Atlantic Ocean

Standing on the wind-whipped cliffs of Cape Spear, Newfoundland—the easternmost point in Canada and North America—it hits you: this is where the world feels endless. Before you lies the Atlantic Ocean, stretching like a living tapestry all the way to Europe. It's not just water—it's history, myth, life, and mystery. The ocean Atlantique, as the French say, breathes with stories of explorers, shipwrecks, and ancient ice drifting silently toward the sun.

 

Here in Newfoundland, the Atlantic Ocean isn’t warm and lazy. It’s wild. Rugged. Bone-deep cold. Yet it draws people in—not for beach lounging, but for the drama of nature at its rawest. Towering icebergs. Breaching humpback whales. Seabirds dancing in the spray. It’s not a backdrop—it’s the main character.

 

 

What to Know

The Atlantic Ocean hugs the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, a place that feels more like old-world Ireland than mainland Canada. Locals have a deep, personal relationship with this ocean. It’s not just a body of water—it’s a memory-maker. Families gather to see the first icebergs of spring. Children grow up not with lake swims, but with the thunder of waves and the haunting call of seabirds.

 

This is also where history collided with ice—the Atlantic Ocean Titanic sank site lies far off Newfoundland’s coast, adding to the region’s sense of wonder and reverence.

 

The cold here is legendary. Even in summer, the North Atlantic Ocean bites. Swimming? Not really. But watching? Absolutely. Whale watching, iceberg chasing, and sunrise hikes along jagged cliffs are all part of the Atlantic’s gift.

 

How to Get There

Getting to the Atlantic Ocean in Newfoundland is easier than you might think. Fly directly into St. John’s, the capital city perched right on the Atlantic edge. Flights arrive daily from London, Dublin, and major Canadian cities. It’s just over five hours from the UK—a shorter trip than flying across Canada.

 

Once in St. John’s, the ocean is never far. A 30-minute drive takes you to Cape Spear. Three hours north, and you’re in Trinity, a storybook village with front-row seats to whale shows. For iceberg hunters, Twillingate and St. Anthony up north offer unmatched views of icebergs in the Atlantic Ocean.

 

For the best experience, book The Best of St. John's + Boat Tour which features so many hotspots in the city including Cape Spear with gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean! 

 

Best Time to Visit

Late Spring to Early Fall (May to September) is ideal. Here’s why:

- Whales arrive mid-June through August, including the world’s largest population of humpbacks.

- Icebergs usually drift in between April and July, though some linger into late summer, especially further north.

- Puffins and seabirds flock in by May and stick around through early September.

- Trails and parks become lush, accessible, and alive with color.

Shoulder seasons (late May or early October) offer quieter experiences and still promise spectacular scenery—especially sunrises over the Atlantic Ocean and jagged Newfoundland cliffs.

 

Highlights & Features

 

Whale Watching:

Spot over 20 whale species, including humpbacks, orcas, and even blue whales, from boats or cliffs.

 

Iceberg Viewing:

Witness towering ancient ice as it drifts past the coast—Twillingate and St. Anthony are top spots.

 

Cape Spear:

Stand at North America’s eastern edge. Watch the sun rise before anyone else on the continent.

 

Puffin Colonies:

Visit Elliston’s Puffin Island or take boat tours from Bay Bulls to see puffins up close.

 

Hiking Trails:

Walk the Skerwink Trail near Trinity for sea stacks, caves, and coastal drama.

 

Boat Excursions:

Join Seesight tours for an intimate look at whales and icebergs (and storytelling captains).

 

Atlantic Ocean Map Moments:

Trace the ocean’s path from Madeira, Tenerife, or Saint Helena on global atlases—this is the same ocean that touches so many corners of the earth.

 

Fun Facts

- The Titanic sank in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1912, just 370 miles southeast of Newfoundland. Today, the cold still clings to that memory.

- The Bermuda Triangle in the Atlantic Ocean—infamous for legends and disappearances—lies much further south, but it adds to the Atlantic’s mystique.

- Curious about where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet? The natural meeting point is at Cape Horn, Chile—the southernmost tip of South America. Alternatively, the Panama Canal acts as the manmade connector between these two mighty oceans.

- The Atlantic touches dozens of countries—but in Newfoundland, it feels personal. Locals say they carry the sea in their bones.

 

A Living, Breathing Wonder

The St. Helena Atlantic Ocean, Tenerife Atlantic Ocean, and Madeira Atlantic Ocean—they all whisper the same salt-air stories. But here, where cliffs break the wind and whales shadow the surface, the Atlantic Ocean feels entirely its own. It's not polished. It's not warm. But it’s alive. And unforgettable.

Whether you’re coming to chase the sunrise, trace the Titanic, or simply stand at the world’s edge and breathe—it’s all here.

And once you’ve met the Atlantic this way, you’ll never think of oceans the same again.