REVIEW · ST JOHNS
2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls
Book on Viator →Operated by Bay Bulls O'Brien's Puffin and Whale Tour · Bookable on Viator
Four million birds off the bow.
This Bay Bulls whale and bird boat tour is built around the Witless Bay nesting islands, so the scenery is alive with seabirds from the water. I especially like the on-board naturalist narration that explains what you are seeing as you cruise along, and it comes with a crew that knows how to keep the trip fun without turning it into a lecture.
The only real drawback is weather. The tour needs good conditions, and you will be on open water for about 2 hours, so bring serious warmth and expect that sightings can shift with the day.
In This Review
- Key points to know before you go
- A 2-Hour Whale and Bird Cruise That Makes the Wildlife Easy to Spot
- Where the Tour Starts (and How to Get Ready)
- Cruising the Witless Bay Reserve: What Those “Million Birds” Actually Look Like
- A small expectation reset
- Stop 1: The Nesting Islands and the Species Your Guide Will Point Out
- Whales and Dolphins: How Much to Hope For
- The Crew Makes It: Narration, Humor, and the Fun Parts
- Timing and Logistics: Shuttle Option and the 30-Minute St. John’s Factor
- What’s Included (and What You Should Budget For)
- Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Another Style)
- Weather Reality: When the Ocean Changes the Plan
- Should You Book Bay Bulls O’Brien’s Puffin and Whale Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the guided whale and bird boat tour?
- Where is the meeting point, and when does the tour start?
- What’s included in the ticket, and what isn’t?
- Is there a shuttle service from St. John’s?
- What should I bring or wear?
- What wildlife can I expect to see in Witless Bay?
- What happens if weather is poor or the tour doesn’t run?
- Can most travelers participate, and are service animals allowed?
Key points to know before you go
- Witless Bay ecological reserve: home to around 4 million nesting seabirds in spring and summer
- Expect featherpower: puffins, auks, storm-petrels, and kittiwakes are among the likely stars
- Whales are possible: you may spot whales and dolphins, including minke whales in season
- Real-time guidance: naturalist-led narration helps you spot and understand species fast
- Crew energy: local songs and passenger interactions add a memorable, light-hearted touch
- Warmth matters: you’ll want layers; warm clothing can be bought in the store
A 2-Hour Whale and Bird Cruise That Makes the Wildlife Easy to Spot
If you only have a short window in Newfoundland, this is a smart pick. It’s long enough to get you out past the harbor and into the rhythm of wildlife watching, yet short enough that you are not stuck guessing for an entire day.
The heart of the experience is the Witless Bay ecological reserve and its four islands. In spring and summer, those islands become a nesting ground for an enormous number of seabirds, and the guides focus your attention on what matters: where birds gather, how they behave, and what you might be able to spot from the boat. You are not just looking at birds. You are learning how the ecosystem works while you look.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in St Johns
Where the Tour Starts (and How to Get Ready)
The boat tour departs from 22 Lower Rd, Bay Bulls, NL A0A 1C0 and starts at 11:30 am. The tour ends back at the meeting point, so you are not dealing with a complicated return plan.
A few practical details make the experience smoother:
- You get a paper ticket.
- The boat provides lifejackets.
- The group size tops out at 100 travelers, which helps keep the boat feeling manageable.
- It’s offered in English.
- Service animals are allowed, and the activity says most travelers can participate.
The big prep item is clothing. You should bring warm layers for open air and wind off the water. If you forgot something, the operator says coats/warm clothing are available to purchase in store. I treat this as a must-do: even on a sunny day, a boat ride can get chilly fast.
Cruising the Witless Bay Reserve: What Those “Million Birds” Actually Look Like
Your main focus is the Witless Bay ecological reserve. This is not just a poetic name on a brochure. The reserve’s four islands are used as nesting habitat each spring and summer, with roughly 4 million seabirds across the islands.
Here are some of the species your guide will likely connect to what you see:
- Leach’s Storm-Petrel: the second largest colony in the world, about 620,000 pairs
- Common Murre
- Razorbill Auk
- Black-legged Kittiwake
- Great Black-backed Gull
- Black Guillemot
- Northern Fulmar
- Thick-billed Murre
- Herring Gull
That list is useful, because it tells you what the guide’s attention will land on. If you have ever tried to identify seabirds from the water and felt lost, this kind of guided narration can be a game-changer. You start to notice patterns: which birds stay near certain areas, what tends to fly overhead versus what moves across the water, and how the birds’ behavior relates to breeding season.
A small expectation reset
You should go in knowing birds are the sure thing here. Whales and dolphins are bonuses. Even when the sea is calm, wildlife sightings can vary by day and by timing in the season. What you can count on is the dense bird activity around the nesting habitat.
Stop 1: The Nesting Islands and the Species Your Guide Will Point Out
When you reach the reserve area, you shift from cruising to really watching. This is where the numbers start to feel real—especially if you are seeing birds repeatedly in clusters rather than just a few scattered sightings.
The guides’ job is to translate that chaos into something you can actually understand. The narration focuses on the reserve’s flora and fauna, but your practical takeaway is bird ID plus behavior.
Here’s how that helps you:
- You spend less time guessing names and more time noticing movement and timing.
- You learn what species tend to show up in the nesting season (and why).
- You get context for the size of the colony—like the scale of Leach’s Storm-Petrel—so it clicks instead of staying as a statistic.
