Region
Eastern Newfoundland
Base in St. John's 2–3 nights, then one night on the Bonavista or Trinity coast; you need a car for everything outside the city.
More: share, save offline, report a correction
More
Key facts · Canada
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Currency
- Canadian dollar (CAD, $)
- Language
- English and French
- Plugs
- A · B · 120 V
- Time zone
- Six zones: UTC−3:30 to UTC−8
Rules in force · 11Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
- Atlantic Canada ↗The Maritimes means Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI only; Newfoundland and Labrador is Atlantic but not Maritime.
- Atlantic Canada ↗Most sights, ferries and seasonal hotels run late June to early September; outside that, check each opening before booking.
- Newfoundland and Labrador ↗Locals say 'newfin-LAND' (rhymes with 'understand'); the emphasis is on the last syllable.
- Newfoundland and Labrador ↗Over 100,000 moose share the roads. Drive slowly, especially at night; collisions are the main visitor risk.
- Newfoundland and Labrador ↗Reserve Marine Atlantic ferries ahead; crossings run on weather and water, so build in slack.
Eastern Newfoundland is the Avalon and Bonavista peninsulas: St. John's, Cape Spear, the Irish Loop, Trinity and Bonavista. Distances look short on the map but the roads are slow and fog is common, so pick one coastal base rather than touring every bay. Without a car you are limited to St. John's and the coach routes along the Trans-Canada Highway.
Where to sleep
Sleep base
- St. John'sTrip line
Airport, Signal Hill, George Street, day trips to Cape Spear and the Irish Loop.
Best Dec–Apr
JFMAMJJASOND - BonavistaCity guide
Lighthouse, historic streets; 3–3.5 h drive from St. John's.
Best May–Sep
JFMAMJJASOND
Plan the nights
How to split the nights, day-trips and what to do with your bags
Open Plan the nightsClose Plan the nights3 partsNights · Day-trips · Bags
Night sequences
- 3 nights
- St. John's 3, Cape Spear and the Irish Loop as day trips
- 5 nights
- St. John's 3 + Bonavista or Trinity 2 (drive the Bonavista Peninsula)
- St. John's + Bonavista + the Irish Loop + Terra Nova in three days is mostly driving.
- Moose on the road at dusk and after dark; drive slower than the posted limit.
- Fog can close in within minutes on the coastal headlands.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Spear | St. John's | 25 min | unknown | Easternmost point in Canada; lighthouse and national historic site. Bring windproof layers. |
| Dildo | St. John's | 60 min | unknown | Boat tours run in season; book ahead for iceberg weeks (late spring). |
| Placentia | St. John's | 90 min | unknown | Castle Hill National Historic Site; the Argentia ferry berths nearby. |
| Bonavista | St. John's | 210 min | unknown | Too far for a comfortable day trip; sleep there instead. |
Bags between cities
There is no luggage-forwarding service on the Avalon or Bonavista peninsulas; you carry your bags between St. John's and any coastal base. Pack for one night on the coast and leave the rest in St. John's if your hotel stores bags.
When to go
Months and weather
Open When to goClose When to go2 partsSeasons · Climate
Seasons at a glance
Pick a month to see where to go.
Show all 12 months, country by countryHide the 12-month table
| Country | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. John's | go | go | go | go | ok | ok | ok | × | × | × | ok | go |
| Bonavista | × | × | × | ok | go | go | go | go | go | ok | × | × |
| Placentia | ok | ok | ok | ok | ok | ok | ok | ok | ok | ok | ok | ok |
| Dildo | × | × | × | × | ok | go | go | go | go | ok | × | × |
| Newfoundland and Labrador (country-wide) | ok | ok | ok | ok | ok | go | go | go | ok | ok | ok | ok |
Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.
Climate strip
| Zone | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon and Bonavista peninsulasSt. John's, Bonavista, Placentia | cold | cold | cold | ok | ok | best | best | best | best | ok | cold | cold |
- Avalon and Bonavista peninsulas
- Cool and wet year-round; sea fog in late spring and early summer. July–September are the mildest months, around 15–20 °C (59–68 °F). Winter storms can delay flights and ferries.Cool and wet year-round; sea fog in late spring and early summer. July–September are the mildest months, around 59–68 °F (15–20 °C). Winter storms can delay flights and ferries.
Icebergs drift past the east coast in late spring; whale watching peaks in summer. Book coastal lodgings early for July and August.
Getting in and passes
Arrival times and regional passes
Open Getting in and passesClose Getting in and passes2 partsGet in · Passes
Get in
| From | To | How | p50 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. John's International Airport (YYT) | Downtown St. John's | taxi or rental car | ~15–20 min | The main gateway to the region; rental cars should be reserved well ahead in summer. |
| North Sydney, Nova Scotia | Argentia (near Placentia) | Marine Atlantic ferry | ~14 h crossing | Seasonal; check the current schedule. The alternative is the shorter crossing to Port-aux-Basques, then the Trans-Canada Highway across the island. |
| Gander | St. John's | Trans-Canada Highway (drive) or coach | ~3 h 30 drive | Gander has an airport and sits on the Trans-Canada Highway. |
Regional passes
Rental car
buyEffectively required outside St. John's; book early for summer and check whether ferries are allowed.
Intercity coach (Trans-Canada Highway)
checkScheduled services link St. John's with towns along the highway; they do not reach most peninsulas. Check current operators and times.
Eat and move on
Regional food and where to go next
Open Eat and move onClose Eat and move on2 partsFood · Go next
Regional food
| Dish | Where | Timing / trap |
|---|---|---|
| Fish and chips, seafood chowder | St. John's and coastal towns | Cod is the local staple; kitchens close earlier than in big cities. |
| Jiggs dinner (salt beef and root vegetables) | St. John's pubs and diners | Hearty and usually a lunch or early-dinner plate. |
| Fish cakes and brewis | St. John's | Traditional plates; portions are large. |
Go next
Newfoundland and Labrador
region guide
Plan the rest of the island from here.
Labrador
flight or long drive via the Trans-Labrador Highway
A separate trip; distances are long.
Atlantic Canada
ferry from Argentia or Port-aux-Basques
Continue to Nova Scotia and Cape Breton.
Gander
Trans-Canada Highway, ~3 h 30 from St. John's
Useful stop between St. John's and the west of the island.
Corner Brook
Trans-Canada Highway, long drive
Western Newfoundland; usually a separate trip.
Planning aids
Built from this guide's own data
Open Planning aidsClose Planning aids2 partsIn numbers · Going in…
Region in numbers
- Where to sleep
- 2 bases
- Day trips
- 4, 25 min to 3 h 30
- Nights suggested
- 3–5 nights
- Ways in
- 3 listed
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
Going in…
Pick a month for the weather in each zone of the region, plus the country-wide rating and holidays.
Pick a month.
Deep dive
Photos, reading and every source
Open Deep diveClose Deep dive1 partSources
Sources
Ask about Eastern Newfoundland
Loading…
Was this useful?