Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise

The best part of this cruise is the chance to see Atlantic puffins and whales in the same wild coastal setting. From Bay Bulls, the catamaran heads toward the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, where millions of seabirds crowd the islands and icebergs may drift past in spring. I especially like the spacious viewing areas and the crew’s mix of wildlife facts, Newfoundland stories, music, and humor.

I also like the practical setup: a washroom-equipped boat, free parking, several departure times, and an indoor cabin when the weather turns cold or wet. The main drawback is simple but important: whales and icebergs are never guaranteed, and a full boat can make a quick whale sighting difficult to catch.

Key points to know before you book

• Puffins are the surest wildlife draw: They are usually present from mid-May to mid-September, along with large colonies of other seabirds.
• Whale season is shorter: Your best chance runs from mid-June through mid-August, but even then, sightings depend on the animals.
• The catamaran carries up to 100 passengers: Outside decks offer viewing space, while the indoor cabin gives you shelter.
• Expect a local touch: Crew members share Newfoundland stories, sing songs, and may offer a playful screech-in ceremony on the way back.
• Bring warm layers and binoculars: The water can feel cold and windy even on a sunny day, and binoculars help with distant birds and whales.
• Plan your transport carefully: Bay Bulls is about 25 minutes from downtown St. John’s, and hotel pickup is optional at an additional cost.

From St. John’s to the Bay Bulls dock

The cruise leaves from Gatherall’s private dock in Bay Bulls, south of St. John’s. The drive takes about 25 minutes from downtown, so you need to allow time for the trip if you are driving yourself.

Free parking is available at the dock. If you do not have a car, an optional shuttle can pick you up from select hotels in St. John’s for an additional charge, generally around CA$40.25 per person. The pickup needs to be confirmed in advance, so do not assume that selecting a hotel pickup option automatically completes the arrangement.

I like the dock location because it gets you close to the reserve without a long boat transfer from the city. The tradeoff is that the cruise is not a simple walk-up activity from downtown. If you are staying in St. John’s, confirm your transportation before the day of departure.

The dock area also has a small shop with souvenirs, drinks, and snacks. It is a useful place to grab a final memento or something simple before boarding.

Stop 1: Boarding Gatherall’s catamaran

The vessel is a large catamaran with room for up to 100 passengers on its outside decks. That capacity is useful in two ways. You get more than one place to watch from, and you are not forced to remain outside if the weather turns unpleasant.

The interior cabin can hold all passengers and offers shelter from wind, rain, and spray. Still, the best views will usually be outside, so I would board with your jacket ready and choose a viewing spot early. A sunny day in St. John’s can feel very different once you are out on the North Atlantic.

The boat has a washroom, which matters on a cruise lasting about 90 minutes. Some departures may run closer to two hours, especially when the captain spends extra time near wildlife. That flexibility is good for sightings, but you should leave room in your day rather than scheduling a tight appointment immediately afterward.

Before leaving, passengers receive a safety briefing. Listen closely to crew instructions, particularly if the sea becomes rough. At times, the crew may ask you to remain seated or avoid standing while the boat is moving.

Stop 2: Bay Bulls and Bull Head

Bay Bulls is more than just the departure point. The community sits beside a rugged stretch of Newfoundland coast, and the trip begins with views of rocky headlands, open water, and small islands.

The catamaran’s design allows it to travel quickly and gives the captain some flexibility in choosing a route. That can mean less time simply getting to the reserve and more time near birds or whales when conditions cooperate.

Do not expect a quiet, private nature outing. A boat carrying up to 100 people can feel busy, particularly when everyone moves to one side after a whale is spotted. One passenger reported missing a brief sighting because people blocked the view. If you want a clear look, stay alert, use the outside decks when possible, and keep your binoculars handy.

The crew works to direct attention and share sightings, but wildlife moves quickly. A whale can surface for only a few seconds before disappearing again. That unpredictability is part of the experience, but it also means you should avoid judging the trip by one missed moment.

Stop 3: Witless Bay Ecological Reserve

The main attraction is the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, one of the great seabird areas in the North Atlantic. More than 2.5 million seabirds use the reserve, and the islands provide nesting sites for a striking range of species.

You may see:

• Atlantic puffins
• Common murres
• Black guillemots
• Northern gannets
• Greater shearwaters
• Northern fulmars
• Black-legged kittiwakes
• Razorbill auks

Puffins are the celebrity here, and understandably so. They are smaller than many people expect, so binoculars help you pick out their colorful bills and compact bodies among the rocks and grass. You may see them perched near burrows, flying low over the water, or moving between the colony and the sea.

The boat pauses in sheltered areas near the islands. This gives you time to watch the nesting sites rather than simply passing at speed. The sound can be as memorable as the view, with thousands of birds calling, flying, and settling around the cliffs.

The crew provides live commentary through wireless microphones. That is important on a busy boat because the information carries across the viewing areas. Captains and guides explain the birds, geology, coastline, and local heritage, then answer questions or repeat information when needed.

This is not a specialist birding expedition, but you do not need to be a serious bird-watcher to enjoy it. Families, first-time visitors, and children can all find something to watch. The mix of large colonies, close coastal views, and clear commentary makes the reserve easy to appreciate.

Iceberg Alley in May and June

If icebergs are your main goal, aim for May or June. Icebergs drift down from Greenland along the coast, and by the time they reach this part of Newfoundland, wind, waves, sunlight, and the shoreline may have carved them into unusual shapes.

The ice can look blue, white, gray, or glassy, depending on light and age. Some pieces are tall and dramatic. Others sit low in the water and are easy to miss unless the crew points them out.

Iceberg sightings are seasonal and cannot be promised. The same applies to size and distance. You might see a single large berg, several smaller pieces, or none on a particular departure. Still, the possibility adds a second natural spectacle to the seabird cruise.

