Bauline South, NL

Great Island Boat Tours

Small-boat whale and puffin tours from Bauline South -- Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, about an hour, 8 seats.

Book direct See the stay

Feel

The place

Bridge Bonus

Add 30 minutes south to La Manche Suspension Bridge.

Our read

The build and the land are treated as one thing, and it stays small enough to feel like a house rather than a hotel.

Come here for

Staying somewhere that takes its land seriously
Small groups and solo travellers who dislike crowds
Swimming, paddling or simply staring at water

Skip it if

You want resort scale, with several restaurants and a crowd to disappear into

We’d rather send you somewhere else than send you somewhere that doesn’t suit you.

Great Island Boat Tours runs small-boat trips from Bauline South on Newfoundland's Irish Loop, about 40 minutes from St. John's, into the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve -- North America's largest Atlantic puffin colony. A local crew with generations of seafaring knowledge. Humpbacks, minkes, seabirds, sea caves, and seasonal icebergs. Tours on greatislandboattours.com: about 1 hour, four departures a day. Seat capacity is listed as 8 people per trip (book online in advance). The FAQ also describes an intimate group of 10 passengers. Private charter: book all 8 seats. Bridge Bonus: extra 30 minutes south to La Manche Suspension Bridge for a small additional fee. Prime whale season late May through early September. Address: 543 Main Road, Bauline South, NL A0A 4A0. Phone 709-727-8294. Email hello@greatislandboattours.com (directions page also lists keniwi@hotmail.com). Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism lists the operator at $80-$100; confirm current fares when you book. Gallery photos are the operator's authentic tour photography.

04 - Stay

Ways to stay

Whale and puffin tour

Confirm when booking

About 1 hour, four daily departures, 8 seats.

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Private charter

8-seat buyout

Book all 8 seats for the boat.

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Bridge Bonus

Small additional fee

+30 minutes to La Manche Suspension Bridge.

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05 - Know

Before you go

Written from what the property publishes. Not yet checked by hand. Confirm on their site before you book.

543 Main Road, Bauline South, NL A0A 4A0. Hwy 10 south through Bay Bulls, Witless Bay, Tors Cove; 1.6 km south of Tors Cove turn left to Bauline.

Find it in Maps

Stay for

About 1 hour per tour.

Children

Families welcome; dress children in warm layers.

If plans change

Weather cancel: reschedule or full refund. Guest cancel >48h: refund. Within 48h or no-show: no refund.

Where do tours leave from?

543 Main Road, Bauline South, NL A0A 4A0 -- about 40-45 minutes south of St. John's on the Irish Loop. From Hwy 10, about 1.6 km south of Tors Cove turn left toward Bauline (Melvin's ATV shop on the corner).

How long is the tour and how many people?

Tours typically last about 1 hour, four times a day. The site says book 8 seats per trip in advance. The FAQ also describes a 10-passenger intimate group. Private charter: take all 8 seats.

When is whale and puffin season?

Prime whale watching late May to early September -- humpbacks, minkes, orcas, and more, plus the puffin colony. Icebergs in spring. NL Tourism lists the operator May 1-Sep 30.

What should we bring?

Layers, windproof jacket, comfortable shoes, camera, binoculars, sunglasses, hat. Hair tie for long hair. Life jackets provided. Brief marine safety talk at the dock.

What is the cancellation policy?

Captain may cancel for weather -- reschedule or 100% refund. Guest cancellations more than 48 hours: full refund. Within 48 hours or no-show: non-refundable.

How do I book?

greatislandboattours.com, hello@greatislandboattours.com, or 709-727-8294.

06 · Go

Great Island Boat Tours

Bauline South, NL

The build and the land are treated as one thing, and it stays small enough to feel like a house rather than a hotel.

Getting there: 543 Main Road, Bauline South, NL A0A 4A0.
From where you are: Distance appears once we know where you are.
Included: Life jackets and dock safety briefing · Captain-guided reserve trip

Great Island Boat Tours

Book direct