Gatherall’s cruise features the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve – home of the Atlantic Puffin and one of the best places to experience whales in Newfoundland. The route of the cruise may vary depending on presence of whales and or icebergs within our area of operations and sea conditions anticipated or encountered during the tour.
Helpful Hint: Please check in 30 minutes before cruise departure time.
Are you eager to witness the enchanting puffins of Newfoundland? Look no further than Gatherall’s Puffin and Whale Watch! Set sail to the picturesque Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, where puffins thrive in their natural habitat. Gatherall’s expert guides will ensure an unforgettable encounter with these adorable seabirds. With a commitment to eco-friendly practices, this wildlife adventure promises an ethical and magical experience. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to witness the best place to see puffins in Newfoundland. Book your tour now!”
Atlantic Puffins in Newfoundland live at sea and spend most of their lives in open ocean. Early in May each year, they return by the hundreds of thousands to the islands of the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve – the largest breeding colony of Atlantic Puffins in North America!
This is their home for the next four months or so. Nesting in the shelter burrows dug into the side of the islands, they are extremely devoted parents spend their days caring for their single chick. A tour with Gatherall’s Puffin & Whale Watch (only minutes from St. John’s) offers a great opportunity to observe and learn about these incredible creatures. Our cruise passes by their nesting sites and the upper decks of the catamaran provide a “bird’s eye view” of their activities.
If you’re searching for the ultimate puffin encounter in Newfoundland, Gatherall’s Puffin and Whale Watch has got you covered! Venture to the renowned Witless Bay Ecological Reserve aboard our expertly guided boat tours. Witness the spectacular sight of thousands of puffins nesting on the rugged cliffs. Capture stunning photos and create memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to get up close and personal with these adorable seabirds. Book your puffin adventure with Gatherall’s today!”
Puffins are excellent swimmers, using their wings to ‘fly’ underwater while using their feet to control direction. They hunt a variety of small fish including capelin and sand lance. Puffins spend unto 8 months at sea and do not come to land outside of the breeding season. Theirs days and nights are spent flying, preening, swimming or riding the ocean surface throughout the year regardless of weather.
During the cruise, our guides provide loads of information and insight into the lives and habits of these incredible creatures. If you are travelling with us throughout mid-August and early September, you may also have an opportunity to participate in Puffin Patrol (the release of wayward pufflings) .
Other seabirds in addition to puffins are typically encountered during the cruise. Nesting seabird include Common Murres, Black Guillemots, Razorbilled Auks, Black Legged Kittiwakes, Leache’s Storm Petrels, Northern Fulmars, and several species of gulls. Northern Gannets are routinely sighted and on foggy days, both Greater and Sooty Shearwaters may be observed playing among the swells.
Our guides will do their best to point out the different seabirds encountered throughout the cruise as well as their nesting sites for your reference. It helps of course, if you take a moment before the cruise to consult your guide book so that you have an image of the different birds.