Overview
Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada's most easterly province, and it feels like its own country in the best way. The island of Newfoundland gets almost all the visitors; Labrador, on the mainland, is larger and far emptier.
The draws are big and specific. Icebergs float past the coast in spring. Humpback whales and huge seabird colonies arrive in summer. Gros Morne National Park has freshwater fjords and a mountain of exposed Earth's mantle. At the northern tip of the island, L'Anse aux Meadows holds the remains of a Norse settlement from about 1,000 years ago. And St. John's is one of the most likable small cities in North America: steep streets of painted row houses, a pub scene with live traditional music most nights, and a harbor opening straight onto the North Atlantic.
What catches Americans out is scale. This is a big island with one main highway, long drives between highlights, and no rail. Unless you have close to two weeks, pick a side: east or west.
Different from home
Newfoundland runs on its own time zone, half an hour off from everyone else. Newfoundland Time is 30 minutes ahead of Atlantic Time and 1.5 hours ahead of Eastern, so noon in New York is 1:30 p.m. in St. John's. Most of Labrador uses Atlantic Time, though the southeastern Labrador coast follows the island. Your phone will switch automatically; double-check any tour time you booked from home.
St. John's
St. John's is the provincial capital and has a little over 110,000 people in the city itself. It claims to be among the oldest European-settled cities in North America, and the harbor has been busy with fishing fleets for about five centuries. Give it at least two full days, three if you want Cape Spear, Quidi Vidi and a boat tour without rushing.
Downtown is compact and steep, with Water and Duckworth streets running parallel to the harbor. Wear shoes with grip.
Signal Hill
The headland guarding the harbor mouth, topped by Cabot Tower. Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal here in 1901. Drive up for the view, or walk the North Head Trail from the Battery neighborhood: about 1.1 miles (1.7 km) of stairs and cliff edge that are tough in wind.
Jellybean Row
The nickname for the brightly painted wooden row houses on streets such as Gower, Queens Road and around Victoria Street. These are private homes, so photograph from the sidewalk and keep off the steps.
George Street
Two short blocks of bars, closed to traffic at night and loud until late. For traditional music, pubs on Water and Duckworth streets are often better. Several bars run a "screech-in," a tongue-in-cheek ceremony that makes you an honorary Newfoundlander with a shot of rum and a kiss for a cod.
Cape Spear
The most easterly point of North America outside Greenland, about 7 miles (11 km) from downtown. There is a restored 1830s lighthouse, the remains of a World War II gun battery, and a good chance of whales offshore in July. It is windy and several degrees colder than town. Stay behind the barriers: rogue waves are a real danger on these rocks.
Quidi Vidi
A tiny fishing harbor behind Signal Hill, with old fishing stages, a craft brewery known for iceberg-water beer, and artisan studios. Quidi Vidi Lake hosts the Royal St. John's Regatta, a rowing race on the first Wednesday of August, weather permitting.
The Rooms
The provincial museum, gallery and archives, with strong exhibits on Indigenous peoples and the Newfoundland Regiment in World War I. Check its site for hours and admission.
Insider tip
The East Coast Trail runs for more than 185 miles (300 km) along the Avalon coast, in day-hike sections that start minutes from St. John's. Even a 3-mile out-and-back gives you sea stacks, cliffs and, in season, whales below. Bring layers; fog rolls in fast.
Icebergs, whales and puffins
These three are why many people come, and they run on different calendars. If you want all three on one trip, aim for mid-June to early July and accept that icebergs are never guaranteed.
Iceberg Alley
Icebergs calve off Greenland's glaciers and drift south on the Labrador Current for two or three years before reaching the coast nicknamed Iceberg Alley, from Labrador down to the Avalon. Peak season is usually late April to June, with stragglers into July. Some years bring hundreds of bergs close to shore; others bring almost none.
