What Not to Do in Newfoundland: 18 Tips To Know

Before my first trip to Newfoundland, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what travelling around the island would be like.

I knew I wanted to spend time in St. John’s, hike along the coast, eat plenty of seafood and hopefully see some wildlife. But after travelling around Newfoundland, I realized there are quite a few things that are helpful to know before you go.

Some are practical. Newfoundland is bigger than it looks on a map, cell service can be unreliable in more remote areas, and the weather can completely change what makes sense to do on a particular day.

And some of these tips are also about how we behave when we’re visiting. Newfoundland has lots of small communities where people actually live, along with natural areas and wildlife that deserve some consideration from us as visitors.

So, if you’re planning a trip, read on to learn what not to do in Newfoundland.

The island of Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland) is the traditional territory of the Beothuk and the Mi’kmaq.

1. Don’t Plan Your Newfoundland Itinerary Too Strictly

I always build some flexibility into my travel itineraries because I like having time for spontaneity. And in Newfoundland, that flexibility is especially important.

Weather can affect hiking, boat tours, iceberg viewing and driving conditions, and conditions along the coast can change quickly. 

When my partner and I road-tripped Newfoundland, we got into the habit of checking the forecast every morning and adjusting our plans for the day based on what the weather was doing.

If the forecast looked better in one direction, we might move a hike to that day. If rain was coming, we could spend more time at a museum or heritage site instead.

I still recommend planning the major pieces of your Newfoundland itinerary in advance, especially accommodation and anything requiring a reservation. I just wouldn’t schedule every hour of every day.

2. Don’t Underestimate Driving Times

Newfoundland is a big island, and places that look relatively close on a map can involve several hours of driving.

We experienced this when driving from Gander to the town of Harbour Breton. On a map, the distance didn’t seem too bad, but the drive took us longer than we expected once we factored in road construction, and slowing down to watch for moose along the highway.

That’s something I’d keep in mind throughout a Newfoundland road trip. Give yourself more time than your GPS estimate, particularly if you have somewhere you need to be at a specific time.

I also wouldn’t plan a long driving day followed immediately by a timed activity. I’d add extra time to your driving estimates so a stretch of road work or bad weather doesn’t throw off your entire day.

3. Don’t Speed, Especially Around Dawn and Dusk

One of the road hazards you really do need to take seriously in Newfoundland is moose.

The provincial government estimates there are about 125,000 moose on the island, and most highways pass through suitable moose habitat. More than 70% of reported moose collisions happen between May and October, with the majority occurring between dusk and dawn.

We saw moose warning signs regularly while driving around Newfoundland, and they’re there for a reason. We spotted our first moose on the shoulder of a highway, only an hour after arriving in Newfoundland! And this was the first of many that we spotted on our drives.

Stick to the speed limit and scan the sides of the road as you drive. I would be particularly cautious at dawn, dusk, and night, when moose are much harder to see. Newfoundland and Labrador’s government actually recommends avoiding nighttime driving when possible.

And if you see a moose near the road, slow down and be prepared to stop. They are very unpredictable.

4. Don’t Stop in the Road for a Photo

This one should probably go without saying, but I’ve seen enough questionable roadside photo stops while travelling that I’m including it.

Newfoundland has plenty of places where you’ll want to pull over – may be to take in the view, or to watch a moose on the side of the road. 

Wait until you find a proper pull-off, parking area or another place where you can get your vehicle completely off the road. A beautiful view isn’t worth creating a hazard for everyone driving behind you.

This applies to wildlife sightings too. If you spot a moose, slowing down for safety is obviously necessary. Turning a highway into an impromptu wildlife-viewing area is a different story.

5. Don’t Only Visit St. John’s

I love St. John’s! It’s a beautiful, historic city and there’s a lot to do there. I think it deserves several days.

But please don’t fly into St. John’s, spend your entire trip there and assume you’ve seen Newfoundland.

Some of my favourite experiences from our trip happened well outside the capital. We spent time in Harbour Breton, visited the Exploits Islands, went to the Miawpukek Powwow, stayed in Trinity and enjoyed Bonavista.

