St. John's Exclusive Whale Watching, Seabird & Iceberg Tours
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Iceberg Quest is the only boat tour operating from St. John's harbour. Walking distance from hotels. No shuttles required. Welcome aboard Newfoundland’s award-winning boat tour. Depart from the heart of downtown St. John’s, the oldest North American seaport. Witness the world’s largest concentration of humpback whales thrust their 40 ton bodies into a full breach! Encounter 12,000 year old icebergs from Greenland glaciers. Observe seabirds including Atlantic puffins, Northern gannets, black-legged kittiwakes, and bald eagles. Visit the most easterly land point in North America, Cape Spear. Experience breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean meeting the land. Take in Cape Spear Lighthouse standing proud. Entertaining and educational, our narrated tour is fun for the whole family. Step aboard ...Experience the WONDER!
Inclusions
What's included
- (available for purchase)
- Screechins' (for a fee)
- Experienced Guides
- Safety Equipment Provided, as per Transport Canada Requirements
- Pre-Departure Safety Briefing
- Restroom on board
- Heated Cabin
- Licensed Bar on board
Itinerary
View the St. John's harbour and skyline from the water! Spectacular 'whale's eye' views of historic buildings, colourful rows of houses and the famous St. John's Outer Battery. Wave to passing ships as you make your way to the entrance of St. John's harbour, The Narrows.
From the base of Signal Hill, you will witness the historic and significant Cabot Tower, the site of the first wireless transatlantic communication. You'll have a front-row seat to the hiking trails that dot along the coastline.
Pass by historic landmarks such as Fort Amherst Lighthouse. Learn about the history of these landmarks through a guided narration including the significance of the St. John's port since the early 1500's.
Sailing past the incredible Blackhead Sea Caves you will witness a kittiwake colony. Keep watch for bald eagles, northern gannets, puffins and other seabirds that you may see as they frequent this area.
Witness breathtaking views of the incredible Cape Spear National Historic Site - the most easterly point in North America! You will be on the Atlantic Ocean looking at the emerging rugged coastline of ancient volcanic and metamorphic rock. Atop the cliffs is the Cape Spear Lighthouse and Battery, sitting at 213 feet above sea level, providing both direction and safety to passing ships for over a century.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.5
- 5447
- 464
- 334
- 219
- 123
Ratings come from 587 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
3No WHALES!
The guide was up front with the fact that the whales had left 3 weeks earlier, but we had already purchased the tour. The captain did all that he could to make the experience better but no whales puts a damper on everything. I wish these tour companies had to quit selling tours when they haven't seem a whale in three weeks.
5We had a great time! Even...
We had a great time! Even though we didn’t see any sea life, we did see amazing views! The crew is very knowledgeable and funny! Highly recommend!
5Awesome time
Awesome time. Really beautiful and educational on the history and knowledge of the area. Staff were so friendly and fun.
5The people made this unforgettable
★★★★★ The people made this unforgettable It was one of the last tours of the season, and the crew made us feel welcome from the moment we sat down. They had us laughing, joining in, and feeling like we belonged. My son has had a rough start to the school year, and these wonderful people put the twinkle back in his eyes without even knowing how much he needed it. As his mom, that meant everything. Glen-Aiden and the entire crew, thank you for giving my family one of our happiest memories. My son and my mom were having the time of their lives! The scenery was beautiful, but your kindness is what we’ll remember most. The world needs more of it. ❤️
4Incredible coastal views...
Incredible coastal views in some terrifying swell, but worth it all. Advised on arrival it is too late in season to see whales and puffins and no icebergs out there but would look for sunfish and others. We found the sunfish and was worth it for the views alone, tour guides gave lots of info on the harbour and life in St John’s in general.
5Absolutely a must-do if you’re visiting!
Absolutely incredible tour. We knew booking that it was the tail end of the season so it was a bit of a gamble but regardless we were mesmerized. The crew was incredible and made us feel so welcome, standing with the guests and explaining the history of the region. We especially want to shout out Glenn, who was incredibly attentive. He took the time to talk to each and every group and answered all of our questions. A perfect example of the Newfoundland hospitality (which is more than you could ever expect). He was aware we were on our honeymoon and went above and beyond to make us feel extra special. We even got screeched in on board! We’ll definitely be coming back during peak season and we cannot recommend this tour enough!
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Located in downtown St. John's, departing from the oldest seaport in North America. Please arrive at our Kiosk 30 minutes prior to departure for check in and safety briefing. Walk from downtown hotels, B&B's, the Convention Centre, dining, George Street & shopping. No shuttle required.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Tickets
- Tickets are redeemed at a different location from the meeting point.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 100 travellers
- Operated by
- Iceberg Quest Ocean Tours
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Iceberg season is typically May to June. Iceberg sightings are not guaranteed. Sightings vary each year.
- Whales peak sightings typically mid June to mid August. Whale sightings are not guaranteed. Sightings before/after peak season are a bonus.
- The Tour Operates Rain or Shine, Please Dress Appropriately. A Heated Cabin is Available.
How it compares in St John's
- Its from-price is 60% above the median of the 39 experiences we list in St John's.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 3 of 39.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About St John's
St John's is the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, a steep harbour city of painted row houses, lively pubs, sea cliffs and Atlantic icebergs.
St John's clings to the hills around a deep harbour on the Avalon Peninsula, entered through a narrow gap in the cliffs known as The Narrows. Fishing fleets from Europe used the harbour from the 1500s. Rows of brightly painted wooden houses climb the slopes, and Signal Hill above the entrance carries Cabot Tower, close to where Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901.
Top-ranked sights in St John's: Johnson GEO CENTRE.
