Bonavista Peninsula

On Newfoundland’s east coast, the unbelievably scenic Bonavista Peninsula juts into the Atlantic. Captain Cook stayed in Trinity – one of twelve communities that form Trinity Bight – in 1766 and is said to have named one cove “God Almighty Cove” to give some idea of its nautical challenges. In summer, boat tours give visitors a waterborne perspective of a magical place, where humpback whales frequent the waters, and thousands of Arctic tern and kittiwake crowd its cliffs. Every summer, Rising Tide Theatre presents the Trinity Pageant, an outdoor re-enactment of Trinity’s early history, as well as more contemporary plays. Trinity East and ...

On Newfoundland’s east coast, the unbelievably scenic Bonavista Peninsula juts into the Atlantic. Captain Cook stayed in Trinity – one of twelve communities that form Trinity Bight – in 1766 and is said to have named one cove “God Almighty Cove” to give some idea of its nautical challenges. In summer, boat tours give visitors a waterborne perspective of a magical place, where humpback whales frequent the waters, and thousands of Arctic tern and kittiwake crowd its cliffs. Every summer, Rising Tide Theatre presents the Trinity Pageant, an outdoor re-enactment of Trinity’s early history, as well as more contemporary plays. Trinity East and Port Rexton offer coastal hiking with splendid views, even icebergs in the summer. Port Union provides an intriguing perspective on North America’s only union-built town. The town of Bonavista has a rich history, and the nearby 1843 lighthouse is now a National Historic Site. On both sides of the peninsula, lovely historic hamlets such as Keels, King’s Cove, Tickle Cove and Sweet Bay reflect Newfoundland’s rich heritage.

About the Expert

Joanna Ebbutt is the author or editor of three Insight Guides to Toronto and Canada, and coauthor of Off the Beaten Track: Western Canada. She has been writing about travel for three decades, including chasing the aurora borealis in Northern Ontario.