Private Tour
Private Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites Half-day Tour
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Explore the stunning local landmarks from Halifax on your exclusive half day tour (5 hrs) with a local Nova Scotia Professional Guide. You will be kept informed and entertained.
Avoid crowds of the tour buses with this small group tour. We linger at stops, ensuring a relaxed exploration, adhering to the schedule for a punctual return. Flexible stops based on time/interests.
Learn local history, culture, & key events like our Titanic connection with a visit to Fairview Lawn Cemetery, the largest Titanic victims' resting place.
Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia's top destination. The iconic lighthouse, perched on the rugged Atlantic coast above a lively fishing village, enhances its charm. (1 hr from Halifax). The tour is timed with stops before Peggy’s Cove to avoid the tour buses, when possible.
As we journey back, revel in the scenic beauty, with highlights of the city of Halifax based on time and routes taken.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Unable to accept baby car seats.
Vehicle is Dodge Grand Caravan - seating up to 6; 1 in front., 2 in middle bucket seats, up to 3 in rear bench seat; note that with oversized /very tall guests, numbers should be reduced for comfort
Please advise of any walkers so I can ensure I have room the day of the tour.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Knowledgeable Guide
Private transportation
Bottled Water
Air-conditioned vehicle
Grab a bite on the go in Peggy's Cove or optional based on interest of a local sit down meal based on availability/time allowances.
What To Expect
Fairview Lawn Cemetery
Halifax’s Connection to the White Star Line TITANIC - Travel from your pickup location to the Fairview Lawn Cemetery (Titanic Graveyard). Halifax has the distinction of having the largest resting place for the victims of the Titanic with three gravesites with the Fairview Lawn Cemetery having 121. The TITANIC struck an iceberg at 11:40 PM (April 14,1912) and sank in about 2 hrs. and 20 minutes with just over 700 survivors. Recovery ships were dispatched from Halifax. Learn some of the personal stories of those laid to rest, including the ‘Unknown Child’ and some of the Band Members who ‘Played on’ ... travel time to site and time at site total about 45min
Acadian Maple Products
Travel from Halifax is about 45 min (mix of highway and coastal) from Fairview Lawn Cemetery to the ACADIAN MAPLE STORE. A real taste of 100% Nova Scotia maple syrup and products. Enjoy a hot cup of maple coffee or sample homemade maple fudge and other products or take some home with you ! They also offer apparel and merchandise. Typical time spent here about up to 30 mins. .. note: Acadian Maple Store is closed on certain days during the season .. Sun, Mon, Tues. If this is the case with your tour guide will discuss optional stops(s).
Options
Private Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites Half-day Tour
Pickup included
Reviews
11 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Down East Tours is a 5 Star Winner
Quest23979114776,
Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mel is a superb guide and a truly genuine person. From the moment you meet him you know his main priority is you: your welfare and satisfaction. We were a group of 3 seniors, one of whom used a walker. We traveled very comfortably in a Dodge Van. We never knew what surprises Mel would bring us during our half day tour. Throughout the tour Mel gave us a thorough background and history of the sites we visited. The day was filled with laughter, great sights and sounds and incredible memories. Down East Tours deserves every kudo imaginable, and it is due to its owner/guide Mel.
Private tour Peggy's Cove and Halifax
Janet O,
Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Mel Zilkowsky is a fantastic tour guide! We had a great private tour and Mel was very accommodating to meet our requests. For example, we wanted to stop at the Botanical Gardens in Halifax and it wasn't a problem. The gardens were absolutely stunning and I'm so glad we were able to spend time there. Mel had great stories and he never hesitated to answer our many questions. He has a great sense of (dry) humor which was fun! Peggy's Cove was a bit of a "tourist trap" in my opinion, but it was pretty to see. Mel is very willing to accommodate any requests for private tours in any of the eastern Canadian provinces. I would highly recommend him. His minivan was impeccable - we had lots of room and it was very clean.
Outstanding Tour
Jack B,
Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Mel was a very knowledgeable tour guide and safe driver as we explored Peggy’s Cove and a few other stops during our day. As we left Halifax, he shared an overview of the town’s history, most notably its ties to the Titanic and port explosion in 1917, beating the tour busses from our cruise ship which made the stops more enjoyable. He also willingly tailored the trip to our group’s preferences. He gave us as much time as we wanted at Peggy’s Cove, which was spectacular, and offered a great recommendation for a quick bite along the road en route back to the port. Thanks, Mel, for a great and memorable day!
Great private day tour!
Erin F,
Aug 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Mel was great. We saw all the sites. He is very knowledgeable on the local history which was so interesting to hear. Highly recommended.!!
Our 8 day trip with Mel was FANTASTIC!
nancybT8684YQ,
Jun 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our vacation with Mel was so exceptional, I almost hesitate in sharing it because he is like the best kept secret! We returned for a second tour with Mel this year and it did not disappoint. We traveled around Nova Scotia for 8-9 days with him and there was never a dull moment. If we wanted to stop for a great coffee and snack, he knew where to go. Sight seeing spots were breathtaking, we hiked, shopped, met the locals and ate in great places. We even danced some evenings with local singers and had the best vacation ever! Everywhere we went, people knew Mel and some told us how lucky we were to have him as our guide. Of course we knew that, and it made us feel special. If you are planning a trip to Nova Scotia area, do yourself a favour and book a tour with him. Whether if be for 2 days or 10 days, he will remain professional, polite, considerate and interesting. Mel gets to know what the group likes and will go out of his way to make sure your trip is memorable. No question is too simple and he puts you right at ease as soon as you meet him. The safety and well-being of your group is foremost in his mind and whether he is navigating traffic or helping you hike up some steep paths, he always has you in mind. His excellent passenger vans include bottled water, Wifi and plenty of room for your luggage. They are comfortable and clean! Mel, thank you SO MUCH for taking such good care of us this year. You are the BEST. WE want to take you on all our trips! :)
Mel - the real guy behind Down East Tours
sameP6918PT,
Jun 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A fabulous week long adventure seeing the scenery and raw beauty of Nova Scotia/Cape Breton, a specialized tour. Had previously toured the other regions of NS with Mel in 2023 and just had to book again with him - such a perfect vacation. He dares to go where no commercial tour bus could ever venture showing and stopping along the way at beaches, trails, historical sites not to mention the best restaurant foods, coffee houses and of course shopping! His knowledge of the Maritimes is extensive. Mel is professional, attentive, courteous, intuitive and an excellent driver. He is not above participating in some karaoke to pass the travel time! We thought he was the best the last time we booked with him, and this time was over the top, thanks sooooo much Mel!
Terrific tour in Halifax and Peggy’s Cove
bwrCT,
Oct 16, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mel was very knowledgeable, friendly, interesting and accommodating- couldn’t ask for a better tour guide! We highly recommend him.
Mel is the BEST!
SoFlaKid808,
Oct 4, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour with perfect stops! We learned a lot. Mel was superb and worked with us to take us to a number of fun places, especially Peggy's Cove. He also made reservations for us at Sou'Western, where we had delicious chowder and lobster rolls! This is a no-brainer! Hire Mel now!
Great tour. Highly recommend it.
scottbV2696AW,
Aug 7, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide, Mel, was an awesome mix of informative and entertaining. Very easy to talk with and very good at entertaining questions about Halifax. Let us experience things at our own pace. If i go back to Halifax again, i would not hesitate to do another tour with him!
Fantastic Experience
D3587CRmm,
Aug 3, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did a 6 hour tour with Mel who was a superb and knowledgable guide who showed us all that Nova Scotia had to offer. I cannot say enough good things about our experience.
Related Experiences
Operated by Down East Tours