Things to do in St John's
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Newfoundland: Puffin & Whale Watching Cruise Witless BayYou’ll lean against the rail as puffins zip past in Witless Bay, listen to folk tales from your local guide, and maybe spot a whale or iceberg if nature’s feeling generous. With plenty of space onboard and shelter if weather turns rough, this cruise is all about real moments—wind in your face, laughter nearby, stories echoing long after you’re back on land.
2-Hour Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls: 40 years of expertiseA 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.Is it for me?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.
St. John's: Whale & Puffin Boat Tour with Icebergs & Cape SpearYou’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.
St. John's Newfoundland Tour: Cape Spear, Signal Hill & GuideThis 3.5-hour guided tour of St. John's and its surroundings covers Cape Spear (the most easterly point in North America), Signal Hill with Cabot Tower, a World War II gun battery, Quidi Vidi Village, and the downtown core—all narrated by a local guide who weaves in the city's history, legends and personal anecdotes. Pickup is included; the tour requires a minimum of four people to proceed.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and delivers the tour in a conversational style with personal anecdotes and humor—suited to anyone who wants to understand the city's history and character rather than just see the landmarks. If you prefer a self-guided walk or a faster pace, a different tour may fit better.
St. John's Downtown Walking Tour: 2.5 hours of city historyA 2.5-hour walking tour of downtown St. John's led by a live guide in English, moving from George Street through Water Street, Duckworth Street, Bannerman Park and the Colonial Building. You'll learn the history behind the city's colourful row houses, discover what happened at Bannerman Park in 1932, and hear stories about the cemetery, the shops and what first brought people to settle here. All fees and taxes are included.Is it for me?The 2.5-hour pace is steady walking with several stops, so you'll need a moderate level of fitness and comfortable shoes — it's the kind of tour where you're moving most of the time rather than standing in one spot listening. Book this one if you want the stories and the architecture woven together as you walk, not delivered from a single viewpoint.
St. John's Guided Tour with Come From Away Star, Lunch IncludedA 4-hour guided tour of St. John's, Newfoundland led by George (a Come From Away cast member), Deneen, or historian Dave Peters, covering Signal Hill, Cape Spear, Petty Harbour and coastal villages with stops at a working fishing village and a seafood lunch in St. Philip's. Groups stay at 12 or fewer, and pickup is included; the guides are rooted in Newfoundland culture and prioritize personal connection over bus-tour logistics.Is it for me?Your guides are George, Deneen, and historian Dave Peters—all born and raised here, all descended from Newfoundland's earliest families—so you're stepping into the actual story, not following a script.
St. John's Food Walking Tour: 6 stops, local storiesA 3-hour walking food tour of downtown St. John's where you stop at 6 restaurants and food venues to taste Newfoundland seafood, wild game and traditional meals while a live English-speaking guide tells the stories of the people and places behind them. The tour covers roughly 2 kilometres across George Street, Water Street and the harbour, with a few sets of stairs and a hill. Children under 9 ride free but without food included; purchase a youth ticket if you want them to eat at the stops.Is it for me?The walk covers about 2 kilometres with stairs and a hill, so you'll need a moderate level of fitness and comfortable walking shoes. If you're planning to bring children, only youth tickets include food at the stops—children under 9 on a free ticket will watch while others eat.
St. John's and Cape Spear tour: Small group coastal sightseeingA 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.Is it for me?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.
St. John's Scenic Bus Tour: Cape Spear & Signal HillA three-hour guided bus tour of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador takes you to Cape Spear's historic lighthouse and coastal cliffs, Signal Hill's Cabot Tower with panoramic harbor views, the fishing village of Quidi Vidi, and downtown's iconic brightly painted Jellybean Row houses. The air-conditioned vehicle and live English guide are included; children from age 2 are welcome, and the tour suits all fitness levels.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want the landmarks and the harbor views without renting a car or figuring out the bus routes yourself—the guide handles the stops and the timing, so the three hours hold together as a single coherent day instead of a series of separate decisions.
Cod Fishing at Quidi Vidi Marina: Catch Your OwnCod 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.Is it for me?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.
Witless Bay Puffin Cruise: Late Season SightingsA 90-minute catamaran cruise through the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve with a professional naturalist guide and hotel pickup included. The tour operates into late September when puffins are still nesting, and the stable catamaran offers comfortable viewing from sheltered areas around the islands. Wildlife sightings vary by season and cannot be guaranteed; whale season peaks earlier in summer, but late-season cruises occasionally encounter whales, dolphins and other marine life.Is it for me?Book this if you want to watch puffins from a stable catamaran platform in late season, when smaller group tours replace the larger peak-season departures.
St. John's tour with Cape Spear, Signal Hill & whale watchingA guided small-group tour of St. John's combines city landmarks—Cape Spear Lighthouse, Signal Hill, Cabot Tower, and Quidi Vidi Village—with a narrated boat cruise searching for humpback whales and drifting icebergs. Hotel pickup and drop-off in downtown St. John's are included, along with admission to all sites. Iceberg sightings peak May–June; whale sightings peak mid-June to mid-August, though neither is guaranteed each year.Is it for me?This is a shared tour limited to seven guests, so you travel with a small group rather than alone or in a large coach. Choose it if you want the landmarks, the boat time, and the narration all arranged in one morning or afternoon without building the day yourself.
