Yes! When taking a reservation, we ask for your email and a phone number where you can be reached in case we need to cancel. We need to follow Transport Canada's strict wind regulations and in some instances, we may have no choice but to cancel as late as at time of departure without notice. Please note that there is no cell service in Pleasant Bay, so if you are staying overnight you should let us know where you're staying so we can contact you there.
Questions and Answers
Since we do not have government approved wheelchair accessibilty standards, our boats are not recommended for wheelchairs.
You need to dress according to weather, and wear sunscreen. You should bring a camera, sunglasses, binoculars, hat with strings & shoes with good soles to maintain your sea legs. You may also bring a backpack with water & snacks if you wish since we are not permitted to sell food and drinks at the harbour.
Unfortunately, the zodiacs cannot accommodate any dogs because of the inflatable pontoons.
Most people don’t get seasick. Those who do are the ones who are prone to car sickness and air sickness. From our experience, taking motion sickness medication 30 minutes prior to departure time seems to be the best option.
We have one of the highest success rates in the world (92% in 2017)! As of 2018, we no longer offer a whales guaranteed policy. We go the extra mile to make sure your experience with us is professional and educational, and worth it even if no whales are seen.
Although this is hard to judge, reservations should be made at least 7 days in advance or earlier. In the off-season (September), you should be ok to reserve 3 days before. However, the season could be busier than expected and it is difficult to predict how long in advance you should book. Reservations are definitely recommended as soon as you know when you wish to come.
There are no washrooms on our zodiacs, or anywhere at the harbour. You have to use the washroom on your way to us...either at the Bog Trail if you're coming from Cheticamp or at MacIntosh Brook campground if you're coming from Cape North.
In our 28 years of operation, we found that there are no 'best' times of day to see whales. Although any time of the day is good, the 4:00 departure would be the least windy of all our trips.
The best way to reserve is on our website through our reservation system. It is available 24 hours a day, secure and faster than calling. We often experience high call volumes where it may take 1-2 hours before we can return your call.
Yes. Payments are processed when you reserve and if your trip is canceled due to wind, your payment will be refunded promptly.
24 hours notice before departure time is required to receive your full refund. This has to be done by emailing markszodiacs@gmail.com or replying to your confirmation booking. If you cancel after 24 hours, your card will be charged the total amount.
We are fortunate to have a number of different whales and dolphon species visit our shoreline. In June, Minke and Finback whales are more common. In July, Pilot Whales migrate here and stay until October. At the end of August through September, Humpback Whales and Dolphins come close to our shores since they follow a bait fish that arrives at that time of year.
You can get wet on the zodiac depending on the waves because you’re at sea level and you're going at a faster speed. It’s actually a fun part of the experience. It is also recommended that you bring water resistant clothing and footwear for the tours. We also rent raingear and dry bags at our office.
Both zodiacs are the same size (28ft), can accommodate 12 passengers each, can access the shore when weather permits and are Transport Canada Certified. The only real difference is that the 'Tourmaster I' has forward facing padded seats whereas the 'Tourmaster II' has side outward-facing padded seats.