I learned so much more about Newfoundland by spending time in these communities. In particular, I came home knowing a lot more about outport life and resettlement, along with the role fishing has played in Newfoundland.

If you have the time, rent a car and spend at least part of your trip outside the Avalon Peninsula.

6. Don’t Skip Newfoundland’s Smaller Communities

Related to that, I wouldn’t build an itinerary that only connects the best-known stops.

One of the things I really enjoyed about our trip was dedicating time to communities that don’t appear on every Newfoundland itinerary.

In Harbour Breton, we learned about the town’s fishing history and visited the Hickey Landslide Memorial. 

Our day in the Exploits Islands was one of the most interesting parts of the entire trip because we learned about Newfoundland’s outport communities and the province’s resettlement history from our guide, Paul.

And visiting places like The Beaches archaeological site also gave us a chance to learn about thousands of years of human history in areas that rarely appear on standard Newfoundland itineraries.

When you visit smaller communities, remember that they are communities first. People live there year-round, and so it’s important to practice being a responsible tourist.

Park appropriately and respect private property. If you’re photographing homes, fish stages or other buildings, don’t assume you’re allowed to walk onto someone’s property because it looks interesting.

7. Don’t Casually Call People “Newfies”

It’s possible that you’ll hear the word “Newfie” while travelling in Newfoundland, including from Newfoundlanders themselves. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a term you should adopt as a visitor.

The word has a complicated history. Its use as a label for Newfoundlanders became associated with outsiders, particularly around the Second World War, and it later became closely tied to the “Newfie jokes” that circulated widely in mainland Canada. 

These jokes often unfairly portrayed Newfoundlanders in a bad light, for example, as unsophisticated. 

Today, some Newfoundlanders use the word themselves, sometimes affectionately or as a marker of identity. But its meaning can change depending on who is saying it. 

The Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles notes that the term can take on particularly negative connotations when used by people from outside Newfoundland and recommends that outsiders use “Newfoundlander” instead.

That’s the approach I take when I visit. I use “Newfoundlander,” and I don’t assume that hearing someone use “Newfie” to describe themselves means they’re comfortable hearing me use it too.

8. Don’t Call Newfoundland a Maritime Province

This is a surprisingly common mistake. Newfoundland and Labrador is part of Atlantic Canada, along with Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. 

The term “Maritimes” refers specifically to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. There’s some important history behind that distinction too. 

Newfoundland was a separate British colony and later a self-governing dominion, and didn’t become part of Canada until 1949. That history is part of why Newfoundland has such a distinct identity within Canada today.

9. Don’t Skip Newfoundland Food

Food ended up being a huge part of our trip to Newfoundland! We tried many different traditional dishes and ingredients that gave us a little more context for the province’s history and food culture.

A lot of traditional Newfoundland food is connected to the island’s fishing history, especially cod. Wild berries and root vegetables also showed up everywhere while we were travelling around the island.

I tried cod tongues in Trinity, moose soup while visiting the Exploits Islands, and plenty of bakeapple and partridgeberry jams and baked goods along the way. There were toutons too, of course.

You don’t need to like every traditional dish you try. But I think food is one of the easiest ways to learn something about where you are.

And when you’re deciding where to eat, look beyond the common chain restaurants. Spending at independent restaurants, bakeries and cafés keeps more of your travel spending within the communities you’re visiting.

10. Don’t Skip Traditional Newfoundland Music

I would actively make time for live music while you’re in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Traditional music has a long history in the province, with strong influences from Irish, English and Scottish musical traditions, alongside styles that developed locally over generations.

You don’t necessarily need to find a big ticketed show. In St. John’s, O’Reilly’s Irish Newfoundland Pub on George Street is an easy place to start. 

They have live music seven nights a week and regularly host traditional Newfoundland and Irish musicians. They also run traditional sessions where musicians are welcome to join in.

