About Gatherall's Puffin & Whale Watch
Gatherall's runs puffin and whale watching tours out of Bay Bulls, a short drive south of St. John's on the Southern Shore. The family behind the business has worked these waters for generations, and the tour company has been operating for more than 40 years, taking visitors out to the islands of the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve.
Tours last about 90 minutes, with up to five departures a day during a season that runs from mid-May to late September. Puffins nest on the reserve islands from May through mid-September, humpback whales usually arrive in early June and stay into August, and icebergs can drift past from May to mid-June. The crew mixes wildlife commentary with local humor, stories and songs, and the indoor cabin has washrooms and a canteen.
The boat is the main draw. Gatherall's operates a high-speed catamaran it describes as the largest tour boat in Newfoundland, with twin engines, slim hulls and several viewing decks set at the height of the puffin nesting cliffs. An upper deck gives a wider view for spotting whales, and captains coordinate with other vessels to keep whale encounters low impact. It suits families and larger groups who want a stable, covered boat on the open Atlantic.
