5 unique experiences you can't miss in Newfoundland

What if Newfoundland holds far more surprises than you might imagine? With its unusual traditions, giant icebergs and puffin encounters, this island at the edge of the world is truly unique.

Here are 5 surprising experiences to enjoy on your trip to Newfoundland!

1. Kissing the cod: a true newfoundland tradition

This ceremony is a must-do for visitors to St John's: it’s a humorous ritual performed in some of the capital’s traditional bars.

Wearing a traditional fisherman's hat, the master of ceremonies regales you with local myths before initiating you into the specialities:

• tasting Newfoundland sausage,
• a shot of local rum (Screech),
• and a mandatory kiss on the mouth of a frozen cod!

The whole thing concludes with an oath in proper Newfoundland dialect and the presentation of a certificate from the Order of Screechers. It’s an activity that will certainly give you a taste of the local humour.

2. Fogo island: an island with surprising architecture

Fogo Island is a 238 sq km island of craggy rocks, where ultra-modern architecture sits alongside unspoilt nature. Wild and unusual, it's home to many modernist buildings, including the Fogo Island Inn, an avant-garde five-star establishment built on contemporary stilts, where many celebrities come for a private getaway.

You can get to Fogo Island from its small airport or by ferry from Farewell. It's an excellent choice for a RV holiday!

3. L'Anse aux meadows: following in the footsteps of the vikings

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the L'Anse aux Meadows archaeological site contains the remains of a Viking camp, the only authenticated site of its kind in North America.

A Parks Canada reconstruction helps you learn about these people who came from Greenland more than an era ago:

• costumed guides and animators,
• reconstructed turf houses,
• a replica of a faering (Viking boat),
• Norse myths,
• forging, weaving and dyeing workshops.

This remarkable human achievement reflects both the exceptional crossing of the Atlantic Ocean a millennium ago and the completion of the global migratory loop for our species, between the first migrations from east and west.

4. Twillingate: the kingdom of giant icebergs

Twillingate, the iceberg capital of the world, is home to an incredible phenomenon between late May and early June: countless icebergs break off from Greenland's glaciers and travel along the Labrador Sea to wash up on the coasts of Newfoundland. It’s a breathtaking sight, visible from the coast or by boat. And if you're lucky, you might even see an iceberg roll over!

Book quickly, as the iceberg season is both fleeting and popular. I recommend hiring a car to get there.

5. Bonavista: a puffin paradise

With over 4,800 kilometres of coastline, Newfoundland is a favourite spot for hundreds of thousands of Atlantic puffins. Nicknamed "sea parrots", this monogamous species pairs up, with both parents sharing incubation duties. It's a touching fact, considering the male and female are separated during autumn and winter yet remain faithful to each other for life.

From May to September, you can observe puffins during their reunion months and film their fascinating display. Don't miss the Bonavista Peninsula, the only place in North America where you can observe these birds up close.

Bonus: Quirpon island, a night in a lighthouse at the edge of the world

And yes, a little bonus because we couldn't resist! Intimate and rustic Quirpon Island is best explored with a minimum two-night stay in its lighthouse. The northernmost point of Newfoundland, this ornithological treasure at the edge of the world is only accessible by zodiac or helicopter after leaving your vehicle in the car park.

What’s in store? A complete escape from it all:

• full board,
• a landscape at the ends of the earth,
• a population of foxes,
• and no vehicles in sight!

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