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Things to do in Bonavista
Bonavista is a town that is located in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The name of the town comes from the fact that John Cabot, an Italian explorer, upon sighting this land exclaimed, “O Buon Vista”, meaning “oh, a happy sight”. Bonavista lives up to its name in modern times as well. The town is a great attraction for tourists because of its natural beauty and attractions.
This article has been brought to you so that you are able to plan your trip to Bonavista with ease. We will create a travel guide for you with sections exploring the many attractions and things to do here, from natural sites to the various tours. Keep on reading to find out all that Bonavista has to offer you.
Attractions in Bonavista include White Rock Murals, the Mockbeggar Plantation, and Cabot Stadium among many. We will try to do the best we can to bring you all the relevant information for your trip to Bonavista. So, without any further ado, let us begin.
Tours in Bonavista
Bonavista is a scenic and gorgeous location. The rich natural beauty of the place makes it the site of many exotic attractions. As such, to cater to the needs of ever-increasing tourists, many guided tours exist for you to include in your itinerary. This section of our article on things to do in Bonavista will go over the many tours the city has to offer. From bird and whale watching to hikes on the coast and mountains, this curated list will be sure to help you out. Keep reading to find out more.
Puffin Hikes
Many tourists who visit Bonavista opt for the Puffin Hikes venture tour. Learn about the maritime and coastal history of Newfoundland as you take the tour. Watching puffin birds is a major attraction while taking this tour. These beautiful birds nest on the Newfoundland coast during the summer. Operated by a local biologist, this hike will take you to the places where you can find the puffins. Keep your camera ready because not only will you be bird watching rather closely, but also the views on the way are absolutely stunning.
The hike is itself a great experience for both novice and experienced trekkers. The tour also offers a homemade picnic on your way back.
Here is some more relevant information for you if you are already sold on the idea of Puffin Hikes:
- The Puffin Hikes Tour lasts 2 to 3 hours.
- Advanced reservations need to be made. Follow this link to book tickets.
- Lunch is provided in the tour package. Contact them beforehand for accommodating food allergies and preferences.
- The tour operates multiple times during the day. The most likely times to begin the tour are 9 AM, 12 PM and 3 PM.
The prices for the Puffin Hikes Tour are as follows:
- Picnic included: $85 plus tax per individual. $42.50 plus tax for children aged 2 to 12 years. Free for children below 2 years.
- Without picnic: $60 plus tax per individual. $30 plus tax for children aged 3 to 12 years. Free for children below
Whale Watching and Beach Boil Up Tour
This is one of the best ways to spend your day in Bonavista. This is a classic tour that will first take you out to see where you can not only enjoy the gorgeous Newfoundland coastline but also watch the whales in their natural habitat. Whale watching is one of the most sought-after tourist attractions in regions like Bonavista and Newfoundland. It is therefore an experience that you must have.
The tour continues after the boat moors in the harbor from where you will be escorted to a beach. Enjoy cooking a delicious and traditional Newfoundland meal over an open fire. Enjoy delicious seafood such as lobster, cod, and mussels as you warm yourself up by the fire. Your guide will keep you engaged throughout the duration of the tour by telling you about the history of the region and more.
This whale watching and beach boil-up tour is a great attraction in Bonavista. Here is some more information that we think should be relevant for you:
- The tour lasts upto 5 hours.
- Be sure to make reservations in advance. You can cancel to get a full refund upto 48 before the tour embarks.
- This tour is only available in the Canadian Summer, that is, from May through September.
- Tour embarks everyday at 10 AM and 2 PM.
The prices for the Whale Watching and Beach Boil Up Tour are $160 plus tax. $80 plus tax for children aged 4 to 12. The tour is free for younger children. Click here to book tickets now.
Up the Harbor, Down the Shore
This is a great tour that brings you to the most famous attractions in Bonavista. The tour starts off with a great view of the city and also takes you to forage in nature. Then drive on to Cape Bonavista to see the famous lighthouse. Afterward, make your way to the Dungeon Provincial Park and Spillar’s Cove. The tour concludes at Ellison. There are many sights to see as you move along the tour such as endless fields, icebergs, birds and iconic landmarks. All in all, a great tour and an excellent day trip.
Here is some relevant information for you regarding the tour:
- The tour lasts for 4 hours.
- Departure times are 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM.
- Make reservations in advance to avoid rush. Click here to book a tour from Bonavista Adventure Tours.
The tour costs $120 plus tax for one individual. For children aged 4 to 12 years, pay $60 plus tax. Also, children below the age of 3 receive free admission.
Geological Tour through Time
This is a tour for people interested in science. The coast of Newfoundland has been a site of many fossil discoveries for many years. Start at Port Union and end the tour at Little Catalina. The tour party stops at many different geological sites for you to explore. Your tour guide will explain the origins and timeline of the fossils, making this tour particularly informative and also very aptly named.
The tour lasts up to 4 hours with many rest stops. Start at 8:30 AM or 1;30 PM.
Here is some information regarding prices:
- $120 plus tax for adults.
- $60 plus tax for children aged 4 to 12.
- Free admission for children below 3.
Make your reservation early and book tickets from here.
