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Destinations

NEWFOUNDLAND CIRCUMNAVIGATION

This expedition by ship around Newfoundland is ideal to highlight the island’s charm and geographic diversity, which are best appreciated when visiting by sea! A stop at the French island of Saint-Pierre caps off the adventure.

Starting and ending in historic St. John’s, we experience Newfoundland’s lively culture and dramatic scenery in daily expedition stops. A visit to the French island of Saint-Pierre caps the adventure. The welcome we receive in Newfoundland’s out-port communities is warm and genuine; the music and stories unforgettable. Experience the province’s legendary music, food, and hospitality the way it was meant to be experienced—by sea. At Gros Morne, the planet’s mantle frames fjords that would be at home in Norway; on the Avalon Peninsula, a chunk of what was once Africa meets remnants of the Appalachian Mountains. We will visit Red Bay, learn about the Viking history in North America at L’Anse aux Meadows.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Explore historic and colourful St. John’s
  • Visit one of the many quaint villages dotted along Newfoundland’s rocky shores
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site, L’Anse aux Meadows, an authenticated Norse settlement
  • Labrador’s Red Bay Basque Whaling Station from the 1600’s, Canada’s newest UNESCO World Heritage site
  • Gros Morne National Park’s Tableland and fjords
  • A trip to France – visit St. Pierre and Miquelon

AT A GLANCE

ITINERARY DETAIL

DAY 1: WELCOME TO ST. JOHN’S


St. John’s Harbour

Welcome to St. John’s—Newfoundland’s historic, vibrant capital. Picturesque and welcoming, with a world-famous harbour, St. John’s has been continually fished since 1498, allowing it to boast the designation of North America’s oldest European settlement.

We will offer an optional afternoon city tour to those interested. Afterwards, we will rendezvous at the docks and board the Ocean Endeavour to begin the adventure proper. Passengers will meet the staff and crew, and prepare to leave the harbour. Sailing out of St. John’s has to be experienced to be believed; Signal Hill keeps watch over the world-famous Narrows as we head for open water.

Daily Summary
Tour: St. John’s Harbour
Accommodation: Ocean Endeavour

DAYS 2 – 3: QUAINT VILLAGES OF THE NORTHEASTERN COAST


Journey Along the Northeast Coast

The northeast coast of Newfoundland is known for the dozens of quaint villages that dot its rocky shores, and it is to one of these small settlements that we will be paying a visit today. We may look forward to a characteristically warm Newfoundland welcome upon our arrival. The area itself is home to a plethora of islands and, seasonally, ice bergs that drift in from the Atlantic; the Ocean Endeavour will chart a scenic course past these beautiful obstacles as we head north.

Daily Summary
Tour: Journey Along the Northeast Coast
Accommodation: Ocean Endeavour
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 4: THE VIKING SETTLEMENT AT L’ANSE AUX MEADOWS


Explore L’Anse aux Meadows

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, L’Anse aux Meadows is the only authenticated former Norse settlement in North America. The archaeological remains found here in 1960 date to approximately 1000 AD. Amazingly, the location of the ruins was first established by a close reading of the Viking sagas. Today, a superb interpretive centre and reconstructions of the several Norse-style sod buildings make L’Anse aux Meadows a must-see for any visitor to Newfoundland.

Daily Summary
Tour: Explore L’Anse aux Meadows
Accommodation: Ocean Endeavour
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 5: VISIT CANADA’S NEWEST UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE


Red Bay Basque Whaling Station

Labrador is home to the Red Bay Basque Whaling Station, Canada’s newest UNESCO World Heritage site. Beginning in the 1500s, Basque whalers operated out of the Red Bay harbour, making it at one time the largest whaling station in the world. The site includes six hundred acres of terrestrial and aquatic protected area. Among the important artefacts found at Red Bay is the whaling ship San Juan, lost in a storm in 1565 and found centuries later submerged in the harbour in only ten metres of water. A large number of tools, personal items, and navigational instruments have been recovered from the wreck.

Daily Summary
Tour: Red Bay Basque Whaling Station
Accommodation: Ocean Endeavour
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 6: HIKE THROUGH INCREDIBLE GEOLOGY


The Beauty of Western Greenland

Gros Morne is internationally famed for its geographic diversity and majesty. The park’s mountains are both picturesque and highly unusual: the Tablelands, a 600-metre plateau, forms one of the world’s best examples of ancient rock exposed from the earth’s mantle. The park’s fjords are equally stunning, and the town of Woody Point has become widely renowned for its annual Writers’ Festival. There will be a choice of walks—catering to all levels of skill and interest—as we explore the surrounding area. The beauty of Bonne Bay will surely be a highlight, as will the subtle charms of Woody Point.

