2-Hour Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls: 40 years of expertise

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Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell out

1/6

Duration2h

GroupUp to 100

LanguagesEN

Four million seabirds nest on the islands every spring and summer.

A 2-hour guided whale and bird watching boat tour departing from Bay Bulls takes you out to four islands that form a seabird reserve, where you watch nesting colonies and scan for whales along the coastline. The tour includes a lifejacket and a live guide who speaks English; you'll see species like Leach's Storm-Petrels, Common Murres, Razorbills and Kittiwakes in their natural habitat. The boat is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels, though the operator recommends bringing warm clothing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale and bird watching boat tour

Board boat in Bay Bulls
Enjoy 2-hour guided tour
Observe seabirds nesting on islands
Spot various bird species
View coastline and marine life
Return to Bay Bulls

The Experience

Two hours on the water puts you in front of the reserve's four islands during spring and summer, when roughly 4 million seabirds arrive to nest. The guide points out the second-largest colony of Leach's Storm-Petrels in the world—620,000 pairs—along with Common Murres, Razorbills, Black-Legged Kittiwakes, Great Black-backed Gulls, Black Guillemots, Northern Fulmars, Thick-billed Murres and Herring Gulls. The boat stays close enough to see the birds without disturbing them, and the guide shares what they are doing and why they gather here.

Whales move through the same waters, and spotting them is part of the watch. The coastline itself carries local history the guide knows; 40 years of running this tour means the crew reads the conditions and the wildlife patterns the way locals do. The boat is well-maintained and carries modern safety gear. Lifejackets are provided, and the deck is set up so you can move around and get a clear view from different angles as the tour unfolds.

Bring or wear warm clothing—the water and the wind off the Atlantic make layers necessary even in summer. The operator sells coats in the store if you arrive unprepared. Infants sit on an adult's lap; children can ride in a pram or stroller on deck. Service animals are welcome. The boat is wheelchair accessible, and the tour suits all fitness levels since you're seated and the boat does the moving.

What’s included

Lifejacket.
live guide in English narrating the seabirds and marine life.
access to all four islands of the reserve during the 2-hour tour.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bay Bulls O'Brien's Puffin and Whale Tour

Is this one for you?The tour departs from Bay Bulls, so if you're staying in St. John's or the surrounding area without a car, you'll need to arrange your own transport to the dock—but once you're on the boat, the guide and the schedule handle the rest, and you spend the full two hours watching instead of navigating.