Witless Bay is a pretty seaside community, and was originally named for the Whittle family. Witless By is a jumping off point for the You can also get a tour boat to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Nearby Tors Cove, is a good place to see whales from shore. Further south, you will come to La Manche Provincial Park.
Another option for those touring the Avalon Peninsula is the Avalon Wilderness Reserve. You can obtain a permit to visit the 1,070 square kilometre reserve at the La Manche Park office, or at other park offices. For those interested in canoeing, fishing or hiking this is a worthwhile excursion.
The reserve’s caribou cross the highway on the southern Avalon during their annual migrations. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is a necessity on the reserve’s rough tracks.
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Witless Bay Attractions
La Manche Provincial Park
41 km south of St John’s on Route 10
Tel: 709-635-4520 or 1-800-563-NFLD Reservations: 1-877-214-CAMP(2267)
In French “La Manche” means “the sleeve”, which describes the shape of the harbour, hich is long and narrow with high sides. This harbour was probably first used by the French because of its seclusion which offered cover between raids on Ferryland and St. John’s.
The park is in a beautiful river valley that teems with wildlife and attracts many nature enthusiasts and artists. The park has a beautiful marsh, lots of wildflowers, and the La Manche Rive is popular for canoeing, and there is a spectacular waterfall (ot for canoeing) There is a day-use beach and camping.
A hiking trail takes you to the abandoned townsite of La Manche, a great place for a picnic.
Witless Bay Ecological Reserve
Witless Bay, Route 10
Season May 01 – Sep 30
c/o Tony Power
St. Brides, Placentia Bay, NL, A0B 2Z0
Contact Fyzee Shuhood
709-635-4522 Fax 1-709-635-4541
Comprising 4 small islands & the water around them, the reserve is one of the greatest natural wonders in the world. In summer it is home to millions of seabirds that come to shore to nest & raise their young. Hundreds of humpback whales feed here in summer, making it one of the best whale-watching areas anywhere. To view the seabirds, visitors can take one of many locally operated tour boats.
Witless Bay Tours
Captain Murphy’s Seabird And Whale Tours
P.O. Box 149
Witless Bay, Newfoundland, A0A 4K0
(709) 334-2002, tollfree: 1-888-783-3467, fax: 334-2095
See the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve by land and observe puffins, humpback whales and icebergs in season. Lobster boils and barbecues on the beach. Shuttle service from St. John’s hotels.
From May 01 – Oct 31
Mullowney’s Puffin & Whale Tours
P.O. Box 1474, Stn. C
St. John’s, Newfoundland, A1C 5N8
709-334-3666, tollfree: 1-877-783-3467, fax: 745-6422
Take the Mary Vincent for a guided tour from Bay Bulls to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve to see majestic scenery, whales, seabirds, icebergs and the HMS Sapphire shipwreck site.
From Jun 25 – Sep 15