Late Season Puffin & Scenic Coastal Cruise

Puffins are still here after summer. This 90-minute cruise from Bay Bulls gives you a good chance to see late-season puffins around the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, along with seabirds, coastal scenery, and the occasional whale or sunfish. I like the stable catamaran and its viewing platform, which make it easier to move around and look for wildlife. I also like the mix of natural and cultural commentary, with live local music from the crew. The main consideration is timing: late-season puffins may have less colorful beaks, and whales or icebergs are never guaranteed.

The listed price is CA$71.18 per person, which is fair for a guided boat trip of this length. You should still budget for transport if you are staying in St. John’s. Hotel shuttle service costs an additional $35 plus tax per person, and the full outing may take about three and a half hours once pickup and drop-off are included.

Key points at a glance

• Late-season puffin viewing: The usual puffin season is winding down, but birds generally remain around the reserve until about September 20.
• Stable catamaran: The vessel has a comfortable viewing platform, washroom, and safety equipment required by Transport Canada Marine Safety.
• More than puffins: Depending on conditions, you might see eagles, whales, ocean sunfish, jellyfish, and other seabirds.
• Live Newfoundland flavor: Commentary covers wildlife, local culture, and the area’s natural past, with some live musical selections.
• Useful viewing advice: Bring binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens, and dress in layers for wind and rain.
• Hotel pickup has a cost: Shuttle service from selected St. John’s hotels is available on some tours, but it must be arranged in advance.

Why late September can still work for puffins

The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve is one of the main reasons to come out from St. John’s. Its islands provide nesting areas for large numbers of seabirds, including Atlantic puffins. By late August and early September, the busy breeding season has passed, so conditions are different from the classic midsummer puffin trip.

That does not mean the birds have disappeared. Puffins usually remain in the area until around September 20, giving you a useful late-season window. The exact number you see depends on the day, the sea, and where the birds are gathered.

One detail is worth knowing before you book. After breeding season, puffins shed the bright outer layers of their bills. Their beaks may look less colorful than the postcards suggest. They are still unmistakable, and the chance to see them in their natural setting remains the main reason to take this cruise, but you should set realistic expectations.

I would choose this outing if your schedule brings you to Newfoundland in late August or early September and you still want a reasonable puffin opportunity. If your only goal is to see the most dramatic breeding colors and the greatest number of birds, an earlier trip may offer stronger conditions. This cruise is particularly useful for people whose dates are fixed near the end of the season.

From St. John’s to Gatherall’s in Bay Bulls

The boat leaves from Gatherall’s Puffin and Whale Watch at 90 Northside Road in Bay Bulls, south of St. John’s. You can make your own way there, or ask about the shuttle from selected St. John’s hotels.

The shuttle costs $35 plus tax per person and must be booked directly with the operator at least three business hours before departure. That price is separate from the cruise fare. Public transportation is listed at CA$40.25 per person, so check the transport choice carefully before booking.

If you use the shuttle, allow about two extra hours for pickup and drop-off. That makes the practical time commitment much longer than the 90-minute cruise itself. I see the shuttle as a convenience rather than a bargain, especially if you do not have a car. A taxi, rideshare, or rental car may suit you better, but the tour information does not provide fixed prices for those options.

One shuttle detail deserves attention. The driver may provide useful local information, but commentary may be harder to hear from seats toward the back if there is no microphone. If the journey is part of your sightseeing plan, sit near the front and ask questions directly.

At the Bay Bulls meeting point, you receive a pre-departure safety briefing before boarding. The crew provides the required safety equipment, and the vessel has a washroom. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and service animals are allowed.

Stop one: Bay Bulls and Bull Head

The route includes Bay Bulls, including the Bull Head area, before reaching the islands of the ecological reserve. This section gives you a sense of the rugged coast and sheltered water around the harbor.

The scenery is a major part of the trip. You are not simply being taken to a single puffin viewpoint and returned. The boat moves through coastal waters, allowing you to watch the shoreline, islands, and sea as part of one connected setting.

The crew also uses this time to explain the area’s natural and cultural background. That makes the ride more useful than a silent transport trip. You get context for the islands and the communities that have long depended on these waters.

Sea conditions can change the feel of this section. The catamaran is stable, but the crew may ask you to remain seated or avoid standing during rougher portions. Follow those instructions. A stable boat is helpful, but it cannot remove wind, swell, or spray from an Atlantic crossing.

Stop two: the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve

The central portion of the cruise takes you around sheltered parts of the islands within the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. This is where you want to be ready with binoculars or a zoom lens.

The boat’s viewing platform gives you a better chance to look across the water and toward the rocks. Because this is a working wildlife cruise rather than a private charter, you may need to move to the side of the boat to get the best view. The vessel can carry up to 100 people, so popular viewing spots may not remain open for every moment.

That larger catamaran has a tradeoff. It offers more stability and facilities than a small boat, which is good for many people and for anyone concerned about motion. On the other hand, it does not give you the intimate feel of a tiny craft. You may need patience, quick eyes, and a willingness to shift position.

The crew watches for activity and points out animals as they appear. Puffins are the star, but the reserve can also produce other seabirds and bald eagles. Sightings can be brief, so binoculars are more useful than relying on your phone camera.

The best wildlife days can be wonderfully varied. Possible sightings have included an ocean sunfish, a humpback whale, jellyfish, and large numbers of puffins and seabirds. Those encounters are bonuses, not promises. The tour takes place after peak whale season, and neither whales nor icebergs can be guaranteed.

