St. John's and Cape Spear tour: Small group coastal sightseeing

Cape Spear lighthouse tour, history, first transatlantic wireless signal site, iconic landmark

A guided tour of St. John's and Cape Spear for up to ten guests, departing from your hotel or cruise ship and traveling by air-conditioned van through the city's historic neighborhoods and coastal landmarks. The tour visits Jelly Bean Row's colorful row houses, Signal Hill for city views, Cape Spear's lighthouse and World War 2 bunkers, and Quidi Vidi, a working fishing village on the east end. Bottled water is included. The driver points out restaurants and historic sites along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore St. John's and Cape Spear

• Visit Jelly Bean Row for photos
• Drive along Historic Water and Duckworth streets
• See Terry Fox Memorial starting point
• Explore Quidi Vidi fishing village
• Visit Signal Hill and Marconi tower
• Tour Cape Spear lighthouse and WWII sites
• Visit Petty Harbor fishing village

The experience

Jelly Bean Row opens the tour: a row of narrow, brightly painted houses that define St. John's character. A short stop lets you photograph them before the van moves through Historic Water Street and Duckworth Street, passing churches, colonial buildings and the Terry Fox Memorial. The driver narrates the route, naming restaurants and landmarks as they come into view.

Signal Hill comes next, where you see the city spread below and the Atlantic beyond it. From there the route heads east to Cape Spear, the most easterly point in North America. The lighthouse stands here, and so do the concrete bunkers and gun barrels left from World War 2. The stop includes the tower where Marconi picked up the first wireless signal across the Atlantic on December 12, 1901.

Quidi Vidi, also called "the gut", sits in a cove on the east end and works as a fishing village still. The van descends into it, and you see the working harbor and the narrow streets that give the place its character. Petty Harbor, nestled deeper in Motion Bay, is the final stop: another active fishing village where the scenery holds and the boats are real.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off at your hotel, Airbnb or cruise ship.
• air-conditioned van.
• bottled water.
• live guide narration in English.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 13:00

Book up to4h before

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 29 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Jelly Bean Tours

Is this one for you?The tour runs 3.5 hours at a steady pace with stops for photographs and village walks, so it suits a morning or afternoon slot without consuming your whole day. Groups stay under ten, which means the van moves easily through narrow streets and the guide can answer questions without shouting over a crowd.

Traveler reviews

4.92★★★★★★★★★★

178 verified traveler reviews

5 ★168

4 ★7

3 ★1

2 ★2

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Jelly Bean Row in St. John's?

Jelly Bean Row is a row of narrow, brightly painted houses in historic downtown St. John's that give the city its distinctive character. The tour stops there for photographs.

Where is Cape Spear and what can I see there?

Cape Spear is the most easterly point in North America. The tour visits the lighthouse, World War 2 bunkers and gun barrels, and the tower where Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal on December 12, 1901.

What is Quidi Vidi Village like?

Quidi Vidi is a quaint, working fishing village in a cove on the east end of St. John's. The tour descends into it to see the harbor and narrow streets that define the place.

How long is the tour and what is included?

The tour runs 3.5 hours and includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel, Airbnb or cruise ship; an air-conditioned van; and bottled water. The driver provides narration throughout.

Can I book this tour if I'm arriving on a cruise ship?

Yes. The tour includes pickup at the cruise port and drop-off there at the end, so you can book directly without arranging separate transport to the city.

What is the group size on this tour?

The tour is a small group of up to ten guests, traveling together in a modern, fully insured van.