Our Calling
that is our success.
When someone comes back to dock with an uncontrollable smile,
2017
Jeff Farwell, former co-owner of Ambassatours Gray Line & Murphy's on the Water, made a lifestyle change in 2017. His knowledge of the tourism industry and shifting needs of the customer led him to invest in an authentic sailing product for the Halifax waterfront. He chose a 45' Beneteau Oceanis sailing yacht, the J Farwell, that is modern, luxurious and so much fun to sail. With the help of a talented deck crew, Jeff ran the company solo for four years.
2021
To facilitate the company’s continued growth, Jeff welcomed Sarah Godin as equity partner and President in 2021. Together, they have over 30 years' experience in tourism management in Nova Scotia.
“I admired Sarah’s deep dedication to, and passion for, creating premium guest experiences back in 2013 when, as Owner and CEO of Murphy’s, I hired her for marketing,” said Farwell, “Nine years later, Sarah has become one of the country’s top tour innovators – we’re delighted to be working together again during this exciting time in our company’s evolution.”
In their first year, Jeff and Sarah were proud to earn the spot as Trip Advisor's #1 boat tour in Halifax. "We are so proud that our brand has become synonymous with adventure, quality and luxury. We were no longer able to meet the demands for those sailing experiences with our flagship yacht, so we knew it was the right time to bring the another sailing experience to Halifax," said Farwell.
2022
The team expanded the fleet by welcoming a 50' Catamaran, the Reverie, to the Halifax waterfront. They also constructed a new solar powered sea container for the waterfront as the new base for reservations, began a partnership to sell Gill Marine clothing, and Sarah ended the year by also becoming a Transport Canada Certified <60T Captain - making each owner a true operator!
2023
They added a second monohull, Beneteau Oceanis 45', the JFarwell II. They were awarded two National awards by TripAdvisor, Top 10 Experiences for Outdoors and Top 10 Experiences for Food & Wine Experiences.
They are now rated the #1 experience in six TripAdvisor categories for Halifax, and continue to focus on their sole purpose - to share their love of being on the water with others.
J Farwell Sailing values social, environmental and economic sustainability, and strive for our business operations to balance the three.
We commit to...
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investing in our crew's personal and professional development through mentorship.
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creating a culture where employees and customers know they are safe, valued, and able to be themselves.
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supporting the growth and wellbeing of our community by removing barriers to access sailing.
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reducing use of fossil fuels by leveraging wind and solar power at every opportunity.
At JFarwell Sailing Tours, we believe the best way to experience Halifax Harbour is in harmony with the ocean that sustains us. Guided by wind, community, and respect for nature, we are committed to operating in an environmentally and socially responsible way.
We:
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Harness the wind whenever possible to reduce fuel use and emissions.
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Respect marine life and protect the waters we sail.
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Reduce waste, recycle responsibly, and avoid single-use plastics.
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Educate our guests about Halifax’s natural and cultural heritage.
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Support local businesses and give back to our coastal community.
Our goal is to ensure that every sailing experience leaves the ocean, the shore, and our community better than we found them.
JFarwell Sailing Tours is committed to being an inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone—crew, partners, and guests—feels welcome. We celebrate diversity as a strength and actively work to reduce barriers to participation in maritime tourism.