"Whales in the cove!" is a call that will have you on your feet in an instant.
The entire coastline of Newfoundland hosts a variety of whales throughout the year but for those seeking certain species, we are happy to offer advice. The northern tip of Newfoundland is strategically located at the mouth of the Strait of Belle Isle. This strait acts as a "conveyor belt" of fish moving between the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean. Many bird and whale species take advantage of this and so spend considerable time around the tip of the Northern Peninsula near L'Anse aux Meadows and Quirpon Island. Humpbacks are very common and favourites of viewers due to their spectacular tail displays. Minke are also plentiful and other species such as Orca from Labrador come to visit from mid - July onward visit these northern waters.
Your visit to Quirpon Island Lighthouse Inn will find you tuning your hearing to the whoosh of whales surfacing in Lighthouse Cove, The Tickle or right at the lighthouse. The sound of their spray will have you on your feet in a minute; and it might be you who calls “Whales in the Cove!”
Where is the best spot on Quirpon Island? There are vantage points all over:
- Our whale watching station with floor to ceiling windows is perfect anytime
- Our helipad is perfect at sunrise and sunset, affording a full view of Iceberg Alley
- Everyone finds a favourite rock or outcropping from which to scan the waters
- There are even binoculars in the dining room so you won’t miss a move! Hint: Sit on the side of the dining room that allows you to watch for a performance during supper.
Near Cape Anguille Lighthouse Inn, in Newfoundland’s southern waters, on the southwest coast of the island one may find a holidaying Beluga, a rare whale. The massive Blue whale (the largest animal ever to have existed, including dinosaurs) can be found off this corner of the island during part of the year.
