If you’re visiting Newfoundland, stopping in Twillingate for a whale watching tour is a must.
There are few experiences more magical than watching humpback whales rise to the surface of the water, blowing air and sea spray from their blow holes and diving back down with a wave of their tails. Imagine that with the expansive Atlantic Ocean, dramatic, rugged cliffs and quaint fishing villages in the background. If you’re in Newfoundland during the summer, you’ve got to go whale watching in Twillingate.
Known for being situated on the world-famous Iceberg Alley, this small coastal town is a must-stop on your tour of Newfoundland. It’s also a hotspot for wildlife viewing, especially whales. On our recent trip with Twillingate Adventure Tours, we saw firsthand why many recommend this stop on their Newfoundland journey.
In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know about whale watching in Twillingate. The best time to go, how to book your trip, what to expect on the boat tour and a few insider tips to make the most of your experience.
Twillingate is the traditional territory of the Beothuk and Mi’kmaq people. Artifacts of the Beothuk date back thousands of years, indicating that they have lived, hunted, and gathered here since time immemorial.
After a struggle with colonization, displacement, violence and disease, it is believed that the Beothuk people have died out completely, with the last known surviving member passing in 1829. You can learn more and honour their culture and history by visiting the Beothuk Interpretive Centre.
Why is Twillingate Famous for Whale Watching?
Twillingate is actually most famous for iceberg watching and is dubbed the Iceberg Capital of the World. Every spring, ice breaks off of Greenland and floats along the Atlantic through Iceberg Alley. Twillingate is in the centre of it, offering front row seats for those wanting to catch a glimpse at the enormous floating ice structures.
Icebergs aren’t the only things that pass by Twillingate. Humpback whales frequent the area in the warmer months, looking to feed on capelin, a small fish that is abundant in those waters. When we visited in July, we saw nearly a dozen whales, and they put on quite a show. In addition to humpbacks, you might see minke and orca whales.
When is the best time to go whale watching in Twillingate?
The best time to book a whale watching tour in Twillingate is from June to September. As mentioned, the waters are teeming with bait fish, and the whales stick around Twillingate to feed.
June and early July also fall into iceberg season. So, if you want the most bang for your buck, come in June and witness both icebergs and whales in Twillingate!
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Our Experience with Twillingate Adventure Tours
I booked an afternoon whale watching tour with Twillingate Adventure Tours on a weekday in July. Reserving our spots online was quick and easy, and I booked a few days in advance. I booked the Twillingate Spirit Tour.
Lunch at Annie’s Harbour Restaurant
We arrived before our tour to have lunch at Annie’s Harbour Restaurant, which is also owned by Twillingate Adventure Tours and located in the same harbourside complex. It offers classic seafood dishes like Newfoundland mussels, fish and chips, salmon dinners and the like. The restaurant also features an outdoor seating area and large windows, allowing you to take in the view of the water.
Checking in and boarding
After lunch, we checked in for our tour. You check in at The Wharf, a cute waterside craft beer joint that the company also owns. We completed our payment at check-in and went outside to the dock to receive warm jackets for the boat.
After a quick safety briefing from the Captain, we boarded the Twillingate Spirit. Parents with children got to board first, so we got seats at the front of the boat.
The boat: Twillingate Spirit
The Twillingate Spirit is a newer, rigid-hull Zodiac boat that offers bench seating along the outside and rows of benches down the centre. It’s large, 45 feet long, and feels comfortable and safe. Lifejackets are stowed beneath the seats, and the boat carries a 50-person inflatable life raft in case of emergencies.
The Captain sits behind a small glass enclosure, and another crew member is on board to assist. The Captain narrated the tour here and there, providing information on the landscape and wildlife as we went along. Both crew members were friendly and provided good service.
The whale watching tour
The tour on the Twillingate Spirit takes you out of the harbour under a bridge through town, and around the island. We didn’t get far before we spotted blowhole sprays on the horizon. We headed out towards the spray and stopped at a safe distance to see if the humpback whales wanted to come out and say hello.
And they did! For about 30 minutes, a pair of humpback whales swam near the boat, coming up for air, arching their backs and diving back down with a splash of their tails. While we didn’t see humpbacks breaching, their distinctive tail flukes were plenty. Once those swam away, we found a few other pairs, giving us a similar show until it was time to carry on.
We followed the coastline away from town and around the main island. The tour took us into calm coves to view charming homes and fishing communities on the water.
Then, we travelled to the end of Crow Head, where we could see the Long Point Lighthouse high on the cliff. Along the way, we went around several small islands to view colonies of cormorants, seagulls and other ocean birds. Near this area, we spotted a smaller humpback whale thrashing and playing in the water!
