Whales are watching in Newfoundland
We want to enjoy nature and watch whales up close - we experience that in one afternoon St. John's in Newfoundland, Canada. How successful whale watching in Newfoundland can be, we learn on this tour. But I'm anticipating: The capital of the Atlantic province is very well protected on a harbor basin that is separated from the Atlantic by a narrow access road. Not being very sea savvy, I had mixed feelings about boarding Iceberg Quest Tours' small boat to take us out into the open Atlantic where we hoped to see whales.
Normally, I always watch the swell in the region where such a boat trip takes us, and only then do I decide whether to take the risk of driving out to the open sea with a small nut shell - especially if that is the case Big is like the Atlantic. This was not possible here because on one side of Signal Hill harbor entrance and on the other side of the fort of Fort Amherst the open view of the ocean prevented. I wanted to see whales, so I tentatively got into the boat in the harbor of St. John's - an excellent decision, as it turned out.
Whales watching in St. John's, Newfoundland
The sea is calm as we follow a fishing boat out into the Atlantic Ocean. To the left of us is the Rock of Signal Hill, and on the right we see the defenses of Fort Amherst watching over the entrance to the port of St. John's. Then our captain turns south towards Cape Spear and after a few minutes we see the fountains of two fin whales near the shore. They quietly pull their tracks in the windless water and again and again their elongated backs emerge from the sea with the short, back-bent dorsal fins and plow through the small waves that arise off the coast. Our helmsman keeps his distance and waits patiently for some distance from the whales. He gives the animals the choice, whether they want to approach us.
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The whales are fine with us
We are lucky! The whales are curious and swim towards our boat. Closer and closer are the two colossi until they emerge right next to the boat from the depths of the sea. We hear the loud noise that comes from expelling the compressed breathing air with a lot of pressure and we can see how the breathing hole on her head opens and closes. Almost we can feel the small droplets of condensed breath that they spray into the air. They show no fear of us, but rather seem to play with us, because again and again they appear next to us. It's as if they are watching us too. They come so close that we can see every bump in their thick skin.
Whales watch with success
Only after some time the game becomes boring and they dive into the depths of the Atlantic. As they say goodbye, they show us their flukes before they elegantly disappear into the blue water. Since the two are no longer showing up even after a long wait, the captain decides to continue in the direction of Cape Spear. And again we are lucky! This time, it's humpback whales that play their games with us. And they also show no fear and come close to our boat. Between the cape and our boat, they appear again and again and with their side fins beat with loud clapping on the water - almost so whether they want to make the audience on the boat and from land to attract attention. Anyway, they can be sure of our undivided attention.
A minke whale, humpback whales and fin whales
And so it continues. We see a minke whale, several humpback whales and our two fin whales again on the way back towards the port. They are very active and seem to want to demonstrate their behavior to us. Finally we drive back towards the harbor satisfied, while the captain allows us to look out for whales with him from his bridge. Even in the distance you can see the wind rising out of the water. Even the old sea dog who steers our boat gets the hunting fever and he steers towards the two whale fountains. But this time it's too late. When we get there, the two animals have already disappeared and are no longer visible. never mind In any case, my seaworthiness did not come to mind during our whale watching in Newfoundland. The experience was far too exciting for that.
The whale watching tours of Iceberg Quest Tours at St. John's are among the Signature Experiences in Canada, the best experiences the country has to offer - rightly, we believe.
Very important to us Whale Watching always so that the animals are not put under stress. There are a number of points that should be considered if you want to observe whales sustainably. Iceberg Quest tours follow these principles. You will depart from Pier 6 in St. John's, Newfoundland.
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Questions and answers about whale watching in Newfoundland
When is the best time to go whale watching in Newfoundland?
The best time for whale watching in Newfoundland is from June to September. During these months you have the best chance of seeing whales in their natural environment.
What whale species can I see in Newfoundland?
In Newfoundland you can see humpback whales, minke whales, fin whales and minke whales, among others. Sometimes even blue whales and orcas make an appearance.
How can I join a whale watching tour?
There are several providers of whale watching tours in Newfoundland. You can find out more online or look for offers locally. Make sure to choose a responsible tour.
What should I bring to whale watching?
Bring waterproof clothing, a camera, binoculars, and sunscreen. Don't forget to pack warm clothing and rain gear for the unpredictable Newfoundland weather.
Are there rules of conduct when watching whales?
Yes, it is important to treat the animals with respect. Keep your distance and avoid loud noises. Follow the tour guide's instructions to avoid disturbing the whales.
Travel Arrangements:
Parking at the airport
Here you can reserve your parking space at the airport.
Check in:
Arrival by plane, bus or train*. Air Canada and Icelandair, for example, fly from Toronto, Montreal or Halifax to St. John's, Newfoundland.
Car Rentals:
Book a rental car for Canada *
Hotels:
Accommodation in St. John's, Newfoundland *. Hotels and motels to book online can be found under the link. One Selection of good hotels at good prices can be found here.
Newfoundland Travel Guide:
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- Newfoundland blogs for travel preparation
Source Whale watching in Newfoundland: On-site research supported by the Canadian Tourism Commission, Tourism Newfoundland and Tourism St. John's. However, our opinion remains our own.
Text whale watching in Newfoundland: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Last update on 9.09.2023/XNUMX/XNUMX / Affiliate links / Images from the Amazon Product Advertising API
Hello Monika and Petar!
I've done whale watching three times (in Argentina, the US and Sri Lanka) and always thought it was awesome! Thanks for the great pictures that are really unique!
Best regards,
Barbara
I am very happy if you like the photos, Barbara
Dear Monika, dear Petar,
that was certainly a great experience. I've only seen dolphins and seals live off the Irish coast so far. Whales are certainly something else again. At the moment I only travel Europe. But outside of our continent, I have always flirted with Canada. I recently had a brunch with Canadian specialties. Delicious.
At some point I'll come there too. And then, hopefully, there are whales left.
Sunny greetings,
Nicolo
Dear Nicolo,
oh, the whales will surely be there :). But experiencing dolphins and seals off Ireland's coast is also something special, is not it? Were you in Dingle?
Best regards,
Monika