ABOUT BIRD ISLAND RESORT: This was our second visit to this area, and both times we stayed at the Bird Island Resort. This is not officially a campground, but because the owners allowed us to park at their property in 2019, we called and asked them if we could park here again. In 2019, we were parked in the lot behind the building which housed 5 rooms on two floors. This year, they put us in the parking lot next to the motel-like building which has 8 rooms. This building is now in disrepair and they are in the process of tearing it down. There was a storage container next to the building also, and we were lined up beside it. We had an ocean view from this year’s site out the front and one side of the RV. These buildings are situated on more than 4 acres of rolling manicured lawn away from the road, close to the cliff top with the water below. There is an observation deck with a bench which sits right on the cliff. There are green rolling lawns, a swing set, and picnic tables on the lawns. Near the main road they also own and operate a small convenience store; it is also the resort office.
There was an electric hook-up both visits from outside plugs at each building. We had no trouble in 2019, but in 2023 the electricity went off and on frequently. We eventually disconnected it because the solar panels on the RV did the job fine without it. Water is available from a hose at the smaller building; we were informed that we shouldn’t drink the water without boiling it first. This is something we are used to by now. In 2019, we were able to dump into their septic system. In 2023 we were able to use the informal dump behind the store. There was no wash water for flushing the tanks.In 2019 AND 2023, we paid$20 per night (Canadian currency). They do take credit cards.
St. Bride’s is the last village on the southwestern end of the western Avalon Peninsula. About 15 minutes from the village is Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve. The Resort is located 3 km from the sign to the Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve, and another 13 km from the sign to the intrepretive center. Bird Rock, where you are able to view the many Seabirds up close, is another 1.4 km each way by foot. In 2019, (in June) the weather was 20 degrees colder and it was rainy & windy, less fog. The seabirds were sitting on nests. This year, (in July) we had dense fog almost the entire four day/night visit; Rob only could visit the birds once and there were many chicks in nests. We will come back again and try another time of year. “One of the most spectacular (and most accessible) seabird colonies in North America, St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve is located about 15 minutes from the village of St. Bride’s in Newfoundland. For over a century, naturalists, birdlovers, and photographers have been drawn here, amazed by the immensity; the whirling clamor of 70,000 seabirds; the awesome power of giant whales.” from the Cape St. Mary’s brochure.
Right down the road is the restaurant, Da Birds Eye. We ate there once, both times we camped here, and had the best fresh Fish & Chips we’d ever had. Open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in season.
NOTE: When traveling to Bird Island Resort, on both sides of the peninsula there’s rough road. Even though it’s a longer drive, the trip to St. Bride’s is probably somewhat easier on the cats and the vehicles if we take the eastern side of the peninsula rather than going through Placentia.
Bird Island Resort: The address is 64 Main Road, St. Bride’s, Newfoundland A0B 2Z0. The phone number is Patrick or Colleen Manning at (709) 337-2450 or (709) 337-2505. The e-mail address is manningpat@hotmail.com. The website is www.birdislandresort.com. Call in advance and speak to one of the Manning’s to see if they will allow you to park an RV on their property.
- 2019 – 06/09-06/14
- 2023 – 07/18-07/22