Search For Icebergs In Newfoundland And Labrador


An icy adventure in Canada's easternmost province

Where: Newfoundland and Labrador


A century after an iceberg put a tragic end to the maiden voyage of the Titanic off the coast of Newfoundland, viewing these ancient wonders is a major springtime attraction in Canada's easternmost province. Although Newfoundland's Iceberg Alley, along the island's northern coast, is one of the most reliable and accessible places in the world to view icebergs, there are no guarantees as to where and when you'll find them. If your trip to Newfoundland is all about icebergs, set the second week of June as a target date. They appear along the Newfoundland coast as early as May, but are often caught up in sea ice, while by late June and through July, numbers taper off as temperatures warm.

The icebergs sighted off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador mostly originate from Greenland and are formed when an advancing glacier slowly inches forward into an ocean, until massive pieces of ice break off and are carried south by ocean currents. Ranging from the size of a compact car to a multi-story high-rise, they come in every shape and size, with colours ranging from the whitest of white to deep blue.

Word travels quickly when a "berg" is spotted floating by the city of St. John's, as locals and visitors alike scramble to the top of Signal Hill for the best views. Reached by road from the provincial capital of St. John's in five or six hours, the village of Twillingate promotes itself as the "iceberg capital of the world," and is indeed the best-known destination for viewing icebergs. This historic fishing village of 3,500 is well prepared for the springtime onslaught of visitors, with boat tours leaving regularly from the town dock, and even an art gallery devoted to "bergs." One of the most experienced captains, Cecil Stockley of Twillingate Island Boat Tours, has been taking visitors out into Iceberg Alley for over 25 years.

Both Twillingate and St. Anthony, the two most popular iceberg-viewing destinations, have a range of accommodations, with the former offering a wonderful selection of character-filled bed and breakfasts such as the Harbour Lights Inn, which has ocean views. Although St. Anthony is more remote than Twillingate, if you're serious about your icebergs, a visit here allows the flexibility of catching a ferry between nearby St. Barbe and Labrador, then driving up the Labrador Straits, where shore-based viewing is usually more productive than the island of Newfoundland.

More Information: www.newfoundlandlabradortourism.com.