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Harbour Hopper Tours
Categories: Hotels & Travel Tours Active Life Boating Tours, Boating [Edit]
1751 Lower Water StHalifax, NS B3J 1S5
(902) 490-8687
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
15 reviews for Harbour Hopper Tours
15 reviews in English
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Review from Tiffany T.
Halifax, NS
10/21/2011
Ribbit Ribbit... is what they make you yell at pedestrians while you drive by.
I was once a tour operator myself, not with Harbour Hopper.. they were actually my competition. (I was on the double decker buses run by Ambassatours) But, with that being said, the ol' HH does a pretty bang up job.
The amphibious vehicle takes you on a tour of Halifax showing you the great spots we have to offer. It travels on land, and sea. The tour guides are full of energy, even when the crowd is not. They tell many great stories about the history of our beautiful city.
Although full of energy, I am unsure of how accurate the stores are, as I've said I've done this before and some of their events differ from mine but are similar.
The HH tours are fun and are quite entertaining, ideal for a family visiting the city.Listed in: 30 Day Yelp Challenge
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Review from Ben B.
7/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I can't even lie...I've got some love for the Harbour Hopper.
Yes, yes, yes. I know it's a tourist trap, some people think it's tacky, and they make you ribbit at strangers while driving around the city. BUT, every time I've been on board (three times now), I'm just filled with weepy-eyed Halifax pride over the incredible firsts, bests, biggests, and onlys that our beloved city boasts both nationally, North Americanly, and internationally. I wish I could write them all down on a cheat sheet that I could bust out whenever I have to impress visitors.
But I'm getting ahead of myself...what's a Harbour Hopper? A re-purposed and restored military amphibious vehicle that can drive on land, or cruise in the water. For just under $30 a head (less for students, seniors and kiddies), you get to enjoy a thirty minute driving tour of the city's downtown, and a thirty minute harbour tour that gives a whole new perspective on the Halifax waterfront.
...and you get to ribbit at strangers.
Typically my tour guides have been personable, charming and funny rather than obnoxious or kitschy aside from having to play to the tourists every now and then. But c'mon, by the time you're on board an restored and re-purposed amphibious land/water tour vehicle, you kinda know what you've signed up for. That said, even though it skews toward our visitors, I guarantee you'll hear at least one thing that you didn't know about our city and you'll crack at least one smile.
So get off your high horse and go have some staycation fun for crying out loud.
RIBBIT RIBBIT! -
Review from Kirk F.
2/8/2011
True story: I was working on the waterfront one summer, day in and day out. I worked right next to Lower Water Street and every few minutes (or it felt like every few minutes) the Hopper would pass by. Every host/guide would be telling the same story. and be in the same spot in that story.
It got to the point where I could recite the story along with them.
Like many other Haligonians, I often found the Harbour Hopper confounding. It's a boat. On the road. With wheels. And it's from the 1940s. And you actually go into the harbour? The Halifax harbour?!? Do you know what's in the Halifax harbour!?!
Nevertheless, I've been on the Hopper. Twice. And paid four times.
See, if you're like me and you want to make your friends' birthdays adventurous, you find something that they may be interested in but wouldn't do on their own. So I've taken two friends for birthday trips on the Hopper.
And, yes, it's cheesy. And silly. And fun! (If you let yourself go a bit.)
Historically accurate? Not so much. I would take most of what they say with a (large) (no, make that very large) grain of salt. But it's entertaining and enjoyable.Listed in: Date Ideas
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Review from Candice W.
St John's, NL
9/29/2010
An incredibly educational introduction to Halifax, at a reasonable price. The Harbour Hopper is a transformed military vehicle which functions as both as an open-deck tour bus and a boat. Yeah, driving directly into the harbour can be a little unnerving at first.
The tour guides are extremely knowledgeable about historical Halifax, and they'll make you shout RIBBIT-RIBBIT at pedestrians and on-lookers. Make sure you scream it with a vengeance. -
Review from Sue A.
