Day Trips from St. John's: Irish Loop, Bay Bulls, Brigus, Cupids & Petty Harbour

One of the best things about basing yourself in St. John's is how much of Newfoundland's coastline, history, and wildlife sits just outside the city limits. From seabird colonies to 400-year-old settlements, most of these day trips from St. John's can be done in half a day or stretched into a full one, and many can be combined into a single loop. Below is what to expect on the road — distances, drive times, and highlights — with no fixed schedules or prices, since those change season to season and are best confirmed directly with the tour operators or Parks Canada/provincial sites before you go.

The Irish Loop

The Irish Loop is a scenic drive that traces the southern shore of the Avalon Peninsula, looping through fishing villages, barren headlands, and Irish-settled communities before returning to St. John's. It's a full-day undertaking if you want to stop often rather than just drive through.

• Ferryland — home to the Colony of Avalon archaeological site, one of North America's earliest English settlements
• La Manche Provincial Park — a short hike leads to the remains of an old fishing village and a suspension bridge over the cove
• Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve — a UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting some of the oldest known multicellular fossils on Earth
• Small coastal communities with lookout points over the North Atlantic

Give yourself the better part of a day for this one, especially if the weather is clear enough for photography stops along the cliffs.

Bay Bulls: Puffins and Whales

Bay Bulls is one of the closest departure points to St. John's for boat tours heading into the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, home to one of the largest Atlantic puffin colonies in North America. Depending on the season, tours also spot humpback and minke whales, and in a good ice year, icebergs drifting down from the north.

• Short drive south of St. John's along Route 10
• Puffins are typically present through the summer months before heading back out to sea
• Whale sightings generally improve as the season progresses toward late summer
• Dress warmer than you think you need to — it's cooler and windier out on the water

Because sailing schedules and conditions vary, it's worth booking your tour directly with the operator once you know your dates.

Brigus and Cupids: Conception Bay History

On the other side of the Avalon Peninsula, Conception Bay's Brigus and Cupids make for an easy, history-rich half-day trip. Cupids is the site of one of England's earliest colonies in Canada, founded in the early 1600s, with an interpretation centre and dig site telling that story. Brigus, just down the road, is known for its tidy stone and clapboard architecture, garden walkways, and the hand-cut Cabot tunnel leading down to the harbour.

• Both towns are walkable once you park, with harbour views and heritage buildings throughout
• Good option for a slower-paced morning or afternoon outing
• Easily paired together since they sit close to one another

Petty Harbour: The Classic Fishing Village

If you only have a couple of hours to spare, Petty Harbour is the quickest and most photogenic option — a working fishing village just outside St. John's with brightly coloured houses stacked around a narrow harbour. It's also home to a small aquarium focused on local marine life, a nice stop if you're travelling with kids or curious about the species found in these waters.

• One of the shortest drives from St. John's on this list
• Great for sunset photos or a quick coastal walk
• Often combined with a stop at nearby Maddox Cove or the coastal trails around it

Planning Your Day from St. John's

Most of these destinations sit within roughly 20 minutes to just over an hour of the city, which makes it realistic to fit one or two into a single day, or spread them across a longer stay. For a fuller rundown of what else to see and do in the capital itself before or after your day trip, our St. John's visitor guide covers the downtown highlights, and if you're still weighing where to stay, our bed and breakfast in St. John's page compares what's on offer nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Bay Bulls from St. John's?

Bay Bulls is one of the closest boat-tour towns to St. John's, a short drive south along Route 10 — easily doable as a half-day trip with time for the tour itself plus travel.

What's the best time of year for puffin and whale tours?

Puffins are generally around through the summer, and whale sightings tend to improve as summer progresses. Iceberg viewing depends entirely on that year's ice conditions, so it's worth checking closer to your travel dates.

Can I do the Irish Loop in a single day?

Yes, many visitors complete the Irish Loop in a day, though it makes for a long one if you stop at each site along the way. If you'd rather take it slower, splitting it over two shorter outings is also common.

Wherever your day trip takes you — the cliffs of the Irish Loop, a puffin tour out of Bay Bulls, or a quiet walk through Petty Harbour — you'll have a peaceful, private base to come back to at The Westport Manor. Check availability and book your stay before you plan your route.