If you enjoy nature facts, this portion is satisfying. If you just want the best chance at seeing seabirds up close, it’s still worth it because the boat ride becomes a guided spotting session.
Whales and Dolphins: How Much to Hope For
Whales and dolphins can appear while you cruise, and the experience is designed around that possibility. The available info specifically mentions whales and dolphins in the waves, and some sailings have included minke whales.
Here is the honest part: a whale sighting is never guaranteed on a short tour. But I like how the operator frames this kind of trip as a wildlife tour first. That matters, because the bird action alone can make the trip feel complete.
A tip that comes from the way the season plays out: if you are traveling at the start or middle of the whale-and-bird window, you usually give yourself more chances. If you are at the tail end of the season, do not be surprised if the whales are quieter. Still, the birds can be spectacular.
If you get out there on the right day, you can also get that moment where the wildlife feels immediate—like seeing whales sooner than you expected once the boat gets going.
The Crew Makes It: Narration, Humor, and the Fun Parts
A lot of boat tours claim they are educational. This one focuses on storytelling and interaction, which is a big reason it rates so highly.
What I like in particular is how the guides bring the reserve to life with clear, lively narration. People have shared that guides are not only informative but also funny and full of energy. On at least one sailing, guide Noah has been noted for singing folk songs during the trip, which tells you the crew style runs warm and local rather than stiff.
There is also a sense of shared fun on board. Some sailings include passenger interaction—like a screeched moment—so even if you are just there for wildlife photos, the trip won’t feel boring while you wait for the next cue.
Add in the fact that the boat is kept clean and reliable, and you get a smoother experience from start to finish. The captain matters, and it shows when the cruise feels steady and well run.
Timing and Logistics: Shuttle Option and the 30-Minute St. John’s Factor
If you are basing yourself in St. John’s, you will likely find this is a convenient day trip. One practical note from recent experience is that the drive can be around 30 minutes from the city, so you are not spending your whole day in transit.
You do have an optional shuttle service for 35 CAD (extra charge). If you want the simplest plan, book it. If you prefer to manage your own schedule, you can drive to Bay Bulls yourself and meet right at the dock.
Either way, you should plan to arrive with time to park and get settled before the 11:30 am departure.
What’s Included (and What You Should Budget For)
This tour includes an admission ticket and lifejackets. That is the core value: you are paying for the ride and the wildlife-focused guidance, not for a bunch of add-ons that should have been included.
Not included:
- Shuttle service (35 CAD)
Everything else you should think about comes down to comfort. Warm clothing is the big one, and the operator notes you can buy coats/warm clothing in the store if needed.
Since prices vary depending on the ticket type and season, I focus on the value logic: you get a 2-hour guided wildlife experience with a major nesting reserve as the main draw, plus the on-board narration that helps you actually see more than random birds.
Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Another Style)
This is a strong choice for:
- Bird lovers who want guidance to identify species quickly from the water
- Whale-watchers who accept that whales are a bonus but still want a real chance
- Families who want a short outing that blends learning with entertainment
- Couples looking for a calm, scenic wildlife cruise without an all-day commitment
It might be less ideal if:
- You hate being cold outside. Dress for wind off the water.
- You need guaranteed whale sightings. Birds are the dependable highlight; whales and dolphins depend on conditions and timing.
That said, even when whales are not seen, the seabird action and the guide-led spotting can still make it a satisfying outing.
Weather Reality: When the Ocean Changes the Plan
This is a wildlife boat tour, so the ocean has final say. The experience requires good weather. If it gets canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
There is also a minimum traveler requirement. If that minimum isn’t met, the tour can be canceled, with the same idea: an alternative date/experience or a full refund.
This makes it a good tour to book with flexibility, especially in shoulder-season weather patterns.
Should You Book Bay Bulls O’Brien’s Puffin and Whale Tour?
Yes—if your goal is a short, guided wildlife cruise in Newfoundland with a serious shot at seabirds and a real chance at whales. The whole experience is built on Witless Bay’s nesting activity, and the guide style (fun narration, songs, and interaction) makes the bird-watching feel rewarding even when you are not a naturalist.
Book this when:
- You want a 2-hour outing with big wildlife payoff potential
- You like the idea of learning as you watch
- You can dress warmly and stay flexible if the sea changes plans
Skip it or look at alternatives if:
- You want a guarantee of whale sightings
- You are not prepared for wind and cold on open water
FAQ
How long is the guided whale and bird boat tour?
It runs for about 2 hours.
Where is the meeting point, and when does the tour start?
Meet at 22 Lower Rd, Bay Bulls, NL A0A 1C0, Canada. The start time listed is 11:30 am, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.
What’s included in the ticket, and what isn’t?
The tour includes an admission ticket and lifejackets. The shuttle service is not included (it’s an extra charge).
Is there a shuttle service from St. John’s?
There is an optional shuttle service for 35 CAD.
What should I bring or wear?
Warm clothing is recommended. The operator notes that coats/warm clothing are available to purchase in store if you need them.
What wildlife can I expect to see in Witless Bay?
You can expect lots of migrating sea birds in the Witless Bay ecological reserve, including species such as puffins, auks, and petrels, plus whales and dolphins when conditions are right.
What happens if weather is poor or the tour doesn’t run?
The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. It can also be canceled if a minimum number of travelers isn’t met, with a different date/experience or a full refund offered.
Can most travelers participate, and are service animals allowed?
The activity states that most travelers can participate and that service animals are allowed.
