Irish Loop to Ferryland Tour

Newfoundland rewards the curious who leave St. John’s. This full-day Irish Loop outing pairs dramatic coastal scenery with the Colony of Avalon, a traditional cod lunch, and a friendly local welcome in Renews. I especially like the small-group format, capped at 20 people, and the chance to meet people connected to Newfoundland’s Irish communities rather than simply viewing the coast from a bus. The main consideration is time: much of the 7 to 7.5-hour day is spent driving and collecting passengers.

The guide can make this outing especially memorable. Billy earned repeated praise for his local knowledge, storytelling, and even his singing, while Larry was also singled out for adding fun facts throughout the day. I like that lunch is included and that the route reaches places you may not easily visit without a car, but wet weather can limit walks and viewpoints.

Five things to know before you book

• The route follows Newfoundland’s Irish Loop: You visit Bay Bulls, Bauline East, Ferryland and Renews, with plenty of coastal scenery between stops.
• The Colony of Avalon is the main historic stop: Plan on about an hour at this archaeological site and early English settlement.
• Pan-fried cod lunch is included: Tell the operator about dietary restrictions before departure, since cod is the standard meal.
• Pickup begins before 9:30 a.m.: Your actual time depends on your hotel, with some pickups as early as 8:45 a.m.
• This is a small-group day out: The maximum is 20 people, and at least four must be booked for the tour to operate.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and rain may reduce time outside.

What the Irish Loop adds to a St. John’s visit

St. John’s is easy to enjoy on foot, but the Irish Loop gives you a much wider sense of Newfoundland. The route heads south through fishing villages, rocky coast, historic sites, and communities where local stories are part of the experience.

I like the balance here. You are not spending the entire day inside a museum, and you are not simply stopping for photographs. The day moves between scenery, archaeology, food, and conversation. That mix gives you a better feel for how people have lived along this shore.

The scenery is a major reason to book. Bay Bulls and Bauline East offer harbor and coastal views, while the drive toward Ferryland and Renews brings more of the open southern shore. On one outing, people spotted seabirds and whales, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

The tour also works well if you are visiting by cruise ship or without a rental car. The closest pickup to the cruise terminal is the ALT Hotel, about 300 meters away. That is useful, but you need to arrange your own short walk from the terminal to the hotel.

Starting early with hotel pickup

The advertised departure is 9:30 a.m., but pickup starts earlier. The exact time depends on your location, so you should read the pickup table carefully rather than assume 9:30 is your meeting time.

For example, pickup is scheduled 15 minutes before departure at the ALT Hotel, 20 minutes before at Bannerman Park Suites, and 45 minutes before at the Best Western, Capital Hotel, Comfort Inn, Fairfield Inn, Hampton Inn and Suites, Holiday Inn Express, Ramada, and Sandman Signature.

Other locations have their own times. The Extended Stay and Leaside Manor are five minutes before departure, while the Delta and DoubleTree use their lower lobbies. At larger hotels, the vehicle generally waits just outside the lobby unless a lower-lobby instruction is given.

This level of detail is helpful, but it also creates one practical task for you: select the correct pickup point and be ready early. The operator warns that an incorrect or missed pickup location may mean no collection, so this is not the morning to wander down for coffee at the last minute.

One small but important warning concerns the name St. John’s. This tour departs from St. John’s, Newfoundland, not Saint John, New Brunswick. The two places are roughly 1,000 kilometers apart, so check your booking carefully.

Bay Bulls, where the sea sets the tone

The first stop is Bay Bulls, a fishing village with a scenic harbor and a strong connection to the water. The stop is listed at about 10 minutes and has no separate admission charge, so think of it as a short orientation and photo break rather than a long village visit.

This is also a useful land-based companion to a boat excursion in the area. You can see the same coastal setting from another angle, with the harbor and surrounding shore replacing the open-water view.

Bay Bulls is near the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, known for puffins and other seabirds. The reserve itself is not listed as a separate stop on this outing, so you should not book the tour expecting a dedicated puffin visit. Still, the location helps explain why this part of the coast is so important for birdlife.