The best spots are St. Anthony and the Northern Peninsula, Twillingate, Bonavista, and the bays around St. John's, including Quidi Vidi and Cape Spear. The provincial tourism site runs an Iceberg Finder map with recent sightings; check it the week before you go and be ready to drive. Boat tours get you closer, but no responsible captain goes right up to one: icebergs roll and shed chunks without warning.
Whales
Newfoundland has one of the world's largest summer gatherings of humpback whales, drawn by capelin, a small fish that spawns on the beaches in late June and July. July and early August are the peak; June and September are good. You can often see whales from shore at Cape Spear, the East Coast Trail, Bonavista, Twillingate and Trinity.
Puffins and Witless Bay
The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, about 30 minutes south of St. John's, protects the largest Atlantic puffin colony in North America, plus murres, kittiwakes and other seabirds on four islands. Boat tours of 1.5 to 2 hours leave from Bay Bulls and Witless Bay, and in July you often see whales and puffins on the same trip. Puffins are present from roughly May to August.
If boats make you seasick, go to Elliston on the Bonavista Peninsula. From the mainland cliff you look across a narrow gap at a puffin colony only a few dozen yards away, no boat needed.
Watch out
Boat tours run in open North Atlantic water, and swells can be big even on a sunny day. Take seasickness medication before you board, dress in a warm waterproof layer even in July, and book the morning departure, which is often calmer. Tours cancel for wind and fog, so do not schedule yours for your last day.
Bonavista, Twillingate and Fogo Island
The northeast coast is postcard country: outport villages, fishing stages on stilts and coves where icebergs park in early summer. Each area works as a two- or three-night stop.
Bonavista Peninsula
Trinity is a beautifully kept historic village with summer theater and the cliff-top Skerwink Trail. Bonavista has the Cape Bonavista lighthouse, the Ryan Premises national historic site and a lively food scene. Elliston, next door, has the land-based puffin site and old root cellars dug into the hills.
Twillingate
A pair of islands joined to the mainland by causeways, so no ferry is needed. It is one of the most reliable iceberg towns in late May and June, with boat tours and the Long Point Lighthouse on a high headland. The town's Fish, Fun and Folk Festival runs in late July.
Fogo Island
A rugged island of small communities known for its art studios designed by architect Todd Saunders and for the Fogo Island Inn, a high-end inn on stilts with a community-ownership model. Hike Brimstone Head, eat local, and slow down. The provincial ferry from Farewell takes about 45 minutes and has a history of delays and breakdowns; check the provincial ferry schedule and arrive early.
Insider tip
Gander, on the way to Twillingate and Fogo, took in thousands of passengers from diverted flights on September 11, 2001, the story behind the musical Come From Away. Its aviation museum and memorial sites make a good stop.
Gros Morne National Park
Gros Morne, on the west coast about an hour from Deer Lake, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the reason many people fly into the west side. Its geology is the story: you can walk on rock pushed up from deep inside the Earth, and the Long Range Mountains are cut by glacier-carved fjords. Plan at least two full days, three or four if you want to hike.
The main bases are Rocky Harbour (most services), Norris Point (great views over Bonne Bay) and Woody Point (closest to the Tablelands). Bonne Bay splits the park, so getting from Rocky Harbour to Woody Point means a drive of about an hour around the bay, unless the seasonal water taxi is running.
Western Brook Pond
This is the park's signature trip. A landlocked fjord with cliffs rising around 2,000 feet (600 m) and waterfalls dropping off the plateau, it is best seen on the boat tour run by BonTours, which lasts about 2 hours with live commentary. To reach the dock you walk a moderate trail of about 1.9 miles (3 km) each way, roughly 45 minutes, across bog boardwalk. Allow 4 to 5 hours total from the parking lot.
The tours run from about mid-May into October, weather permitting; the 2026 season ended on October 10. Book ahead in July and August through the operator or by phone, since the popular departures fill. Bring a warm layer for the water.
The Tablelands
Near Trout River and Woody Point, the Tablelands look like a desert dropped into a green landscape: tan, almost barren rock from the Earth's mantle, so low in nutrients that few plants grow. An easy trail of about 2.5 miles (4 km) round trip leads into the valley. Parks Canada's summer guided walks here are excellent.
