Newfoundland Circumnavigation

Welcome to St. John’s—Newfoundland’s historic, vibrant capital. Sailing out of the port of St. John’s, Signal Hill keeps watch as we exit the world-famous Narrows. The charming houses of the Battery are always a hit with shutterbugs. Watch for whales and seabirds as we sail!

The northeast coast of Newfoundland is known for the dozens of picturesque villages that dot its rocky shores, and we’ll find harbour in one of these unique communities. We look forward to a characteristically warm Newfoundland welcome upon our arrival. Photographers will have their work cut out for them, capturing all the special charm of classic island communities and stunning coastlines.

L’Anse aux Meadows, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the only authenticated Norse settlement in North America. The archaeological remains found here in 1960 date to approximately 1000 CE. Amazingly, the location was first established by a close reading of the Viking sagas.

Today, a superb interpretation centre and several reconstructed Norse-style sod buildings make L’Anse aux Meadows a must-see for any visitor to Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Red Bay Basque Whaling Station became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013. Basque whalers operated out of the Red Bay harbour in the 1500s: North America’s first export industry.

The interpretation centre at Red Bay is excellent. Here we find tools, personal items, and navigational instruments recovered from the wreck of the whaling ship San Juan. The ship was lost in a storm in 1565 and found centuries later submerged in the harbour. We’ll visit nearby Saddle Island to learn the history of the whaling industry.

Gros Morne National Park’s Tablelands, a six-hundred-metre plateau, form one of the world’s best examples of exposed mantle. Normally found below the Earth’s crust, the mineral-rich rocks support very little life, making the Tablelands an eerie landscape.

We will offer various walking and hiking options here. Views of Bonne Bay are spectacular. Gros Morne’s interpretation centre is excellent and the town of Woody Point is a delight to explore.

The wild and windswept coast of southern Newfoundland is home to a few remaining outport communities. Visits here are often a highlight of our journey.

There are many choices of unique bays and coves to explore via Zodiac or land excursions. Along the coast, the geology is outstanding, and the plant life is gorgeous. We’ll be on the watch for wildlife, too. We’ll make the most of every chance to explore this beautiful and remote coast.

The First Nations community of Miawpukek became a permanent settlement sometime around 1822. Before then, it was one of many semi-permanent camping sites used by the Mi’kmaw people—who had traditionally travelled nomadically throughout the east coast of Canada.

Since its establishment as a reserve in 1987, Miawpukek has successfully bridged traditional knowledge and contemporary practice. We will receive a formal welcome from local leaders and have a chance to explore this special community.

Explore Saint-Pierre, a last bastion of France’s colonial territories in North America. The colourful and charming shops and residences of the town of Saint-Pierre reveal its unique historical character.

French food, wine, clothing, and culture are all on offer here. The sweets at the local cafes and bakeries are in high demand. Saint-Pierre offers a taste of European living, just a short sail from the coast of Newfoundland!

On the final day of our expedition, we sail back through the Narrows and into St. John’s harbour. We will say our farewells and the expedition team will be on hand to assist you with luggage and transportation arrangements.