Can you see puffins for free from shore in Newfoundland?

Yes. The best free shore-based puffin viewing in Newfoundland is at the Elliston Puffin Viewing Site on the Bonavista Peninsula puffins nest within 2 to 5 metres of the public viewing area with no entry fee and no boat required. The site address is The Neck, Elliston, NL A0C 1N0.

Is Elliston better than Bay Bulls for puffins?

They offer different experiences. Elliston is completely free with birds nesting metres away from shore. Bay Bulls requires a 2-hour boat tour at around $65-80 per person but delivers the largest Atlantic puffin colony in North America with hundreds of thousands of birds. On a full itinerary both are worth doing.

When can you see puffins at Elliston?

Late May through early September. June and July are peak months puffins are most active with vivid beak colouring and constant fishing activity.

Newfoundland Travel Tips

Can You See Puffins
from Shore in Newfoundland?

Yes and the best option is completely free. The Elliston Puffin Viewing Site on the Bonavista Peninsula is the world’s most accessible Atlantic puffin colony, with birds nesting within 2 to 5 metres of the public viewing area with no boat and no entry fee.

The Best Free Shore Puffin Viewing: Elliston

The Elliston Puffin Viewing Site is at The Neck, Elliston, NL A0C 1N0 approximately 20 minutes from Bonavista town via Route 235. Puffins nest in cliff burrows along the headland. The viewing area is an informal cliff-edge path where birds are immediately visible. No booking, no fee, no guide required. Simply park at the small parking area and walk a few minutes to the cliff edge.

Elliston Quick Reference

Address: The Neck, Elliston, NL A0C 1N0. Entry: Free. Season: late May to early September. Best months: June and July. Distance from Bonavista: 20 minutes via Route 235.

Other Shore-Based Puffin Viewing

The Cape Bonavista Lighthouse headland also offers free shore-based puffin sightings in summer puffins nest in the rocks below the lighthouse cliffs and are visible from the walking paths. This is a secondary option compared to Elliston but worth noting if you are already visiting the lighthouse.

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Witless Bay Hundreds of Thousands of Puffins

If you want the largest colony in North America, Bay Bulls offers boat tours into Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. O’Brien’s Whale and Bird Tours and Gatherall’s both run 2-hour departures. The sheer scale hundreds of thousands of puffins in the air simultaneously is extraordinary, though the birds are not as close as at Elliston. Cost approximately $65-80 per person. Book ahead for July and August.

? Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The Elliston Puffin Viewing Site (The Neck, Elliston, NL A0C 1N0) is completely free puffins nest within 2-5 metres of the public viewing area with no boat and no entry fee. 20 minutes from Bonavista town.

They offer different experiences. Elliston is free with birds metres away from shore. Bay Bulls requires a 2-hour boat tour ($65-80/person) but delivers the largest Atlantic puffin colony in North America. Both are worth doing on a full itinerary.

Late May through early September. June and July are peak puffins are most active with vivid beak colouring and constant fishing activity during breeding season.

Visiting the Bonavista Peninsula?

Book your rental car early no public transport reaches Elliston.

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