Other highlights
- Gros Morne Mountain: the park's high point at 2,644 feet (806 m). The trail is about 10 miles (16 km) round trip and takes 6 to 8 hours, with a steep scree gully. It is usually closed in spring until late June to protect the trail; check with Parks Canada.
- Green Gardens: a hike to sea-cliff meadows and sea stacks, 5 to 6 hours round trip.
- Lobster Cove Head lighthouse at Rocky Harbour for sunset, and the Bonne Bay boat tours.
Fees
Daily admission in 2026 is C$12.25 (about $9) per adult, C$10.75 (about $8) for seniors, and C$24.50 (about $18) for a family or group of up to seven in one vehicle; anyone 17 and under is free. The Parks Canada Discovery Pass, C$83.50 (about $60) per adult or C$167.50 (about $120) per family, covers Gros Morne, Signal Hill, Cape Spear and L'Anse aux Meadows for a year. See national parks.
Campsites in peak season (June 12 to September 14, 2026) cost C$34 (about $24) unserviced and C$43.75 (about $31) serviced at Berry Hill and Green Point. Parks Canada oTENTiks and rustic cabins are C$147.50 (about $105) a night.
The Viking Trail and L'Anse aux Meadows
Route 430, the Viking Trail, runs north from Deer Lake through Gros Morne and up the Northern Peninsula: a long, quiet drive past fishing villages and limestone barrens. L'Anse aux Meadows is about 270 miles (433 km) from Deer Lake, around 5 hours from Gros Morne.
L'Anse aux Meadows is the only authenticated Norse site in North America and one of the first places added to UNESCO's World Heritage List, in 1978. Norse explorers built sod halls here around the year 1000, and tree-ring evidence has dated their woodworking to 1021. Parks Canada has a visitor center with excavated artifacts, the outlines of the original buildings, and reconstructed sod houses where costumed interpreters cook, tell sagas and demonstrate crafts. Allow at least 3 hours.
Daily admission is C$14.75 (about $11) for adults and C$12.50 (about $9) for seniors, with free entry for youth. The site is seasonal, open roughly from late spring into early fall; check Parks Canada's hours page for the current dates. Nearby, St. Anthony has iceberg viewing, whale tours and the Grenfell historic properties, and is the place to sleep and eat.
Save money
The Northern Peninsula has few rooms. Reserve St. Anthony-area lodging as soon as you know your dates, and fill your tank at every station north of Gros Morne; they are far apart and some close early.
Labrador in brief
Labrador is nearly three times the size of the island, with fewer than 30,000 people. It is the homeland of the Innu, of Inuit in Nunatsiavut, and of the Inuit-Métis people of NunatuKavut. Visiting takes more planning, money and patience, and it rewards travelers who like empty places. See Indigenous Canada for respectful travel.
- The Labrador Straits: the easiest taste. A seasonal provincial ferry crosses from St. Barbe on the Viking Trail to Blanc-Sablon, just inside Quebec, in under 2 hours. From there you drive into Labrador to Red Bay, a UNESCO site where Basque whalers worked in the 1500s, and on to the lighthouse at Point Amour.
- Battle Harbour: a restored island fishing settlement off the southeast coast, reached by boat from Mary's Harbour, with lodging in historic buildings.
- The Trans-Labrador Highway: a very long road (Routes 510, 500 and 389) linking the Straits to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador City and Baie-Comeau, Quebec. It is now largely paved, with huge gaps between services and little cell coverage. See driving in Canada.
- Torngat Mountains National Park: remote Arctic mountains on the far northern tip, reached by charter plane or expedition ship, with Inuit guides and polar bear safety a constant part of any visit.
