Bay Bulls & Witless Bay - Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

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.

Welcome to

Bay Bulls & Witless Bay

Abstract shape resembling paint strokes with an orange map pin placed on the right side. The design features irregular edges and a textured appearance against a black background.

Home to the largest Atlantic puffin colony in North America.

Natural Attractions

Coastline

Plan & Book

Some of the best spots for whale watching and bird spotting are at Bay Bulls and Witless Bay, only minutes’ drive from the capital city via the southern shore’s scenic and historic Irish Loop.

People on a boat watch a large whale surfacing in the ocean near rocky cliffs. The whale's back and dorsal fin are visible above the water. The viewers are observing from the deck, leaning over the railing.

Experience our

Natural Attractions

The southern shore is teeming with more birds and whales than you could ever hope to count. Each spring and summer their migration takes them to nesting and feeding grounds just offshore. At the right time of year, you may also encounter icebergs as these natural wonders drift by on their journey south.
Bay Bulls and Witless Bay are home to tour operators ready to lead you out on the ocean – on well-equipped and comfortable boats, open Zodiacs, or in sea kayaks – to watch for whales gathering and feeding along the coast.
The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve is an amazing spot to visit on your voyage. From May to August the four islands that make up the reserve teem with hundreds of thousands of birds, of many species. The largest Atlantic puffin colony in North America is here, with more than 250,000 nesting pairs. You’re practically guaranteed to see some of these lovable clowns of the sea during the season.

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Explore the

Coastline

Both Bay Bulls and Witless Bay are stops on the East Coast Trail, a network of 500 kilometres of coastal hiking trails and mellow paths connecting more than 30 historic communities and fishing villages along the province’s coastline. Whales can often be observed from spots along the trail, as they jump and frolic in the waters below.

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Getting to Bay Bulls Witless Bay

The Irish Loop (Route 10) will take you along the southeast coast of the Avalon Peninsula to Bay Bulls and Witless Bay. It takes about 35 minutes to drive from St. John's.

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The View From Here

A humpback whale breaches the ocean's surface, creating a large splash. In the background, a rugged coastline with green hills and a cliff is visible under a clear sky.

A tranquil foggy scene with miniature boats floating on a narrow body of water, surrounded by greenery. A person in a small boat appears to be adjusting or repairing it. A tiny lighthouse stands on the water’s edge.

A group of puffins with black and white plumage and colorful beaks stand on rocky terrain under sunlight. The rocks are covered in patches of green moss.

A group of people on a boat taking photos of a rocky coastline. A man in a blue cap stands in the foreground with a camera. The sky is clear, and the sea is calm, with birds flying above the cliffs.

A large iceberg with jagged peaks floats in a calm, dark blue sea under a clear sky. In the background, a hilly coastline with sparse vegetation is visible.

Two people stand on a boat deck, facing away and looking at a large iceberg floating in the ocean under a cloudy sky. They are dressed in warm clothing, suggesting cold weather.

A group of puffins with orange beaks and feet stand on a grassy, uneven landscape, surrounded by small burrows. The scene suggests a nesting area, with the puffins looking alert and active in their natural habitat.

Rocky cliffs and formations rise from the sea, with the sun illuminating patches of green moss. The ocean is calm, and the sky clear, adding a serene atmosphere to the coastal landscape.

A group of people on a boat observe and photograph a whale surfacing in the ocean. The water is calm, and the whale's back and a fin are visible. The onlookers are dressed in various colors and appear enthusiastic.

A whale's tail emerges gracefully from the ocean, partially submerged in the dark, choppy waves. The coastline and hills are visible in the background under a warm, golden sky.

Birdwatching in Bay Bulls and Witless Bay

You don’t necessarily have to be a birder to think there’s something strangely calming about a sky full of chaos. Where throngs of feathered creatures block out the clouds as they jostle for position in the heavens above. Where every set of flapping wings seem equally committed to creative co-existence, all in the name of mutual survival.