Newfoundland Circumnavigation

This expedition voyage circles the island of Newfoundland and leads into a maritime cultural region where small coastal towns and remote coves lie close together, including the geologically exceptional landscape of Gros Morne National Park. Between St. John’s, Notre Dame Bay, and the west coast, days at sea alternate with landings, creating a balanced rhythm of wildlife viewing, walks, and cultural historical context. The variety of contrasts is characteristic: icebergs may drift off Twillingate, while farther north at L’Anse aux Meadows the traces of Norse seafarers become visible. In Labrador, Red Bay offers insights into whaling history and the subpolar coastal landscape. As is customary on expedition voyages, the exact schedule is determined by weather, sea state, and local conditions, and the expedition team adjusts landings and daily plans as needed.

Expedition Voyage Around Newfoundland, The Itinerary

Day 1: Embarkation in St. John’s
The travel services begin with dinner. In St. John’s, Newfoundland’s colorful capital with its brightly painted houses, cafés, and restaurants, you board the ship and receive the mandatory safety briefings. Afterward, there is time to arrive at your leisure before the ship sets course for the comparatively sheltered waters of Notre Dame Bay.

All pictures of this partner

Day 2: Twillingate
Twillingate lies peacefully in Notre Dame Bay and is considered the archetypal coastal town of Newfoundland, painted houses on rocky hills, boats in the bay, and a cuisine strongly shaped by the catch of the day. With local guides, you explore the nearby nature on foot and gain insights into the art scene with small galleries and craft markets. Depending on conditions, icebergs are often visible off the coast, drifting south from the Greenland ice sheet and sometimes getting caught in the shallows of the bay.

Day 3: L’Anse aux Meadows
At the northern tip of Newfoundland, the day leads to L’Anse aux Meadows, a National Historic Site of Canada and UNESCO World Heritage Site. By Zodiac you go ashore, where you walk the grounds of this significant archaeological site and trace the historical context of the sagas surrounding Leif Erikson.

Day 4: Red Bay in Labrador
Red Bay lies on Labrador’s rugged coast, a vast region with fjords and only sparse settlement. Life here was closely tied to the sea for a long time, including during the era of the Basque whalers, who were among the early European settlers in this area. With local guides, you will explore the town and its surroundings on foot and gain insights into the natural environment and the history of whaling that have shaped this remote coastline.

Day 5: Woody Point and Gros Morne National Park
Woody Point is located on the calm waters of Bonne Bay, a deeply indented fjord lined with forested slopes. From here, access opens up to Gros Morne National Park, a vast wilderness and at the same time a key geological area. On a guided excursion, you will learn how, during continental collisions around 450 million years ago, oceanic crust was uplifted, creating a landscape with stunted trees and unusual plant life.

Day 6: Garia Bay
In Garia Bay, a quieter, largely untouched side of Newfoundland reveals itself, as large parts of the island are sparsely populated and therefore remain wild. Together with the expedition team, you explore a remote stretch of coastline and keep watch for seabirds, moose, or, with a bit of luck, the elusive Newfoundland black bear. Which sightings are possible depends on the weather, visibility, and local conditions.

Day 7: St. Pierre
St. Pierre is part of a French overseas collectivity and also the last remaining French territory in North America. While the landscape, with low pines and gentle hills, feels North American, the French language and everyday life shape the townscape. On a walk with local guides, you will learn how this unexpected piece of France off the coast of Newfoundland has developed historically and culturally.

Day 8: Return to St. John’s and Disembarkation
In the morning, the ship arrives back in the port of St. John’s. After breakfast, the tour services end. You then disembark and continue your onward journey on land.

Special features:
The course of this expedition voyage depends on weather, ice, and local conditions, therefore routing, landings, and the exact daily program may be adjusted. Depending on the location, landings are made by Zodiac and are accompanied by safety briefings and clear rules of conduct. Wildlife sightings are likely but not guaranteed, and depend on visibility, daily conditions, and the circumstances in the respective bays and coastal sections.
Show all dates