10/15/2010
The shouts of "Ribbit, ribbit!" echoing from the familiar blue and green amphibious vehicles cruising around downtown Halifax are a sure sign of warm weather. If you're in town with your family wanting to do one touristy thing, a trip on this icon is a must. Kids especially love the land-and-water two trips in one experience.
The Harbour Hopper is one of Halifax's most beloved tourist attractions. The 55 minute tour conducted in a military vehicle originally built for the U.S. during the Vietnam War era, rolls by the main sights, Citadel Hill, Argyle Street, the Public Gardens, and Spring Garden Road, and finishes with a dip in the Halifax Harbour.
Our guide informed us he was a university student and he liked history. He gave a very animated presentation of Halifax history. Even Haligonians could learn a thing or two (the accuracy might be questionable) from this easily digestible information.
My only complaint was that the narration was the full 55 minutes with no time to just sit back and look at the sights in silence.
And if you are planning on doing this in peak season make sure you prebook your tickets. We went down only to find we would have to wait three hours for the next available tour. -
Review from Mary B.
9/11/2008
The Harbour Hopper is a bright blue and green amphibious vehicle which takes you through the sites of downtown Halifax and into the harbour. It runs you about $25 for an adult ticket (probs less for the chiles) and you see a fair amount of the city - but nothing that you wouldn't be able to see on your own for free if you had a couple more hours to spare and good walking shoes. One thing that's unique to it is that you get to go into the harbour and see the city from a different perspective.
There is a tour guide that is there to point out the interesting spots along the way and tell you wacky and poignant stories of this fair corner of NS. Like all guides for stuff like this, our guy was a little cheesy but he never let it get boring and he definitely knew his stuff. I did learn a lot and the hour run time was perfect as it was a good break from walking around but you weren't on the boat so long that you felt like it took up the entire day. I would recommend going early in the day because you may see sites along the way that you want to go back to and you want to give yourself enough time to check them out if you have limited time in Halifax. Definitely good for the kiddies - treat em with a froggie shirt when it's over. If you're an adult you should buy one too, my boyfriend is lamenting the fact that he didn't shell out $5 for one and now his life is ruined :(Listed in: Livin' it up on AST
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Review from Laura P.
6/3/2010
Crating around tourists like it ain't no thang, the Harbour Hopper Tours are a full-out trip through Halifax's downtown vicinity. When the summer months hit, it isn't unusual to see these jumbo sized green machines cruising around on the regular.
The trip starts down by the boardwalk, this mobile force trudges through both water and land perspectives. Expect lots of commentary from the bubbly tour guides, and lots of city statistics as well. When I worked on Argyle Street years ago, summer months meant the same one statistic passing by on the hourly: "Halifax has the most bars per capita". Did ya know? I sure know.
I'd say the Harbour Hopper would be a fun trip for families and visitors looking for a full tourist experience. The Hopper covers a lot of ground, including a trip up Citadel Hill with all the bells and whistles. Always pleasant and full of energy, guides will do their best to provide a fun time, and if your looking for a well-sought trip around town, hop aboard for a summer spin. -
Review from Courtney M.
Halifax, NS
1/22/2010
I think every city has its own individual slew of activities that are irritating for locals and entertaining for tourists. Think about it, if you were in London- you might be inclined to ride the red double decker buses, right? And in Halifax, that annoyance for locals would be: the amphibious, green (made to look like frogs), post war Vietnam era vehicles that plummet around the city with everyone on board periodically chiming in "ribbit, ribbit."
So, if this seems like your bag, then book yourself on a Harbour Hopper Tour. These vehicles do have tour guides that take you on guided tours around the city. Most locals have heard this thing rumbling around enough times to find it a tad irritating! Some of the tour guide info needs some work too- i've periodically heard the tour guides say "and this is the site of mills brothers founded in ___" Only to see a different founding date on the outside of the building... -
Review from Adam B.
