Visitors need only take a short walk from the road in Elliston to reach one of the most accessible puffin colonies in Newfoundland.
One of the priorities for our Newfoundland trip this past summer was to see Atlantic puffins. While we were in St. John’s we went on a boat tour to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve for the express purpose of seeing these birds but that didn’t go quite as planned. Thankfully, we were given a second chance a few days later.
The Atlantic Puffin is the only species of puffin that lives on the North Atlantic ocean and is the official bird of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The birds live at sea most of the year but return to land over the summer months to breed and raise their young. The puffins nest on steep grassy clifftops for the protection from predators. They build their nests either between rocky crevices or by burrowing a hole in the soil and tend to return to the same burrow year after year. The puffins are easy to spot because of the distinctive triangular bill which turns bright orange during breeding season.
Emma and I had both been so excited about the prospect of seeing puffins in Witless Bay but the rough seas on our boat tour had upset her so much that she hadn’t been able to focus on the birds. It was disappointing but I didn’t see any solution so we left St. John’s for Terra Nova National Park thinking that we wouldn’t have another opportunity to see puffins.
While planning out a day trip from Terra Nova, however, we happened upon a mention of Elliston’s Puffin Viewing Site where puffins could be seen from dry land. We were planning to spend the next day driving to Trinity and Bonavista and Elliston was en route so we were hopeful that she might see puffins yet.
Arriving at the Elliston Puffin Site
Elliston is located on the Bonavista Peninsula, a short drive from Trinity, and has one of the most accessible puffin colonies in Newfoundland. This is simply the best spot to see puffins in their natural habitat without ever leaving dry land.
Driving into Elliston there is a welcome sign proclaiming the town to be The Root Cellar Capital of the World which left me a little confused. Why would the town choose to brag about root cellars when they have this amazing access to puffins that they should be shouting about?
When we arrived there was a dense fog hanging over the bay and I was worried that we wouldn’t be able to see any birds but it lifted, as if on cue, while we walked toward the puffin site. Even without the prospect of seeing sea birds up close, this place is worth the stop – the scenery is absolutely breathtaking.
A short hike to the Puffin Site
Arriving at Elliston site
Excitement began to build as we approached and could see puffins flying through the air and nesting on the cliffs.
First glimpse of the puffins
A mere 5 minute walk from where we parked our car and we could see hundreds and hundreds of puffins just a short distance away. No need for binoculars here.
Emma was thrilled to see the puffins that she had so desperately wanted to see without having to endure another boat ride and we were much closer to the birds than we ever could have been on the water. Thank goodness for second chances!
What You Need To Know
- Elliston is located on the Bonavista Peninsula on Route 238 (off Route 230 – The Discovery Trail);
- The puffins return to Elliston in May and stay until late September;
- The Elliston Puffin Viewing Site is approximately a 5 minute walk from the roadway. The pathway is narrow in a couple of places and visitors should always exercise care near the cliff edges;
- There is no charge to visit the site, however, there is a booth at the entrance and donations are accepted;
- Elliston is also known as the Root Cellar Capital of the World with over 135 root cellars dotting the hillsides;
- Elliston has a beautiful beach at Sandy Cove although visitors need to be forewarned that the waters of the North Atlantic are chilly even in the summer.
Related Articles
10 Things To See and Do in St. John’s, Newfoundland with Kids
Standing on the Edge of North America at Cape Spear
A Picnic at the Ferryland Lighthouse
Courtyard by Marriott in St. John’s, Newfoundland
Visiting Newfoundland’s Witless Bay Ecological Reserve
eileen at FamiliesGo!
how awesome. Newfy was completely fogged in during our visit there so we didn’t get to do any bird watching. It’s a really wonderful place. Kudos to you for taking kids there.
Becca@RWTYM?
That is awesome- I am so glad you were able to see them up close!! ANd I can tell E was excited too!!!!!
Thanks for linking up this week!
Sonja
Hooray for puffins!! Did you know about this spot before you roughed it on the water? I bet you wish you did. But now, thanks to you, we all know, and don’t have to endure a very seasick ride – which is what it would have been for half our family.
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Eileen! The fog can definitely be unpredictable – we couldn’t see a thing when we parked the car and within a few minutes there was sunshine!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Emma was very excited to see the puffins up close – and a little nervous about getting too close to the edge of the cliff as well!
Lisa Goodmurphy
I had no idea, Sonja! Even if I had I think we would have went on the boat ride anyway because it could have been amazing. We just were unlucky enough to hit a particularly rough day and once Emma was upset by the sea swells she couldn’t get calmed down. It may be awhile before she agrees to go on any sort of boat tour again though!
Kate @ Wild Tales of...
I’m so glad Emma got to see her puffins (and you too!). What a fun experience to share together. We got to see puffins in Iceland a couple of years ago, and felt so lucky!
Terumi
I love puffins:) I never realized we had them in Canada. I’ve always wanted to see them in the wild! You’re so lucky!
Michele @ Malaysian Meanders
I am prone to seasickness, so it’s good to know about this spot. How exciting for you to get to see them! My mom-in-law brought my girl back a little puffin stuffed animal from her Newfoundland visit. So cute!
Mary {The World Is A Book}
How cool! What a great place to be able to see puffins from dry land and in close proximity. So happy you got to see puffins in their natural habitat. Our ICeland puffin viewing was also from the water but required binoculars to see them up close. I want one of those puffin chairs in my backyard 🙂 So cute!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Kate – it was an incredible experience seeing them so close!
Lisa Goodmurphy
I felt very lucky to see them at such a close distance!
Lisa Goodmurphy
We brought back a stuffed puffin too – with the very original name of “Puffer”. He is rather cute!
Lisa Goodmurphy
The puffin chair is adorable, isn’t it? Emma also thought that chairs like that would make a great addition to our backyard! 🙂
Lesley Peterson
Amazing that these birds can thrive in such a rocky, windblasted spot; you guys are brave to have gone so close on those dizzying heights. Newfoundland looks a real adventure!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Newfoundland was incredibly rugged and beautiful, Lesley – I can’t wait to return!
Don
What most people don’t know about the Elliston Puffin site is that the puffins will come over to the mainland viewing area occasionally when you can see them up very close. The trick is to keep a low profile. Sit or even lie down when the puffins start to fly overhead. It seems that large numbers of people standing and moving around prevent them from landing. If they do land on the viewing area don’t be afraid of scaring them off. They are not afraid of you. People are not a threat to them and they will land within feet of you if you have a low profile – sometimes even if you are standing.
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks for providing this information, Don. I wish I would have known that when we visited Elliston – my daughter would have been thrilled to see a puffin up close!