HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARK T.! WE DEDICATE THIS DAY TO YOU.
NEWFOUNDLAND – TWO BOAT TOURS.
Day 55 – We had an incredible day today. We had reserved two boat tours (a package deal of 20% off). We had no idea what kind of weather we’d have back when we reserved them, but we were keeping our fingers crossed. This turned out to be the nicest day weather-wise that we’ve had since we arrived in Newfoundland. The weather could not have been better!
We were up early because we had to leave the campground before 8 a.m. It was 45 degrees and sunny with no wind at 6:15 a.m. We arrived in Bay Bulls on time at 8:30, and by the time our boat departed at 9:00, it was already almost 60 degrees. Several boat tours are offered in this area. We had the literature on all of them. We opted for O’Brien’s because we’d run into a couple at the Colony of Avalon site who had just taken a tour with O’Brien’s, and they said it was super-good. A family owned and run operation for over 30 years, the O’Brien’s have lived here and raised their families here. They love it here and they love what they do. It was obvious in the service they gave. O’Brien’s Whale & Boat Tours: reservations are recommended because tours do fill up; 22 Lower Road, Bay Bulls, Newfoundland A0A 1C0; (709) 753-4850 or 1-877-639-4253; e-mail info@obriensboattours.com; website www.obriensboattours.com.
Click any picture below to see a slideshow.
First, we took Tour #2 – Coastal Adventure, Kingfisher Tour, “for the more adventurous, hop aboard the Kingfisher for that up-close-and-personal experience with nature. Breathe in the fresh ocean air as you sail alongside stunning sea stacks, caves, and cascading waterfalls. Explore the unique natural phenomenon locally known as the Spout, a natural wave-powered geyser. Whale watching in season at eye level, a 90-minute geological tour that will leave you breathless.” This tour is offered once daily, only three days a week in season. It left on time at 9 a.m. The tour was supposed to be 1 ½ hours long. We had to wear survival suits (it was not pretty); we all looked like big orange pumpkins. It was a small boat, the Kingfisher, and it could hold 12 passengers. We had 11 passengers and the captain, Mike O’Brien. Mike was quite excited by several things as he told us when we went out: there was a large Iceberg up the coast which could only be viewed by boat; this was the nicest day he’d seen all year so far; and normally the seas churned with waves of at least 20 feet – today was quite calm. We were warned that those sitting in front should be prepared for a bumpy, possibly wet ride. Rob & I sat up front. Grin. We went through the Harbour, then headed north. It took about an hour just to reach the Iceberg. It was magnificent. We spent a lot of time there. Mike broke off a chunk of iceberg and passed it around. Only 10% of an Iceberg is above the surface of the water; the other 90% is below. You’ve got to see it to believe it. After that, Mike took us into sea caves, through waterfalls, in between sea stacks, and we sat still and watched the Spout shoot into the air several times. He told us all about the history of the area and pointed out geological changes in the rocks. He showed us the point of land which was once joined with Europe before continental drift pulled the two continents apart. They say soil samples have proved this. There was a waterfall which created a natural pool in the rocks on a cliff. There were some people swimming in this pool. They had hiked in on the East Coast Trail. Mike explained to us that many years ago, the very boat we were sitting in had taken him and other workers to this cliff where they had access to the rocks to help build the trail that people were enjoying today. The whales did not make an appearance. We overheard that yesterday morning they didn’t see any either, but yesterday afternoon they saw a mother and her calf, Humpback Whales. We’ve been told that the whales arrive in large numbers when the Capelin are running. Capelin are small, oily fish that swim in large schools which the whales love to eat. So do the birds for that matter. Supposedly, the Capelin arrive after several warm days have occurred. So anytime now. We saw a mature Bald Eagle, and at another cliff an Immature Bald Eagle flew right by being chased by two Sea Gulls. It was truly an amazing experience that we will never forget.
video of our first bOat ride (plus some birds from the second ride at the end)
pictures from the first boat ride
Because we had gone so far out and spent so much time with the Iceberg, our Tour ran over to 2 ¼ hours. We all took off our pumpkin suits at the dock, and since we were taking off on our second tour shortly and would not have time to eat, we wolfed down freshly-baked Cranberry Scones from the tour office and then proceeded to get on our second boat.
Second, we took Tour #1 – Award-Winning Boat Tour, “Cruise to the Witless Bay Ecological Seabird Reserve, located on four protected islands, and home to ½ million Atlantic Puffins and countless other Seabirds. Watch the largest population of Humpback Whales frolic right before your eyes. Feel the chill as you sail past 10,000 year-old Icebergs.” This was a two-hour tour. It is the popular, more commercialized tour. It is offered seven days a week, any time from once a day to four times a day depending on the time of year. It was on The Atlantic Puffin, a large boat with an upper & lower deck plus indoor seating in a heated room for those who might need it. The O’Brien family give this tour also and one of the three guides even sang a couple of Irish songs requesting audience participation. The boat was not full today so we had no trouble parking ourselves with our cameras on the lower level at the railing at the front of the boat. The upper level is where everyone went and there were rows of seats up there. We stood for the trip at our front-row “seats”. Again, we did not see whales, but when they arrive in July, we’ll do a trip them specifically for whale watching. Our main interest for this boat tour was the Seabird Reserve. It was awesome. Hundreds of thousands of birds were nesting on these Islands. We got up close with the boat. Puffins are adorable, like little penguins with brightly-colored beaks. They are quiet. On the noisy side of one Island thousands of Common Murres, Razorbills, Black-Legged Kittiwakes, Herring Gulls, and Greater Black-Backed Gulls were all nesting in their own crowded colonies. Occasionally Bald Eagles would fly over. Sometimes the birds would all swoop up off the Island at once and fly; other times they would dive into the water. It was really something. The scenery was stunning. The tour lasted exactly 2 hours. When we got back to Port, another group of people were lined up ready to board the next tour. Our heads were spinning; what an awesome day.
We drove back to the RV, had an early dinner, and sat out in the screened tent. It was still sunny and clear out and there were hardly any people camping here (it’s not the weekend yet). We will sleep well tonight with visions of diving seabirds and amazing icebergs both in our dreams. The high today was actually 72 degrees.
Great video Rob. Like being on a Disneyland ride, only for real.
Thanks guys!
I’m enjoying reading about your adventures in Canada……so please keep those entertaining posts and amazing photos coming!