If your schedule allows, the best plan is to treat icebergs as a bonus rather than the sole reason to book. The reserve and bird colonies remain the core attraction.

Whale watching from mid-June to mid-August

Whales are most likely from mid-June through mid-August. Humpbacks are the sightings most often described, and lucky passengers may see mothers with calves, several whales together, or dolphins moving near the boat.

There have also been rare sightings of sperm whales. That is unusual, so you should regard it as a remarkable possibility rather than a normal part of the trip.

The crew has years of experience spotting whales, but no captain can control where wild animals surface. You may spend time scanning calm water and see nothing, or you may get a sudden close encounter that lasts several minutes. Both outcomes are possible.

This is why I would not book the cruise only as a guaranteed whale tour. If you visit during peak season, your odds improve, but the seabird reserve, coastal scenery, commentary, and local character give the trip value even when the whales stay away.

A calm day can make the outing comfortable, but calm water does not guarantee whale activity. Conversely, a cool or cloudy day may still produce excellent sightings. Dress for the boat, not for the weather at your hotel.

Newfoundland songs, stories, and the screech-in

The human side of this cruise is a major part of its appeal. Crew members do more than point out animals. They share information about Newfoundland’s wildlife, geology, heritage, and coastal communities.

Several departures have included live music, Newfoundland songs, and storytelling. On the return trip, passengers may also have the chance to take part in a playful screech-in ceremony. This adds local flavor without requiring you to book a separate cultural activity.

The tone is informal and friendly. Guides such as Jane, Rebecca, Cole, and Captain Al have been singled out for their warmth, humor, and clear explanations, while shuttle drivers including Janice and Joanne have added local information during the ride from St. John’s.

The exact crew may vary, so do not book expecting a specific person. You can expect the operator’s general approach: practical wildlife information mixed with humor and Newfoundland hospitality.

Comfort, crowds, and seasickness

The boat’s size is both a strength and a limitation. A larger catamaran gives you more deck space and an indoor cabin, but a busy departure can feel crowded when an animal appears on one side.

If you are sensitive to motion, remember that this is an open-ocean cruise. One passenger became seasick but was still able to see whales and puffins from the lower cabin, with support from the crew. That shows the value of having indoor seating, though it does not remove the risk of seasickness.

Bring extra layers, even if St. John’s is warm and sunny. Wind on the water can make the temperature feel much lower. A waterproof outer layer is sensible because the cruise operates in all weather conditions unless the operator cancels for unsafe conditions.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, but everyone should follow crew instructions if the vessel begins to move sharply.

Is CA$94.06 a fair price?

At about CA$94.06 per person, the price is reasonable for a 90-minute wildlife cruise with a local crew, safety equipment, a washroom, multiple viewing areas, and access to the Witless Bay reserve.

The value depends partly on what you want to see. During puffin season, you are paying for access to one of the area’s major seabird colonies, not just a chance at a whale. During the May and June iceberg period, you also have the possibility of seeing ice drifting down Iceberg Alley.

The optional shuttle changes the total cost. Add roughly CA$40.25 per person if you need transport from St. John’s, and confirm the fee and pickup time before departure. If you have a rental car, free parking at the dock keeps the overall cost lower.

Compared with a short boat ride that offers little explanation, this cruise gives you a fuller outing through the reserve. I consider it good value if you enjoy wildlife, coastal scenery, local stories, or family-friendly activities. It is less compelling if you need a guaranteed whale sighting or dislike group boat trips.

How to get the most from the cruise

Book ahead if your schedule is fixed. The cruise is often reserved well in advance, especially during the summer wildlife season.

Choose your timing based on your priority:

• May and June: Best period to hope for icebergs, with puffins also present from mid-May.
• Mid-June through mid-August: Best whale season, while puffins and other seabirds remain active.
• Mid-August to mid-September: Good for puffins and seabirds, but whale chances generally decline.

Bring binoculars if you have them. They are useful for birds on the islands and for whales that remain farther from the boat.

Wear layers and keep your jacket accessible. Do not pack it at the bottom of a bag just because the dock feels warm.

Allow extra time for boarding, transport, and a possible longer wildlife stop. If the operator changes a departure time, check your phone and contact details carefully. It is wise to confirm any schedule change directly, particularly if you have arranged a shuttle or another activity afterward.

Should you book Gatherall’s puffin and whale cruise?

I would book this cruise if you want a well-rounded introduction to Newfoundland’s marine life. The puffin colonies and sheer number of seabirds give you a strong reason to go even when whales do not appear, while the crew’s songs, stories, and local knowledge make the ride feel distinctly Newfoundland.

I would choose mid-June through mid-August for the best whale chance, or May and June if icebergs are the priority. If you are hoping for both, accept that nature sets the schedule.

Skip it only if you need a private, quiet boat or a guaranteed animal sighting. For everyone else, the spacious catamaran, reserve access, indoor shelter, free parking, and lively crew make this one of the better ways to experience the coast near St. John’s.

FAQ

Where does the puffin and whale cruise depart?

The cruise leaves from Gatherall’s private dock in Bay Bulls, Newfoundland, about 25 minutes from downtown St. John’s. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The listed duration is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Some departures may last closer to two hours when the boat spends extra time near wildlife.

When can I see puffins?

Puffins are generally present from mid-May through mid-September. The cruise also visits other seabird nesting areas in the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve.

When is whale watching best?

Peak whale watching runs from mid-June through mid-August. Whales are wild animals, so sightings are not guaranteed on any departure.

Is hotel pickup available from St. John’s?

Transportation is available from select hotels for an additional fee. It must be confirmed in advance with Gatherall’s, and the cost is separate from the cruise price.

What happens if the cruise is canceled?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather or another operating issue, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.