After stopping to get some photos of the breathtaking scenery, we travelled back into the harbour to the Wharf.
Where to sit for the best views? I personally enjoy the views at the front of the boat, but the Captain was really good at rotating the boat several times so that all passengers had an equal view of the whales, scenery, and other wildlife.
What to Expect on a Whale Watching Tour
Tour duration & schedule
- The Twillingate Spirit Tours are 1.5 hours long
- There are three departures in the summer: 10 AM, 1 PM and 3:30 PM.
In the spring and fall, they typically run two afternoon tours on weekends and one on weekdays. Times may vary, so please check Twillingate Adventure Tours reservations for more information.
What you might see while whale watching in Twillingate
- Whales! While humpbacks are the most common, you might see minke and orca whales.
- Birds, including cormorants, sea gulls, eagles and more.
- Icebergs, if you come during iceberg season (May-early July).
- Stunning coastal scenery.
Safety & Accessibility
- Twillingate Adventure Tours complies with Transport Canada guidelines.
- A safety brief is provided.
- Lifejackets (PFDs) and a life raft are onboard.
The Twillingate Spirit is generally not accessible to those in wheelchairs. Please contact them directly to discuss your accessibility needs.
Plan Your Visit
Where to book your whale watching tour?
You can reserve your spot online at https://twillingateadventuretours.com/book-tour/. Advanced booking is highly recommended, especially during July and August.
How much does it cost?
At the time of writing, the cost was about $85 per adult, with a slightly discounted fare available for seniors and veterans. The cost was $50 for children aged 3 to 12.
What to bring on a whale watching tour?
Twillingate Adventure Tours provides warm, waterproof jackets for the tour. However, you should bring warm layers, including a hat and gloves.
You can also bring your camera and phone (with waterproof protection if it’s raining), sunscreen, sunglasses and motion sickness meds if that bothers you.
Things to Do in Twillingate
Whale watching in Twillingate is certainly a highlight, but there are plenty of things to do in and around the town. We enjoyed dining, coastal hikes, visiting the lighthouse and camping and paddling at nearby Dildo Run Provincial Park.
Here’s a quick list of other things to do in Twillingate:
- Iceberg viewing in spring and early summer.
- Hiking and viewpoints at the Long Point Lighthouse area.
- Coastal hikes, like the iconic French Beach Trail and Spillers Cove Trail.
- Dining and entertainment at the Twillingate Dinner Theatre.
- Visit the Beothuk Interpretation Centre
- Visit museums: Durrel Museum, Twillingate Museum and Wooden Boat Museum.
- Sample local wine at the Auk Island Winery
Find more things to do in Twillingate, Newfoundland.
Left: Hiking the French Beach Trail; Right: Long Point Lighthouse
Where to stay in Twillingate
Fixed-roof accommodations
There is a wide range of accommodations available in Twillingate, including hotels, motels, hostels, vacation rentals and bed and breakfasts. You can stay in Twillingate proper or find accommodation in the area on the North Twillingate and South Twillingate Islands.
Find accommodation in Twillingate.
Camping in Twillingate
There are two campgrounds near Twillingate: Peyton’s Woods RV Park & Campground and Dildo Run Provincial Park. We stayed at Dildo Run Provincial Park, and it was about a 20-minute drive to Twillingate Adventure Tours from there.
Peyton’s Woods RV Park: Perched on the edge of Back Harbour, this RV-park-style campground offers expansive open views of the seaside cliffs and open ocean. It’s located between Twillingate and the Long Point Lighthouse. It’s the closest to shopping, restaurants, tours and other amenities. Book online.
Dildo Run Provincial Park: This quiet campground is located 20 minutes south of Twillingate. It offers oceanfront camping in tranquil bays, a comfort station with washrooms, showers, and laundry facilities, a playground, and a trailer dumping station. Book online.
How to get to Twillingate, Newfoundland
By car:
If you’re travelling east on the Trans Canada Highway 1, turn onto HWY 340 to Lewisporte/Twillingate.
If you’re travelling west to Gander, turn on HWY 330, then north on HWY 331 and 340 to Twillingate.
By air:
The closest airport to Gander International Airport, however, most international flights go to St. John’s International Airport or Deer Lake International Airport. You can rent a car from the airport and drive to Twillingate:
Drive time to Twillingate from the airport:
- Gander International Airport (YQX): 1.5 hours
- Deer Lake International Airport (YDF): 4.5 hours
- St. John’s International Airport (YYT): 5.5 hours
By ferry
The Newfoundland Ferry leaves from North Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and goes to two ports:
- Argentia (16 hour sailing – 4.5 hours drive to Twillingate)
- Port aux Basques (7 hour sailing – 6.5-7 hour drive to Twillingate)