Daily Summary
Tour: Explore Gros Morne National Park
Accommodation: Ocean Endeavour
Meals: B, L, D

DAYS 7 – 8: EXPLORE SCENIC COASTLINES & REMOTE OUTPORTS


The Coves of the South Coast

The wild and windswept coast of southern Newfoundland is home to a few remaining outport communities, still largely cut off from mainstream travel. Visits here are often a highlight of our trips. There are many unique bays and coves to explore via Zodiac or land excursions.

Daily Summary
Tour: The Coves of the South Coast
Accommodation: Ocean Endeavour
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 9: EXPERIENCE MI’KMAW CULTURE


Visit Miawpukek (Conne River)

The First Nations community of Miawpukek has a mandate for economic self-sufficiency, guided by traditional values. It became a permanent settlement sometime around 1822. Before then, it was one of many semi-permanent camping sites used by the Mi’kmaw people—who, at the time, travelled throughout the east coast. Since its establishment as a reserve in 1987, Miawpukek’s employment rate has increased from 10% to nearly 100% and Indian and Northern Affairs often references the community as a model for other First Nations. With the help of community leaders, we will receive a formal welcome into Miawpukek and meet the locals.

Daily Summary
Tour: Visit Miawpukek (Conne River)
Accommodation: Ocean Endeavour
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 10: SAVOUR EUROPEAN SHOPS & CAFÉS


The Cobblestone Streets of Saint-Pierre, France

Explore Saint-Pierre, a last bastion of France’s colonial territories in North America. The island’s 6,500 residents are of varied descent including French, Basque, Breton, and Normand. St. Pierre’s architecture reflects its history: an eclectic collection of colours and style aligned on picturesque cobblestone streets and alleys. We will have time for a tour of the city and independent exploration in the surrounding area. Take advantage of this day in France to enjoy some wine and cheese, and unwind in a tiny slice of old Europe nestled into the North American coast.

DAY 11: WAVE A FOND FAREWELL


St. John’s

On the final day of our expedition, we will say our farewells and begin the process of departure. Staff will be on hand to assist you with luggage and transportation arrangements.

For a full Eastern Canada experience join the Atlantic Canada Explorer cruise and receive a back-to-back cruise discount. Ask us for details.

Please ask about extending your time in St. John’s either before or after your cruise, or perhaps renting a car to do a short self-drive to areas not already visited. There’s never enough time to explore all of Newfoundland’s treasures!

Daily Summary
Tour: St. John’s

ACCOMMODATION

OCEAN ENDEAVOUR

TRIP DETAILS

2021 Departure:
October: 01

2021 Pricing:
From US$4,595 – quad, Category 1 to US$16,095 – twin, Category 10 Suite

Prices are “starting from” rates, shown in US$, per person based on four people sharing a quad cabin or two people sharing a twin cabin or suite. Triple cabins for three people sharing and single cabins for one person are also available. A limited number of cabins are offered to single travellers without any single supplement – book early!

See Tour Notes for special pricing and discounts available for solo travellers; under 30’s travellers discount, great for multi-generational family travel; multiple expedition savings.

Singles: Free single supplement! Singles get their own cabin in categories 3-7 aboard the Ocean Endeavour at no additional cost–subject to availability. Multiple expedition savings: Book multiple expeditions with Adventure Canada in a single calendar year aboard the Ocean Endeavour and receive 10% off the total berth cost of Arctic itineraries and 20% off the total berth cost of east coast itineraries! 30 Under 30: Save 30% on the berth cost of travellers under thirty aboard Ocean Endeavour expeditions! Great option for family multi-generational travel! Children & Infants: Children under two travel for free, and children between two and four pay for charter flights only! Price Guarantee: If the price of the berth portion of your program decreases more than 120 days prior to departure, previously booked clients may claim the lower rate. So, no need to wait for sales to get the best price! League of Adventurers Loyalty Program: Return travellers are eligible for savings and added benefits when booking on an Ocean Endeavour expedition voyage. Ask us for details. To check availability for any of these special offers and applicable terms and condition, just give us a call! Disclaimer: We do our utmost to ensure that information posted on our website is correct at the time of publication, however trip details are subject to change without notice by the suppliers and operators involved. We update the information as soon as possible when changes are advised to us, however, we cannot assume responsibility for such changes made by the suppliers and operators.

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