Welcome to Eastern Newfoundland, a dream destination for photographers and adventurers alike. My recent journey through this breathtaking region exceeded all expectations, thanks to the incredible locals who made every visit unforgettable with their warmth and hospitality.
Home to just over half a million residents, Newfoundland and Labrador is a province unlike any other. While Labrador remains on my bucket list, Eastern Newfoundland holds a special place in my heart. This six-day itinerary takes you from colourful St. John’s to the dramatic cliffs of Cape St. Mary’s, and through the charming fishing villages of Trinity and Elliston — each stop revealing its own story through light, landscape, and local life.
Day 1: St. John’s & Quidi Vidi Village
📍 Quidi Vidi Village, St. John’s, NL
St. John’s sets the tone for the week — colourful, historic, and surrounded by dramatic scenery. The Jelly Bean Row houses rise above steep streets, each one brighter than the next, and Quidi Vidi sits nearby like a scene painted into the cliffs.
Why Visit Quidi Vidi
- Historic saltbox homes
- Photogenic fishing stages
- Quidi Vidi Brewery (Iceberg Beer)
- Access to Signal Hill via coastal trails
Lunch: VU Restaurant & Bar
Stay: DoubleTree by Hilton St. John’s — harbour views and modern comforts.
Day 2 – Morning: Cape Spear
📍 Cape Spear National Historic Site, St. John’s, NL
Morning: Cape Spear, St. John’s
Cape Spear delivers the first sunrise in North America — a dramatic, moody location perfect for long exposures and coastal silhouettes. Managed by Parks Canada, the lighthouse stands firm against the Atlantic’s endless push.
During capelin season, whales feed close to shore. You may see breaches from land before breakfast.
Afternoon & Evening: Gatherall’s Puffin and Whale Watching Tour
📍 Bay Bulls, NL
The boat ride is lively, filled with storytelling, seabirds, and ocean spray. Puffins skim the surface in quick bursts of colour. Humpbacks rise and fall against a backdrop of cliffs and wind.
Overnight: The Wilds Resort — cabins, patios, and stargazing over quiet forests.
Overnight: The Wilds Resort
Nestled in nature, this resort offers cozy cabins with BBQs, patios, and walking trails — ideal for unwinding under the stars after a full day of exploration.
Day 3 – Avalon Peninsula & Cape St. Vincent Beach
📍 Avalon Peninsula, NL
The Avalon Peninsula offers windswept beaches, fog-shrouded vistas, and untouched coastlines. We watched whales breach through mist, seals drifting under rolling waves, and clouds moving across cliffs like brushstrokes.
Sitting on a quiet beach with only waves and wind is one of Newfoundland’s simplest and most rewarding moments.
4- Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve
📍 St. Bride’s, NL
The Avalon Peninsula offers windswept beaches, fog-shrouded vistas, and untouched coastlines. We watched whales breach through mist, seals drifting under rolling waves, and clouds moving across cliffs like brushstrokes.
Sitting on a quiet beach with only waves and wind is one of Newfoundland’s simplest and most rewarding moments.
5- Elliston Puffin Colony
📍 Elliston, NL
Elliston is one of the best places in North America to see puffins up close. Known as the Root Cellar Capital of the World, the cliffs here offer rare, intimate encounters as puffins soar, dive, and return to their nests.
Hours pass unnoticed as you photograph their flights and interactions. The colony offers a closeness few places can match.
Day 6 – Trinity with Trinity Eco Tours
📍 Trinity, NL
Whale Watching with Trinity Eco-Tours
Captain Bob brings together marine knowledge and Newfoundland humour. I joined a German photo crew for a sunset sail — and witnessed the moment I’d dreamed of: a whale breaching at golden hour.
I didn’t lift my camera. Some moments are better experienced than captured. Trinity is one of Newfoundland’s most scenic coastal villages — authentic, historic, and surrounded by dramatic landscapes.
Stay: Trinity Eco-Tours Lodge — rooms overlooking the bay, lighthouse views, and chances to spot the rare Steller’s Sea Eagle.
Day 7: Final Explorations & Farewell
Spend your final morning exploring Dungeon Provincial Park, a sea cave carved over centuries. On the drive back to St. John’s, the coastline, fishing villages, and open ocean remind you why Newfoundland feels more like a calling than a destination.
Why I Love Eastern Newfoundland
This region blends rugged landscapes with genuine hospitality — a combination that lingers long after the trip ends. The cliffs, waves, puffins, and whales offer endless photographic inspiration, but it’s the people who make every visit feel like coming home. Eastern Newfoundland isn’t just a place to explore — it’s a place that stays with you.
Frequently Asked Questions about Eastern Newfoundland
Late June to early September offers the best mix of whale sightings, puffins, and iceberg views.
At least five to six days to fully enjoy St. John’s, Trinity, and Cape St. Mary’s.
A rental car is essential — book months in advance during peak season.
Yes! Many tours, beaches, and museums welcome all ages.
Cape Spear at sunrise, puffins in Elliston, and the cliffs of Cape St. Mary’s.
About the Author
Roland Bast is a Canadian travel photographer and visual storyteller based in Ottawa. His work appears in national publications and tourism campaigns, highlighting authentic experiences, wildlife encounters, and the rhythm of Canadian destinations. Roland specializes in guides that blend atmosphere, photography, and immersive storytelling.
For collaborations or licensing: [email protected]
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