Outside St. John’s, check pub schedules and community event listings as you travel. We encountered music in different contexts throughout our trip, and I think it’s worth seeking out because traditional music is connected to Newfoundland’s history, storytelling and community life.

And this is very much a living music tradition. You’ll hear it in pubs, at community events and in sessions where local musicians play together, which is part of why I think it’s worth seeking out while you’re there.

11. Don’t Skip Learning About Indigenous History and Cultures

If your understanding of Newfoundland history begins with European settlement, you’re missing thousands of years of human history. And Indigenous history isn’t only history.

Newfoundland and Labrador is home to Indigenous governments, communities and organizations today, including Mi’kmaq First Nations on the island and Innu and Inuit communities in Labrador. 

The province maintains formal relationships with Indigenous governments and organizations, while the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada supports Indigenous-owned tourism businesses throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

One of the most meaningful experiences on my trip was attending the Miawpukek Powwow in Miawpukek First Nation. 

I also visited the Beothuk Interpretation Centre, where I learned more about Beothuk history and the archaeological record of people living in the area thousands of years ago.

Whenever possible, I recommend learning directly from Indigenous people and Indigenous-led organizations rather than relying exclusively on settler interpretations of Indigenous history.

12. Don’t Forget to Get Screeched In

Yes, it’s touristy, but getting screeched in is also a great way to learn about Newfoundland culture, and it’s good fun!

A screech-in is a lighthearted ceremony for visitors that ends with you becoming an “honorary Newfoundlander.” 

The exact ceremony varies depending on where you do it, but along the way you’ll usually learn a bit about Newfoundland culture, language and traditions. 

The person leading the screech-in might explain local expressions, share stories about life in Newfoundland, and give some context for the province’s relationship with cod and rum. 

You’ll also be taught a Newfoundland phrase to repeat before drinking a shot of Screech and, most famously, kissing a cod. Yes, a real cod fish.

Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism describes it as a welcome ceremony for visitors, and screech-ins are now offered at pubs, hotels and other venues around the province.

We did our screech-in at the Newfoundland Embassy Pub in St. John’s, led by their head screecher, Niall. He walked us through the ceremony, taught us the phrases we needed to know, and eventually introduced us to the cod we’d be kissing, who is affectionately known at the pub as “Tina.”

And yes, we both kissed Tina. The whole thing was funny and a little ridiculous, but Niall also wove Newfoundland stories and traditions into the ceremony, so we learned quite a bit along the way.

13. Don’t Get Too Close to Icebergs

Seeing an iceberg from the water is incredible, but it also comes with real risks.

Icebergs can roll, break apart or calve without warning. Falling ice can create large waves, and a significant portion of an iceberg is hidden below the surface.

Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism recommends staying a distance from an iceberg equal to its length or twice its height, whichever is greater when viewing from the water. Inside that area, falling ice, waves and submerged ice can create hazards.

So please don’t paddle your kayak right up beside an iceberg because you want a dramatic photo. And absolutely don’t climb onto one.

If iceberg viewing is high on your list, I recommend going with an experienced local tour operator rather than trying to get close on your own. 

Local captains and guides understand the conditions, know how to judge a safe viewing distance, and can reposition the boat if an iceberg starts showing signs of instability.

14. Don’t Approach or Feed Wildlife

We had some incredible wildlife experiences in Newfoundland, particularly whale watching and seabird viewing. 

Whether you encounter wildlife on a hike or head out specifically to see it, the goal should always be to observe without changing the animal’s natural behaviour.

If you come across wildlife on a trail, give the animal plenty of space and never approach it for a photo. Don’t follow an animal if it moves away from you, and never feed wildlife. 

Keep food and garbage secured too, since leaving food behind can attract animals and change how they behave around people.

The same principles apply when booking wildlife experiences. I look for operators that clearly explain their wildlife-viewing practices, follow appropriate viewing distances, and are willing to move away if an animal shows signs of disturbance. 

I’m wary of tours that advertise guaranteed close encounters, encourage touching or feeding wildlife, or prioritize getting close enough for photos.

