10 BEST things to do on the Bonavista Peninsula in Newfoundland, Canada

Last updated on January 22nd, 2026

Hands down one of our favorite places in Newfoundland is the Bonavista Peninsula! Located on the eastern side of the island, about 3.5 hours northwest of St. John’s, this area is known for being one of the most scenic areas in the province. And we couldn’t agree more! Which says a lot, because the entire island is gorgeous.

Here you can find charming towns, dramatic hikes, endless coastal scenery, and lots of wildlife (like cute puffins!). There are so many great things to do on the Bonavista Peninsula, and after exploring all around the peninsula ourselves, we’re excited to share all of our must-visit stops, plus some helpful logistics for your trip!

Map of the Best Things to do on the Bonavista Peninsula

The Best Things to do on the Bonavista Peninsula

1. Tickle Cove Sea Arch

There are some unique geologic formations on the Bonavista Peninsula and the Tickle Cove Sea Arch is a must-see in the area! Even just for the name itself!

This arch is tucked away in a little cove, surrounded by clear, blue water and reddish purple rocks. Getting there is easy, since you can park just a quarter mile from the viewing point. After parking, this half mile round trip trail takes you there with very little effort.

It’s a quick stop and while a little bit of a drive from the other best things to do on the Bonavista Peninsula, you’ll have beautiful coastal views to enjoy along the way

2. Bonavista

Seeing the small towns on the peninsula is a must, so why not start with the namesake, Bonavista! 

This town is most famous for being where famous explorer John Cabot first set foot on North America in 1497. The moment he laid eyes on the land he shouted, “o buono vista!” And that’s how the name Bonavista came to be.

The town is the perfect combination of old world industry and modern entrepreneurial spirit. There’s still working harbors, but also many new businesses, restaurants, and coffee shops set in the towns old restored historical buildings.

When you’re in town, trying a few local dishes is a must! Some of the best Newfoundland classics include toutons, Fisherman’s brewis, and fish cakes at Mifflin’s Tea Room. This cozy little spot is the best place to eat in town. They’re open 8am to 9pm, 7 days a week, but it is only open seasonally, so make sure you’re visiting during the time they’re serving.

Ryan Premises National Historic Site is a fun stop to learn more history about the area. The son of an Irish immigrant, James M. Ryan started one of the largest salt fish mercantile firms in Newfoundland. This historic site is an example of a well-preserved large-scale merchant operation.

Plan to spend about an hour here to explore the site. There are five buildings with things to see and do. If you purchased the Canadian National Parks Pass, then entry here is included. Otherwise you’ll have to spend $4.50 CAD per adult.

Looking for more local food to try in Atlantic Canada? Be sure to visit Halifax, Nova Scotia for their famous Donairs!

3. Puffin viewing site

Newfoundland is known for its wildlife. And Bonavista Peninsula is a great place to not only go whale watching during the summer months, but also offers the chance to see puffins! The puffins alone make the Bonavista Peninsula one of our favorite places to visit in Newfoundland.

And if you haven’t seen a puffin before, you’re in for a treat! These cute birds remind us a little bit of penguins, but with the ability to fly. Check out our video of our time on the Bonavista Peninsula to see them in action!

But to see them up close for yourself, make a stop at the Puffing Viewing Site in Elliston. The summer months of May through August are when you can usually see them hanging out here, but when we stopped by in September there were still a few left. Getting to see the puffins fly out to the water, dive in for fish, and take them back to their babies was incredible! Make sure to bring binoculars to help see them even better.

Another thing to see at the viewing site are root cellars. Elliston is known as the root cellar capital of the world, since there’s over 130 in the area! Root cellars are traditional food storage systems built right into the ground.

Getting here is easy, as there is ample parking across the street and a well marked path to the viewing site. Entry is free, but they do accept donations to help keep the area well maintained. 

4. Cape Bonavista Lighthouse

Once you make your way all the way to the tip of the Bonavista Peninsula, you’ll see the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse. What’s extra special about this lighthouse is that you are able to climb up the stone tower to the seal oil fueled catoptric light that they used back in the 1800s! This is one of the few lighthouses in the world where you can do that.

While the lighthouse alone is one of the best things to do on the Bonavista Peninsula, there’s also great sightseeing to do from here. You can spot puffins, icebergs, whales, and other marine life. So keep your eyes peeled!

The Lighthouse is only open during the warmer months. The 2025 season will run from May 17th through October 10th. To enter the lighthouse, it costs $6 CAD per adult (children 16 and under are free). But if you visit on a Sunday, it’s free for everyone to enter!