The short timing is both a benefit and a limitation. You get a taste of the village without losing an hour early in the day, but you will not have much time for an independent walk. Bring a camera, keep your shoes practical, and be ready to return to the vehicle promptly.

Bauline East and the quieter side of the coast

Bauline East follows with another short stop, also about 10 minutes. This small community is presented as a place for coastal views, walking routes, and local heritage, though the tour does not promise a specific hike or a long walking period.

I see this as one of the day’s small pauses that helps break up the road journey. You get out, stretch your legs, look across the coast, and hear more about a community that you could easily miss if you drove straight to the larger attractions.

Do not expect a formal attraction with timed entry here. The value is in the setting and the guide’s explanation. If the weather is wet or windy, you may spend less time outside. That is worth keeping in mind if your main goal is extended walking.

The driving between stops is part of the experience, not wasted time. The route connects several communities along the shore, and your guide can add context as the scenery changes. The total day lasts about 7.5 hours when pickup and driving are included, even though the public description also calls it a seven-hour tour.

The Colony of Avalon gives the day historical weight

The Colony of Avalon is the most substantial scheduled attraction, with about one hour included. This 17th-century English settlement on Newfoundland’s southern tip has archaeological remains and displays that help explain early colonial life.

I like having this stop in the middle of a scenic day. Without it, the outing could feel like a series of lookouts and roadside pauses. At the Colony of Avalon, you have time to slow down and connect the coast with the people who settled and worked here centuries ago.

The included admission is an important value point. You do not need to pay another entry fee during the day, and the hour gives you enough time to explore at a reasonable pace rather than rushing through a quick photo stop.

The site may involve walking around uneven outdoor areas, and the operator notes that some passengers may need to go up and down a couple of steps. If you prefer not to walk at a particular stop, you can remain in the vehicle, though you will naturally miss part of the attraction.

This is also where the guide’s storytelling matters. The archaeological remains are easier to understand when someone connects them to the settlement’s purpose and daily life. I would pay attention during the introduction, then use the free time to look more closely at the site itself.

Ferryland lunch puts cod on the table

Lunch is included, with pan-fried cod and vegetables as the standard meal. For many people, this will be one of the most satisfying parts of the day because it is simple, local, and substantial enough to keep you going through the afternoon.

The meal is not just a cost-saving detail. A proper Newfoundland cod lunch gives the route a clear connection to the fishing communities you have been passing. It also means you do not need to spend part of the day searching for a restaurant or carrying a packed meal.

If you do not eat fish or have dietary restrictions, tell the operator in advance. One person on a previous outing made separate arrangements, and the guide checked in several times to make sure everything was fine. That is a useful sign of practical care, but you should still handle the dietary conversation before the morning of departure.

The lunch timing is described as taking place in Ferryland before continuing north, or up, the southern shore to Renews. The schedule does not provide an exact restaurant name or lunch duration, so you should allow the guide to manage the timing.

Renews and the Newfoundland tradition of a Mug Up

Renews is the day’s most personal stop. A local storyteller welcomes you to his hometown, shares tales from his life there, and invites you in for a proper Mug Up.

The phrase refers to a traditional Newfoundland break for tea and something to eat. Here, the point is not a staged performance with a polished script. It is a chance to sit down, listen, and hear about a place from someone connected to it.

That human contact is what gives the tour its character. You can see villages from a vehicle window, but a local story helps you understand why a community matters to the people who live there. The Irish heritage of Newfoundland becomes easier to grasp through conversation, not just through dates and place names.

Renews is scheduled for about an hour, making it longer than the two early scenic stops. That gives you room for the welcome, the stories, and the Mug Up without feeling like you are being rushed back onto the road.

The experience depends partly on your personality. If you like local conversation and informal cultural stops, this may be your favorite part. If you prefer a tightly scheduled list of major attractions, the storytelling pause may feel less predictable. I would choose this tour precisely because the informal moments are included.

Guides, group size, and the feel of the day

The maximum group size is 20, which is small enough for a guide to speak directly to the group. It also makes hotel pickups and stops easier than they would be with a large coach.

