilities.  We offer passengers a choice of decks: the top is open to the fresh air and the bottom enclosed and heated. 

All passengers will enjoy a full and informative commentary as they take in the wonderful sights and wildlife along the coastlines of George’s and McNab’s Islands before entering the Great North Atlantic to experience the majestic views of the world’s largest mammals.  All passengers can experience the authentic maritime experience of bringing in live lobster traps while our on-board naturalist can answer all of their questions.  Take in on-board demonstrations including a touch tank featuring examples of local marine life.

Tall Ship Sailing Cruise
A guide will parade you from the Cruise Ship Pavilion on a 7-9 minute walk to board at the Tall Ships Quay.

You will board the famous wooden Tall Ship Mar, and then sit back and relive the days when buccaneers and privateers ruled the sea as we explore Halifax’s Waterfront on a one and a half-hour sail.  Be ready to help the crew hoist the sails and steer the boat. 

Halifax City & Harbour Duck Tour
As soon as you hop aboard our famous Harbour Hoppers prepare yourself for one hour of fun-filled adventure.  Our Hoppers will take you on a land and water tour of beautiful Halifax and its harbour.  Our commentator will introduce Halifax’s finest shops, restaurants, museums, and Historic sites.  Prepare yourself for a big splash as our Hoppers plunge into the Harbour.  Be amazed by The Royal Canadian Naval Fleet and the spectacular sights along the waterfront.  This is the most popular tour in Atlantic Canada. Following the tour, you will be returned in front of the cruise ship pavilion.

Hop & Splash Tour
As soon as you hop aboard our famous Harbour Hoppers prepare yourself for one hour of fun-filled adventure. Our Hoppers will take you on a 45 minute water tour of beautiful Halifax Harbour. Prepare yourself for a big splash as our Hoppers plunge into the Harbour.  Be amazed by The Royal Canadian Naval Fleet and the spectacular sights along the waterfront. The most popular tour in Atlantic Canada.

You will then be returned in front of the Cruise Ship Pavilion to continue your journey by boarding an authentic British Double Decker for a delightful tour of Halifax and many of its historical sites.  Your tour is delivered by state of the art GPS, which allows you to travel back in time to hear reenactments of first hand accounts of the lonely 78th Highlander Regiment stationed at the Halifax Citadel during the 1800’s, stories of Privateers and Rumrunners and much more. 

At the end of your tour, you may remain in the downtown area and visit the sights at your own pace, and hop aboard any Double Decker bus throughout the day to return to the ship at your convenience.  The 10-15 minute drive back will depart every 20-30 minutes.  This will be a truly unique experience!

Deep Sea Fishing
A guide will meet you at the Cruise Ship Pavilion. The group will be paraded on a 7-9 minute walk to board the fishing boat “Summer Bay” at the Tall Ships Quay. You will enjoy the wonderful sights and wildlife along the coastlines of George’s and McNab’s Islands before entering the Great North Atlantic to cast their lines in search of cod, haddock and Boston bluefish.  You can experience the authentic maritime experience of bringing in your catch and watch your experienced Captain clean and filet their find.

Lobsters & Lighthouses
A guide will meet your group in the cruise ship pavilion.  Guests will be paraded on a short stroll approx. 7-9 min. to the Tall Ships Quay where they will board onto the Peggy’s Cove Express.  As we pull away from the dock and head out into the Great North Atlantic guests will enjoy a brief commentary on the Halifax Harbour and get prepared to help the captain and crew pull up the lobster trap.  The captain will educate the guests on lobster fishing in Nova Scotia and the life cycle of a lobster and other crustaceans.  Guests will have a hands on real life experience of holding a live lobster. 

Upon releasing the traps back into the ocean the Captain will make his way towards the first of three lighthouses guests will view on the trip.  The captain and crew will educate guests on the importance that lighthouses play in the mariner boating trade in Nova Scotia.

After the tour guest will enjoy a Maritime Lobster feast in Murphy’s restaurant.  Our guide will demonstrate the proper way to crack open a lobster, which is an experience in itself.  The meal includes a 1.1/4 lbs lobster accompanied with traditional potato salad, coleslaw and hot butter.  Our chef will prepare his homemade deep dish valley apple crisp for dessert.  Coffee, tea and ice tea is included.

After lunch guests will have the opportunity to shop in some local waterfront stores for souvenirs before returning to the Cruise Ship Pavillion.

The Best of Halifax in A Day
Your tour will begin as your group boards Halifax’s most popular travel vehicle the Hopper.  You will enjoy the sights of Halifax as our tour guides entertain.  Learn little known facts of our historic city.  Your first stop will be The Halifax Citadel Fortress which is located prominently in the center of Halifax overlooking the city.  This 19th century fort is complete with defensive ditch, earthen ramparts, musketry gallery, powder magazine, garrison cells, guardroom, barracks, and schoolroom.  Here guests will experience the Halifax Citadel with one of our knowledgeable guides.  Your group will learn about the historic significance of the Halifax Citadel in its role as a key naval station and how this contributed to Halifax’s importance in Canadian history.  Learn about the Citadel’s role in the defense of Halifax harbour for 250 years.

Upon completion of the tour, your group will board the Hopper and take off to the next stop, the beautiful Halifax Public Gardens.  The Halifax Public Gardens are the oldest original Victorian gardens in Canada.  Your group will have 45 minutes to explore gardens, a place where you can get away from the city life and find a source of health and cheerfulness.   In the gardens you will find a large duck pond, housing many species of waterfowl including Black ducks, Mallard ducks, and White Swans.  There is a red roofed bandstand inside commonly housing free concerts.

After a wonderful stroll through the park, you will regroup on the hopper and make your way down the busiest street east of Montreal, Spring Garden Rd.  Your next stop is the famous Murphy’s Cable Wharf Restaurant where your group will enjoy an authentic taste of Nova Scotia Lunch.  Your lunch includes a Nova Scotia Lobster Roll Sensation Wrap, accompanied with mixed field green and vinaigrette.  Enjoy Murphy’s Homemade Deep Dish apple crisp, coffee, tea, or bottled water is included.  You will be given some free time to do some shopping on the waterfront in local gift shops upon finishing your meal.

You will then regroup a take a 200 meter stroll over to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.  Inside you will be greeted by a tour guide who will take you through Nova Scotia’s Marine history.  They will introduce you to the age of the steamships, small crafts, the Royal Canadian and Merchant Navies, World War II convoys and The Battle of the Atlantic, the Halifax Explosion of 1917, and Nova Scotia’s role in the aftermath of the Titanic disaster.  The museum has the world’s foremost collection of Titanic memorabilia, including the only surviving deck chair.

After completing the Halifax in one day package you will have the option to go back to the cruise pavilion in the Hopper or just simply take your time and make your way back on your own.