Avalon Region - Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Colorful houses are perched on rocky hillsides overlooking calm blue waters under a clear sky. The vibrant landscape is illuminated by golden sunlight, highlighting the rugged terrain and picturesque scene.

Welcome to the

Avalon Region

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Wake up to the first sunrise in North America.

Avalon Region

Birdwatching

Whale Watching

Cultural Attractions

Plan & Book

Welcome to the far east. Where Newfoundland and North America begin. Where the sun shines first, at Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site, just a few kilometres outside the 500-year-old capital city of St. John's.

A couple walks on a grassy hillside under a vibrant sunset with colorful pink, purple, and blue clouds. The landscape is dotted with small rocks, and the scene evokes a sense of tranquility and romance.

About the

Avalon Region

The Avalon Peninsula is not only scenically stunning, it's also a place full of natural wonders: icebergs drifting along the coasts, whales frolicking, migratory seabirds nesting on cliffs, and caribou roaming. As the first region of the province to be settled, the Avalon is full of the legends, lore, and history of the early adventurers who first laid claim to the New World. Home to the urban bustle of St. John's, a vibrant culinary scene, and charming outports surrounded by beauty and steeped in history – the Avalon has something to offer every traveller.

The Avalon bears a fitting name, reminiscent of the legend and romanticism of its misty, Arthurian island counterpart. It is also home to the East Coast Trail, with more than 500 kilometres of scenic hikes, perfect for exploring our stunning coastline. This is a place full of beauty, culture, and the rugged drama of a seafaring peninsula that has weathered trials, triumphs, and everything in between.

Popular Places in the Avalon Region

Aerial view of a vibrant coastal city with colorful buildings and houses. The city is adjacent to a harbor with a blue ocean bay, surrounded by green hills and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

St. John's

Two people walk on rocky terrain near a lighthouse at sunset. The ocean and a dramatic sky with scattered clouds are in the background.

Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site

A scenic view of grassy cliffs overlooking a vast ocean under a clear blue sky. Two people stand on the cliff's edge, surrounded by numerous seabirds. A boat is visible in the water below. The scene is serene and expansive.

Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve

A picturesque coastal scene with two white houses nestled against rocky cliffs. One house has a deck with a slide. The calm blue water and rugged hills surround the houses under a partly cloudy sky.

Brigus & Cupids

A red lighthouse stands atop a grassy hill under a clear blue sky. Two small figures walk nearby, emphasizing the structure's height and the expanse of the landscape. Rocks are scattered across the foreground.

Ferryland

Two whales breach the ocean surface. One is fully airborne, displaying its massive body and fins, while the other partially emerges from the water. The scene captures dynamic splashes against a calm sea and a clear blue sky.

Bay Bulls & Witless Bay

A serene coastal scene with colorful small houses by the water's edge, surrounded by a lush green hillside. The sky is partly cloudy, and the calm water reflects the pastel hues of the sky.

Dildo

A group of white seabirds, likely gannets, perched on a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean. The sunlight highlights their feathers, and more birds are flying over the sea in the background.

Experience

Birdwatching

Known as the Seabird Capital of North America, you’ll have plenty of chances to get up close and personal with over 35 million seabirds. Witness more than 500,000 Atlantic puffins at the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, the largest breeding colony of Atlantic puffin in North America. Or, stand a mere 20 metres from birds nesting atop a sea stack at the Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, one of the most accessible seabird nesting sites in the world.

Avalon Region Birdwatching Tours - Random Order

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Avalon Region Birdwatching Attractions - Random Order

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A humpback whale breaches the ocean surface, with its large fin and part of its body visible above the water. In the background, there are rocky cliffs and lush greenery under a clear blue sky.

Experience

Whale Watching

Thousands of whales – humpbacks, orcas, minke, and more – return here on their annual migration. There are plenty of opportunities for whale watching on the Avalon, and dozens of operators to help guide you. Watch from shore as they play among the waves, or take a boat tour to see these gentle giants leap into the air. Paddle out in a sea kayak to see them up close, or go diving and immerse yourself in their world. Tours regularly head out from St. John's harbour, or you can make your way to Witless Bay, Cape Spear, St. Vincent's Beach, or any of the popular whale-watching sites.

Avalon Region Whale Watching Tours - Random Order

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A young girl with long blonde hair is sitting on a stone step, smiling and laughing. She's wearing a blue and white patterned shirt and jeans. Next to her is a white bucket filled with blueberries. A stone wall and grassy area are in the background.

Explore our

Cultural Attractions

There are places on this Earth that continue to live on inside of you long after you’ve returned home. There’s a child-like grin that radiates from every conceivable corner of this place: from the music we dance to and the food we eat, to the houses we live in and the people who live there.