Top 7 water & beach things to do in St John's

1. Self-guided audio tours of St. John's and the Irish Loop

Three self-guided audio tours—two walking tours in St. John's and Signal Hill, plus a driving tour along the Irish Loop—narrated with over 100 points of interest.

2. Whale and bird watching boat tour in Bay Bulls

Two-hour guided boat tour in Bay Bulls for spotting whales and seabirds with knowledgeable local guides.

“I had a fantastic experience. I really enjoyed my time and gained a lot of knowledge about Newfoundland. Our guide Noah was outstanding and very friendly.”— C7652TVkimw

3. Puffin and whale watching cruise in Witless Bay

Ninety-minute cruise to Witless Bay Ecological Reserve — watch puffins, whales, and icebergs with educational commentary from naturalists on board.

“I had a fantastic experience on the whale watching trip. We spotted 5-6 whales and thousands of puffins. The crew was excellent and provided us with plenty of information. I look forward to going whale watching again soon.”— Roam42268952519

4. Concert cruise on St. John’s harbour

Two-hour cruise departing downtown St. John’s — enjoy live local music and sunset views over the harbour.

“We had an incredible experience on this concert cruise. The local musician Jim Feehan was fantastic, performing a range of Newfoundland and popular songs for two full hours, and even took requests. The crew was extremely friendly and went out of their way to enhance our experience, especially Glen. We travelled through the narrows of St. John’s harbour and saw notable sights like The Battery, Signal Hill, Fort Amherst, Cape Spear, and even ventured near Petty Harbour. We encountered many whales and various sea birds, with a stop to watch breaching whales up close for photos. Overall, it was a stunning tour with spectacular views, perfect for capturing beautiful moments. I wholeheartedly recommend this experience.”— P1856VOjaniceb

5. Puffin and coastal wildlife cruise in Witless Bay

Ninety minutes on a spacious catamaran — late-season puffins, plus potential sightings of whales and dolphins, with live commentary from knowledgeable guides.

“We visited toward the end of the season, so our sightings were solely puffins, but as birdwatching enthusiasts, we thoroughly enjoyed watching them. They were swimming near the boat and flying around the entire time. The Gatherall boat is spacious, providing ample viewing spots for everyone. Overall, it was a genuinely enjoyable couple of hours.”— jjo

6. Whale watching and iceberg tour from St. John’s

Three hours by boat — see humpback whales, icebergs from Greenland, and seabirds while on a narrated tour.

“The iceberg boat tour was an amazing experience. The views of the stunning coastline and icebergs were breathtaking and truly unforgettable. I even got to taste some iceberg ice. What made this tour exceptional was the crew. They were all welcoming, and Glynn, in particular, made an effort to ensure that everyone felt included and comfortable. His humor and energy added to the memorable atmosphere, especially during the Screeching-In ceremony, which had everyone laughing and dancing. Whether you're in a group or going solo like I was, the crew made sure we all had a great time. It was evident that they genuinely wanted everyone to enjoy themselves. I highly recommend this tour to anyone in the area for the incredible views and exceptional crew.”— jgH973HW

7. Premium St. John's tour with whale watching and iceberg cruise

Four hours, small group — visit Cape Spear Lighthouse, Signal Hill, and enjoy a boat tour for whale watching and icebergs.

“Our experience with Leo, our tour guide, was outstanding. He provided us with a wealth of history about the St. John's area. The boat we were on was excellent, and we even spotted some Humpback Whales while the captain shared additional insights about the coast.”— Robert_G