Stay lengths
- 1-hour tours
- Extended Bridge Bonus add-on
- Private charters
Wellness getawayMindReach
Great Island Boat Tours
Intimate whale and puffin tours — Witless Bay Ecological Reserve from Bauline South
Bauline South, NL
Listed on MindReach Getaways, curated wellness stays worldwide
See greatislandboattours.com
At a glance
Everything you need to plan Great Island Boat Tours
Stay length, inclusions, seasons, and travel at a glance before you reach out to book.
Included
- Guided boat tour with local crew
- Wildlife viewing in Witless Bay Ecological Reserve
- Coastal scenery — sea stacks, caves, and seasonal icebergs
Ideal for
- Families and photographers seeking close puffin and whale encounters
- Travellers exploring the Irish Loop and Southern Shore
- Birdwatchers visiting North America's largest Atlantic puffin colony
- Visitors wanting a smaller-boat alternative to large Bay Bulls vessels
Seasons
- Late May through early September for prime whale watching
Getting there
543 Main Road, Bauline South, NL — Irish Loop, ~40 min south of St. John's.
From
See greatislandboattours.com
Concierge
Questions before you book?
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Ask about stay length, group size, amenities, drive times, or which package fits your retreat.
Hi, I'm Serena on MindReach. Ask me about Great Island Boat Tours: group capacity, what's included, seasons, drive times, or which booking path fits your retreat. I answer from their listing so you can plan before you reach out.
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The setting
Spaces, views, and surroundings at Great Island Boat Tours.
Your hosts
Meet the people behind Great Island Boat Tours
Owner-run properties feel different when you know who welcomes your group on arrival.
Host
Ken Hawkins
Local operator guiding Great Island Boat Tours from Bauline South on the Irish Loop.
About
About this getaway
Great Island Boat Tours is a locally owned whale and puffin watching operator based in Bauline South on Newfoundland's Irish Loop, about 40 minutes from St. John's. Guided by a crew with generations of seafaring knowledge, the company runs intimate boat tours into the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve — North America's largest Atlantic puffin colony — with humpback and minke whales, seabirds, sea caves, and seasonal icebergs along the rugged Southern Shore.
Tours depart from Bauline South with smaller passenger vessels designed for close, unobstructed wildlife viewing. Offerings include one-hour whale and puffin tours (late May through early September), optional Bridge Bonus extensions toward La Manche Suspension Bridge, cod jigging tours, and private charters per greatislandboattours.com.
For Canadian and international travellers planning Newfoundland wellness and nature getaways, Great Island Boat Tours offers book-direct boat experiences on the Irish Loop — call (709) 727-8294 or email hello@greatislandboattours.com.
Great Island Boat Tours turns a simple boat ride into the highlight of a Newfoundland vacation. Based in Bauline South on the Irish Loop, the operator offers a local back-door route into the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve — closer proximity and shorter commute than many larger vessels launching from Bay Bulls.
Packages & pricing
Rates and availability from the property's official booking page.
Whale and puffin tour
See greatislandboattours.com
Book standard or private tours direct.
Check dates & bookPlan your trip
Availability notes
- • Contact hello@greatislandboattours.com for current schedule.
Location & travel
- Getting there
- 543 Main Road, Bauline South, NL — Irish Loop, ~40 min south of St. John's.
Policies
- Minimum stay
- Tour-based — see greatislandboattours.com
- Cancellation
- See greatislandboattours.com booking terms
Contact & book
Reach the retreat directly or reserve online
FAQ
Good to know
Where do tours depart?
Bauline South on Newfoundland's Irish Loop — about 40 minutes from St. John's per greatislandboattours.com.
When is whale watching season?
Prime season runs from late May through early September per greatislandboattours.com.
What wildlife might I see?
Atlantic puffins, humpback and minke whales, seabirds, bald eagles, porpoises, sea caves, and seasonal icebergs in the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve area.
How do I book?
Book direct at greatislandboattours.com or email hello@greatislandboattours.com / call (709) 727-8294.