Cod Fishing at Quidi Vidi Marina: Catch Your Own
Land a cod, then cook it on the boat
Cod fishing at Quidi Vidi Marina puts a fishing rod in your hands for two hours on the North Atlantic, where you catch and keep your own fish. The boat provides rods and life jackets; you bring a cooler for your fillet. Fishing season runs from the first weekend in July through Labor Day. The tour also offers whale watching and iceberg spotting if conditions allow, and the crew can pan-fry your catch while you rest on deck.
The Experience
Quidi Vidi Marina is where the boat departs, and you board via ladder from the wharf—a detail that matters if you have mobility concerns or are prone to seasickness. Once on deck, the crew hands you a fishing rod and shows you how to work the line. The North Atlantic is where the cod live, and you are fishing for them in the same waters that have sustained Newfoundland for over 500 years. If the bite is slow or the weather turns, the crew pivots: humpback whales move through these waters, and million-year-old icebergs drift past Cape Spear, the most easterly point in North America. You might spend the afternoon jigging for cod, or you might spend it watching puffins swim the surface while you hold a cold beer.
The two-hour window is tight enough that the whole experience stays focused. You catch fish, you keep them, and if you want the full circle—the taste of it—the crew cleans your catch and pan-fries it right there on the boat while you sit back and decompress. Bring your own cooler if you plan to take fillets home, or bring a beverage if you want one chilled on deck. The boat is pet-friendly, so a dog or cat can come along on a leash, though the sights and sounds tend to excite them.
Cod fishing season is a hard boundary: it opens the first weekend in July and closes Labor Day Monday. If those dates don't match your trip, verify with the operator before booking, because outside the season the focus shifts to whale and iceberg spotting instead. Children are welcome from age 8; younger kids can come if they sit on an adult's lap. The crew speaks English and knows the water well enough to read the day and adjust the plan.
What’s included
- Fishing rods and life jackets.
- two hours on the North Atlantic.
- the fish you catch, cleaned and ready to take home or cooked on the boat if you arrange it in advance.
Operated by NL Boat Tours
Is this one for you?The tour departs from Quidi Vidi Marina in St. John's, so you need your own transport to the wharf or a ride arranged beforehand—a detail that settles the logistics if you're staying in the city without a car. The two-hour window and the hands-on fishing make this a good fit for anyone who wants to do something active on the water rather than watch from a seat, and for travelers with kids aged 8 and up who are comfortable on a boat.
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When does cod fishing season run at Quidi Vidi Marina?
Cod fishing season opens the first weekend in July and closes Labor Day Monday. If you're planning a trip outside those dates, contact the operator to confirm whether the tour will focus on whale watching and iceberg spotting instead.
What do I need to bring for a cod fishing tour?
Bring a cooler if you want to take your caught cod fillets home with you. If you'd like a cold beverage on the boat, bring your own beer or wine—the crew does not provide alcohol. Life jackets and fishing rods are provided.
Can I bring my dog or cat on the boat?
Yes, the tour is pet-friendly. Bring a leash, because the sights and sounds on the water tend to excite animals.
What happens if the cod aren't biting?
The crew watches for humpback whales and icebergs that drift past Cape Spear. Depending on conditions and the season, you may spend the afternoon spotting wildlife instead of fishing, or a mix of both.
How do I board the boat at Quidi Vidi Marina?
You access the tour boat via a ladder on the marina wharf. This detail matters if you have mobility concerns or difficulty with ladder climbing.
Can the crew cook my fish on the boat?
Yes. If you want to eat your catch, the crew will clean your cod and pan-fry it on the boat while you relax on deck with a cold drink. Inquire about this custom option when you book.
Cod Fishing at Quidi Vidi Marina: Catch Your Own
2h · EN
from CA$ 269 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.9463 reviews