Billy received especially strong praise for guiding the day, sharing local information, hosting the group for roughly eight hours, and singing along the way. Larry was also praised for adding fun facts and making the outing enjoyable. Guide assignments can change, so you should not book on the assumption that one particular person will lead your departure.

A good guide is especially important on this route because the stops are varied but not all have long formal presentations. At Bay Bulls and Bauline East, the guide fills in the background. At the Colony of Avalon, the guide helps connect the site to the larger story. At Renews, the guide makes sure the local welcome fits into the day.

The small-group setting also makes dietary questions and mobility needs easier to discuss. You may need to step up or down a couple of stairs, and the vehicle is always an option if you do not want to walk at a stop. The outing is suitable for most people, but it is not designed as a completely step-free experience.

Is $157.36 a fair price?

At $157.36 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Irish Loop. It is a fairer deal when you count what is included: hotel or B&B pickup and drop-off at listed locations, transportation, an English-speaking guide, admission to the Colony of Avalon, lunch, and all fees and taxes.

The value is strongest for you if you do not have a car. Renting one would give you more freedom, but you would need to plan the route, handle the driving, pay for fuel, arrange admission, and choose a place for lunch. This outing packages those tasks with local interpretation.

The price is less attractive if you want long independent visits at every stop. Bay Bulls and Bauline East are only about 10-minute pauses, and driving occupies a substantial part of the day. You are paying for access, planning, guiding, and local connections, not seven hours of continuous sightseeing.

Gratuity is not included, so budget for a tip if the guide provides good service. The high 4.8 out of 5 rating and 94 percent recommendation rate suggest strong satisfaction, but the small sample size means I would still weigh the itinerary against your own priorities.

Weather, timing, and who will enjoy this most

Newfoundland weather can change the feel of the route. In rain, you may not get out at every viewpoint for long, and coastal wind can make short stops less comfortable. The operator requires good weather and offers another date or a full refund if poor conditions cancel the outing.

I would book this for a day when you want variety rather than a single major attraction. It suits you if you enjoy scenic drives, local stories, archaeology, seafood, and a relaxed small-group atmosphere.

It is also a good choice for cruise passengers, provided your ship schedule leaves enough room for the full outing and the early pickup. Since the route lasts about 7 to 7.5 hours, you should not treat it as a quick shore excursion.

You can book with a mobile ticket, and confirmation arrives at booking. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. The minimum group size is four, so the operator may cancel if too few places are sold.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and the local Newfoundland cutoff time applies.

Should you book the Irish Loop to Ferryland Tour?

I would book this tour if you want to see beyond St. John’s without driving and you value local contact as much as scenery. The included cod lunch, Colony of Avalon admission, and Renews Mug Up make the $157.36 price easier to justify.

You should look elsewhere if you want a flexible self-guided day, long hikes, or guaranteed wildlife sightings. The route includes short scenic stops, significant driving, and weather-sensitive outdoor time.

For the best experience, choose a clear-weather day, check your pickup time carefully, mention dietary needs early, and arrive at the correct hotel location before the stated time. If you enjoy hearing a guide explain the places between the main stops, this is a thoughtful and unusually personal way to meet the Irish Loop.

FAQ

What time does the Irish Loop tour depart?

The stated departure time is 9:30 a.m., but pickup begins earlier. Your exact pickup time depends on the hotel or meeting point you select.

How long does the tour last?

The outing lasts approximately seven to 7.5 hours, including hotel pickups, driving between communities, and time at the stops.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A pan-fried cod lunch with vegetables is included unless you notify the operator about dietary restrictions.

What attractions are included in the price?

Admission to the Colony of Avalon is included, along with transportation, an English-speaking guide, lunch, hotel or B&B pickup and drop-off at listed locations, and all fees and taxes.

Is the tour suitable for someone with limited mobility?

Most people can participate, but passengers may need to go up and down a couple of steps. You may remain in the vehicle at a stop if you do not wish to walk around.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people. At least four people must be booked for the tour to operate.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.