All you need to know about St. John's incredibles icebergs.
If spring is much more a synonym of flowers and warm weather, in St. John’s, it is the iceberg season!
WHAT?
Icebergs are fragments of glaciers coming from Greenland and the Canadian Arctic. They float away near the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.
WHEN?
Iceberg season starts slowly in April and continues up to June. The best month to observe them is May, when they will have escaped the ice in the sea and will be able to float to the coasts. Understandably, the seasons last longer in the north.
WHERE?
We call the ‘’Iceberg Alley’’ everything that is along the coast of Labrador down to the southeast coast of Newfoundland. It is where icebergs are most frequently observed.
Here are some of the most popular coastal villages to chases the icebergs : - La Scie (a six-hour drive from St. John’s) - Twillingate (a five-hour drive from St. John’s) - Bonavista (a three-hour drive from St. John’s) - Pouch Cove (a 30-minute drive from St. John’s) - Cape Spear (a 20-minute drive from St. John’s)
HOW?
Many of the best places to see the icebergs are accessible by car without any or little need to hike to get to the viewing point.
To catch a glimpse of these ice giants, you can embark on a cruise. It’s a good option to consider when icebergs aren’t close enough to the shore to see them with a naked eye.
Icebergs are visible when 5 kilometres or less from the coast. Within 10 kilometres, you can watch them with a telescope or a really good camera zoom.
For the most adventurous, you can rent a kayak and paddle near the icebergs. However, it is recommended that you don’t go too near the ice giants, as they could break apart or turn over, which might cause risk of capsizing.
DRINK THE ICEBERG
Vodka, gin and beer made with iceberg water are produced in Newfoundland. You can drink them while you’re there or bring them back home as a souvenir!
USEFUL RESOURCES
Iceberg Finder Map : https://icebergfinder.com/ Latest ice conditions : https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/ice-forecasts-observations/latest-conditions.html