Getting there
By air
St. John's International (YYT) is the main airport, about 15 minutes from downtown. Deer Lake (YDF) is the gateway for Gros Morne and the west coast. Gander (YQX) and St. Anthony (YAY) are smaller. Air Canada and WestJet are the main carriers, with PAL Airlines on regional routes. Most American travelers connect through Toronto, Montreal or Halifax. At last check in early 2026, St. John's had no nonstop service to the US, so check current schedules before assuming one exists. See flights for routes from US cities.
On the way home, you clear US customs and immigration at US preclearance in Toronto, Montreal or Halifax before your US-bound flight, so allow extra connection time there. You need a US passport book to fly; see entry requirements.
Insider tip
The best one-week plan for many people is open-jaw: fly into St. John's and out of Deer Lake, or the reverse, and drive across in between. Rental companies charge a one-way drop fee, sometimes a steep one, so compare that fee against the 7-hour drive back.
By ferry from Nova Scotia
Marine Atlantic, a federal Crown corporation, runs two routes from North Sydney on Cape Breton Island:
- North Sydney to Port aux Basques: year-round, daily, about 7 hours. Port aux Basques is on the island's southwest corner, about 3 hours from Deer Lake and 10 or more hours from St. John's.
- North Sydney to Argentia: summer only (roughly mid-June to late September), an overnight crossing of about 16 hours. Argentia is about 1.5 hours from St. John's, so it suits people heading east.
In 2025 the federal government cut Marine Atlantic's passenger and vehicle fares by 50 percent on both routes. In 2026 that has meant adult one-way fares on the Port aux Basques route in the low C$20s (about $16) and a standard car roughly C$50 to C$80 (about $36 to $57), with Argentia costing more, before fuel surcharges. Cabins and reserved seating cost extra. Check current rates and book on the Marine Atlantic site or at 1-800-341-7981.
North Sydney is about 4.5 hours' drive from Halifax and 13 hours or more from Boston. Crossings cancel or run late in high wind, and Argentia cabins sell out months ahead.
Watch out
Check your rental contract before you plan to take a mainland rental car on the ferry: some companies forbid it, and a car rented in Nova Scotia and returned in Newfoundland carries large one-way fees. Most people bring their own car or rent on the island. If you drive your own US car, check that your insurance covers Canada and carry proof; see crossing the border.
Driving distances
A car is essential outside St. John's. The Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) crosses the island; most other roads are two-lane. The usual highway limit is 100 km/h (62 mph). Budget more time than your map app suggests.
| Route | Distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| St. John's to Cape Spear | 7 mi (11 km) | 15–20 min |
| St. John's to Argentia ferry | 80 mi (130 km) | 1.5 hr |
| St. John's to Trinity / Bonavista | 160–185 mi (260–300 km) | 3–3.5 hr |
| St. John's to Twillingate | 270 mi (435 km) | 5 hr |
| St. John's to Deer Lake | 400 mi (640 km) | 6.5–7 hr |
| Deer Lake to Rocky Harbour (Gros Morne) | 45 mi (72 km) | 1 hr |
| Deer Lake to L'Anse aux Meadows | 270 mi (433 km) | 5 hr |
| Port aux Basques to Deer Lake | 170 mi (270 km) | 3 hr |
| Port aux Basques to St. John's | 560 mi (905 km) | 9.5–10 hr |
Watch out
Moose are the main road hazard. The island has well over 100,000 of them, and collisions happen often, especially at dusk, at night and in the early morning. A moose's body sits at windshield height, so these crashes are serious. Slow down after dark, use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic, scan the shoulders, and avoid long night drives. See safety.
Where to stay
Lodging is scarce in summer. For July and August, book rooms, rental cars and the Western Brook Pond boat as soon as your dates are set. Tiers are per night for two, before tax. See where to stay.
St. John's downtown
Stay within walking distance of Water Street. Options run from B&Bs in old row houses to hotels such as the Alt Hotel, the Murray Premises Hotel and the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland.
Outport B&Bs and cottages
Small inns, B&Bs and housekeeping cottages run by local families, often with huge breakfasts. Many open only from May or June to September.
