Newfoundland Circumnavigation Cruise

Our cruise begins in the peaceful isolation of Newfoundland & Labrador’s charming capital, St. John’s. Canada’s easternmost city, St John’s is widely known for its jelly-bean rows of houses and unique location.

Don’t miss your chance to explore colorful Victorian houses nestled on the hills around the harbor, and peek at the historic Signal Hill from the deck. Be sure to catch more fantastic views of this place, as we return here for the final stop of the tour. Savor the moment looking over a tantalizing panorama of ‘mini San Francisco’ and watch out for seabirds and whales, as we set sail from the port, navigating through the world-famous Narrows!

For the next two days, we navigate the rugged shores of Newfoundland’s northeast coast, where you’ll feast your eyes on wild landscapes and quaint centuries-old fishing villages. Some of these hamlets are idyllic, quiet communities, dotted with candy-colored family houses, while others are ghost villages, abandoned due to some unlucky hand of fate.

We’ll also stop along the way to meet local communities, and enjoy a characteristically warm Newfoundland welcome. Stay on the lookout for peculiar seabirds such as murre, eider, and tern, which take refuge in this region, and take in the spirit of the faraway island life as we head up north!

Today we drift ashore at the northernmost tip of the Great Northern Peninsula and step off to visit a place straight out of the Viking sagas. L’Anse aux Meadows is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an 11th-century Viking settlement. Discovered in the 1960s, this site is the only verified evidence of the first European presence in North America.

Explore this historical landmark as you walk the trails around excavated authentic ruins that date as far back as 1000 c.e.! Visit the interpretation center with reconstructions of Norse-style buildings and travel back in time to where the Vikings once stood.

Next up is yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, this time on the coast of Labrador, in northeastern Canada. Today we’ll explore the longstanding Red Bay Basque Whaling Station. The town of Red Bay is nestled on the Strait of Belle Isle, on Labrador's south coast.

Named for its peculiar red cliffs, it was one of two major Basque whaling stations constructed in the 1540s. Here Basques lived and worked in the treasured “cod waters,” putting up with danger, hardship, and isolation.

In the 1500s, Red Bay Harbor and its Basque whalers made for North America’s first export industry. Researchers have identified some of the on-site parts of whale oil manufacturing process. Among the artifacts are harpoons, clay tiles, and personal items preserved today in the on-water interpretation center.

Hike through Incredible Geology

Stretch your legs with a walk or hike at Gros Morne National Park.

Soak in the extraordinary views of beautiful Bonne Bay and be sure to take time to explore the park’s excellent interpretation centre and the town of Woody Point.

Witness for yourself the spectacular Tablelands, a six-hundred-metre plateau that forms one of the world’s best examples of exposed mantle.

Normally found below the Earth’s crust, the mineral-rich rocks support very little life, making the Tablelands an eerie landscape.

Explore Scenic Coastlines & Remote Outports

Journey through the beautiful and windswept coast of southern Newfoundland, dotted with bays, coves, and a few remaining remote outport communities.

Admire outstanding geology and gorgeous botanical life.

Spot plentiful birds, whales, and other wildlife as we make the most of every opportunity for Zodiac and land excursions.

A visit here will be a highlight of your trip!

Experience Mi'kmaw Culture

Receive a formal welcome from local leaders of the First Nations community of Miawpukek.

Learn more about the history of the community, formerly called Conne River, which became a permanent settlement sometime around 1822. Before then, it was one of many semi-permanent camping sites used by Mi'kmaw people, who traditionally travelled nomadically throughout the east coast of Canada.

Have a chance to explore this special community, which was established as a reserve in 1987 and has successfully bridged traditional knowledge and contemporary practice.

Savour European Shops & Cafés

Indulge in the colourful town of Saint-Pierre, a charming finale to your trip. Just off the shores of Newfoundland lie the islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon—an official territory of France.

Wind through charming streets lined with shops, houses, and cafés that bring a taste of Europe to the east coast of North America.

Wave a Fond Farewell

Complete your journey by sailing back through the picturesque Narrows and into St. John’s harbour.

Say your farewells in this cultural hotspot and what is sometimes called North America's oldest city.

Our vessel for this voyage is the Ocean Endeavour. A 1B ice-class sailing boat that holds a maximum of 198-passengers and is outfitted with 20 Zodiac boats, our ship is perfect for expedition cruises. Facilities include a top deck observation room, swimming pool, outdoor dining, sauna spa, library, and top-class navigation equipment.

Our three onboard lounges are excellent public spaces for our educational seminars, workshops, and entertainment. Launched in 1982, the Ocean Endeavour has been upgraded many times, most recently in 2010 and 2014. At 137-m (450-ft) length and 21-m (69-ft) breadth, it’s the pride of our cruises in Canada and beyond.

Learn more about the Ocean Endeavour.

No Single Supplement! Solo Adventurers are welcome. Most cabin categories on the ship are available as a private cabin to single travelers at no additional cost.

This program features activities such as walking, wildlife viewing, and Zodiac cruising, all at a relatively easy to moderate level of exertion. The majority of shore landings are undertaken using Zodiacs. Zodiac embarkations involve descending gangway stairs with double handrails and stepping into the Zodiac from a small platform at the water level (assistance is provided).