Places to stay in Bonavista

The small coastal village of Bonavista sits on the northern tip of Newfoundland in Canada, where the Labrador Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet. Massive pine trees cover the tops of the coast’s dramatic jagged-rock cliffs that drop steeply to the waters of Bonavista Bay. A drive along the 215-mile Discovery Trail highlights Bonavista’s history with sites like Cape Bonavista Lighthouse displaying the original 19th-century light mechanics, while centuries-old fishing equipment at the town’s namesake museum honor an industry in the area that has thrived since its founding.

The Discovery Trail offers a one-road journey through the most impressive natural sights in Bonavista and its nearby small towns, with nearly a dozen trails you can explore. The four-mile Klondike Trail ends cliffside, looking out toward the water and naturally formed sea stacks — tall rocks that look like castle towers — jutting up from the sea. Depending on the season, you can see some of Bonavista’s most recognizable wildlife from this point, from humpback whales swimming along the coast to puffins nesting on a rocky island nearby.

Bonavista has a subarctic climate and stays chilly throughout most of the year. Winter is cold and snowy, when skiing is in full swing in Bonavista and on the slopes of surrounding villages. Spring remains cold and is one of the peak seasons to see icebergs drifting by, best seen at the end of the Cape Shore Trail overlook. Summer is warm and pleasant at night, and you are most likely to see dolphins, sperm whales, and puffins during this season, making it a great time to arrange a boat trip off the Bonavista Peninsula.

As autumn moves from cool to cold weather, local summer events have some of their last showings this time of year. The Bonavista Biennale runs from the end of summer to the beginning of fall, with contemporary art exhibits by local and international artists. Bonavista’s Saturday Summer Music Series runs through October, with Canadian artists presenting live music and theatrical performances.

Dungeon Provincial Park

Sunken caves form two large natural archways over the Atlantic’s foamy waters at Dungeon Provincial Park. The cliffs at the park slope downward, leading your eye into a sinkhole-like space where the caves sit. You can drive to the park’s main lookout point or find parking below it and make the 1.2-mile trek up to the dungeon rock forms. The park area is open pasture, so you will likely see free-roaming ponies and cows during your visit.

Cape Bonavista Lighthouse

Cape Bonavista Lighthouse was built in the mid-19th century and still stands in its quirky red-and-white-striped form today on the northern coast. It faces one of the area’s largest puffin colonies, where you can spot the birds nesting on a small rocky island. Climb the stairs to the top of the tower to enjoy sweeping views of the coast.

Ryan Premises National Historic Site

The seven original buildings at the Ryan Premises National Historic Site show the history and life of Newfoundland residents beginning in the 19th century, with the Bonavista Museum housing artifacts ranging from fine china to furniture and instruments. Fishing stores and homes at the site represent the day-to-day life of a merchant and how the Atlantic cod industry helped Bonavista and the region to grow.