The best time of year to see icebergs in Newfoundland

One of the main questions we get often is: When is the best time of year to see icebergs in Newfoundland? This is our answer.

Iceberg season begins early in Newfoundland, and they are here in spring and drift away before summer begins. Icebergs are here from April, May through June. They sometimes linger around until early July.

This is how you can ensure you see icebergs, if they are any, on the coastline. You should follow us on Instagram and Facebook; we share and repost pictures and videos of icebergs with the location and date they were spotted. You can also call any boat tour operators on the island and ask them where the icebergs are spotted.

Icebergs come in many shapes, sizes and colours. The icebergs that arrive on our shoreline are so giant sometimes when they wash up that it makes us wonder how big they were when they first started the journey.

Safety is essential with you are icebergs watching. It would help if you stayed back a safe distance because icebergs are unstable and can break apart or roll over. You can get submerged if you are on the path when these events happen. Icebergs are 5 to 10 times as bigger under the water.

You don’t have to go too far to see icebergs; you can often watch them from the coastline. You can book a boat tour or kayak along the coast and watch the majestic bergs drift on their journey. Some of the most popular places to see icebergs are Twillingate, Bay Bulls, St Anthony, St John’s, Pouch Cove, and Labrador.

How to Find Newfoundland Icebergs yearly

Newfoundland and Labrador is home to some of the enormous icebergs seen yearly. Each year, these massive ice giants make their way down from Greenland and Canada Arctic Circle and through a stretch of sea known as ‘Iceberg Alley,’ which runs along the east coast of Newfoundland. Iceberg Alley is an area between Canada and Greenland where many icebergs can be seen during April, May, June and July. Some icebergs are only a few meters long, while others grow over 150 meters in size! You can see icebergs best if you visit these places: Bonavista, Twillingate, St Anthony, Trinity, Fogo Island, Witlesbay, Battle Harbour, Red Bay, Cape Freels, Greats Cove, and Cape St Francis.

Newfoundland and Labrador is home to some giant icebergs.

Newfoundland and Labrador is home to some gigantic icebergs that can be seen from the coastline, kayaking, and boat tours. So not only does this province have beautiful scenery, but Newfoundland and Labrador also have a rich history that dates back many centuries.

The icebergs in this area of Canada are massive and can be over 100 feet tall! They’re so big that they even become static structures for a while when they come ashore during spring months.

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Each year, these massive ice giants make their way down from Greenland and Canada Arctic Circle and through a stretch of sea known as ‘Iceberg Alley.’ The journey to get here is long, but when the icebergs are on the open sea, they get to sail with the winds. 

Many icebergs can be seen during April, May, June and July.

Every year many visitors and locals visit Iceberg Alley during April, May, June, and July to watch the sleeping giants as they become stuck and come ashore.

You can find giant icebergs around Newfoundland and Labrador, but there are other places where these giants can also be found. For example, in Antarctica. 

The colour of icebergs depends on how old they are. So if you see one that looks greyish blue with white ridges, it means it’s made up mostly of glacial meltwater, but still, some snow mixed for contrast. The older the iceberg, the more likely it will have a bluish or greenish tinge. 

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Where to watch Icebergs in Newfoundland

If you want a boat tour view of what an iceberg looks like up close, dive to Bonavista, Twillingate, St Anthony, Trinity, Fogo Island, Witlesbay, and Battle Harbour. All locations offer boat tours and stunning views, so take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Witnessing these majestic giants is a truly spectacular sight which should not be missed while visiting Newfoundland and Labrador.

Icebergs are formed when large amounts of snow and ice accumulate on the surface of a glacier, creating an iceberg that breaks off during a calving event. Icebergs can be found in every ocean and sea of the world, including the North Atlantic.

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In Newfoundland and Labrador, we have one of the best places to see icebergs in all their glory: The Strait of Belle Isle, where they get trapped between Labrador and Newfoundland Northern peninsula.

• Exploring Newfoundland, here is Everything You Need to Know About Traveling to Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Are you planning on spending time in St John’s? Here is Everything you need to know about St John’s and the Avalon Region

More Ways to Explore Newfoundland and Labrador

• What You Need to Know for Taking the Newfoundland Ferry Ride 
• Taking the Ferry to Argentia Newfoundland
• Marine Atlantic Ferry From Nova Scotia To Newfoundland
• Best Places To Travel In 2024 For An Amazing Experience 

Iceberg Alley

Every spring and summer, thousands of icebergs float down the coast of Newfoundland. Their arrival is celebrated by locals who take boat tours to see them up close and safely navigate around their paths. Tourists from all over the world also admire them for seeing these natural wonders in person. The massive ice chunks can be seen from miles away as they slowly drift into shore along this rugged coastline, dotted with small fishing villages built above the ocean’s edge. 

Here are some other things to know about icebergs and Iceberg Alley:

• Many icebergs are more than one kilometre long, although there isn’t an official definition for what makes an iceberg “big.” What matters is that glaciers are making more giant icebergs that drift into Iceberg Alley each year.
• Generally, it’s best to avoid getting too close to any large ice formations you come across while travelling through Iceberg Alley.

There are many areas of Newfoundland and Labrador where you can see icebergs in their natural habitat. Whether you’re an experienced iceberg viewer or a novice looking for adventure, there’s no doubt that these massive ice pieces will leave an unforgettable experience!

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