Gros Morne
Motels and cabins in Rocky Harbour, inns with bay views in Norris Point, B&Bs in Woody Point, and good-value Parks Canada campgrounds and oTENTiks.
Fogo Island Inn
A celebrated 29-room inn with meals and local guides included and profits going back to the community. Rates run into the thousands of Canadian dollars a night, usually with minimum stays.
When to go
The main season runs from June to September, and many tours, restaurants and B&Bs outside St. John's open only then. Summer is cool by US standards: July highs in St. John's are usually in the upper 60s°F (around 20°C), with frequent fog. Pack layers and rain gear in any month.
- Late April to June: peak icebergs, chilly weather, some services still closed.
- July and August: whales, puffins, festivals, warmest weather, highest prices and fullest rooms.
- September to early October: fewer people, good hiking and fall color; many seasonal businesses close after Canadian Thanksgiving in mid-October.
- November to April: long, snowy and stormy. Marble Mountain near Corner Brook has skiing, but most rural tourism closes.
See when to go for national holidays and long weekends, and festivals for the 2026–2027 calendar.
Practical tips
- Prices are shown before tax; the 15% HST is added at the register. Tip as you would at home. See money.
- Cell service is patchy on the Northern Peninsula, in Labrador and on trails. Download offline maps. See staying connected.
- Eat local: cod in every form, toutons with molasses, fish and brewis, and anything with partridgeberries or bakeapples (cloudberries). See food.
- Canadian health plans do not cover you, and hospitals bill non-residents at full rates. Buy travel insurance with medical evacuation. See health.
- The US State Department rates Canada at Level 1, "exercise normal precautions" (advisory issued June 5, 2026). Here the real risks are moose on the road, cold water, cliff edges and fast-changing weather. See safety.
Sample itineraries
Five days: St. John's and the Avalon
- Day 1
Downtown
Walk Water Street and Jellybean Row; dinner and live music.
- Day 2
Signal Hill and Quidi Vidi
Hike the North Head Trail, lunch in Quidi Vidi, afternoon at The Rooms.
- Day 3
Cape Spear
Sunrise at Cape Spear, then an East Coast Trail hike. George Street at night.
- Day 4
Witless Bay
Morning puffin and whale tour from Bay Bulls, then the Irish Loop to the Colony of Avalon dig at Ferryland.
- Day 5
Icebergs and depart
Check the Iceberg Finder for bergs near town before your flight.
Eight days: east coast loop
Spend three days in St. John's as above, then two on the Bonavista Peninsula (Trinity, the Skerwink Trail, Elliston's puffins) and two in Twillingate or on Fogo Island. Drive back to St. John's on Day 8, about 5 hours, or fly out of Gander if schedules work.
One week: Gros Morne and the Viking Trail
- Day 1
Rocky Harbour
Fly into Deer Lake and drive an hour to Rocky Harbour. Sunset at Lobster Cove Head.
- Day 2
Western Brook Pond
Morning boat tour; afternoon on the beaches near Cow Head.
- Day 3
Tablelands
A guided Tablelands walk and the Trout River coast.
- Day 4
Big hike
Gros Morne Mountain or Green Gardens, or a Bonne Bay boat tour.
- Days 5–6
L'Anse aux Meadows
Drive north about 5 hours. A full day at the Norse site, plus iceberg and whale tours from St. Anthony.
- Day 7
Deer Lake
Drive back to fly home, or add two days for the Labrador Straits ferry from St. Barbe.
Two weeks: the whole island by car
Take the overnight ferry to Argentia. Spend four days on the Avalon, two on the Bonavista Peninsula and two in Twillingate or Fogo, then cross to Gros Morne for three nights and the Viking Trail for two. Finish at Port aux Basques for the crossing back. Expect roughly 1,600 miles (2,500 km) of driving on the island. See road trips and Nova Scotia for the drive up.
Add it to a route in the trip builder, or ask us to plan the hotels, trains and guides for you.