The Useful Guide to Puffin Watching tours in Newfoundland: What to Expect on Your First Visit
Planning a puffin watching tours in Newfoundland? Here’s everything I wish I knew before my first trip to St. John’s – from flight delays to finding the tiniest, most adorable birds you’ve ever seen.
If you’ve been dreaming of seeing puffins in their natural habitat, Newfoundland, Canada, should be at the top of your list. St. John’s offers some of the best puffin watching opportunities in North America during puffin season (May through early September), but like any adventure, it comes with its surprises. After our recent 3-day trip filled with flight delays, tour cancellations, and ultimately incredible puffin encounters, I’m sharing everything you need to know to make your Newfoundland puffin tour a success.
Getting There: What to Expect Flying into St. John’s
The Toronto Connection Reality Check
Most flights to St. John’s (YYT Airport) connect through Toronto, and here’s my first piece of advice: build extra time into your travel plans. Our supposed 6 PM flight turned into a 10 PM departure thanks to mechanical issues (we saw fire engines outside, which definitely got our attention!).
The good news? We scored $60 in meal vouchers for two, which we used for Canadian cookies as gifts after we’d already eaten Subway sandwiches. The not-so-good news? Charging stations at Toronto Pearson are surprisingly limited, so bring a portable charger, or you might find yourself sitting on the floor next to a pillar like we did.
St. John’s (YYT) Airport Tips
Despite landing at 3 AM due to our delays, we were pleasantly surprised that National Car Rental had staff available for late pickups. Another traveler trying to rent from a different company wasn’t so lucky – their counter had already closed. If you’re planning a late arrival, National seems to be your best bet for car rentals.
The 1.5-hour time difference between Toronto and Newfoundland might seem small, but it definitely affects your arrival plans, especially with delays.
Choosing Tour Company for your puffin watching tours
When Your Puffin-Watching Tours Plans Go Wrong (And How to Prepare)
Here’s where our trip got interesting. Our originally booked tour with Molly Bown Tours was suddenly cancelled – and I mean suddenly. We showed up at the meeting point, but no one was there. Calls went straight to an automated “we are closed” message. No advance notice, no explanation.
This taught us an important lesson: always have backup puffin tour options. We quickly found O’Brien’s Whale and Bird Tours for the next day, but when we realized the timing wouldn’t work with our flight, they immediately refunded our money with no hassle. I really appreciate their immediate action.
Our Winning Choice: Gatherall’s Boat Tours
Finally, we booked with Gatherall’s Boat Tours Ltd, and it was absolutely worth the scramble. The 90-minute tour flew by (pun intended) as we spotted puffins, seagulls, and even caught a glimpse of a whale fin, though the guide mentioned whales weren’t quite in season yet.
Cost: $170 for two adults (about $85 per person)
What made this tour special wasn’t just the puffins – the staff kept everyone engaged with local stories and songs. Plus, they have an amazing souvenir shop with unique puffin-themed items. We couldn’t resist buying a adorable puffin doll and some beautiful wool artwork.
What to Actually Expect When You See Puffins
The Size Surprise Everyone Gets
Here’s the moment that made everyone on our tour laugh: when the guide asked us to show with our hands how big we thought puffins were, almost everyone (myself included) gestured the size of a penguin. Puffins are actually tiny – much, much smaller than you expect from photos!
This size reality check is important for photography, too. These little guys fly incredibly fast, and getting clear photos is challenging. My advice? Don’t spend your entire tour looking through a camera viewfinder. Sometimes the puffins came relatively close to our boat, and if you’re focused on getting the perfect shot, you might miss watching their actual behavior and antics. The picture above is the only good picture that shows a puffin clearly, even though I took many photos…
Sea Sickness and Boat Conditions
Worried about getting seasick? We were too busy taking photos and spotting wildlife to feel queasy, but the boat does rock significantly when moving at higher speeds. (It was a bit of fun for me.) If you’re sensitive to motion sickness, bring medication just in case, but most people handle the conditions just fine when they’re distracted by all the amazing wildlife.
What to Pack: Nailing the Newfoundland Weather
The Layering Strategy That Actually Works
The weather surprised me – it was cooler and much windier than expected. Here’s the layering combination that kept me comfortable:
- Base layer: T-shirt
- Middle layer: Long-sleeve casual shirt + fleece
- Outer layer: Windbreaker (this is crucial!)
My husband went with a thin down jacket plus windbreaker, which also worked great. We noticed other tour participants wearing similar layered outfits, with some even sporting full down jackets.
The key insight: Even on sunny days, that coastal wind is seriously cold. The windbreaker isn’t optional – it’s essential.Wind
Weather Patterns to Expect
We had mostly sunny and cloudy conditions, with one brief rain shower that lasted maybe five minutes during our boat tour. The Irish-like atmosphere I remembered from my time in the UK felt very familiar here, which makes sense given Newfoundland’s Irish heritage.