In general, a good wildlife tour should be exciting because you’re getting to observe animals in the wild, without needing to interfere with them to make the experience memorable.

If you want to learn more, read my full guide to responsible wildlife tourism with advice on what to look for when choosing wildlife experiences. 

15. Don’t Wander Off Marked Trails or Stand Too Close to Cliffs

Newfoundland’s beautiful coastline can make it very tempting to wander closer to an edge for a photo, but coastal cliffs can be unstable and conditions can change quickly.

I encountered plenty of strong winds while travelling around Newfoundland, and that alone made me much more conscious of how close I was standing to exposed edges. 

Give yourself plenty of space from cliff edges, follow warning signs and barriers, and don’t assume a spot is safe simply because you’ve seen other people standing there.

There’s another reason to stick to marked trails too. Walking off trail can trample vegetation and contribute to erosion, particularly in areas where plants and soils are sensitive to repeated foot traffic.

If a trail has been routed around an area or a viewpoint has a designated place to stand, there’s usually a reason for it. You don’t need to walk farther out for the photo.

16. Don’t Fly Your Drone Wherever You Want

If you travel with a drone, check the rules before launching it. There are restrictions on where you can fly in Newfoundland and Labrador, and having a small drone doesn’t automatically mean you can use it anywhere you want.

Recreational drone use is prohibited at all Parks Canada places, which means you can’t recreationally fly one in Gros Morne or Terra Nova national parks, or at national historic sites such as Cape Spear and Signal Hill. 

Parks Canada says drones can disturb wildlife and other visitors, and unauthorized use can result in enforcement action and fines of up to $25,000.

Outside Parks Canada sites, you still need to follow Transport Canada rules. Where you can legally fly depends on factors including the weight of your drone, the type of airspace you’re in, proximity to airports and heliports, and your certification. 

Transport Canada recommends checking its approved drone maps and tools before flying rather than relying on your drone’s app to tell you whether you’re allowed to take off.

There are also considerations beyond aviation rules. Drone pilots need to respect privacy and trespassing laws, and you shouldn’t use a drone in a way that disturbs wildlife or people living in the communities you’re visiting.

I always think this is worth researching before a trip, especially if capturing drone footage is important to you. Figure out where you might want to fly, check the rules for that specific place, and have another plan for your photos or video if drones aren’t permitted.

17. Don’t Expect Cell Service Everywhere

Cell service can get spotty once you leave larger towns, particularly when you’re driving through more rural parts of Newfoundland. We had stretches of our road trip where we had little or no service.

I recommend downloading offline maps before you leave, and saving anything you might need that day, like reservation details or trail information, to your phone. 

If you’re heading out on a longer hike, make sure someone knows where you’re going and when you expect to be back.

It’s also worth remembering that losing service can mean losing access to directions, so don’t wait until you’re already somewhere remote to download your route.

18. Don’t Underestimate Newfoundland Weather

Newfoundland weather can change quickly, especially along the coast. We experienced days where the conditions shifted noticeably over just a few hours, and fog and wind sometimes affected what we could reasonably do.

I recommend checking the forecast every morning rather than relying on what you saw a few days earlier. We did this throughout our trip and moved things around when the weather made another activity a better choice for that day.

Pack for those changes too. I kept a waterproof jacket and extra layers handy even when the day started out warm and sunny. And if you’re hiking or heading out on the water, pay attention to local warnings and be willing to change your plans when conditions aren’t looking good.

The Biggest Mistake? Rushing Through Newfoundland

After travelling around Newfoundland, I think one of the easiest mistakes to make is trying to fit too much into one trip.

There was always another town I wanted to visit, another trail we could have hiked or somewhere that would have required just a few more hours of driving. But you have to accept that you just can’t possibly see everything.

I’m glad that instead of trying to fit as much as we could into our trip, we gave ourselves plenty of time in places like Trinity, Harbour Breton and the Exploits Islands.

So plan your trip, but give yourself some room to be flexible with those plans. We definitely didn’t see everything we wanted to see in Newfoundland, and I’m okay with that. Now I have a reason to go back!