Where to See Puffins in Newfoundland
Where to See Puffins in Newfoundland
Are you wondering where to see puffins in Newfoundland? If you are hoping to catch a glimpse of the adorable and distinctive Atlantic Puffins, you’re in luck.
Not only is Newfoundland a gorgeous province to explore, but it is also home to some of the best spots for puffin watching in the world!
With its rugged coastline, craggy cliffs, and abundant marine life, this stunning Canadian province is a natural paradise for these charming little seabirds.
One of the kids’ favourite memories from our trip to Newfoundland last summer, was going on a puffin cruise in Bay Bulls! Just watching these little birds in action was a definite highlight of our trip!
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best places to see puffins in Newfoundland and provide you with all the information you need to make the most of your puffin-spotting adventure.
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Are Puffins Found in Newfoundland?
Absolutely! Newfoundland is actually one of the best places in the world to see Atlantic Puffins.
These charming little seabirds can be found all along the province’s coastline, particularly on the eastern side of the island.
In fact, Newfoundland is home to some of the largest puffin colonies in North America.
Where Can You See Puffins in Newfoundland?
There are plenty of great spots to see puffins in Newfoundland!
One of the most popular locations to see puffins is Elliston, which is known as the “Root Cellar Capital of the World.” Elliston is home to a large puffin colony.
Witless Bay, which is home to four islands that are home to thousands of puffins; and Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve, which boasts a stunning cliffside view of puffins and other seabirds, are also great places to see puffins in Newfoundland.
Other great spots for puffin watching include Bonavista and the Bay Bulls area.
Are Puffins Endangered in Newfoundland?
While the population of Atlantic Puffins in Newfoundland has fluctuated over the years, they are not currently considered endangered in the province.
In fact, as we mentioned, Newfoundland is home to some of the largest puffin colonies in North America, with thousands of birds nesting along its coastline each year.
However globally, Atlantic puffins are considered to be a vulnerable species. And although their populations seem to be decreasing worldwide, approximately 350,000 to 400,000 puffins currently breed in eastern Canada, mostly in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Can You See Puffins at St John’s Newfoundland?
While you may be able to spot puffins in the waters off the coast of St. John’s, you’re unlikely to see them up close while in the city.
The best places to see puffins in Newfoundland are typically along the coast. However, if you are visiting St. John’s, you will find several puffin tours that depart less than an hour’s drive from the city.
In fact, Witless Bay, where we did our puffin tour, is only half an hour from the city. It is also one of the best places to see puffins in Newfoundland.
When Can You See Puffins in St John’s?
While you may spot puffins in the waters around St. John’s during the summer months, as we mentioned, it’s unlikely that you’ll see them up close while in the city.
The best time to see puffins in Newfoundland is typically from late May to early September when the birds return to the coast to breed and nest.
How Can You See Puffins in Newfoundland?
There are several ways to see puffins in Newfoundland.
One of the most popular ways is by taking a boat tour from one of the many coastal towns that offer them, such as Bay Bulls or Witless Bay.
These boat tours will take you out to the islands and cliffs where the puffins nest, giving you a chance to see them up close in their natural habitat.
And the bonus is, most puffin tours are actually combined with whale watching, so you get the opportunity to see both.
Another option is to visit an ecological reserve or parks along the coast, such as Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve.
The reserve not only offers guided tours but also hiking trails and viewing platforms for birdwatching.
If you prefer a more personalized experience, you can also hire a local guide who can take you to the best puffin viewing sites and provide you with insights about the birds and their behaviour.
What is the Best Time of Year to See Puffins in Newfoundland?
Puffins are most active during the breeding season.
As we mentioned, the breeding season typically runs from May to September. During this time, puffins are busy building nests, incubating eggs, and raising their young.
The peak months for puffin sightings are June and July. This is when they are more active and visible on land.
What Time of Day Are Puffins Most Active?
Puffins are primarily diurnal, meaning they are active during the daytime hours and tend to rest and sleep at night.
This means that the best chance of seeing puffins is early in the morning (sunrise to 11 am) and in the evening (6 pm to sunset).
🪶 Fun Fact: After hatching, puffin chicks are called Pufflings.
How Long Do Puffins Stay in Newfoundland?
Puffins typically arrive on the coast of Newfoundland in late April or early May to breed and nest.
They will stay until their chicks are fully grown and ready to leave the nest, which is usually in late August or early September.
During this time, you’ll have the best chances of spotting these charming seabirds along the coast of Newfoundland, where there are several large colonies.
Where Do Newfoundland Puffins Go in the Winter?
During the winter months, puffins from Newfoundland migrate out to sea and spend most of their time on the open ocean.
Puffins typically travel southward, following the food supply and warmer waters, and may travel as far south as New York and the Canary Islands.
While some puffins will remain in the waters around Newfoundland during the winter, the majority will leave the coast and travel to their wintering grounds.
This is because puffins are seabirds that rely on fish and other marine creatures for food.
The colder waters and shorter days of winter make it more difficult for them to find enough food to survive.
