Puffins & Whales: Elliston Point & Spillar's Cove Adventure

Kim Martinez
Jul 26
3 min read

Some days on the road deliver exactly what they promise – and our puffin and whale watching day around Elliston exceeded every expectation. From watching these charismatic "sea parrots" to witnessing humpback whales feeding in crystal-clear waters, this Bonavista Peninsula adventure reminded us why Newfoundland's coastline is truly world-class.

Elliston Point: Puffin Paradise

Puffin with a Sea Gull in the mix - notice the size difference!

Elliston Point holds the reputation as one of the world's best places to see puffins, and after our visit, we understand why. These remarkable little birds are often mistaken for tiny penguins, but they're completely unrelated and far more versatile.

Puffins are great flyers but have a lot of "rough" landings

Fascinating Puffin Facts:

- They spend most of their lives in the water, diving up to 200 feet deep
- Unlike penguins, puffins are incredible flyers – reaching speeds up to 88 km/hour
- They achieve this speed by flapping their wings 400 times per minute!
- They "fly" underwater using their wings in a flapping motion to hunt for fish

Elliston Point Hike to Puffins

We did the short hike out to Elliston Point and were rewarded with groups of puffins both bobbing in the water and perched on the rocky outcrops across from the viewing area. Watching these colorful characters go about their daily routines – diving, surfacing, and socializing – never gets old. Their distinctive orange beaks and comical expressions make them irresistible subjects for both photography and simple observation.

Spillar's Cove: Where Geology Meets Marine Life

After getting our fill of puffin watching, we drove the short distance to Spillar's Cove for an afternoon hike that would prove to be one of our most memorable Newfoundland experiences.

Trail Details:

- Location: Spillar's Cove community, just outside Elliston
- Navigation: Follow the "Discovery Trail" signage
- Distance: Approximately 3km (easily extended with additional paths)
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Time: Allow extra time for scenery stops!

Dramatic Cliffs and Geological Wonders

The topography at Spillar's Cove is nothing short of spectacular. Cliffs drop dramatically 200-250 feet almost straight down into the ocean, creating a breathtaking backdrop for hiking. These steeply dipping rocks tell a geological story – fractured, broken, and altered by ancient fault zones.

The star of the geological show is The Chimney – a prominent, narrow sea stack that's actually the remains of an igneous intrusion. This resistant mafic igneous dyke cuts across the sedimentary rocks and provides an ideal nesting site for seabirds. It's a perfect example of how geological processes create wildlife habitat.

The landscape features scattered tuckamore trees (those wind-sculpted survivors of Newfoundland's harsh climate), along with lower "boggy" vegetation, wildflowers, and the hardy plants that thrive in this coastal environment.

The Whale Encounter of a Lifetime

Wandering along these dramatic cliffs requires a slow, contemplative pace – not just because of the terrain, but because the scenery demands frequent stops. We've been fortunate to spot Minke whales (the smallest whale species) feeding during previous hikes, and that never gets old.

But nothing could have prepared us for what we witnessed at Spillar's Cove.

Looking down from the cliff edge, we spotted multiple humpback whales feeding in a protected cove below. The water was so incredibly clear that we could see these magnificent creatures right through the surface – watching their massive forms glide and feed in their natural element.

We sat transfixed, trying to edge closer for a better view, but the cliff's edge had already given us the best vantage point possible. Sometimes the best wildlife encounters are the ones where you simply stop, breathe, and take it all in. This was definitely one of those moments.

Two Humpbacks Can see right through the water

Planning Your Visit

Best Time: Puffin season runs from late May through August, with peak viewing in June and July.

What to Bring:

- Sturdy hiking shoes with good grip
- Layers for changing coastal weather
- Binoculars for wildlife viewing
- Camera with zoom lens
- Water and snacks
- Respect for cliff edges – safety first!

Pro Tip: Allow a full day for this area. The combination of puffin watching at Elliston Point and the dramatic coastal hiking at Spillar's Cove creates the perfect Bonavista Peninsula adventure.

The Elliston area proves that some of Newfoundland's best experiences happen when you combine iconic wildlife viewing with spectacular coastal hiking. Whether you're a birding enthusiast, geology lover, or simply someone who appreciates dramatic natural beauty, this corner of the island delivers unforgettable memories.

Have you been puffin watching in Newfoundland? What's your most memorable wildlife encounter while hiking? Share your stories in the comments below!