Take the Road to the Beaches in Newfoundland to pure summer
Do you remember the lazy, carefree summers of your youth? Beach days, forest walks, ice cream, pony rides, and secret swimming holes likely punctuated your Canadian summer holidays. While these simpler, slower ways have gone extinct elsewhere, they’re still alive and well on Central Newfoundland’s Eastport Peninsula. To find them, follow Route 310, the Road to the Beaches in Newfoundland.
In the communities of Eastport, Happy Adventure, and Salvage, you’ll find a hearty helping of this nostalgia and so much more. Kayaking tours, whale watching, and a world-class hiking trail network make Newfoundland’s Eastport Peninsula the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure destination. Here’s a look at some of the best things to do on the Eastport Peninsula to help you make the most of your time in this beautiful corner of Newfoundland.
Our visit to the Eastport Peninsula was hosted by Adventure Central Newfoundland and Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism. Have questions about planning your own visit? Join our Facebook community!
Does Newfoundland have beaches?
Newfoundland has many beautiful beaches. But between the island’s rocky shores and the colder waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, not many of them are suitable for lounging or swimming. However, the Eastport Peninsula is home to several sheltered coves with sandy shorelines, making the Road to the Beaches an exceptional summer road trip destination.
Eastport Beach, located in the community of Eastport, is wheelchair accessible. It’s also the starting point for the High Tide Trail, part of the Damnable Trails system. This 3-kilometre hike is partially on boardwalk and is rated easy. It ends at Northside Beach, another sandy stretch on the Eastport Peninsula. On the peninsula’s south end, Sandy Cove Beach is beautiful and secluded, separated from its surroundings by a large and scenic sand dune.
The Damnable Trails deliver world-class hiking
The Damnable Trails system is named after the phrase “damn the bell,” which has been in use on the Eastport Peninsula since the early 1800s. It’s said to be a response to situations such as a pirate accidentally knocking a bell and giving away his hiding spot, or a sailor navigating through treacherous waters.
Today, the phrase is far more welcome as it refers to a network of glorious trails on Newfoundland’s Eastport Peninsula. From an easy boardwalk trail to clifftop vistas and a challenging full-day coastal hike, there’s a trail here for every skill level.
While you’re hiking along the Damnable Trails, keep an eye out for the 19 yellow bells that have been placed throughout the system. See if you can find them all!
Hiking in Newfoundland is spectacular. Since stiflingly hot days are unusual here, exerting yourself is generally more pleasant. And while mosquitoes and blackflies will find you when you’re inland, they’re typically kept at bay by coastal breezes. Plus, black-legged ticks — the kind that spread Lyme disease — are very uncommon in Newfoundland. While it’s still wise to take precautions such as using bug spray, you can safely hike through forests and tall grasses here to your heart’s content.
Enjoy awe-inspiring kayaking and whale watching in Salvage
From the town of Salvage — which the locals pronounce ‘sal-VAYJE’ — you can reach a portion of Newfoundland’s Bonavista Bay that’s otherwise challenging to access. This opens up a world of rare possibilities.
Happy Adventure Inn and Tours is the premier tour operator on Newfoundland’s Eastport Peninsula. One of their kayaking tours departs from Salvage Harbour. From here, you can explore sea life along the rugged coastlines and spot bald eagles high upon the ridges. During the late spring and early summer, you may find yourself paddling with views of icebergs in the distance.
The whale watching excursion from Happy Adventure Tours is an essential experience on the Eastport Peninsula. You’ll depart from Salvage Harbour into Bonavista Bay, the only part of Newfoundland frequented by sperm whales. As the largest of the toothed whales, their habits are different from others. Sperm whales need to dive deep into the sea to find food.
Between these long dives, they surface for a few minutes at a time to catch their breath. Once they’re ready to head back below the surface, they’ll flash their tails and then be gone, typically for a couple of hours. Although they don’t surface for long, there can be more than a dozen sperm whales in Bonavista Bay in some summers, which means sightings are likely!
This same tour took us past a puffin colony, an Arctic tern colony, and an enormous bloom of moon jellyfish. The Happy Adventure Tours whale watching excursion from Salvage is one of the most impressive we’ve experienced on the east coast.
Learn more about Happy Adventure Inn and Tours >
Make waves at Splash ‘n Putt
Located just off the Trans-Canada Highway north of Terra Nova National Park, Splash ‘n Putt Resort is a classic Canadian summer amusement park. Here, you can enjoy water slides, go-karting, an excellent mini golf course, a swimming pool, bumper boats, and a simulated reality theatre. Splash ‘n Putt recently celebrated its 40th anniversary as the only amusement park of its kind in Newfoundland.
Meet the animals at Sandy Cove Pony Rides and Petting Farm
Just down the road from Sandy Cove Beach, Sandy Cove Pony Rides and Petting Farm provides an ideal outing for kids. The farm’s staff are friendly and welcoming, and so are the animals! There are chickens, rabbits and goats to meet, and the docile ponies are perfect for your horse-crazy kid’s first ride. Plus, the gift shop is stocked with genuine local artisan creations.
Go for a swim at Sandy Cove Pond in Crooked Tree Park
Every summer cottage community needs a secret freshwater swimming hole. On the Eastport Peninsula, that spot is Sandy Cove Pond at Crooked Tree Park. Jump in for a swim or take a walk around the pond on the municipal hiking trail.
Check in with Saltwater Scoops NL on Facebook
Ice cream is another integral element of the Canadian summer experience. Saltwater Scoops is a mobile ice cream and snack shop based on Newfoundland’s Eastport Peninsula. Shannon slings scoops from a different spot every day during the summer, so be sure to check her Facebook page to see where you can find her tasty treats!
Stay on the Eastport Peninsula in simplicity or luxury
Newfoundland’s Eastport Peninsula offers accommodations for all tastes and budgets. For a classic summer cabin stay, check out Stay’n’Play Cottages in Eastport. The cabins here are lined up community-style, which makes them great for groups.
If sinking into a soaker tub and a bed made with fine linens after a long day of hiking is more your speed, the Happy Adventure Inn is the hotel you’re looking for. This small family operation offers gorgeous rooms with spectacular views and personal touches. And its dining room, Chucky’s Seafood and Wild Game Restaurant, is the most coveted reservation on the Eastport Peninsula!
Learn more about Happy Adventure Inn and Tours >
The Road to the Beaches in Newfoundland: What to know before you go
To reach Newfoundland’s Eastport Peninsula, follow Newfoundland Route 310, the Road to the Beaches. This route connects with the Trans-Canada Highway roughly 60 kilometres south of the town of Gander and 90 kilometres north of Clarenville. The northern spur of Route 310 takes a longer path through Glovertown and Traytown. The southern entrance skirts along the northern edge of Terra Nova National Park.
Here’s a look at some sensational things to do in Terra Nova National Park >
Schedules for certain activities can vary throughout the summer season. While planning your schedule, it’s best to contact destinations and tour operators directly to confirm dates and times. Many businesses on the Eastport Peninsula only accept cash and ATMs are infrequent in this area, so it’s wise to visit a bank before arriving.
Explore more Newfoundland and Labrador destinations >
