Welcome to Red Bay National Historic Site
Learn More-
Where once stood the home of the first large-scale whale oil production in the world.
- Attractions
- Plan & Book
In the 1500s, the waters of Red Bay were thick with right and bowhead whales. Whalers from the Basques regions of Spain and France established a major whale port here. On the shores of Red Bay, the Basques rendered whale oil that lit the lamps of Europe. Today, you can wander around the former whaling town and UNESCO World Heritage Site and immerse yourself in the traditional life of a Basques whaler.
Explore our Attractions
Take a hike along the beach and step into the interpretation centre to see an eight-metre chalupa, which whalers used on the ocean to harpoon their giant catch. To get a full appreciation for the size of these whales, compare the chalupa to the assembled collections of whalebones displayed. These showcase a time of prosperity and dangerous adventure, illustrating a long-ago way of life.
You can visualize the day the San Juan sank in 1565, only 50 metres away, and stand at the whaler's burial ground where 140 colleagues and friends were carefully laid to rest.
If you take a boat or kayak trip to nearby Saddle Island, you will find the remains of a time miraculously preserved. Where once stood the home of the first large-scale whale oil production in the world, now piles of red clay roof tiles can be found on the island, 500 years since its closure.
You can visualize the day the San Juan sank in 1565, only 50 metres away, and stand at the whaler's burial ground where 140 colleagues and friends were carefully laid to rest.
If you take a boat or kayak trip to nearby Saddle Island, you will find the remains of a time miraculously preserved. Where once stood the home of the first large-scale whale oil production in the world, now piles of red clay roof tiles can be found on the island, 500 years since its closure.
Getting to Red Bay Historic Site
Red Bay National Historic Site is part of Expedition 51°. From anywhere in North America, it can be reached via highway routes QC 138 and QC 389 that connect with the Québec-Labrador border at Fermont, QC / Labrador City, NL. From there, follow Expedition 51° along NL 500 east to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, then along NL 510 south to Red Bay. From the island of Newfoundland, take the daily, year-round ferry service (a 1.5-hour trip) at St. Barbe, Newfoundland, to Blanc Sablon, Québec, and travel east on NL 510 for 82 km (a 1-hour drive) to Red Bay, Labrador.More on Getting to Newfoundland & Labrador
Videos far, far off the beaten path
The View From Here
-
Image Caption 1
-
Image Caption 1
-
Image Caption 1
-
Image Caption 1
-
Image Caption 1
-
Image Caption 1
-
Image Caption 1
-
Image Caption 1
-
Image Caption 1
-
Image Caption 1
Picture Yourself Here #ExploreNL
See What Other Travellers Have to Say
Visit the Story Exchange