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Boat Tour: 40 Years of Unforgettable Experiences
4.9
433 Ratings
Bay Bulls
Join our 2-hour guided whale and bird boat tour in Bay Bulls. Experience breathtaking views, expert guides, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Book your adventure today!
Join our 2-hour guided whale and bird boat tour in Bay Bulls. Experience breathtaking views, expert guides, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Book your adventure today!
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Witless Bay ecological reserve - Every spring and summer the four islands that make up the reserve become a nesting ground for approximately 4 million seabirds. Several different species that can be seen on the islands include: the second largest colony of Leach’s Storm-Petrel in the world (620,000 pairs), Common Murre, Razorbill Auk, Black-Legged…
- Witless Bay ecological reserve - Every spring and summer the four islands that make up the reserve become a nesting ground for approximately 4 million seabirds. Several different species that can be seen on the islands include: the second largest colony of Leach’s Storm-Petrel in the world (620,000 pairs), Common Murre, Razorbill Auk, Black-Legged Kittiwake, Great Black-backed Gull, Black Guillemot, Nothern Fulmar, Thick-billed Murre, and Herring Gull.
What's Included
- Lifejackets
- Lifejackets
What's Not Included
- Shuttle Service 35 CAD
- Shuttle Service 35 CAD
Additional Information
Delivering exceptional service and unforgettable experiences to our guests for 40 years. With four decades of experience under our belt, we have perfected the art of providing the best boat tour experience.
Our tour guides are highly knowledgeable and passionate about the local history and wildlife, and they are committed to sharing their expertise with…
Delivering exceptional service and unforgettable experiences to our guests for 40 years. With four decades of experience under our belt, we have perfected the art of providing the best boat tour experience.
Our tour guides are highly knowledgeable and passionate about the local history and wildlife, and they are committed to sharing their expertise with our guests. Additionally, our boats are well-maintained and equipped with modern amenities, ensuring a comfortable and safe journey for all.
Our guests also have the opportunity to witness breathtaking views of the coastline and marine life in their natural habitat. We take pride in our commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism, and we strive to minimize our impact on the environment while providing a memorable experience. With all these factors combined, we guarantee that our 40-year-old boat tour is an experience that you will cherish for a lifetime.
- Guest recommended to bring their warm clothing
- Coats/Warm Clothing is available too purchase in store
Location
22 Lower Rd
Lower Road
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time to check in and pick up your tickets at our gift shop. A ticket is required for boarding.
* You must call our office if shuttle service is required, please note this is an additional charge per person.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(433 Ratings)
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989878
Jun 23, 2025
Whales, Puffins and Corny Jokes - My wife really wanted to see puffins so we drove to Witless Bay and O’Briens was the first tour company we came to. The staff was very friendly and the boat was clean and seemed to be in good repair. Once underway, an ‘emcee’ gave the typical safety talk (along with the typical corny jokes) and then moved onto a brief overview of the natural history (along with the typical corny jokes). On our way to Gull Island, we did get up close to a humpback cow and her calf which was a new experience for many on board. However, we were far enough offshore that the wind waves made the boat pitch and roll, causing some to feel uncomfortable. Once we got in the lee of Gull Island the water flattened and I think everyone enjoyed the viewing of the puffins and other birds. On our way back to the harbor, a very silly ceremony was conducted for those who wanted to be ‘screeched’, making those who participated into honorary Newfounflanders. Though we were frequently reminded that the bar was open, I didn’t purchase any refreshments.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
252diannek
Jun 23, 2025
Awesome whale and Puffin Experience!!!! - This was the most amazing boat tour! It really delivered the best scenery, birds and whales. The staff was so professional yet fun fun fun and TALENTED! If you go to Newfoundland this should be a must!
Thank you O’Briens!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Geoff
Jun 23, 2025
Puffins Puffins yayaya - We took this fantastic!! whale and bird boat tour on June 18 as part of our 12 day McCarthy's Party tour of Newfoundland and Labrador. The O'Brien family and crew were exceptional. It was a cool, windy and choppy day at Bay Bulls but that did not stop them from providing a great tour, topped off with sightings of a large group of Humpbacks. The goal of our travels to NFLD was to see icebergs, puffins and whales. The latter two came on this boat tour. And we were also fortunate to have been serenaded over lunch by Con O'Brien (Irish Descendants).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chrispw1729cm
Jun 23, 2025
Great Experience - Crew was amazing and a lot of fun. They took us to see whales and more whales. Great trip with O’Briens. Would recommend to anyone
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mmast06
Jun 22, 2025
Great guides! - The staff and guides were excellent, gave us lots of information about everything we saw. We did get to see two humpback whales but seeing the island covered with puffins and the other sea birds was really cool!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jaclyn
Jun 22, 2025
Day out for a fun boat trip - The crew was fabulous! Friendly and very informative! We saw whales and lots if varieties of birds!! Watching people get screeched was fun.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lrcohen
Jun 22, 2025
PUFFINS! - The trip itself was entertaining. O'Brien's offers a "screech-in" on board, which is fun to watch (or participate in, if you choose -- they will screech in kids with a non-alcoholic beverage). The nature preserve, with hundreds of thousands of birds, is fascinating. It's hard to get "excellent" pictures from a boat offshore, so if you have real camera (i.e., one that exists outside your smart phone), bring it. If going in June, wear layers -- the wind can be wicked cold. Be warned -- whale sightings are not guaranteed. We saw the back of one whale. Blink and you missed it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrewpt289if
Jun 20, 2025
Whale watching with the O'Briens. - We had a lovely trip with Noah, Daniel, Patrick and Captain Mike. John, the shuttle bus driver, was happy to tell us about Newfoundland culture. First stop was at the island inhabited by almosy 1 million puffins, seagulls, cormorants and other birds. We then headed further out where eventually we saw 2 whales, a mother and calf. They surfaced multiple times and entertained us with waterspounts. I should mention that Daniel entertained us with singing a couple of times. Finally, a man from Toronto was "screeched in" to become an honorary Newfoundlander. All in all, great value and well worth the time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jasondz7249bp
Jun 18, 2025
You want Puffins? - I encourage everyone to look at the very few average reviews. They are all related to weather which cannot be counted on. Also note the dates with half being the end of the summer when sighting are advertised as not being best.
I point this out because some (me!) look at the lower rating first.
I went to Iceland/Ireland in 2024 and never saw a single puffin but we were there first week of April. Now I've seen hundreds of thousands in St. John's! Our trip was 2nd week of June, 2025 and we also had a humpback whale about 80 feet from the boat. A gorgeous day with almost no chop.
The weather is always gamble when you book so check ahead and pick a good day like we did.
While the weather is uncontrollable the staff are not and O'Brien's is fantastic. Very engaging and entertaining and I felt enthusiasm even though they do this multiple times a day every day.
One quick note is travel. Book the shuttle if you are in St. John's and don't have a rental car as I messed up and Uber does not go to Bay Bulls so we got a $95 cab ride. We were lucky enough to find a couple in the parking lot who gave us a lift back. Many thanks to Jane and Chris from Manitoba and thankful to live in a country where we help our fellow travelers!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennifercg125sb
Jun 18, 2025
Puffin Adventure - Had a great trip with O’Brien’s. Everything was very organized and the guide was friendly and knowledgeable - he even sang! The boat has an open upper deck and an enclosed lower deck. We sat upstairs which was great, though chilly. The puffin and seabird viewing was amazing. The boat goes along the cliffs (a zoom lens would help for photos). The puffins alone made the trip worthwhile; the two fin whales our captain spotted were a bonus. Really enjoyed it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor