Newfoundland and Labrador recorded 531,800 visitors in 2025, spending an estimated $625.6 million — a 5% increase over 2024. Of those, 338,230 arrived by air (up 2%) and 121,460 by vehicle and ferry (up 10%). The province recorded record camping at provincial parks, with campsite nights, total visits, and revenue all hitting all-time highs. Room revenue surpassed $300 million for the first time, with an average daily rate of $187 — up 8% from 2024. Spring visitation has increased 148% since 2011 and fall visitation 59%, as the province successfully extends its tourism season. Here are fifteen things to discover in Canada's easternmost province.
1Gros Morne National Park — A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Gros Morne National Park is a 1,805 km² UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its exceptional geological significance. The park's Tablelands are one of the few places on Earth where you can walk on exposed mantle rock — normally found only deep beneath the ocean floor. The orange-brown peridotite rock looks like a slice of Mars dropped into Newfoundland. Gros Morne Mountain, at 806 metres, offers a challenging 16 km round-trip hike with panoramic views of the Long Range Mountains and Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Parks Canada reports that Gros Morne receives over 180,000 visitors annually. The park has over 100 km of hiking trails, ranging from easy coastal walks to multi-day backcountry routes. The best hiking is July-September when the highlands are snow-free. Western Brook Pond — a landlocked fjord with 600-metre cliffs — is the park's signature boat tour, costing $65-$75 for a 2.5-hour excursion.
2The Tablelands — Walk on the Ocean Floor Without Water
The Tablelands are the geological highlight of Gros Morne and one of the main reasons the park received UNESCO designation. This 11 km stretch of rust-coloured peridotite rock was thrust up from the mantle during a continental collision 500 million years ago. The rock is toxic to most plants, creating a barren, otherworldly landscape that looks more like a desert than Atlantic Canada. A 4 km guided walk with a Parks Canada interpreter costs nothing (included with park entry) and explains the geology in accessible terms.
The Tablelands are one of only a handful of places worldwide where mantle rock is exposed at the surface — others include Oman, Cyprus, and New Caledonia. Scientists from around the world study the Tablelands to understand plate tectonics and the Earth's interior. The contrast between the barren Tablelands and the lush green forests just kilometres away is striking and makes for excellent photography.
3Western Brook Pond — A Landlocked Fjord
Western Brook Pond is a 16 km landlocked fjord with sheer cliffs rising 600 metres from the water. Waterfalls cascade from the highlands, and the fjord's waters are among the purest in the world — fed entirely by rain and snowmelt. The boat tour operates from May to October and costs $65-$75 for a 2.5-hour journey to the fjord's inner reaches. The 3 km walk from the parking lot to the dock passes through bogs and forests with interpretive signs.
The fjord was carved by glaciers during the last ice age and was cut off from the sea when the land rebounded after the ice retreated. The cliffs are home to Arctic-alpine plants that survive at low elevations because of the cold microclimate created by the deep fjord. Look for bald eagles, moose, and occasionally caribou along the shoreline.
4L'Anse aux Meadows — Viking Settlement, 1,000 Years Old
L'Anse aux Meadows is the only confirmed Norse settlement in North America, dating to approximately 1,000 AD — making it the earliest known European presence on the continent. The UNESCO World Heritage Site features reconstructed Norse sod buildings and original archaeological remains. Parks Canada interpreters in Viking costume demonstrate blacksmithing, weaving, and Norse sailing technology. The site receives about 30,000 visitors annually and is located at the very tip of the Northern Peninsula — a 5-hour drive from Gros Morne.
The settlement was discovered in 1960 by Norwegian explorer Helge Ingstad and his wife Anne Stine Ingstad, an archaeologist. They found the remains of eight buildings and over 2,000 Norse artifacts. Carbon dating places the occupation around 1,000 AD, matching the Norse sagas that describe Leif Erikson's voyage to "Vinland." Entry costs R-equivalent of about $12 for adults. Visit in July-August for the full interpretive program; the site is open June-October.
5St. John's — North America's Oldest City
St. John's is the oldest English-founded city in North America, with a history dating back to 1497 when John Cabot sailed into its harbour. The city's Jellybean Row houses — brightly painted Victorian terraces climbing the steep hills above the harbour — are its most iconic image. Signal Hill, site of the final battle of the Seven Years' War in North America, offers panoramic views and the historic Cabot Tower. The Rooms, the province's museum and art gallery, costs $12 and houses the world's largest collection of Newfoundland and Labrador artefacts.
St. John's has a thriving cultural scene with more pubs per capita than anywhere else in Canada. George Street, a two-block street closed to vehicles, has over 20 bars and live music venues. The city is also the departure point for whale watching and iceberg tours. The province's 2025 data shows 338,230 air visitors — most arrive through St. John's International Airport.
6Iceberg Alley — See 10,000-Year-Old Ice
Every spring, hundreds of icebergs drift south from Greenland along the Labrador Current, passing the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. The best viewing is from May to July, with peak activity in June. The icebergs originate from glaciers that are 10,000-15,000 years old, and some tower 50-100 metres above the waterline (with 90% of their mass below). The towns of Twillingate, St. Anthony, and Bonavista are prime viewing locations.
Boat tours cost $50-75 for a 2-hour iceberg cruise. The province's tourism data shows that spring visitation (May-June) has increased 148% since 2011, driven largely by iceberg and whale watching. You can also view icebergs from shore — the Iceberg Finder website (icebergfinder.com) tracks current sightings along the coast. The water from icebergs is so pure that it's harvested for premium vodka and beer by local producers.
The icebergs passing Newfoundland originate from glaciers in Greenland that are 10,000-15,000 years old. Approximately 90% of an iceberg's mass is below the waterline — what you see is just the tip.
7Whale Watching — 22 Species in Newfoundland Waters
Newfoundland and Labrador waters host 22 species of whales, including humpbacks, finbacks, minkes, orcas, and the occasional blue whale. The humpback population that feeds in Newfoundland waters each summer is estimated at 5,000-10,000 individuals. Humpbacks are famous for bubble-net feeding — a cooperative hunting technique where they blow rings of bubbles to corral fish. Tours depart from St. John's, Twillingate, and Bonavista, costing $50-80 for 2-3 hours.
The best whale watching is June-August when humpbacks arrive to feed on capelin. The capelin run — when millions of small fish roll onto beaches to spawn — typically occurs in June-July and attracts whales, seabirds, and human onlookers. The province's 2025 tourism data shows that cruise visitation brought 72,100 unique cruise visitors across 180 ship calls and 24 ports — many specifically for whale and iceberg viewing.
8The East Coast Trail — 336 km of Coastal Hiking
The East Coast Trail is a 336 km coastal hiking path from Topsail Beach to Cappahayden, passing through 30 communities and along some of the most dramatic coastline in Atlantic Canada. The trail features sea stacks, cliffs, lighthouses, icebergs, whales, and historic shipwreck sites. Individual sections range from 2 km to 25 km, with the most popular being the Spout (16 km, moderate) which features a natural geyser that shoots water 15 metres into the air.
The trail is free to hike and maintained by the East Coast Trail Association. Maps are available online and at visitor centres. The best hiking is June-September. Wear sturdy boots — sections can be muddy and the cliff edges are unfenced. The trail passes through Petty Harbour, a traditional fishing village where you can stop for fresh fish and chips at the local restaurant.
9Cape Spear — Easternmost Point in North America
Cape Spear is the easternmost point in North America and home to the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland (1836). On a clear day, you can see icebergs, whales, and sometimes the coast of Ireland (at least that's what locals claim). The Cape Spear National Historic Site has a WWII coastal defence battery and interpretive centre. The site is 15 minutes from St. John's and admission is free.
10Terra Nova National Park — Canada's Most Eastern National Park
Terra Nova National Park protects 400 km² of boreal forest, coastline, and islands along Bonavista Bay. The park has 80 km of hiking trails, including the 14 km Outport Trail which passes through abandoned fishing villages. Terra Nova is less visited than Gros Morne but offers excellent wildlife viewing — moose, black bears, osprey, and bald eagles are commonly seen. The park's 2025 camping was part of the record year for provincial parks, with campsite nights and revenue at all-time highs.
Kayak rentals are available at Newman Sound for $45/half-day. The park's coastal waters are sheltered and warm enough for swimming in July-August (15-18°C). The Sandy Pond day-use area has a beach, change facilities, and picnic sites. Park entry costs $11 per adult for a day pass.
11Twillingate — Iceberg Capital of the World
Twillingate is a collection of islands connected by causeways on Newfoundland's northeast coast, known as the "Iceberg Capital of the World." The town has a population of about 2,200 but receives tens of thousands of visitors each summer. The Iceberg Festival is held annually in June, celebrating the arrival of the icebergs with music, food, and boat tours. The town also offers prime whale watching, with humpbacks feeding just offshore.
The Twillingate Museum and Craft Centre showcases local history and sells handmade Newfoundland crafts. Prime Berth Heritage Centre offers a hands-on fishing heritage experience including cod splitting and salting demonstrations. Boat tours cost $50-70 for 2 hours. The drive from St. John's takes about 4.5 hours — combine with a visit to Terra Nova National Park en route.
12The Labrador Coastal Drive — The Big Land
Labrador is one of the last great wilderness areas on Earth — 293,000 km² with a population of just 27,000. The Labrador Coastal Drive (Route 510) follows 530 km of coastline from L'Anse-au-Clair to Cartwright, passing through tiny fishing communities, archaeological sites, and untouched wilderness. The drive is gravel road for much of its length and requires a vehicle with good clearance. The ferry from Newfoundland to Labrador departs from Blanc-Sablon (Quebec) and costs $28 per passenger.
Highlights include the Labrador Straits Museum, the Point Amour Lighthouse (the second-tallest in Canada at 33 metres), and Red Bay — a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Basque whalers operated in the 1500s. The 2025 tourism data shows 121,460 visitors arrived by vehicle and ferry, up 10% from 2024 and 29% more than in 2019. Allow 5-7 days for the full coastal drive.
13Bonavista — Where Cabot First Landed
Bonavista is where John Cabot reportedly first laid eyes on the New World in 1497. The town's most famous landmark is the Ryan Premises National Historic Site, a restored 19th-century fish merchant's operation that tells the story of the cod fishery that built Newfoundland. The Bonavista Lighthouse, built in 1843, overlooks a dramatic coastline where puffins nest on sea stacks. The town has a population of about 3,500 and retains much of its historic character.
The Elliston Puffin Viewing Site, 10 minutes from Bonavista, offers one of the closest land-based puffin viewing experiences in North America. Atlantic puffins nest in burrows on a narrow headland connected to the mainland by a rocky path. Visit from June to August when puffins are breeding. The site is free — just walk to the edge and look down. Combine with the Dungeon Provincial Park, featuring a collapsed sea cave with two natural arches.
14Fogo Island — Art, Culture, and Icebergs
Fogo Island is a remote island off Newfoundland's northeast coast, accessible by a 45-minute ferry from Farewell ($10 round trip). The island has 11 communities with a total population of about 2,700, and has reinvented itself as a cultural destination. The Fogo Island Inn, a striking architectural masterpiece, has been featured in publications worldwide — rooms start at $1,075/night including all meals. The Shorefast Foundation hosts artist residencies and operates social enterprises that preserve traditional crafts.
The island has 14 hiking trails, including the famous Lion's Den Trail which offers iceberg and whale viewing. Brimstone Head, one of the Four Corners of the Flat Earth Society, offers panoramic views of the Atlantic. Visit the Fogo Island Workshops to see boat building, quilting, and furniture making using traditional methods. The ferry runs daily; in summer, arrive 1-2 hours early as it fills up.
15Cod Fishing — A Cultural and Culinary Experience
Cod fishing is the cultural foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. The cod fishery sustained the province for 500 years until the moratorium in 1992, which put 30,000 people out of work overnight. Today, cod fishing has returned in a limited way, and the experience of catching, cleaning, and eating fresh cod is a quintessential Newfoundland experience. Licensed outfitters offer cod fishing tours from July to September, costing $80-150 for a half-day including gear and licence.
The province's tourism strategy specifically promotes culinary tourism, and cod is the centrepiece. Fish and brewis — salt cod with hardtack and scrunchions (fried pork fat) — is the national dish. Jiggs dinner (salt beef, cabbage, potatoes, and pease pudding) is a Sunday tradition. The 2025 tourism data shows visitor spending of $625.6 million, with food and beverage a growing category. Visit the St. John's Farmers' Market for local products including bakeapple jam, partridgeberry preserves, and cod tongues.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Newfoundland and Labrador?
June to September for the full experience — icebergs (May-July), whales (June-August), hiking (July-September), and puffins (June-August). Spring visitation has grown 148% since 2011 as the province extends its tourism season.
How many visitors does Newfoundland and Labrador get?
531,800 visitors in 2025 — 338,230 by air, 121,460 by vehicle and ferry, and 72,100 by cruise. Visitor spending reached $625.6 million, up 5% from 2024.
What is Gros Morne National Park known for?
Gros Morne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised for its geology. The Tablelands expose mantle rock normally found deep underground, and Western Brook Pond is a landlocked fjord with 600-metre cliffs. The park receives over 180,000 visitors annually.
When can you see icebergs in Newfoundland?
May to July, with peak activity in June. Icebergs originate from Greenland glaciers that are 10,000-15,000 years old. Twillingate and St. Anthony are the best viewing locations. Check icebergfinder.com for current sightings.
How do you get to Labrador?
Ferry from Blanc-Sablon (Quebec) to the Labrador coast, or drive via the Trans-Labrador Highway. The Labrador Coastal Drive (Route 510) covers 530 km of coastline. Allow 5-7 days for the full route.
