For The Birds – Newfoundland Photo Tour: July 28th- Aug 2nd, 2026
Newfoundland Bird Photography Tour
July 28 – August 3
Arrival Day – July 28: Welcome to St. John’s
Arrive in St. John’s and check in at the JAG Hotel, located in the heart of downtown. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a welcome supper together to meet the group and go over the exciting bird photography adventures ahead.
Special Note:
Throughout this tour, we’ll always be keeping an eye out for rare bird sightings reported across the province. Over the past several years, a Steller’s Sea Eagle — a magnificent and extremely rare visitor from Asia — has been seen periodically in Newfoundland. If this bird is reported within a reasonable travel distance during our tour dates, we’ll make every effort to organize a trip to photograph it.
Accommodation Note:
Accommodations are included for the following nights: July 28, 29, 30, 31, August 1, and August 2.
If you plan to arrive earlier than July 28 or stay beyond August 3, you will need to arrange and book those additional nights on your own.
July 29: Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve
We’ll travel to Cape St. Mary’s, one of Newfoundland’s most iconic seabird sanctuaries. Here, we’ll photograph thousands of Northern Gannets, Razorbills, Murres, and Kittiwakes nesting on dramatic cliffs just meters away. We’ll stay overnight in the St. Mary’s area to capture the best lighting conditions at both sunset and sunrise.
July 30 – August 1: Bonavista Peninsula and Puffins
Next, we’ll journey north to the Bonavista Peninsula, where we’ll spend three days photographing Atlantic Puffins, Common Murres, Razorbills, and other seabirds along the rugged coastline. A highlight will be a zodiac trip to nearby islands teeming with seabirds — an unforgettable experience for close-up wildlife photography. We may also encounter humpback whales and other marine life during our time at sea.
On the afternoon of August 1, we’ll travel back to St. John’s and settle in at the JAG Hotel for our final two nights.
August 2: Seabird Excursion and Local Birding Areas
We’ll begin the day with a boat trip to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, home to millions of seabirds. This area is one of the most active bird colonies in North America, offering fantastic opportunities to photograph Atlantic Puffins, Common Murres, Razorbills, and Black-legged Kittiwakes — often at close range. While out on the water, we may also spot whales and other marine life.
Later in the day, we’ll explore some of the best local birding areas around St. John’s, including lakes, ponds, and wetlands known for attracting both resident and migratory species.
That evening, we’ll enjoy a farewell group supper together and share some of our favorite images from the tour.
August 3: Travel Home
Enjoy breakfast before departing for your flights home. You can book your flights for this day.