With Newfoundland's Come Home Year officially declared for Summer 2022, it's not just puffins and whales flocking to this stunning province—travelers from across the globe are heading here in search of the ultimate summer escape. If you're among those planning to witness the puffins this year, make sure to prepare with our top Newfoundland travel tips, tricks, and hacks to ensure your trip is smooth and unforgettable.
With travel demand at an all-time high, you'll need to plan ahead for hotels, ferries, and rental cars to secure your spot in Newfoundland’s summer magic.
Meet Newfoundland's Favorite Feathered Friends: The Atlantic Puffins
Beloved by bird watchers and nature lovers alike, puffins are an iconic part of Newfoundland's wildlife. With their vibrant, multicolored bills and cartoonish charm, they’re a must-see for any visitor to the province. To make your puffin encounter even more fascinating, here are 10 amazing puffin facts to impress your travel companions:
- Seasonal Technicolor: Puffins flaunt their bright orange bills and matching feet only during the spring breeding season. In winter, they shed their colorful outer bill, leaving a smaller, duller beak behind.
- Puffin Species: There are four puffin species: Atlantic, horned, tufted puffins, and the rhinoceros auklet. While the Atlantic puffin is the star in Newfoundland, each species has unique features, like the tufted puffin's straw-like feathers and the rhinoceros auklet's protrusion during breeding season.
- The Name Game: Puffins belong to the genus Fratercula, which means "little brother" in Latin, inspired by their black-and-white plumage that resembles a monk’s robes.
- Lightweight Champs: A puffin weighs about as much as a can of sparkling water.
- Monogamous Mates: Puffins are loyal partners, typically laying just one egg per year with the same mate. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating the egg and feeding the chick.
- Silent Mariners: While they’re noisy at their breeding colonies, puffins remain completely silent when at sea.
- Puffin Islands: Eight islands around the world are named "Puffin Island," thanks to their historic or current puffin populations.
- Speedy Fliers: Puffins can reach speeds of up to 55 mph and usually fly at a cruising altitude of around 30 feet, higher than other seabirds like auks.
- Iceland’s Puffin Capital: An astonishing 60% of the world’s puffin population breeds in Iceland.
- Master Foragers: Puffins are uniquely skilled at holding several small fish in their beaks at once. Using their raspy tongues and spiny palates, they can carry 10 to 12 fish per trip, feeding their chicks more efficiently than most seabirds.
Planning Your Puffin Adventure in Newfoundland
For the best puffin sightings, head to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, home to North America’s largest Atlantic puffin colony. Whether you take a boat tour to get close to the islands or hike along the East Coast Trail for land-based views, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience.
Make sure to check out our Newfoundland Travel Guides for tips on booking accommodations, ferry crossings, and car rentals during the busy summer months.
Share Your Favorite Puffin Facts
Do you know an amazing puffin fact we haven’t listed? Share it in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!
Don’t miss out on your chance to experience these remarkable seabirds up close. Start planning your Newfoundland summer adventure today! 🐦✨