Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve - Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

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.

Welcome to

Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve

An abstract beige shape resembling a map with a brown location pin on the left side. The shape is irregular with jagged edges, and the pin is placed near the bottom left corner. The background is black.

The most accessible seabird colony in North America.

Birdwatching

Hiking & Walking

Interpretation Centre

Plan & Book

Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve is a wonderland for birdwatchers and explorers alike. Thousands of gulls, razorbills, common murres, black-legged kittiwakes, northern gannets, and double-crested and great cormorants nest here. Where 20,000 scoters, long-tailed ducks, harlequin, dovekies, thick-billed murres, and kittiwakes winter. This captivating area is one of seven protected seabird ecological reserves. Its natural beauty makes it perfect for nature walks and family adventures.

White seabirds are perched on a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean. More birds are seen flying in the background against the blue sea, with some rocky terrain and sparse grass visible in the foreground.

Discover

Birdwatching

Cape St. Mary's is the most accessible seabird rookery in North America. Bird Rock is the third-largest nesting site and southernmost colony of northern gannets in North America. Cape St. Mary's is also the southernmost breeding area for thick-billed murres in the world and the southernmost major breeding site for common murres in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. The site is overflowing with perching, diving, and scrambling birds from edge to edge – melding together into an awesome moving, breathing spectacle of colour and sound.

Cliffs overlooking the ocean at dusk with a large flock of birds flying above and perched on the rocks. A lighthouse glows softly in the distance, surrounded by expansive green hills.

Experience

Hiking & Walking

Explore the edge of rugged cliffs and spend hours watching the daily lives of some of the world’s most interesting seabirds. The stunning, majestic scenery of the Cape is perfect for a relaxing walk or a challenging hike. Mosses, lichens, low-growing shrubs, and alpine wildflowers blanket the plateau, while nearby Golden Bay is seasonally rich with wild bakeapples. Photograph eiders, eagles, osprey, cormorant, and guillemot against a brilliant glowing horizon.

A wooden boardwalk leads to a white building with a red roof set on green grass under a partly cloudy blue sky. The building has a sign saying "Dildo Area Interpretation Centre.

Visit the

Interpretation Centre

At the interpretation centre, take a moment to understand the lives of seabirds in the wild and watch them soar from a giant viewing window. Friendly and hospitable staff will guide you through the reserve and answer any questions you may have. The reserve can be visited year round, and the interpretation centre is open from May until October. During the summer visit the Cape St. Mary’s Performance Series, the annual concert series which includes traditional music, dancing, food, drink, and fun!
The Cape is a lovely place to see seabirds, especially northern gannets. However, sometimes the fog makes it difficult to fully appreciate the beauty of the place, so we suggest calling ahead of time (+1 (709) 277 1666). As a rule of thumb, if it’s foggy in St. John’s, it’s usually clear at the Cape, and vice-versa.

Getting to St. Marys

Cape St. Mary's is located on the Cape Shore Drive, off Route 100, approximately 2 hours from St. John's.

More on Getting to Newfoundland & Labrador

Videos far, far off the beaten path

The View From Here

Sunset over a coastal cliff with golden grass in the foreground. The sun illuminates the horizon, casting a warm glow over the calm ocean waters.

A gannet with white body and black-tipped wings soars in front of a rugged cliff face covered in patches of green moss. The rocky background contrasts with the bird's smooth flight.

Two people stand on a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean, surrounded by flying seagulls. The sea glistens under the sunlight, contrasting with the rugged terrain of the cliff.

A large colony of white seabirds with long wings and beaks gathers on rocky terrain by the sea. Some birds are perched on rocks, while others fly or walk, creating a lively and bustling coastal scene.

Sea view of a rocky coastline with grassy cliffs under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The water appears calm, and a small lighthouse can be seen on top of the cliffs.

A rocky cliff covered with numerous seabirds, possibly gannets, overlooks a vast expanse of ocean. Birds fill the sky and rest on the rocks, with green grass visible in the foreground.

A rocky cliff covered with numerous seabirds, with a few people observing from the top. Many birds are also flying in the clear blue sky above, indicating a bustling seabird colony.

A scenic view of dramatic cliffs meeting the ocean under a partly cloudy blue sky. The foreground features lush green grass, and the cliffs have patches of yellow and white. The water is deep blue and calm.

Two people in white clothing walk along a grassy hill beneath a cloudy sky. A house sits in the distance atop another hill, overlooking the scene.

Two people sit on a grassy cliff overlooking a large colony of seabirds gathered on the rocky coast. The ocean is visible in the background, creating a serene scene of nature and wildlife.

The Breathtaking Seabird Capital of North America

It’s never too early to start planning your visit to Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve. And while late summer and early fall are good times to arrive, it’s in the early summer when this wonderful bird sanctuary really bursts with life. Tens of thousands of migrating seabirds perched almost within arm’s length, whales offshore, possibly an iceberg – and the heart-stopping beauty of a rugged coastline blanketed in a velvet green wash of mist and sunshine.