About Us
A Cape Breton Fixture that spans the generations
A Cape Breton Boat Tour Sailing through the Decades
Bird Island Boat Tours has been in business for over 50 years, a proud part of the Van Schaick family for three generations. Read on to learn more about how our boat tours have been shaped by captains throughout history.
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Captains Joe & Vince, 1982
First Generation
Captain Joe Van Schaick
Captain Joe, 1986
Joseph Van Schaick, with a wife and 7 children, bought the property and a boat in the spring of 1972. They were surprised to discover on the day after moving in, that tourists were knocking on the door, looking for a boat tour! The boat, 'Ciboux', came with the property but no mention was made of tours! Immediately grasping the tour's potential, a regular departure schedule was created, and reservations were taken.
The property still had 2 cottages to rent, which proved to be a viable second income source. So, Joe built 2 more cottages in the following 3 years. The business grew steadily from about 200 boat passengers per season to over 5000 by 1991. Most of his children became involved in the business at least part-time over the following summers. The phone number for Bird Island Tours has not changed since becoming a regular land-line in 1974, 902-674-2384.
Second Generation
Captain Vince Van Schaick
Captain Vince, 1991
Vince, Joseph's second youngest son, showed a strong interest in the boat tour while in his teens. One summer he rebuilt the hull of the old tour boat, Sea Wolf. He also took his turns as first mate on the boat with his father. When he was 18, he passed the exam to qualify as a tour boat captain, as his older brother had. In 1983, he enrolled in the Coast Guard College, with a love of all things boat-related.
After graduating in 1986, he worked on a variety of Coast Guard ships as a Navigation Officer, then later landed an office job with their Ice Operations Section in Dartmouth. The best advantage of that job was that he was off for the summers and could run the boat tours with his father.
Third Generation
Captain Ian Van Schaick
Captain Ian, 2010
Vince and Sheila have 2 sons, Ian and Mark. Ian became interested in the business when he was quite young, especially the boat tour. By the time he was 12, he was helping out on the boat, in the office with ticket sales and assisting guests. When he was 16, he became our regular first mate on the tour boat every summer. At 18, he started taking the first of 4 courses needed to pass his Limited Masters certificate. This certificate allows him to be a tour boat captain, which he completed when he was 20.
Stay With Us
Turn your boat tour into a full coastal getaway. Our seaside cottages put you right on the water — wake up to ocean views and fall asleep to the sound of the waves.
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What People Are Saying
"Loved the whole tour. Got 3 new lifers! Great experience."
"Great tour! We can feel and experienced their happiness to share knowledge."
"Amazing! Good info, clean + comfortable, very helpful."
"We appreciate your enthusiastic effort to help us see & learn about puffins and other birds. Great info. Thanks."
"So amazing, informational, we got to see so many different birds, couldn't ask for anything more! Loved it!"
Ready to Set Sail?
Join us for a journey to the Bird Islands — where puffins soar, cliffs rise from the Atlantic, and memories are made. Book your tour today and experience the wild side of Cape Breton.
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