Gatherall’s Puffin & Whale Watch
Newfoundland Boat Tour
Discover the Ultimate Wildlife Adventure With Gatherall’s
Experience the thrill of experiencing puffins, whales, icebergs and incredible coastal scenery with the Gatherall Family & crew on this TOP RATED Newfoundland boat tour.
“BEST OF THE BEST” by TripAdvisor, Gatherall’s is among the top 1% of things to do worldwide!
What You’ll See – Newfoundland Wildlife
Experience the thrill of witnessing puffins and whales in their natural habitat on this top rated Newfoundland Puffin & Whale Boat Tour!
Book your boat tour from Bay Bulls with Gatherall’s! With close to 40 years of touring experience, Gatherall’s has the expertise to ensure that you have the ultimate Newfoundland boat tour! Set sail to the breathtaking Witless Bay Ecological Reserve – home of the Atlantic Puffin (North America’s largest puffin colony) and one Newfoundland’s best whale watching destinations. Embrace the magic of Newfoundland’s wildlife with Gatherall’s.
Be sure to check out the best times to see the wildlife as sightings are seasonal and cannot be guaranteed!
#1 On TripAdvisor
FIVE STARS on Google, Facebook and Yelp!
Expert Guided Tours – Gatherall’s Crew
Professional, knowledgeable and friendly guides offer a live interpretation detailing the lives of the birds, whales, icebergs and the colourful character of Newfoundland.
Tour commentary is interspersed with a colourful mix of local humour, stories & song capturing the essence of Newfoundland’s culture. Gatherall’s crew blends youthful exuberance balanced with decades of seagoing experience to ensure you have the best experience.
Multiple guides crew each tour and are equipped with wireless microphones to ensure that they’re available to mix with guests, answer your questions, offer assistance and chat one on one.
Tour duration typically between 90 to 110 minutes.
Best Viewing Times
Puffins, Whales, & Icebergs
We would love to experience puffins, whales, and icebergs on every tour but please remember that nature keeps its own schedule.
Take a look at the recommended “best times” to see puffins, whales, and icebergs provided below. Visit us during the peak times for the best chances to view the wildlife!
The time of day generally doesn’t affect sightings, but time of the season sure does!
Whales and/or icebergs cannot be guaranteed on any specific cruise.
“Best Times” viewing guide is based on historical norms but may vary.
PUFFINS
BEST TIMES
Puffins arrive early May and can be viewed in large numbers through till mid September with a few staying till the 3rd week of September. Timing for the other seabirds (murres, guillemots, gannets, kittiwakes, fulmars & more) varies by species.
WHALES
BEST TIMES
Whale encounters typically peak mid-June through to mid-August (may vary slightly year to year). Whales may arrive mid May and stay as late as September but please remember that sightings outside of the peak season are a bonus! Whales are not guaranteed.
ICEBERGS
BEST TIMES
Iceberg season around the St. John’s area typically runs May through to mid / late June. Although we are at the end of Iceberg Alley and see fewer bergs than northern Newfoundland, the bergs here are often very dramatic as they near the end of their journey.
Unforgettable Experiences Await!
Ready to book?
Planning your holiday and want to know the best times? Visiting and wondering whats in season? Just click the tour option below that fits your travel schedule or explore the site to learn more about Gatherall’s.
Open May 14 through September 20
Dates & times may be subject to change.
- Open 7 days a week in season.
- Only 25 minutes from downtown St. John’s.
- Shuttle service available.
- Fabulous selection of local crafts & gifts
- Group rates for 30 adults or more.
- Beach BBQ & bonfire facilities for staff party, reunion, wedding socials, conferences & events.
- Group transportation available.
Screech-In’s
Get Screech’d-In by Gatherall’s
Shuttle Service
Pickups from most St.John’s hotels
Gift Store
One of Newfoundland’s best craft stores
Why Gatherall’s tour boat is the best in Newfoundland …
Gatherall’s catamaran is designed to provide our guests with the best experience. The upper deck allows you to spot whales even when they are further away and seemingly disappear in the ocean swells (think penthouse view versus ground floor view). Abundant deck area and rail space provides more unobstructed views of the action. If you’re lucky, the whales may choose to visit for a closer look! When they do, the superior viewing angles of the cat enable you can see further into the water to watch as they slip effortless beneath. While viewing puffins, the upper viewing decks of the cat keeps you at eye level with their nests for the best views and pictures.
Riding the cat means that your carbon footprint is smaller too. The cat was designed to be ultra efficient, meaning we consume less fuel per guest per mile traveled than other vessels.
cOMFORT
Spacious & Comfortable
Gatherall’s cat is the largest tour boat in Newfoundland. The cat offers the most space and the smoothest ride. Multiple viewing decks provide rail space for everyone. Room for all guests inside the cabin in the event of rain. Washrooms and canteen service on board.
SAFETY
Certification & Training
Vessel & crew are Transport Canada Certified and inspected annually. All required life safety & fire safety equipment is in place and our crew have been expertly trained in Marine Emergencies Duties, Domestic Vessel Safety, Marine First Aid plus more.
RANGE
Range & Speed
The unique design of the cat allows it to travel further than other vessels. Featuring dual engines and slim hulls means that the cat can travel more quickly than other tour boats. It can also travel further to find whales & icebergs and spend more time.
Responsible Whale Watching
Gatherall’s makes every effort to ensure you have a great experience but please remember that respect for wildlife comes first.
All whale watching boats – big and small – are governed by the the same regulations regarding approach distances and practices.
In our experience, patience and a cautious approach are often rewarded. Whales may be plentiful and curious, while other times they are busy feeding, sleeping or travelling doing long, deep dives – this is a matter of chance. To improve our success, our catamaran can travel further in less time and its high decks enable our crew (and you) to spot the whales from greater distances so as to not miss any of the action.
Our captains are familiar with their behaviour will try to provide you with the best possible experience without disturbance.
Our Captains communicate with the other boats to co-ordinate visits to ensure as few boats are around them at any given time. Sometimes the encounter is a short, fleeting glimpse as a whale passes through our area. Other times it may be a profound and intimate interaction as a whale(s) comes alongside to check us out. Either way, we are tremendously lucky to be in their presence.
Interactions are entirely up to the whales. We’re just there to observe in a respectful manner.
Newfoundland Puffin & Whale Boat Tour
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether its your first adventure or you’re a returning friend, we know you have questions and we’re only too happy to answer them. A few of the most common questions and answers are provided below – click any one to load more FAQ’s or visit our FAQ page. Of course you’re welcome to reach out to us if you have a specific question that’s not listed.
Top Rated Newfoundland Puffin & Whale Boat Tour
Close to 40 Years of Great Service.
We’re proud of our commitment to providing incredible experiences and stellar customer service. We’ve been welcoming explorers since 1984. We’ve learned a few things along the way. With so many great reviews, you know Gatherall’s should be your first choice for your boat tour in Newfoundland to see puffins, whales and icebergs.
Ready to Start Your Adventure?
Click any Book Now button to select your date & cruise time or to check availability.
For questions please feel free to contact us by phone during business hours, email, or through our social media channels.
CONTACT INFO
TEL. 709-334-2887
Email info@gatheralls.com
Address 90 Northside Rd., Bay Bulls, NL Canada, A0A 1C0