That uncertainty is part of any wildlife cruise. You are paying for access to a strong habitat and for the crew’s ability to find and explain what is present on the day. You are not buying a guaranteed checklist.

Commentary, songs, and a very Newfoundland touch

The narration comes from an experienced local crewmember and covers both wildlife and the cultural heritage of the coast. The tone is not strictly academic. The crew mixes facts with humor and live local musical selections.

That balance matters on a 90-minute cruise. A purely technical talk can become tiring, especially when wildlife is quiet. Music and local stories help keep the boat feeling like a Newfoundland outing rather than a standard sightseeing transfer.

One memorable part of the onboard atmosphere can include a bit of Screech-in spirit. The music may be a highlight, especially when two crew members sing. It gives the trip a local character that you would not get from simply looking at the islands from shore.

The crew also has a practical job: safety. They watch passenger movement, respond to sea conditions, and direct you where to stand or sit. The best experience comes from treating their instructions as part of the outing, not as an interruption.

What to wear and what to bring

Newfoundland weather can shift quickly, and this tour operates in all weather conditions. Dress for wind and possible rain, even if the forecast looks pleasant in St. John’s.

I would wear layers rather than one heavy coat. A warm outer layer and rain protection are sensible choices, because conditions on the water may feel cooler than they do on land. Comfortable shoes are also useful if you need to move to the side of the vessel for a view.

Bring binoculars if you have them. A zoom lens can also help you make the most of distant birds and marine life. A phone camera may record the trip, but it may not capture small puffins clearly at a distance.

You should also plan for the possibility of limited outdoor viewing during rough conditions. The crew may require passengers to stay seated. That is a safety measure, not a sign that the boat is poorly run.

Is CA$71.18 good value?

At CA$71.18 per person, the cruise offers a reasonable price for a guided 90-minute wildlife trip near St. John’s. You get the boat ride, local narration, safety equipment, access to the reserve area, and use of a vessel with a washroom.

The value improves if you care about learning as well as seeing wildlife. The crew explains what you are looking at and adds music and local context. That can turn a short boat ride into a more memorable part of your Newfoundland visit.

The price is less attractive if you count the extra time and transport. Shuttle service adds $35 plus tax per person, and hotel pickup and drop-off can add roughly two hours to the day. If you are driving to Bay Bulls, the base fare is easier to judge on its own.

I also would not book this solely on the promise of whales. The cruise runs after the busiest whale period, and sightings are possible but not assured. Think of whales, sunfish, eagles, and jellyfish as welcome additions to a puffin and coastal cruise.

The high rating of 4.8 from 18 posted reviews and a 94 percent recommendation rate fit the tour’s strongest qualities: friendly crew, useful commentary, music, and successful late-season wildlife sightings. Those figures are encouraging, but the small number of ratings means you should still account for weather and wildlife luck.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to families, couples, photographers, and first-time visitors who want an easy introduction to Newfoundland’s coastal wildlife. Most people can participate, and the catamaran is a sensible choice if you prefer a steadier vessel with a washroom.

It also suits you if you enjoy a guide who mixes information with humor and music. The cruise is not designed as a quiet, private nature watch. It has a social, hosted feel.

You may want to think twice if you dislike group boats, need a guaranteed whale sighting, or want a small-craft experience close to the water. A maximum of 100 passengers means the boat can feel busy, especially when many people move toward one side for a sighting.

The late-season timing is both the attraction and the limitation. You have a chance to see puffins after the busiest period, but their bills may be less bright and sightings can be less predictable. If that tradeoff works for your dates, the trip remains a strong choice.

Booking, cancellations, and practical details

Confirmation is provided at booking. The activity ends back at the original meeting point, and pickup is available only on selected tours and from selected St. John’s hotels.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The activity requires suitable weather, so if the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Alcoholic drinks are not included, though they are available to purchase. Gratuities are also not included and are left to your discretion.

Should you book the late-season puffin cruise?

Yes, if you will be near St. John’s before about September 20 and want a well-organized chance to see puffins from a stable boat. I especially like this option for people who value local commentary, music, and a friendly crew as much as the wildlife itself.

Book with realistic expectations. Puffins may look less colorful after breeding season, and whales or icebergs are never promised. Bring binoculars, dress for wind and rain, and allow far more than 90 minutes if you are taking the hotel shuttle.

For a late-season outing that combines puffins, seabirds, coastal views, local stories, and the possibility of an unexpected sunfish or whale, the price is fair. Your best reason to book is not a guaranteed animal encounter. It is the chance to spend a well-guided hour and a half in one of Newfoundland’s important seabird areas.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 90 minutes. If you use the hotel shuttle from St. John’s, allow about two additional hours for pickup and drop-off.

Where does the cruise depart?

The meeting point is Gatherall’s Puffin and Whale Watch at 90 Northside Road in Bay Bulls, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Can I get picked up from my St. John’s hotel?

Shuttle service is available from selected St. John’s hotels on some tours. It costs $35 plus tax per person and must be booked directly with the operator at least three business hours before the tour.

Are puffins guaranteed?

No. The cruise offers a strong opportunity to see late-season puffins, which usually remain in the area until about September 20, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Are whales and icebergs guaranteed?

No. The tour takes place after peak whale season, and whales or icebergs may or may not be seen.

What happens if the weather cancels the cruise?

If Gatherall’s cancels because of poor weather, you can reschedule at no additional charge or receive a full refund.

Is the boat equipped with a washroom?

Yes. The vessel is equipped with a washroom and required safety equipment.

Can children and service animals join the cruise?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. Depending on sea conditions, the crew may ask passengers to remain seated or avoid standing.