There’s arguably no better place in the world to see puffins than Newfoundland. Every year, more than one million puffins make their way to Newfoundland. In fact, over 95% of North America’s puffin population breeds along the province’s coastline.
With that in mind, it comes as no surprise that the Atlantic Puffin is the official bird of Newfoundland.
But these birds colonize only around certain spots along the Atlantic coast. Plus, they’re only seen during select times of year. So where can you see puffins in Newfoundland and what is the best time of year to spot them? Continue reading to find out.
Where Can You See Puffins in Newfoundland?
Puffins in Newfoundland are spotted along the eastern shores of the island on the Atlantic coast. Western Newfoundland, bordering St. Lawrence Bay, is home to some incredibly scenery like Gros Morne National Park, but you’re not going to spot puffins or iceberg on that side.
The best places to see puffins in Newfoundland include:
Witless Bay
Witless Bay is hands down the most famous place to see puffins in Newfoundland and for good reason. The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve is home to one of the largest Atlantic puffin colonies in the world, with hundreds of thousands of birds nesting on nearby islands each summer.
Puffin-viewing tours depart directly from Witless Bay and nearby Bay Bulls and take you close to Gull Island and Green Island, where puffins nest in massive numbers. During peak puffin season, it’s common to see them flying overhead, floating on the water, and darting below the surface to catch fish. If you’re short on time or staying in St. John’s, Witless Bay is the easiest and most reliable spot for puffin viewing.
Bonavista
Bonavista is one of the best places in Newfoundland to see puffins from land, making it a great option if you don’t want to take a boat tour. The most popular and reliable spot is the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse, where puffins nest along the rocky cliffs steps from the walking paths.
In the summer months, puffins are seen flying back and forth between the ocean and their burrows. Bonavista also offers stunning coastal scenery, whale sightings, and iceberg views early in the season, making it an excellent all-around wildlife destination on the Bonavista Peninsula.
Elliston
Also on the Bonavista Peninsula and just a few minutes from the town itself is the smaller community of Elliston.
Elliston is one of the most convenient places to see puffins in Newfoundland. The Puffin Viewing Site in Elliston allows visitors to see puffins nesting just a few feet away, without needing binoculars or a boat. You can find this location on Google Maps, just type in, “Puffin Viewing Site.”
A short, well-maintained walking trail leads to a grassy cliffside where puffins burrow directly into the ground. Peak viewing typically runs from late May through August, with early morning and evening offering the best activity. Elliston is a must-stop if you’re traveling the Bonavista Peninsula, especially if you want close-up puffin encounters.
Twillingate (Spillars Cove)
Twillingate is the best place to see icebergs in Newfoundland, but you can also find puffins during the summer months. One of the best land-based locations is Spillars Cove in Twillingate, where puffins can sometimes be seen flying offshore or resting on nearby rocks. The short trek to Spillars Cove is one of my favorite hikes in Newfoundland. I recommend doing the hike around sunrise.
Boat tours departing from Twillingate offer better chances, often combining puffin viewing with iceberg and whale sightings depending on the time of year. I recommend Twillingate Adventure Tours.
While puffin colonies here aren’t as large as those in Witless Bay or Elliston, Twillingate’s dramatic scenery and wildlife diversity make it well worth including in a Newfoundland itinerary.
Fogo Island
Fogo Island is a more remote option for seeing puffins in Newfoundland, but it offers a quieter, less crowded experience. Puffins can be spotted along the island’s rugged coastline, particularly near rocky headlands and offshore islands during breeding season.
Boat tours and coastal hikes provide the best chances to see puffins here, often alongside other seabirds. While sightings aren’t as guaranteed as in Witless Bay or Elliston, Fogo Island rewards patient travelers with raw landscapes, fewer tourists, and a chance to experience puffins in a truly wild setting.
What Is the Best Time of Year to See Puffins in Newfoundland?
Puffins are most often spotted from May to September. Peak breeding season, when puffins can be seen in massive colonies of more than 10,000 birds, occurs from June to August. Witless Bay Ecological Reserve is the best place to get a glimpse of these enormous puffin colonies, along with the Puffin Viewing Site in Elliston, and other spots along the Bonavista Peninsula.
In winter months, puffins head to the open ocean to rest on waves and dive for fish. Seeing a puffin in Newfoundland from October to April is considered rare.
What Is the Best Time of Day to See Puffins in Newfoundland?
Puffins are most active throughout morning and evening hours. They can still be seen during the day, but they use the morning and evening as times to fly to and from sea to find food and store for their babies.
Because of this, puffin tours typically depart in the morning or in late afternoon.
How to See Puffins in Newfoundland
Seeing puffins in Newfoundland requires some planning, but it’s an extremely rewarding, once-in-a-lifetime experience for most visitors.
Reading this article on when and where to see puffins is a good first step. You’ll want to plan your visit for the summer months to give yourself the best chance to get a glimpse at these unique, beautiful birds. The summer is the best time to visit Newfoundland, anyway (I went in late June and it was perfect).
Then, you’ll want to book your accommodation wherever you’re planning on doing a puffin-viewing tour or seeing them on your own. Make sure to book several months in advance, as places book quickly for the summer. The same goes for renting a car in Newfoundland. I rented our car and booked our accommodation by January for our June trip.
You can then start looking into puffing-viewing boat tours. Witless Bay, Bonavista, Elliston, and Twillingate all have puffin tour companies. For Witless Bay, you can also find tours that leave from St. John’s.
If you’re planning on making it a solo venture on staying on land, just make sure to research specific places to see puffins. Not just the town, but the exact location. For instance, the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse in Bonavista, the Puffin Viewing Site in Elliston, or Spillar’s Cove in Twillingate.
Can You See Puffins in St. John’s, Newfoundland?
Many travelers wonder if you can see puffins in St. John’s. Unfortunately, puffins are rarely visible from downtown St. John’s.
However, there are a few locations close to St. John’s where you might be able to spot them. Following the East Coast Trail up past Signal Hill and the Quidi Vidi neighborhood will be your best bet. Continue along the trail and you’ll find yourself in a hiking area called Bawdens Highlands. Boulders Cove and Skerries Islands are two locations around here where you might get lucky if you’re hiking in the summer months in the peak of puffin season. You might also be able to see some around Cape Spear, the easternmost point of North America. This is only 15-20 minutes by car from St. John’s, or you can take an e-Bike like I did if the weather is cooperating.
However, the best places to see puffins near St. John’s are Witless Bay and Bay Bulls. These two small communities attract tens of thousands of puffins during breeding season. The Witless Bay Islands Park Reserve regularly hosts up to 500,000 puffins each year. Puffin-viewing tour operators are located in Witless Bay, which is only 30 minutes from St. John’s by car.
In-Summary: Where and When to See Puffins in Newfoundland
Newfoundland is one of the best places in the world to see puffins, with more than one million birds returning to the island’s Atlantic coastline each year. While puffins are mainly only present from late May to September, you have an excellent chance of seeing them in large numbers by visiting during this time.
Whether you choose a boat tour in Witless Bay, a close-up land-based experience at the Puffin Viewing Site in Elliston, or coastal viewpoints like the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse or Spillars Cove in Twillingate, Newfoundland offers unforgettable puffin viewing opportunities.
With a bit of advance planning and the right timing, hanging out with puffins in Newfoundland can easily become one of the highlights of your trip to this amazing Canadian province.
For more about seeing puffins in Newfoundland, check out the provincial tourism site’s article on where you can find them.
