What to do in St. John's in July?
Jul 5th, 2006, 10:42 AM
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What to do in St. John's in July?
Hi,
I'll be in St. John's Newfoundland in July. At the end of my stay I'll have three "free days". Any suggestions? The websites I've looked at are a bit overwhelming and I can't get a handle on distances or drive times. I could rent a car, but I haven't done that yet, and I'll be travelling with a work-mate. Basically I'm looking for advice on great things to see and do in that amount of time, and if we should stay in St. John's making day-trips, or if we should stay outside of St. John's?
I'd appreciate any advice!
I'll be in St. John's Newfoundland in July. At the end of my stay I'll have three "free days". Any suggestions? The websites I've looked at are a bit overwhelming and I can't get a handle on distances or drive times. I could rent a car, but I haven't done that yet, and I'll be travelling with a work-mate. Basically I'm looking for advice on great things to see and do in that amount of time, and if we should stay in St. John's making day-trips, or if we should stay outside of St. John's?
I'd appreciate any advice!
Jul 6th, 2006, 07:23 AM
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When I've had time to kill in St. John's, I've gone to Cape Spear, the easternmost point in North America.
Partly to say I've been there. partly because it is a beautiful place.
And I've driven north towaward Torb ay and up to pouch Cove, tosee how Newfoundland meets the ocean. Plus, my father was in the RCAF in Torbay 65 years ago, and I was curious about the base.
I also make it a point to find fish to eat on a spare day.
BAK
Partly to say I've been there. partly because it is a beautiful place.
And I've driven north towaward Torb ay and up to pouch Cove, tosee how Newfoundland meets the ocean. Plus, my father was in the RCAF in Torbay 65 years ago, and I was curious about the base.
I also make it a point to find fish to eat on a spare day.
BAK
Jul 6th, 2006, 08:04 AM
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There are plenty of whale watching tours that leave St. John's harbour. You might find one quite interesting.
If you don't want to rent a car, ask a local cab driver (the hotel should be able to recommend someone good) to take you on a tour. We did this one day when we had a few hours to spare. I think it was around $60 for a couple of hours - he took us out to Cape Spear, Signal Hill, etc.
If you don't want to rent a car, ask a local cab driver (the hotel should be able to recommend someone good) to take you on a tour. We did this one day when we had a few hours to spare. I think it was around $60 for a couple of hours - he took us out to Cape Spear, Signal Hill, etc.
Jul 6th, 2006, 08:19 AM
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Being a fisheries biologist you absolutely MUST visit Witless Bay. You will be in 'prime time' to see the seabird colonies including 10's of thousands of puffins, kittiwakes and common murres and several other seabirds. These birds feed primarily on caplin -which locals will tell you are declining in numbers.....
The rich waters also attract good numbers of marine mammals. Most evident are humpback whales, with minkes second most likely to be seen. At various times we've also had fin whales, atlantic white-sided dolphins and white-beaked dolphins at Witless Bay. Chances for humpbacks are very good in July.
For a 'Newfie experience' go out on a boat trip with O'Brien's out of Bay Bulls. Our favourite trip however is to go south to Tors Cove and go out with Keith Colbert. A smaller boat -and Keith is a fisherman when not doing whale and seabird watching trips. Keith's number is 709 334 3773.
BAK's comment about Cape Spear is good. Scenic, historic and often a good spot to see whales. Last year we saw a couple of humpbacks here and minkes cruising right below the cliffs. A couple of years ago we had three humpbacks just off the cape lunge-feeding up through a caplin ball -amazing...
A couple of other 'biological' possibilities.....
A couple of hours south of St. John's you get into stunted boreal forest then into a great example of hyper-oceanic barrens. A wonderful area for botany and also to see the Avalon herd of woodland caribou. Their numbers have decreased somewhat but there are still a few thousand in the area. Trepassey Motel is a good spot to overnight if you wish to explore this region. Cape Pine road is a good place to see caribou and enjoy the barrens and if the weather is clear the cliffs near Cape Pine lighthouse are great for seeing whales and shearwaters.
Beautiful and historic Cape Race is also close by Trepassey. The road out to Cape Race lighthouse can be good for whale watching.
Another day trip [or a continuation of the above] is a visit to Cape St. Mary's. A spectacular northern gannet colony VERY close to shore [mere yards....] loads of other seabirds, possibly whales, and wonderful scenery - a national treasure.. The Bird Island Resort in St. Bride's is my favourite lodguing in that area.
Just a few suggestions....
Jerry
The rich waters also attract good numbers of marine mammals. Most evident are humpback whales, with minkes second most likely to be seen. At various times we've also had fin whales, atlantic white-sided dolphins and white-beaked dolphins at Witless Bay. Chances for humpbacks are very good in July.
For a 'Newfie experience' go out on a boat trip with O'Brien's out of Bay Bulls. Our favourite trip however is to go south to Tors Cove and go out with Keith Colbert. A smaller boat -and Keith is a fisherman when not doing whale and seabird watching trips. Keith's number is 709 334 3773.
BAK's comment about Cape Spear is good. Scenic, historic and often a good spot to see whales. Last year we saw a couple of humpbacks here and minkes cruising right below the cliffs. A couple of years ago we had three humpbacks just off the cape lunge-feeding up through a caplin ball -amazing...
A couple of other 'biological' possibilities.....
A couple of hours south of St. John's you get into stunted boreal forest then into a great example of hyper-oceanic barrens. A wonderful area for botany and also to see the Avalon herd of woodland caribou. Their numbers have decreased somewhat but there are still a few thousand in the area. Trepassey Motel is a good spot to overnight if you wish to explore this region. Cape Pine road is a good place to see caribou and enjoy the barrens and if the weather is clear the cliffs near Cape Pine lighthouse are great for seeing whales and shearwaters.
Beautiful and historic Cape Race is also close by Trepassey. The road out to Cape Race lighthouse can be good for whale watching.
Another day trip [or a continuation of the above] is a visit to Cape St. Mary's. A spectacular northern gannet colony VERY close to shore [mere yards....] loads of other seabirds, possibly whales, and wonderful scenery - a national treasure.. The Bird Island Resort in St. Bride's is my favourite lodguing in that area.
Just a few suggestions....
Jerry
Jul 9th, 2006, 03:23 PM
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Hi Coops,
Just returned from a trip to Newfoundland and would highly recommend a whale watching tour from Bay Bulls (about 20 to 30 minutes south of St. John's). We took a tour with Gatheralls and really enjoyed it. It's too late for icebergs unless you go farther north (Twilingate, I think). Would also highly recommend Cape Spear and a drive along Marine drive from Logy Bay to Pouch Cove. We loved Newfoundland -have a great trip!
Just returned from a trip to Newfoundland and would highly recommend a whale watching tour from Bay Bulls (about 20 to 30 minutes south of St. John's). We took a tour with Gatheralls and really enjoyed it. It's too late for icebergs unless you go farther north (Twilingate, I think). Would also highly recommend Cape Spear and a drive along Marine drive from Logy Bay to Pouch Cove. We loved Newfoundland -have a great trip!
