Road-tripping Newfoundland's coast

Today we've included a boat trip around the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, home to over a quarter of a million seabirds, migratory whales, and the occasional wind-chiselled iceberg. Departing from Bay Bulls, your guide will introduce the crew before breaking out into an upbeat Irish sea shanty. This light-hearted atmosphere continues for the rest of the cruise with your on-board guide providing an interpretive commentary on the wildlife, geology, and history of the area throughout the 90-minute cruise.

Depart the Avalon Peninsula today for the north coast of Newfoundland. Your destination is Trinity Bay, a cluster of 11 historic fishing communities, where preserved 19th-century buildings, art galleries, and museums help maintain the region's historic ambience. On arrival, the rest of the day is yours to settle in and explore.

Enjoy the morning exploring the pretty fishing villages around Trinity Bay. You may also wish to drive to Bonavista, at the tip of the peninsula, to visit the site of John Cabot’s landing in 1497, and to step aboard a replica of his ship, the Matthew. This afternoon, watch for the region’s prolific whales, puffins, and dolphins on a guided small-group open-air Zodiac boat tour. Your captain stops the engine, and you listen for the puff that signals a whale coming up for air, and spot the sleek black fins as they dive back into the deep.

Your drive today takes you northwest to Twillingate on the shores of Notre Dame Bay. You’ll travel through the heart of Terra Nova National Park, where you may wish to stop to enjoy one of the many walking trails through the coastal boreal forest. On arrival in Twillingate, there’s time to explore this friendly, historic fishing village.

Charming Twillingate offers superb whale watching during the summer months, even from the cliff tops. In May and June, icebergs are swept close to shore here on the Labrador Current. We've got a guided small-group boat tour to see and learn about the area’s marine mammals and, if in season, hopefully get close to some impressive icebergs. The rest of the day is free to explore the walking trails, visit the berry winery of Auk Island, and learn more about the area at the Twillingate Museum.

Your drive today takes you through the heart of Newfoundland's rugged hinterland. You’ll pass huge tracts of coniferous forests and countless lakes. At Deer Lake, take the road north to Gros Morne National Park. Your destination is Norris Point, in the northern part of the park, and a picturesque and artistic hub. There’s time for you to enjoy the local cafes and restaurants. This evening, you may wish to attend a performance of lively traditional Newfoundland music or see a play at the Cow Head Theatre.

Gros Morne National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 1,805 sq km (696 sq miles), offering a plethora of scenery, history, wildlife, and geology. Today, you may wish to explore the remarkable 485 million-year-old geology of ‘The Tablelands’, or try sea kayaking or cycling. We recommend taking one of the hiking trails along the cliffs or in the Tablelands to see more of the national park's beauty. There are also several guided cultural tours available.

Today we've included a guided boat tour to Gros Morne National Park's most spectacular fjord, Western Brook Pond. After parking, walk for 40 minutes along an easy gravel path to board your vessel. This is a large group trip with commentary that explains the geology, flora, and fauna of the fjord. Sit back and marvel at the towering sheer cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and inky waters as you look out for seabirds.

After a final morning exploring Gros Morne National Park, drive the short distance to Deer Lake. Drop off your hire car at the airport before boarding your onward flight.