And if you really love lighthouses, make sure to check out the one in Twillingate, it’s one of the best things to do in Twillingate, Newfoundland, plus the Cape Egmont Lighthouse in Prince Edward Island.

5. Spillars Cove

Easily one of our favorite spots in all of Newfoundland was Spillars Cove on the Bonavista Peninsula. But don’t get it confused with the one on the Twillingate Islands. Which is great too!

Spillars Cove on the Bonavista Peninsula is a massive cove with epic water views and towering rock columns and outcroppings scattered throughout. It’s one of the most rugged coastlines that we saw in all of Newfoundland!

The easiest parking option is to park here and walk a short distance to the overlook. Alternatively you can drive down a rough, dirt road to the main viewpoint. But you’ll want a high clearance vehicle to do so!

Once arriving at the cliffs you can admire the views from here or there’s a 3.4 km (2.1 mile) trail you can hike along the coastline to see even more if you have the time!

6. Dungeon Provincial Park

Close to Spillars Cove is the beautiful Dungeon Provincial Park. This UNESCO Geosite is free to visit and is home to a collapsed sea cave with a natural archway. And as a bonus there’s horses and sheep that roam throughout the area.

Getting here is easy since you can park right where the main viewpoint is. However, we recommend you see more of the coastline by driving further down the dirt road. If you’re looking for a boondocking location for the night, you’re in luck since you can boondock just outside of the park’s boundaries! We stayed a couple of nights here and woke up to tons of sheep outside our window. Talk about some cute neighbors!

7. Skerwink Trail

The Skerwink Trail is the best hike in Newfoundland, according to AllTrails, and one of Travel and Leisure Magazine’s top 35 walks in North America. It’s a fairly short hike, at only about 5 km (3.2 miles) round trip, but is not short on jaw dropping scenery! 

The terrain can be a bit rough, so even though the mileage is low, you will have to put in a bit of effort. But you’ll be rewarded with rock column sea stacks and 360 degree views of the Bonavista Peninsula. 

Plus, if you’re there at the right time of year, it’s a great place to spot whales and puffins too! While our personal favorite hike in Newfoundland was the Long Range Traverse, this was definitely in our top 5.

If you want to fuel up before hitting the trail, stop by Two Whales Coffee Shop close by in Port Rexton. Located inside of an old house, this is a great spot for food and drinks, with a garden and chickens in the back.

8. Trinity

Trinity was our favorite town on the Bonavista Peninsula! The town is perfectly picturesque, with countless preserved historic buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. To experience some of the history, check out the Trinity Historical Society sites like the Green Family Forge, the cooperage, and the Lester Garland House. 

And for the best views of town, hike to the Gun Hill Lookout. From here you can see the town of Trinity and Trinity Harbor, the cliffs of Skerwink, and Fort Point Lighthouse! Luckily, getting to Gun Hill Lookout is easy since you go most of the way by car. The hike itself is only half a mile and basically no elevation gain.

Another of the best things to do in town is to see a show at the Rising Tide Theatre. You can see one of their plays for $38 CAD per person, but we recommend their dinner theater option at $65 CAD. This is an especially great option for things to do on the Bonavista Peninsula if you didn’t get to see the dinner theatre on the Twillingate Islands!

And if you visit in late May through June, going on an iceberg kayaking tour is a must!

9. Fort Point Lighthouse

Head down a long, bumpy road to the end of a small peninsula and explore the Fort Point Lighthouse. From here, you can enjoy views of town and the surrounding water. 

Enjoying the views is free, but there is a small museum to experience as well for just $5 CAD per person. If you are interested in learning more about the history and want to help support the upkeep of the lighthouse, then we recommend spending some time inside.

There is some boondocking nearby for those wanting to stay the night in the area! Unfortunately when we did, it was foggy and we couldn’t see any views.

10. Enjoy some local food on the Bonavista Peninsula

The Bonavista Peninsula is home to some of our favorite eats in Newfoundland. So as you explore some of the best things to do on the Bonavista Peninsula, make sure to explore the food scene as well!

As we mentioned earlier, Mifflin’s Tea Room is a must visit stop in Bonavista. Here you can try some classic Newfoundland dishes like toutons, Fisherman’s brewis, and fish cakes.

Bicycle Picnics Cafe & Bistro is another gem of a spot in Bonavista. You can enjoy your meal there or take it to go and enjoy it at one of the great coastal spots we recommended earlier! Alternatively, you can rent bikes here and take the food to go on a bicycle picnic! 

For dessert, swing by Sweet Rock Ice Cream in Bonavista for some of the best homemade ice cream with some unique and delicious flavors. They have a location in Trinity too!

