St. John's: Whale & Puffin Boat Tour with Icebergs & Cape Spear

Summary

Whale watching, seabirds and icebergs from St. John’s harbor

You’ll sail from downtown St. John’s past colorful houses and historic lighthouses, spotting humpback whales and puffins alongside ancient icebergs drifting by Cape Spear. With local guides sharing stories (and heated cabins if it gets chilly), you’ll feel both exhilarated and oddly at home among all that wild Atlantic energy.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I booked this whale and seabird boat tour in St. John’s mostly because I’d never seen a puffin up close—those little orange feet get me every time. But standing on the deck as we pulled away from the harbor, I felt this weird mix of excitement and calm. You could smell salt and engine oil, hear gulls bickering overhead, and see those jellybean-colored houses stacked along the Battery. Our guide (I think his name was Mike?) started telling stories right away—something about radio signals bouncing across the Atlantic from Signal Hill. I didn’t catch every word; I was too busy waving at some kid on a fishing boat who waved back like he knew us.

The sea air was colder than I expected—even with my jacket zipped up—but there’s a heated cabin if you need it (I ducked in for a bit when my hands got numb). We cruised out through The Narrows, past Fort Amherst Lighthouse where the rocks looked sharp enough to slice the sky open. Suddenly someone shouted “whale!” and everyone rushed to one side—there it was, this huge humpback just rolling through the water like it owned the place. It’s hard to describe that sound when they breathe out—a kind of wet sigh that feels older than anything else around you.

I nearly missed the puffins because I was staring at an iceberg—yes, an actual iceberg floating by like it had all the time in the world. The guide pointed out kittiwakes and gannets swirling over Blackhead Sea Caves, but honestly my favorite part was when a bald eagle swooped low enough that you could see its claws flexing. Cape Spear came into view after that, lighthouse perched way up on volcanic cliffs—wind whipping so hard even the seabirds looked annoyed. Someone bought a hot drink from the bar below deck; I just stood there shivering but happy, trying to memorize what cold Atlantic spray tastes like.

We headed back toward St. John’s with everyone quieter than before—maybe just tired or maybe feeling what I did: small but lucky to have seen all that in two hours. Sometimes I still hear that whale’s breath in my head when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Whale and seabird boat tour highlights

• Depart from downtown St. John's harbour
• View St. John's harbour and skyline
• Pass by Signal Hill and Cabot Tower
• Pass historic Fort Amherst Lighthouse
• See Blackhead Sea Caves and seabirds
• Visit Cape Spear National Historic Site

Top questions

How long is the whale and seabird boat tour from St. John's?

The boat tour lasts approximately 2 hours.

Are whale or iceberg sightings guaranteed on this tour?

No, whale and iceberg sightings are not guaranteed as they depend on seasonal conditions.

Is there a restroom available on board?

Yes, there is a restroom available on board the boat.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

The tour operates rain or shine; guests are advised to dress appropriately for changing weather conditions.

Are infants or small children allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are permitted and infants must sit on an adult's lap.

Is there food or drink available during the cruise?

A licensed bar is available onboard where drinks can be purchased; food is not mentioned.

Will we see Cape Spear during this tour?

Yes, you will sail past Cape Spear National Historic Site during the tour.

Are service animals allowed on board?

Yes, service animals are allowed on board during the tour.

What’s included

Your trip includes safety equipment as required by Transport Canada, a pre-departure safety briefing from experienced local guides, access to a heated cabin if you need to warm up, use of onboard restrooms, plus drinks for purchase at the licensed bar before returning to St. John’s harbor.