Halifax, NS
1/19/2010
The Harbour Hopper is a neat vehicle that goes from land to water at the drop of a hat and takes eager tourists on a slightly expensive tour of our fair city. While locals are sure to get sick of the blaring loud speaker, come from aways are sure to find it quirky and uniquely Nova Scotian (even though just about every city with a harbour I've been in has their own variation on this tour.)
While the Hopper will give you a great over view of Halifax's land scape, you should be warned that it is essentially one long advertisement. Funny how some restaurants get acknowledged along the way while others are not, isn't it? hmm, I wonder why that could be?
Same goes for stores and services - Somethings seem to be broadcast a whole lot more over the speakers...
If you're looking for a quick over view of the city and are willing to pay to be inundated with pitches for some of Halifax's shops and services then this is a solid tour. The seamless transfer from land to see is a lot of fun and allows you to see the city from two very different perspectives.
Be wary of the sales pitches and it is a fine way for a tourist to kill some time! -
Review from Bethany J.
Halifax, NS
4/10/2010
The Harbour Hopper is an honest-to-goodness riot. You'll laugh and laugh at the tall tales the guides spin.
Sure, they're not big on actual, you know, facts - but the embellishments they add make up for that in spades.
We hit up the Harbour Hopper one summer when we did a staycation instead of going away for a couple of weeks. We decided to hit up all the touristy attractions right at home, and the Harbour Hopper was a big part of that.
Mind you, the Harbour Hopper is pricy. At $26 + tax for adults, a family-sized outing will run you about $100 - or more! However, if you're not headed out of town, it's a good compromise for the kids.
One caveat: the Harbour Hopper's water performance is less than smooth sailing. If you have anyone that gets seasick, you may want to pass on the Hopper. -
Review from cheryl d.
Halifax, NS
6/2/2010 2 photos
If you are new in town check out the water front and get on the Harbour Hopper as this is the way for us to show you around town. Not only will you get a ear full of great information and facts about Halifax from the great tour guides . You will also experience that great Maritime humour.
Make sure it is a nice and sunny day so that you are not beating the rain out of your eyes when touring this lovely city of ours. Not only will you go on dry land it will take you in the water as well which all enjoy.
Everyone love this added attraction and you can hear them coming down Spring Garden Road waiving. Go enjoy. -
Review from Shawna D.
Chester, NS
5/21/2010
The Harbour Hopper is a great way to see some of Halifax. For a family of 4 it will run you about 100 bucks. But, it is a great time, and they run often, so let the weather be your guide.
The tour guides on these big green creatures, are hilarious. It makes a big difference when your guide is a character. They give you the facts, throw in a few tales, and of course the odd joke or two.
We really liked going into the water on this machine. -
Review from Maria C.
4/14/2010
I took the harbour hopper tour because, like most natives, I didn't know crap all about Halifax and my kids (who weren't born here) wanted to take a ride. After $80 for 2 kids/2 adults we were off.
I found the amount of information to be great; I learned a lot of things I hadn't known, corrected a few things I thought I knew, and reconfirmed some things I was right about. The views from the harbour were amazing. My kids LOVED this. They were 3 and 4 at the time; they still ask about this and wonder if they can go in the dead of winter. It's pricy but worth it, at least once, if not more :) -
Review from Paul W.
Halifax, NS
8/22/2010
The four of us went on a sunny Sunday afternoon and really enjoyed ourselves. Being new Haligonians, we wanted to see and learn more about our city, and even after having read the entire halifax Lonely Planet book I learned a lot of history and trivia told by a very enthusiastic and funny tour guide. I have seen the hopper around the city for months and I like that the 'script' must change as I had heard many jokes and stories previously that weren't told today! We're going to go back with more friends on their visit. The only issue I would have is their almost $26 per adult price for the 55 minute tour.
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Review from Personalo X.
South End, NS
4/16/2009
While the amphibious vehicles are really cool it is the blaring megaphone that drives me around the bend. City of Halifax, please ban this nightmare.