In the Port Rexton and Trinity area, we loved Two Whales Coffee Shop. It’s a cute coffee shop and restaurant that overlooks Robin Hood Bay. Everything here is vegetarian, but you wouldn’t even realize it with how yummy and hearty the menu is.

Some other places we wish we had time to try are Oh my Cheeses, Port Rexton Brewery + Tap Room, and BRIGHTSIDE BISTRO. 

Planning your time on the Bonavista Peninsula

How to get to the Bonavista Peninsula

The Bonavista Peninsula makes for a great stop on a Newfoundland road trip. Here is how long you can expect to drive to get to the Bonavista Peninsula, depending on where you’re coming from. 

• Twillingate Islands: 4 hours
• Gros Morne National Park: 6 hours
• Gander: 2 hours, 45 minutes
• St. John’s: 3 hours, 20 minutes

But to get to Newfoundland itself, you will need to either fly or take a ferry. There are 2 ferry routes to Newfoundland from Nova Scotia and 1 from Quebec:

• Most popular: 7 hour option from North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Channel-Port aux Basques, Newfoundland. This is what we did!
• 16 hour ferry from North Sydney to Argentia near St. John’s. 
• 1 hour, 45 minute ferry from Blanc-Sablon, Quebec to Saint Barbe, Newfoundland near St. Anthony. 

To learn more about taking the ferry from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland, check out our complete guide about the experience and what to expect!

If you plan on flying to Newfoundland then you’ll most likely be flying into St. John’s International Airport. Flights here typically connect through Toronto and will take about 3 hours from there.

When to visit The Bonavista Peninsula

It’s possible to visit Newfoundland any time of the year, we do not recommend visiting during the winter. Not only is it very cold, but almost everything on this list is closed during the off season. 

Instead, plan on visiting the Bonavista Peninsula, and the rest of Newfoundland between late May until mid September. The weather will be nice, the trails will be accessible, and the restaurants and attractions will be open.

During this timeframe, there are better times to visit depending on your priorities. If you want to see icebergs, then you should visit from late May to late June. Is spotting whales your top priority? Then June through August will be the time to visit the Bonavista Peninsula. Or for the best chances of seeing both, be here in June!

For hiking, the best time is July through early September for no snow on the trails and lots of lush vegetation around.

And as for weather, don’t always count on your weather app to be accurate. In our experience, the apps would tell us there would be no rain and then we would get caught in clouds of fog, or vice-versa! So be prepared for everything whenever you go out to explore. 

How much time do you need on the Bonavista Peninsula?

When planning out your trip to Newfoundland, we recommend planning to spend three days on the Bonavista Peninsula. This will allow you to enjoy all of the best things to do on the Bonavista Peninsula at a relaxed pace! We have included a 3 day itinerary below to help you understand how you can best use your time in the area.

Sample Bonavista Peninsula itinerary

Where to stay on the Bonavista Peninsula

Hotels and B&Bs: Artisan Inn,Rosewood Suites, and Fishers’ Loft Inn.

Vacation Rentals: Sea Loft(Champney’s West), Cape View Escape(Bonavista), Vintage inspired home (Bonavista), and Modern full home in Bonavista.

Camping: Lockston Path Provincial Park, Princehaven Campground,andCabot Hi-way cabins and RV park.

Boondocking: Cape Shore Road (Bonavista), John Cabot Municipal Park (Bonavista), and Fort Point Lighthouse (Trinity). You can also boondock at Spillars Cove (Bonavista)!

What to bring to the Bonavista Peninsula

First and foremost, we always recommend that you pack the 10 essentials. You can see all of our gear here, but a few key items that are important to have while enjoying these things to do in Twillingate are hiking shoes, layers, rain jacket, binoculars, and AllTrails maps!

We highly recommend the AllTrails+ membership so you can download the map. There’s not always great service on the trails!

Ready to explore the Bonavista Peninsula?

Pin this guide with all of the best things to do on the Bonavista Peninsula in Newfoundland to start planning!

About the Author

This article was written by Tori, one of our Adventures of A+K team members. Learn a bit about her below!

Hi, I’m Tori! I live in Nashville, TN with my husband and two daughters. We travel as much as possible throughout the year, around a 9-5 schedule and with babies in tow! My travel blog, Tori Pines Travels, aims to help people plan action-packed and culture-rich vacations around their busy jobs, fitting in as much exploring as possible. When I’m not working for Adam and Kathryn or entertaining my little ones, I’m writing, cooking, crafting or exploring Music City!