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Small boat, 8 seats
Four daily 1-hour trips from Bauline South. Book all 8 seats for a private charter.
Wellness getawayMindReach
Great Island Boat Tours
Small-boat whale and puffin tours from Bauline South -- Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, about an hour, 8 seats.
Bauline South, NL
1-hour tour
8-seat buyout
Experience highlights
What a stay here actually feels like.
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Puffins and whales
North America's largest Atlantic puffin colony, plus humpbacks, minkes, and sea caves.
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Bridge Bonus
Add 30 minutes south to La Manche Suspension Bridge.
Gallery
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
About
About this getaway
Great Island Boat Tours runs small-boat trips from Bauline South on Newfoundland's Irish Loop, about 40 minutes from St. John's, into the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve -- North America's largest Atlantic puffin colony. A local crew with generations of seafaring knowledge. Humpbacks, minkes, seabirds, sea caves, and seasonal icebergs.
Tours on greatislandboattours.com: about 1 hour, four departures a day. Seat capacity is listed as 8 people per trip (book online in advance). The FAQ also describes an intimate group of 10 passengers. Private charter: book all 8 seats. Bridge Bonus: extra 30 minutes south to La Manche Suspension Bridge for a small additional fee. Prime whale season late May through early September.
Address: 543 Main Road, Bauline South, NL A0A 4A0. Phone 709-727-8294. Email hello@greatislandboattours.com (directions page also lists keniwi@hotmail.com). Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism lists the operator at $80-$100; confirm current fares when you book. Gallery photos are the operator's authentic tour photography.
Unlike the larger boats that leave from Bay Bulls, Great Island launches from Bauline South, closer to Great Island and the reserve. The pitch is unobstructed views, a captain you can talk to, and a short run to the wildlife. Ken Hawkins operates the tours. Life jackets and a dock safety briefing before departure. Weather cancellations: reschedule or 100% refund.
Packages & pricing
Rates and availability from the property's official booking page.
Whale and puffin tour
About 1 hour, four daily departures, 8 seats.
Check dates & bookPrivate charter
8-seat buyout
Book all 8 seats for the boat.
Check dates & bookFeatured program
Plan your trip
Availability notes
- • Four daily departures; book online -- 8 seats.
- • Late May through early September is prime whale season.
Accommodation
- Boat tour
- Private charter
Location & travel
- Getting there
- 543 Main Road, Bauline South, NL A0A 4A0. Hwy 10 south through Bay Bulls, Witless Bay, Tors Cove; 1.6 km south of Tors Cove turn left to Bauline.
Policies
- Minimum stay
- About 1 hour per tour.
- Cancellation
- Weather cancel: reschedule or full refund. Guest cancel >48h: refund. Within 48h or no-show: no refund.
- Children
- Families welcome; dress children in warm layers.
Contact & book
Reach the retreat directly or reserve online
FAQ
Good to know
Where do tours leave from?
543 Main Road, Bauline South, NL A0A 4A0 -- about 40-45 minutes south of St. John's on the Irish Loop. From Hwy 10, about 1.6 km south of Tors Cove turn left toward Bauline (Melvin's ATV shop on the corner).
How long is the tour and how many people?
Tours typically last about 1 hour, four times a day. The site says book 8 seats per trip in advance. The FAQ also describes a 10-passenger intimate group. Private charter: take all 8 seats.
When is whale and puffin season?
Prime whale watching late May to early September -- humpbacks, minkes, orcas, and more, plus the puffin colony. Icebergs in spring. NL Tourism lists the operator May 1-Sep 30.
What should we bring?
Layers, windproof jacket, comfortable shoes, camera, binoculars, sunglasses, hat. Hair tie for long hair. Life jackets provided. Brief marine safety talk at the dock.
What is the cancellation policy?
Captain may cancel for weather -- reschedule or 100% refund. Guest cancellations more than 48 hours: full refund. Within 48 hours or no-show: non-refundable.
How do I book?
greatislandboattours.com, hello@greatislandboattours.com, or 709-727-8294.
Location
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