Beyond Puffins: Other St. John’s Must-Sees
Quidi Vidi Village
Quidi Vidi Village is a picturesque little fishing village that is perfect for an early morning visit when it’s calm and peaceful. The atmosphere is incredibly charming, but parking is very limited. If this spot gets busy, you might have trouble finding a space.
Salmonier Natural Park
Think of this Salmonier Natural Park as a mini outdoor zoo with easy wooden walking trails. It’s fantastic for families with kids – we saw many during our visit. You’ll find various viewing points for wildlife, though success depends on timing and luck. Even if you don’t spot much wildlife, the walking trails themselves are enjoyable and accessible.
Cape Spear Lighthouse
The Cape Spear Lighthouse offers stunning coastal views and the iconic lighthouse. Several trails along the coastline looked tempting, but our short 3-day trip didn’t allow time for hiking. This is a popular spot, so arrive early for easier parking.
Downtown St. John’s: Jellybean Ro
The colorful houses of Jellybean Row are absolutely Instagram-worthy, and the compact downtown area has that charming port town feel. We noticed plenty of Irish pubs throughout downtown – perfect if you’re looking for nightlife and that authentic maritime culture experience.
The Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
We also visited The Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, an impressive large cathedral, though it felt less lively during our visit compared to the outdoor attractions.
Your Newfoundland Puffin Tour Budget
What to Expect Cost-Wise
Here’s the realistic budget breakdown from our trip:
- Puffin tour: $85 per person
- Rental car: Reasonable rates, plus easy pickup even with late flights
- Parking: Generally free and available throughout St. John’s
- Food: Plenty of supermarkets if you want to save money on meals
- Attractions: Most natural sites have no entrance fees
The good news for budget travelers is that many of the best experiences in Newfoundland don’t cost anything beyond transportation and tours.
Pro Tips for Puffin Tour Success
Your Booking Strategy
- Book your primary tour in advance but research 2-3 backup companies
- Look for flexible cancellation policies (O’Brien’s was excellent about this)
- Consider morning tours for potentially better weather conditions
- Have contact information readily available for quick rebooking if needed
Wildlife and Photography Expectations
- Puffins: Guaranteed during peak season (May through early September)
- Other seabirds: Seagulls and various species are abundant. We saw many seagulls during the tour.
- Whales: Possible but seasonal – don’t count on it.
- Photography tip: Balance getting photos with enjoying the real-time experience. And take care to keep the balance of your body when you are taking pictures, because the boat is always rocking.
The souvenir shops at tour companies offer beautiful puffin-themed items that might be better keepsakes than challenging-to-capture photos anyway.
Who Should Plan a Newfoundland Puffin Adventure?
This trip is perfect for:
- Wildlife enthusiasts who don’t mind a bit of unpredictability
- Photography hobbyists with realistic expectations about challenging subjects
- Families with children: Many Children joined the tour, and they called “Puffins!” when they found them.
- Travelers seeking authentic maritime culture and that Irish-influenced atmosphere
- People who enjoy compact, walkable destinations without overwhelming crowds.
Making the Most of Your Visit
Trip Planning Timeline
Based on our experience, 3 days minimum gives you enough time to handle potential delays or cancellations while still seeing the key attractions. If possible, build in a buffer day – you’ll thank yourself if weather or logistics don’t go according to plan.
Important: Plan your visit during puffin season (May through early September). Outside these months, the puffins migrate south and you won’t see them on tours.
Managing Expectations vs. Reality
Yes, flights might be delayed. Yes, tours might get cancelled. Yes, puffins are smaller than you think and harder to photograph than you’d hope. But here’s the thing – when it all comes together, seeing these incredible little birds in their natural habitat is absolutely magical.
The staff enthusiasm, the stunning coastal scenery, the charming towns, and those tiny puffins doing their puffin things make every bit of travel hassle worth it.
Exploring More of Atlantic Canada
Since you’re already making the trip to Atlantic Canada, consider extending your adventure! Newfoundland is perfectly positioned as a jumping-off point to explore the other stunning maritime provinces.
Check out our guide to 12 Magical Places to Visit in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia: My Favorite Spots in Atlantic Canada for more incredible experiences in this beautiful region.
Ready for Your Newfoundland Puffin Adventure?
Pack your layers, charge your camera, research multiple tour companies, and get ready for an experience that’s equal parts challenging and rewarding. Those little puffins are waiting for you!
Have you been puffin watching in Newfoundland, or are you planning a trip? I’d love to hear about your experiences or answer any questions in the comments below!
