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This small, escorted group tour offers exceptional opportunities to see a broad range of marine wildlife and the world’s largest gathering of humpback whales and icebergs – all amidst giant landscapes.

Combining boat trips with land-based excursions, you can expect to view a variety of whale species, seabirds, and wildlife. Although there is no guarantee, numerous whales generally appear between early June and early August. June and July is a good time to see icebergs – once again, no guarantee! By late July, seabird colonies start to thin out, but guillemot, puffin, razor-billed auk, gannet, eagle, and many other species of wildlife are still around. You can also enjoy local museums, lighthouses scenic trails, wildflowers and songbirds. Our guests say that the genuine hospitality of the Newfoundlanders and Labradorians they meet along the way is a highlight of their holiday.

Typical Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Fly to St John's

    Depart the UK for St John’s, arriving the same day. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel, which is conveniently situated in the downtown area. Depending on your arrival time, you may be taken on a short excursion around town. Enjoy your hotel’s ocean view and prime downtown location. Perhaps take a stroll on Water Street, North America’s oldest street.

    Accommodation: The Quality Hotel Harbourview, 2-nights

  2. Day 2: Boat trip to see whale, dolphin & seabirds

    Today you’ll take a boat trip to watch whales and see North America’s largest colony of puffins, plus tens of thousands of other seabirds, amongst some of the planet’s largest island seabird reserves. The area attracts the world’s largest summertime gathering of humpback whales, although other species including fin, and minke whales, and dolphins are often seen. Throughout the week you’ll be keeping an eye out for exotic bird species like shearwaters, jaegers, fulmars, and thick-billed murres.

    Expect a full and entertaining morning at sea, before visiting one of the New World’s earliest fishing villages and returning to St John’s for the night.

  3. Day 3: Explore Cape St. Mary & continue to Holyrood

    Today, you travel southwest on the Avalon to Cape St. Mary, which is often recognised as the one of the planet’s finest marine environments, via the scenic Cape Shore, stopping by at Castle Hill National Historic Site in Placentia. Further vantage points en route overlook the ocean and expanses of wild country, providing chances for moose and eagle sightings or activity on the water.

    Next, you visit Cape St. Mary Sea Sanctuary, which is North America’s third largest nesting gannet colony and also home to tens of thousands of other seabirds including the most southerly population of thick-billed murres. In season, usually peaking around mid-July, the sea cliffs at Cape St. Mary act as theatre seating for you to enjoy some of the world’s finest land-based whale watching, as these majestic marine mammals cavort around their northern coastal feeding grounds.

    After lunch, continue on your scenic coastal communities’ drive to the Rocky River Salmon ladder. Here, learn about the efforts to introduce Atlantic salmon to this once infertile river. Just a few minutes away, alongside yet another salmon river, your evening destination awaits you and the rest of the day is free to spend as you wish.

    Accommodation: Hotel in Holyrood, 1-night

  4. Day 4: Salmonier Nature Park & explore Trinity

    After breakfast, you head out on a gentle walk through the Salmonier Nature Park for another opportunity to view the Newfoundland and Labrador native wildlife. During the walk you will also learn about our provincial government’s programs for wildlife rehabilitation, research, and environmental monitoring.

    From here, you go on to explore the Trinity region. Notice the change in terrain as you travel away from the Avalon region and deeper into the interior of the island of Newfoundland as taller, more varied deciduous trees and richer soils abound, and there is potential to see wildlife at any time. After lunch, you continue to the coast to discover the beautiful sea-glass speckled beaches, sea arches, and amazing rock formations where you can explore on foot along a series of walking trails.

    Accommodation: Hotel in Trinity/Bonavista, 2-nights

  5. Day 5: Morning boat trip & further exploration of Trinity

    In the morning, head out on to the sea by boat once again to encounter some more marine wildlife. The Trinity Bay area is alive with bald eagles, whales and dolphins, and you will also get to enjoy the sound of Sperm whales through an underwater microphone, as they communicate to each other with vocal ‘clicks’.

    Your afternoon will feature more of what makes this area so special — walking trails, moose, osprey, songbirds, dramatic vistas, orchids, shore-birds, and numerous small museums and interpretation centres. Birdwatching, icebergs, lighthouses, flower walks, beachcombing, land-based whale watching, photographing the local architecture, and a visit to the local aquarium are all possibilities as well.

  6. Day 6: Explore Bonavista/Trinity region; drive to St. John’s

    The day is dedicated to exploring more of the historic Bonavista/Trinity region. The presence of icebergs, giant chunks of 15,000-year-old Greenland glacier, plus even more whales, usually adds to the day’s photographic interest. You’ll call in at nearby coastal settlements to learn more about Newfoundland’s unique cultures and flavours before returning to St. John’s for the evening, where you can enjoy a night out on the town in North America’s oldest city. Your tour leader will offer suggestions as to what you can do – whether it’s theatre, local entertainment, fine dining, or other aspects of local culture. 

    Accommodation: The Quality Hotel Harbourview, 2-nights

  7. Day 7: Explore Cape Spear & historic St. John’s; boat trip

    This morning you’ll drive out to Cape Spear, the most easterly point of North America. During the day there will be time to further explore the museums and attractions of historic St. John’s. And, if your interest in wildlife has not been sated, there should also be time to fit in another fascinating boat trip to see more puffins and whales. 

  8. Day 8: Explore St John’s & depart

    Most of the day is free to explore the historic city of St. John’s. You can visit Signal Hill, where Marconi received the first ever transatlantic wireless transmission, or see the spot from which pioneer aviators Alcock and Brown took off in 1919, on the first successful non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Alternatively, you may wish to go for a final visit to the whales.

    Transfer to the airport in the afternoon for your overnight flight back to the UK.

  9. Day 9: Arrive UK

Key info

  • Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 9 days from £3,795 pp
  • Duration and price excluding international flights: 8 days from £2,995 pp
  • Single supplement: From £350
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • Group size: 18
  • Group Departures: View all departure dates
  • Tailor-made Departures:

    A tailor-made holiday or private departure can be arranged, please contact us to tailor a trip to suit your requirements.

  • Included in the price/package:
    • Transfers
    • 7 nights hotel accommodation
    • Most meals
    • Guided activities
Featured location:

Newfoundland

Each year large numbers of whale, dolphins and porpoises migrate to the waters around the Newfoundland coast – about 15 species are normally present, seasonally or year round. St. Mary’s Bay is well-known for whale watching, and is easy to reach on a self-drive tour from the capital, St John’s. Find Out More about {acc:title}

  • Where: Newfoundland & Labrador
  • Ideal for viewing: fin whale, humpback whale, minke whale, pilot whale, sperm whale
  • Excellent for: Self-drive, Whale watching, Dolphin watching