Tour from Bonavista to Keels
Enjoy scenic views of the coast of Bonavista Bay as you make your way through the fishing communities of Newman’s cove, Amherst cove, Duntara, and Keels. This tour is not only a scenic way to explore the coast of Newfoundland but is also a cultural trip. Before you end your tour at Keels, also take some time to explore the Devil’s Footprints, a natural attraction. There are many other attractions and sites on this tour, such as Batterton’s Path which leads to a historical lighthouse. Other places of interest are Pat Murphy’s meadows and Crown Hill.
This tour is a great way to cover most of the cultural and natural attractions in Bonavista. Also, apart from being exceedingly fun, it is also informative in its own way. Bonavista Bay has a unique history for you to explore.
Here is some important information regarding the tour.
- Lasts up to 4 hours.
- Depart at 8:30 AM or 1:30 PM at your convenience.
- The tour package also includes lunch.
- Reservations are required in advance.
The prices for the tour are as follows:
- $120 plus tax per person.
- $60 plus tax for children aged 4 to 12.
- Free admission for children under 4.
Using guided tours to explore Bonavista can be a really great way of planning your trip. Even if you opt for only one or two of these tours, you will have covered a significant number of attractions in Bonavista. This would leave you with a lot of time to explore on your own and at your own leisure.
Historic and Cultural Sites
Bonavista Bay has had a unique history. It was the site of discovery by one of the first European travelers, and as such has a lot of historic and cultural sites for the curious tourist. Here we are going to list some of the most important cultural attractions in Bonavista. Keep reading!
Bonavista Public Garden
Built in the traditional English style of the 19th century, the Bonavista Public Garden is a beautiful place that will take you back in time. A group of volunteers runs the Bonavista Public Garden. Enjoy well-maintained rows of flowers in different shades of colors. Spending an hour or two in the garden will be enough to put you in a good mood for the rest of the day.
Find the Bonavista Public Garden at 12-14 Sweetland’s Hill in the city.
Cape Bonavista Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site
The lighthouse here has been extremely important for centuries because it was the only thing illuminating the dark seas. Since 1843, this lighthouse saved countless ships from the dangers lurking in the waters. Now, this has become a historical site that still preserves the stone tower and light apparatus is used. This place is a favorite of tourists who visit Labrador and Newfoundland.
The site is located at 505 Cape Shore Road.
The Mockbeggar Plantation Provincial Historic Site
This fishery plantation has been an important aspect of the economy of Bonavista. The city of Bonavista celebrates the importance of the Mockbeggar Plantation by giving it the status of a historical location. As a tourist, you cannot miss the history that this place represents. Picturesque and historical, it is definitely one of the important places to visit in Bonavista.
Find it at Roper Street in the town of Bonavista.
Ryan Premises National Historic Site
Find the Ryan Premises National Historic Site at the heart of Bonavista Harbor. The Bonavista museum is also located right here, displaying priceless artworks that tell stories for the eyes to see. This site is extremely important for the fishing industry that Bonavista was built upon. Also, a tip; lend an ear to what your guide says, this place has a lot of stories of its own.
Address: 10 Ryans Hill Road in Bonavista.
Exquisite Nature in Bonavista
The geography of Bonavista is rather unique. Unlike other towns of its kind, it wasn’t built upon a steep cliff overlooking the sea, but rather in an open space where it has had room to expand. This has brought a lot of natural places under the ambit of the city of Bonavista. Beautiful, scenic, and exquisite, Bonavista is a place like no other. Find hiking trails, natural features, and picturesque views in the lovely place that is Bonavista.
Dungeon Provicial Park
Located at the tip of the Bonavista Peninsula, this extremely scenic site forces you to behold the power of nature. The crashing of the waves has cut open two archways in the rock that springs from the ocean. Keep your camera ready to capture one of the most stunning places on earth. Make your way to the Dungeon Provincial Park by following the Discovery Trail.
Try your hand at birdwatching and hiking while at the park. Stargazing is a particularly wonderful experience here.
While you are here, be sure to follow the rules in place to protect the park. They do not allow camping and vehicles of any kind.
The Dungeon Provincial Park is located at ROUTE 238 in Bonavista.
Cape Shore Trail
This wonderful trail is one of the best things you will be able to do in Bonavista. A part of the Hike Discovery Trail network, this 7 km trail is picturesque and gorgeous. Experienced hikers and novices will both immensely enjoy coming here. Photograph scenic views of the coastline and experience wildlife up and close while you are here.
Find the trail at 1B0, Cape Shore Road in Bonavista.
In conclusion
Bonavista is going to be one of the best trips you will ever take. In this article, we have tried to be as informative as we can by telling you all there is to do and see at Bonavista. Regardless, the travel opportunities offered by the region are perhaps too immense to be covered at once. Therefore, we highly recommend you include Bonavista in your travel plans for the future. Rife with natural beauty, history and culture in the air, and welcoming people, you can’t really go wrong with Bonavista.
We hope that you enjoyed reading this travel guide to Bonavista. Share your views with us and let us know if you have already been to the city. We value your feedback and thoughts on our work. Please also read about things to do in Canada.
Enjoy your travels!
