Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise: Witness Wildlife in Witless Bay Ecological Reserve

Embark on an incredible wildlife adventure in Newfoundland’s Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Watch puffins, whales, and icebergs while enjoying entertaining commentary from knowledgeable guides.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Gatherall’s Puffin & Whale Watch - Explore the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, home to the Atlantic Puffin, millions of seabirds, and one of Newfoundland’s premier whale watching locations. This top-rated tour showcases seasonal wildlife and attractions, along with stunning coastal scenery year-round.

Seasonal highlights (attractions & experiences may vary):
Puffins: Guaranteed sightings from mid-May to mid-September.
Whales: Best chances for sightings from mid-June to mid-August.
Icebergs: Best chances for sightings in May and June.
The number and distribution of whales and icebergs vary each season. While we aim to see whales and icebergs on every tour, please remember that nature follows its own schedule.

WHALE and/or ICEBERG SIGHTINGS NOT GUARANTEED.

Enjoy entertaining and informative commentary filled with rich information about the natural and cultural heritage, along with colorful stories and songs that reflect Newfoundland’s vibrant culture.

Travel on Newfoundland’s largest, most comfortable, and stable tour boat. Multiple decks and ample rail space offer the best views. Its custom design allows us to reach prime spots quickly, giving you more time to enjoy the wildlife. Top Rated Tour!

What's Included
  • Transport Canada Marine Safety compliant safety equipment provided
  • Tours led by experienced, local guides
  • Complimentary on-site parking
  • Vessel equipped with washroom facilities
  • Pre-departure safety briefing for all passengers
What's Not Included
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  • Gratuities
  • Transportation available on request. Additional fee applicable. Contact vendor to add transportation
Additional Information

Best location. Best crew. Best tour boat. Cruise to the incredible Witless Bay Ecological Reserve for your chance to watch puffins, whales, and icebergs. Wildlife attractions vary with the time of year. Puffins nest May through to mid-September. Whale season peaks mid-June through mid-August. Whale sometimes sighted before and after peak period. Icebergs typically appear May to mid-June. Whales and or icebergs are not guaranteed on any given cruise.

Enjoy entertaining and educational live commentary provided by on board naturalists and crew. Learn about Newfoundland’s marine wildlife and heritage from your enthusiastic, knowledgeable, professional guides during this awesome adventure. Our catamaran offers the most space for your comfort. Our tour boat offers the greatest range to improve chance of encountering whales and other marine wildlife. Tours duration is a minimum of 90 minutes. Tour boat has indoor accommodations for all guests. Transport Canada Certified crew & boat.

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Participants are advised to regard all instruction provided by the vessel crew
  • Direction/guidance is provided to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all passengers
  • Depending on vessel movement/sea conditions, passengers may be advised by the crew to refrain from standing or to remain seated during certain portions of the cruise
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Whales and or icebergs cannot be guaranteed on any given cruise.
  • If in the event that the activity is cancelled on the part of Gatherall’s at any time prior to or during the scheduled activity, participants can elect to either reschedule at no additional charge or will receive a full refund.
  • Transportation is available from select hotels - additional fees applicable - must be confirmed two hours in advance of tour. Contact Gatherall’s
Location
Gatherall's Puffin & Whale Watch
Northside Road
Please check in with Gatherall's reception staff 30 minutes before tour time. Shuttle service available on select tours for additional fee. Shuttle MUST be booked at least 3 business hours in advance. Call / message us to confirm. Shuttle fee(s) payable at tour check in.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(701 Ratings)
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U4832fljohnd
Jul 24, 2024
Whale Puffins - The crew was super friendly and knowledgeable, we saw plenty of whales, the crazy amount of puffins overall experience outstanding
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jasmine_s
Jul 24, 2024
Whales and Puffins! - We saw numerous whales, along with puffins, gulls, and terns. The whole experience was very enjoyable, with the added luck of terrific weather. The crew was fun and talented. They provided a lot of information of what to know and look for during the cruise. Two people were 'screeched in' onboard, which everyone enjoyed watching. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
368crissyn
Jul 24, 2024
WOO! WHOO! - Loved our trip. We saw at least 3 humpback (including Slouch and Ouch?) whales and many, many puffin. Crew was great. <3<3
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennifer_s
Jul 24, 2024
Definitely recommend this tour - What a fantastic boat tour. The crew was great. We saw so many puffins and were lucky enough to see a few whales.
Review provided by Viator
Toledorad
Jul 24, 2024
Great puffin experience - Super friendly staff, great experience with whales and puffin bring a really good long lens camera. iPhone lenses really not up for task
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Juneby8690ev
Jul 21, 2024
Whale and Puffin tour - We saw whales and they were so close!! The staff was amazing and very entertaining. It went so fast and I thought 1 1/2 hours was going to be long . The Puffin were hilarious. I highly recommend this tour 🐳🐋🐳
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shaba84
Jul 20, 2024
Tour of a lifetime. Amazing! - So good! I was really hoping for some whales as you would and boy did they deliver! The charter staff were excellent and kept us well informed on the area and animals around it. They were also amazing when our toddler decided he was completely done with the tour and started crying his eyes out. They showed him some neat artifacts and played with him a little.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yunfeng_l
Jul 19, 2024
Awesome experience - Wonderful experience. Lots of whales, dolphins, and puffin. The crew is not shy to single happy songs
Review provided by Viator
Josh_m
Jul 17, 2024
Adventure in the atlantic - Amazing experience, unbelievably friendly and passionate staff, from Jan, the driver who picked us up in St Johns and told us many stories about the local community, to the super sweet hosts and guides on board, this was one to remember. Foggy day so we didnt get to see whales, but we saw dolphins, puffins and many other birds.
Review provided by Viator
Nsx
Jul 16, 2024
Puffins everywhere! - Great experience in great weather. If you are craving to see puffins this is your tour. There were thousands in the water and in flight. Only saw glimpses of two whales….but they don’t work for us!
Review provided by Tripadvisor