Puffins live at sea and are well adapted to this lifestyle. They are excellent swimmers, using their wings to essentially ‘fly’ underwater while using their feet to control direction. They hunt a variety of small fish including herring, hake, capelin and sand lance. Puffins do not come to land outside of the breeding season, flying, swimming or riding the ocean surface throughout the year regardless of weather.

Meet the Neighbours

The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve is also home to many other important and unique seabirds. Many of the following species breed among the puffins while others are commonly sighted during Gatherall’s cruise.

The Best Time to see PuffinsThe seabirds return to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve between late April and early May. Peak season is from mid May through to mid August with Puffins staying on through to mid to late September.