Observe the Atlantic Puffin, our Remarkable Provincial Bird and Watch for the Largest Population of Humpback Whales and other Marine Mammals that Return each summer.
Atlantic Puffins
The Provincial Bird of Newfoundland and Labrador is the Atlantic Puffin. The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve is home to the largest Atlantic Puffin colony in North America (260,000 pairs). That’s over 1/2 a million puffins!
The Atlantic Puffin are often thought to be relatives of the Penguin, however, they are a seabird in the Auk family. Atlantic Puffins spend most of their lives at sea, only returning to land each spring and summer to breed. Their bright-colored beaks appear during mating season and fade to grey during the winter months.
Puffins mate for life, spending spring and summer together nesting before returning solo to sea for the fall and winter months.
Every spring and summer the four islands that make up the reserve become a nesting ground for approximately 4 million seabirds. Several different species that can be seen on the islands include: the second largest colony of Leach’s Storm-Petrel in the world (620,000 pairs), Common Murre, Razorbill Auk, Black-Legged Kittiwake, Great Black-backed Gull, Black Guillemot, Nothern Fulmar, Thick-billed Murre, and Herring Gull.
A Birder’s Paradise!
For the best viewing opportunity join us on our 2-hour Award Winning Boat Tour as we sail to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve.
Whales
Seventeen species of sea mammals including whales, dolphins, and porpoises inhabit the waters of Newfoundland and Labrador each summer.
Some of the best whale watching takes place right here in Newfoundland and Labrador. The world’s largest population of Humpback Whales return to our waters every summer as they pursue the massive schools of tiny fish called Capelin.
In season you can enjoy a spectacular performance by Humpback Whales as they frolic, breach, and pectoral fin slap right before your very eyes. These majestic creatures can be over 70 feet long and weigh 65 tons! Other species that can be seen include Fin, Orca, and Minke Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises. These amazing creatures delight old and young alike with their natural antics.
Join us on our Award Winning Boat Tour or Coastal Adventure Tour for the thrill of a lifetime!
The best viewing time for Atlantic Puffins and other seabirds is from May to early-September and based on our 30+ years of experience the best time for whale watching is during the month of July.