Iceberg and whale season in St. John's: where and what to eat on your trip

For many visitors, the reason to come to St. John's in late spring and summer is to see something enormous: an iceberg drifting past the coast, or a humpback whale breaching in a bay. Both are unforgettable. Both also involve early starts, cold wind, long days outdoors and serious hunger. Planning your meals around them makes the trip better.

When is iceberg season near St. John's?

Icebergs drift south along the coast from Greenland on the current known as Iceberg Alley. Near St. John's, the most reliable time to see them is usually late May to early June, with sightings possible from spring into early summer. Every year is different: some springs bring dozens of bergs close to shore, others very few. Check local iceberg reports before you go.

Good places to look near the city include the coast around Signal Hill, Quidi Vidi, Cape Spear and the bays north and south of town.

When is whale season near St. John's?

Whales feed off Newfoundland's coast from late spring to early fall, with the peak for humpbacks usually from mid-July to mid-August. Boat tours run from several communities near St. John's, especially south of the city around Witless Bay, where the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve is also home to huge seabird colonies, including puffins.

How do you plan meals around an early boat tour?

Many tours leave in the morning, and the sea air is cold even in July. A few tips:

1. Eat a proper breakfast, but not too heavy if you are prone to seasickness.
2. Bring a snack and water for the boat.
3. Plan lunch near the harbour where the tour returns, or back in town.
4. Dress warmly, which also makes you less hungry for comfort food later.

What should you eat after a day on the coast?

Something warm and filling:

• Seafood chowder, the perfect cure for a cold wind
• Fish and chips, ideally with a harbour view
• Fish cakes and toast
• A cup of tea and a slice of partridgeberry pie

What is iceberg water, and can you taste it?

Ice from icebergs is thousands of years old, formed from compressed snow, and some local companies harvest small pieces of it. You may see products made with iceberg water, from bottled water to spirits and beer; for example, a harbourside brewery is known for a beer made with iceberg water. Check what is available and remember the legal drinking age in Newfoundland and Labrador is 19.

Can you see puffins near St. John's?

Yes, in season. The islands of the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, south of the city, hold large colonies of Atlantic puffins, the province's official bird, along with murres, kittiwakes and other seabirds. Boat tours from the area often combine whales, seabirds and, early in the season, icebergs. Puffins are usually present from late spring through the summer. Late May and June can be a strong time for seeing all three in one trip, which is worth knowing if you only have a few days.

A day like that deserves a good dinner at the end of it. Plan to eat back in the city or in one of the communities along the shore, and book ahead if you can.

Where should you stay and eat during iceberg and whale season?

Staying downtown puts you close to the widest choice of restaurants, and most tours are within a short drive. If you are planning several days on the coast, consider meals in the communities you visit as well as back in the city. Book dinners ahead on weekends in summer, since this is also busy season.

What should you pack for iceberg and whale watching?

• Warm layers, a hat and gloves, even in summer
• A waterproof jacket
• Binoculars
• Motion sickness remedies if you need them
• Snacks and water

Is iceberg and whale season the busiest time for restaurants?

Summer is busy overall, with visitors arriving by plane and cruise ship, and festival weeks in late July and early August. Late May and early June are a little calmer, which makes iceberg season a good time to eat well without long waits.

Where can you see seabirds near St. John's?

South of the city, the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve protects islands that hold huge seabird colonies in summer, including Atlantic puffins, murres and kittiwakes. Boat tours from the Witless Bay area go out to the islands, often combining seabirds, whales and, early in the season, icebergs.

The best months for puffins are roughly late spring through summer. Tours are weather-dependent, so book with some flexibility, eat a solid breakfast before you go, and plan a hot meal afterwards. Some of the small communities along the shore have casual places to eat, but options are limited, so check opening times before you rely on them.

How do you remember the meals that went with the sights?

The best day of a trip often ends with a great meal. Mosey lets you rate the places you ate at and the dishes you ordered, with photos, and keep a list of places near the coast and in town to return to.

More guides to read next:

• Brunch in St. John's: toutons, fish cakes and weekend lines
• Jiggs dinner in St. John's: what it is and where to find a Sunday cooked dinner
• Partridgeberries and bakeapples: Newfoundland berries to taste in St. John's

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.