Why Newfoundland is the Place for Iceberg Watching?

Few places on Earth offer a front-row seat to nature’s floating giants like Newfoundland and Labrador. Known as “Iceberg Alley,” the province is one of the best destinations in the world to witness towering icebergs drifting past the coast each spring and early summer.

1. A Natural Highway for Icebergs

Each year, massive chunks of ice break off Greenland’s glaciers and drift south on the Labrador Current. By the time they reach Newfoundland, many have been travelling for two or three years, slowly sculpted by wind, waves, and sun. This natural route funnels hundreds of icebergs past the province’s northern and eastern shores, creating a spectacle few destinations can match.

2. Accessible Viewing Points

Unlike remote Arctic regions, Newfoundland offers plenty of easily accessible places to see icebergs from land. Communities such as Twillingate, Bonavista, St. Anthony, and Fogo Island are famous viewing spots, where icebergs can be seen right from the shoreline, harbours, or hiking trails. For those who want a closer look, boat tours and even kayak excursions bring visitors within touching distance of these frozen giants.

3. More Than Just Icebergs

The experience of iceberg watching in Newfoundland is about more than the ice itself. Along the way, visitors might spot whales, seabirds, and puffins, often sharing the same waters as the bergs. The coastal communities also add to the charm—warm hospitality, rich history, and colourful houses set against dramatic cliffs make iceberg season unforgettable.

4. The Best Time to Go

The iceberg season typically runs from late May through early July, though it varies from year to year depending on winds and currents. During this window, icebergs can range in size from small “bergy bits” to towering skyscraper-like formations, glowing white in the sun or shimmering blue on foggy days.

5. A World-Class Experience

While icebergs can be spotted in other places around the globe, few destinations combine accessibility, scenery, and sheer numbers like Newfoundland and Labrador. It’s an experience where nature, history, and adventure come together—one that leaves visitors in awe of the raw beauty of Canada’s eastern edge.