Excursion

Birds, the Sea and a Whale of a Time

On Wednesday, August 5th we will set sail to show you some of the unique features and landscape of our province. You will travel by motor coach and private boat to see some of the most fascinating scenery in North America and explore heritage reminiscent of the Second World War.

You will drive along the Irish Loop to Bay Bulls where you will board a private boat for a ride out to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. In the reserve you will visit The Bird Islands, home to over 200,000 Atlantic Puffins, the largest Atlantic Puffin Colony in North America. The Puffins as well as thousands of other birds including murres and kittiwakes nest there every year.

While at sea the world’s largest population of feeding Humpback and minke whales may delight you by approaching the boat and putting on a display of their talent. The sight of a whale showing his tail on its terminal dive in a glistening bay is one to be remembered and you don’t want to miss it!

If that isn’t enough perhaps the possibility of seeing one of our icebergs may tempt you. Some of these icebergs may be 15,000 years old and travel thousands of miles to become wonderful coastal attractions and majestic ice sculptures. You may even get to sample a "bergy bit," of the most pristine water on earth, frozen in time.

Before you leave this beautiful terrain we will tempt you with a snack of Newfoundland muffins and berry tarts, sure to tempt your taste buds!

To top off the day, before returning to St. John’s you will stop at Cape Spear, the most easterly point of land in North America. Here you can view the lighthouse that has been restored to circa 1836 and you can explore the bunkers built by Canadian soldiers in the side of the cliffs during the Second World War.

After this excursion you can say you have been to the other "Far East" where you can stand with your back to the Atlantic and face every other being in North America - or turn your back on them.

Be sure to bring your camera, a sweater and partake in this wonderful adventure at ICHC-22!