Newfoundland and Labrador holidays: Canada’s wildest family adventure

If you think you’ve “done” Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador will change your mind. This vast province on the country’s far eastern edge – made up of the island of Newfoundland and the mainland region of Labrador – sits out in the North Atlantic, closer to Ireland than Vancouver, and feels a world away from the usual Canadian hotspots.

Wilder than the Rockies, quieter than Ontario and brimming with possibilities for adventure, this is a place that feels right off the map.

Newfoundland and Labrador is also closer than you think. Direct flights from London Gatwick take under six hours, which means this is a long-haul adventure that doesn’t actually feel like one. What you get in return is something increasingly rare: space, freedom and a sense of discovery that most family holidays quietly promise and quietly, ahem, fail to deliver. This is what makes Newfoundland and Labrador holidays feel so different – so let’s find out more!

Newfoundland and Labrador is closer than you think

Why Newfoundland and Labrador holidays are perfect for families

You notice it almost immediately – that feeling of having arrived somewhere that hasn’t been smoothed out for visitors. The coastline stretches for thousands of kilometres, broken up by colourful fishing villages, fjords and quiet coves, while inland, forests and hiking trails open up in every direction. You can even stand at Cape Spear, the most easterly point in North America, and watch the sun rise before anywhere else on the continent.

Across the province you’ll find trails just about everywhere

Here you’re not queueing or working madly through a list of must-see attractions. You’re pulling over because someone spotted a whale from the road, or wandering a beach you hadn’t planned to visit. Locals help with that too – famously friendly, always ready with a story or a recommendation, which makes travelling with children feel easy from the first day. It’s the same warmth that inspired the hit musical Come From Away (there’s some pre-holiday viewing inspo for you!), and you feel it everywhere you go.

Things to do in Newfoundland and Labrador: Wildlife, landscapes and adventure

The biggest draw is how much you can see and do without trying too hard. Wildlife is everywhere, landscapes feel oversized and experiences are hands-on rather than staged. Whether you’re on the coast, out on the water or stepping into history, nothing feels over-developed or put on for tourists.

Coastal hiking trails across the Avalon Peninsula and Bonavista Peninsula are some of the best in North America, with routes like the Skerwink Trail offering sweeping ocean views.  In fact, across the province you’ll find trails just about everywhere, from the Mars-like landscape of the Tablelands in Gros Morne National Park to the subarctic tundra of the Viking Trail. It’s this mix of nature, wildlife and culture that makes every day feel different. 

Here are our highlights to try when you go:

Whale watching, Newfoundland: A front-row seat to giants

If one experience defines a trip here, it’s whale watching. Newfoundland and Labrador is home to one of the largest populations of humpback whales in the world, and during the season, sightings are pretty common – not a matter of luck, but reliable enough that most boats come back with something worth talking about (not to mention a bulging camera roll).

From late spring through summer, boats head out daily along the coast, from larger vessels to smaller Zodiac-style trips that get you closer to the action. Whales breaching, tail-slapping, drifting just beneath the surface a few metres away – these encounters will stay with you, no matter how old you are.

Humpback whale sightings are pretty common

Puffins, Newfoundland: The easiest wildlife win for kids

Newfoundland and Labrador is home to one of North America’s largest puffin colonies, and seeing them up close is surprisingly straightforward. Just outside St John’s, the capital city, the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve is one of the best places to find them. More than 35 million seabirds gather along this coastline each year, making it one of the most accessible wildlife experiences in North America.

Between May and September, thousands of Atlantic puffins nest along the cliffs, flying in from the sea with beaks comically stuffed with fish. Boat tours bring you close to the colonies, but there are also land-based viewpoints if you’d rather stay on shore. Slightly ridiculous and endlessly watchable, they’re an instant – and colourful – hit with younger travellers.

Iceberg alley, Newfoundland: Spot giants drifting past the coast

Very few places in the world let you watch icebergs drift past from the roadside. In Newfoundland and Labrador, it’s just part of spring.

Iceberg Alley is a stretch of coastline running from the coast of Labrador to the southeast coast of Newfoundland – and each year brings a slow procession of icebergs that have made the journey down from Greenland. Some are small and sculptural, worn into strange shapes by the Atlantic. Others are vast, glowing blue-white and completely out of place against the shoreline.

You can see them from the road, from coastal hiking trails, or from a boat if you want to get properly close. 

Iceberg Alley is a stretch of coastline

Gros Morne National Park: Walk on the Earth’s mantle

Gros Morne National Park, on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland,  is one of the most distinctive landscapes in North America and an essential stop on any Newfoundland and Labrador itinerary.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its Tablelands, where rock from deep within the Earth has been pushed to the surface, giving the landscape an almost otherworldly feel with rusty red tones and wide open views.

Beyond the Tablelands, the park has fjords, waterfalls and hiking trails that work for most ages and abilities. Take a boat trip through Western Brook Pond fjord for one of the most dramatic landscapes in Canada – the dramatic freshwater fjord hemmed in by cliffs is the kind of place where kids can run and explore screen-free.

Get your adrenaline rushing: Rafting, zip lining and ATV adventures

While wildlife and scenery are the main draw, there are plenty of ways to add a bit of pace to your trip.

River rafting along the Exploits River is a standout, with guided trips ranging from gentle scenic floats to more energetic sections that are still suitable for older children. It’s a fun, accessible way to experience the landscape from the water.

On land, ATV tours take you into more remote terrain, while zip lining offers a quick, high-energy way to take in the views from above. Both are easy additions if you want to mix in something more active.

L’Anse aux Meadows: Step into Viking history

L’Anse aux Meadows is the only authenticated Viking settlement in North America. Located at the northern tip of Newfoundland island, the UNESCO World Heritage Site brings Norse exploration to life through reconstructed buildings and costumed interpreters. 

Families can walk through the settlement, hear stories of early Atlantic crossings and get a real sense of what life might have looked like over 1,000 years ago. Nearby Norstead adds to the experience, with a living history village that’s interactive enough to hold children’s attention while still feeling authentic.

Wildlife and scenery are the main draw

Best time to visit Newfoundland and Labrador

The best time to visit Newfoundland and Labrador is between May and October, when the weather is milder and most experiences are in full swing.

Late spring is prime iceberg season, while summer brings peak wildlife, including whale watching and puffins. It’s also the best time for hiking, festivals and exploring the coastal communities that are harder to appreciate when the weather turns.

Early autumn is quieter, with fewer visitors and beautiful changing colours, making it a great option if you prefer a slower pace.