What to Pack for a Puffin Tour in Newfoundland
If you’re planning a puffin tour in Newfoundland, there are several things that you will need to pack for the trip. Here are some essentials to bring along:
Where to Stay in Newfoundland Before Your Puffin Tour?
There are several great options for accommodations in Newfoundland, depending on where you plan to take your puffin tour.
If you’re heading to the eastern side of the island to locations such as Witless Bay or Elliston, you may want to consider staying in the nearby town of Bay Bulls, which offers a range of accommodations from cozy bed and breakfasts to comfortable hotels.
If you’re planning to visit the popular Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve, you might consider staying in the nearby town of Placentia or even in St. John’s, which is about an hour and a half away by car.
Another popular area for puffin watching, the Bonavista Peninsula, also offers a range of accommodations from rustic cabins to luxury hotels.
Be sure to book your accommodations in advance, especially during peak puffin-watching season from May to September, as availability can be limited.
Tips for Spotting Puffins in Newfoundland
If you’re planning a puffin-watching trip to Newfoundland, here are some tips for spotting these adorable birds:
- Know where to look – The best places to see puffins in Newfoundland are along the rocky coastlines. Some top spots include Elliston, Witless Bay, Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve, Bonavista, and the Bay Bulls area.
- Take a boat tour – Many of the top puffin-watching spots in Newfoundland are only accessible by boat. Book a boat tour with a reputable company specializing in bird-watching to increase your chances of seeing puffins.
- Use binoculars – Puffins are small birds and can be hard to spot with the naked eye. Bring a good pair of binoculars with you to get an up-close view of these charming birds. Alternatively, a good zoom lens on your camera will work as well.
- Visit during breeding season – Puffins are only in Newfoundland during the breeding season, which runs from May to September. Visit during the peak months of June and July for the best chance of seeing these birds.
- Dress for the weather – The coast of Newfoundland can be chilly and windy, even in the summer months. Dress in layers with a windproof jacket that will keep you comfortable longer. This means a better puffin-viewing experience!
- Watch for flying patterns – Puffins have a distinctive flying pattern, with quick wing beats followed by a glide close to the water’s surface. Watch for this unique flight pattern to spot puffins in flight.
🪶 Fun Fact: Puffins are poor fliers. Not only do they have difficulty going airborne, but they also need to flap their wings a jaw-dropping 300 to 400 times per minute just to stay aloft!
Are There Puffins in Newfoundland – FAQs
Newfoundland is widely considered to be the best place to see puffins in Canada, thanks to its large colonies of these charming seabirds along the eastern coast of the island.
Popular locations for puffin watching include the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, Elliston, and Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve.
While puffin meat was traditionally consumed in Newfoundland, it is no longer legal to hunt or sell puffins in Canada due to their protected status as a species at risk. Therefore, it is not possible to eat puffins legally in Newfoundland or anywhere else in Canada.
Puffins are generally not aggressive toward humans, but they are also not particularly friendly or social towards them. These birds are wild animals and are used to living in isolation on remote cliffs and islands, so while they may approach humans in some situations, it’s important to respect their space and avoid causing them any distress.
Puffins can live for up to 20 years in the wild, although the average lifespan is typically shorter at around 10 to 15 years. However, puffin lifespans can vary greatly depending on factors such as food availability, breeding success, and environmental conditions.
Puffin pairs often become lifelong mates between the ages of 4 and 6, and they can be found together at their breeding colony year after year. These pairs often reuse the same burrow they used in previous years.
Puffins typically sleep on land in burrows or rock crevices, often in large colonies with other puffins. During the breeding season, they may also sleep in their nest burrows with their mate and chicks.
Puffins are adapted to life at sea and are capable of flying long distances, so they may also sleep while floating on the water’s surface when they are out at sea.
Puffins are sometimes called “clowns of the sea” due to their distinctive appearance and playful behaviour. With their brightly coloured beaks and comical waddling gait on land, puffins have a charming and endearing presence that has made them a beloved symbol of coastal wildlife in many parts of the world.
A large group of puffins is called a colony. Puffins are social birds that typically nest in large colonies on remote cliffs and islands, where they can find safety in numbers and take advantage of available nesting sites and food resources.
Yes, puffins are capable of flying in the air. In fact, they can reach speeds of up to 55 miles per hour (90 kilometres per hour) when flying. Puffins use their wings to flap and soar over the water’s surface in search of fish to catch, and they can also fly long distances to migrate between their breeding and wintering grounds.
One of the biggest threats to puffins is climate change and its impact on the marine environment, which can disrupt the availability and distribution of their primary food source.
Other threats to puffins include habitat loss and degradation, pollution, overfishing, and predation by introduced species, so conservation efforts are important for protecting them and their habitats.
Best Puffin Tour in Newfoundland
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Where to Find Puffins in Newfoundland – Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it! Newfoundland truly is a puffin paradise. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or simply appreciate the beauty of nature, a visit to this stunning Canadian province is not complete without witnessing the charm of the Atlantic Puffin.
From Elliston to Witless Bay, there are so many great spots to see these little seabirds in their natural habitat.
With some patience and luck, you’re sure to have a memorable and exciting puffin-watching experience in Newfoundland. And we know that you will fall in love with these amazing birds, the same way our family did!
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