14 Best Things To Do In St. Anthony Newfoundland (& The Great Northern Peninsula)
At the northernmost tip of Newfoundland, the Great Northern Peninsula holds remote, untouched beauty, unspoiled by large crowds.
We spent 5 weeks RVing in Newfoundland and made our way up to St. Anthony and the most northern towns on the island in search of icebergs.
We found them… and so much more!
You won’t want to miss these incredible things to do in St. Anthony and the Great Northern Peninsula!
Best Things To Do In St. Anthony Newfoundland
A small fishing town on the northern section of the Great Northern Peninsula, St. Anthony is the last stop on Newfoundland’s Viking Trail.
With one main road leading up to the northern towns on the peninsula and back, a trip to St. Anthony can be a bit out of the way during your travels around the island of Newfoundland.
This said, if you are looking for icebergs later in the iceberg season, want to experience Viking history, or simply want to escape to a less visited area of Newfoundland where nature and peace and quiet reign supreme – this is the perfect stop.
1. Daredevil Trail
If you are looking for amazing vistas of the town of St. Anthony and panoramic ocean views, this is the trail for you.
The hike starts with a steep trek up several flights of wooden steps before leading you out to the top of Fishing Point Head. It is worth the climb, trust us!
Once at the top, to your right, you can enjoy views overlooking St. Anthony. To your left, you can head to the edge of the cliff to see the bright blue waters crashing into the rocks below, get a great look out at Fishing Point Municipal Park, or hike some of the new Cartreau Point Trail.
Be sure to keep your eyes open for icebergs and whales out at sea!
If you aren’t up for a steep hike, you can also enjoy a flatter hike along the coastline such as the Santana Trail, Fisher Point Park Trail, or the Whale Watchers Trail.
- Hike Details: 476 steps, 550 feet of elevation gain; roughly 1 hour to complete
- Location: Daredevil Trail, St. Anthony
2. Fishing Point Municipal Park & Fox Point (Fishing Point) Lighthouse
At the eastern tip of the St. Anthony sits the Fox Point (Fishing Point) Lighthouse, surrounded by scenic coastal trails.
This is the perfect place to wander around looking for icebergs and whales, enjoy a seaside picnic, or grab a bite to eat at the onsite restaurant.
Pro Tip: Parking can be tight here, so consider arriving outside of peak dining hours when the restaurant will be busy
3. Lightkeeper’s Seafood Restaurant (Lightkeepers Cafe)
When you talk to people about St. Anthony, the Lightkeeper’s Cafe comes up a lot.
And with these views, it is easy to see why! Located inside the former residence of the Fishing Point Lighthouse keeper, the restaurant offers stunning views of this section of Iceberg Alley.
We were lucky to get a table right beside one of the large windows (complete with binoculars) and enjoyed a delicious meal of fresh seafood while watching icebergs from our seats.
With such an iconic location, this restaurant can be very busy so we recommend making reservations or showing up early and outside of peak hours if possible!
- Location: West Street, St. Anthony
- Call for dining reservations (walk-ins also welcome): 709-454-4900
4. The Great Viking Feast Dinner Theater
When wandering around and walking off our dinner at the Lightkeeper’s Seafood Restaurant we found ourselves intrigued by thunderous laughs coming from inside a nearby grass-covered Viking dwelling.
A man dressed in full Viking garb told us we had stumbled upon the Great Viking Feast Dinner Theater!
Inside the replica of the 1000-year-old Leif Erikson’s home Vikings treat you to a look at Viking life in a merry evening filled with laughter and a feast among friends.
If we had enough time to book a spot at this dinner theater during our time on the northern tip of the island, we definitely would have. It sounded like a blast and everyone we talked to that were able to partake in the experience talked very highly of it!
- You can dine at the only sod-covered restaurant in North America from June through September, on Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Call for Viking feast reservations: 709-454-4900
5. Ragna Rock Northern Brewing Company
The Viking history is a strong symbol in the local culture and business found in St. Anthony, Newfoundland.
Ragna Rock is a great place to enjoy hand-crafted beers and cocktails or enjoy a bite to eat while being surrounded by Viking-inspired decor.
They often have live music throughout the week, making it a great stop after hiking around the cliffs and coastline of St. Anthony
- Location: 223-227 West Street, St. Anthony
- Hours: Typically open for the summer season in June, 12-8pm Tuesday through Saturday
6. St. Anthony Historical Attractions
If you are interested in the history of St. Anthony, you will want to check out the Grenfell Historic sites.
These pay homage to the legacy of Sir Wilfred Grenfell, a British medical missionary to Newfoundland where he provided invaluable services to the people along the coasts of Labrador and the eastern side of the Great Northern Peninsula (including aboriginal people and settlers alike).
- Grenfell Historic Properties (Grenfell House Museum)
Best Things To Do On Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula
If you have already made your way up to St. Anthony, we highly recommend making your way up to the towns at the tippy top of the Great Northern Peninsula as well.
This is the closest you can get to mainland Labrador while on the island of Newfoundland and here you can discover more epic trails for iceberg viewing (that we found to be even better than what we saw in St. Anthony), and explore real Viking history in Newfoundland.
Don’t miss these other great sights on the Great Northern Peninsula:
7. Iceberg Alley Iceberg Tours
Iceberg Alley stretches along the northeastern coast of Newfoundland, from the Labrador Sea all the way down to St. John’s on the eastern coast.
And it is THE place to go to experience the magic of icebergs in Newfoundland.
90% of the icebergs seen in Newfoundland broke off from glaciers in Western Greenland, masses of ice 10,000 years old.
Iceberg season in Newfoundland generally starts up towards the end of March and tails off by July in most places around the island.
The northernmost section of Newfoundland has the longest iceberg season, with icebergs even lingering up by Quirpon, St. Anthony, and other towns of the Great Northern Peninsula into August.
- Iceberg Festival: A celebration of Newfoundland’s iconic icebergs and the communities that rely on them. A great event to see icebergs and experience the local culture on the northern coast of Newfoundland (typically in early June each year)
Check out a local iceberg tour:
- Iceberg Alley Boat Tours (St. Anthony)
- Northland Discovery Boat Tours (St. Anthony)
- Linkum Zodiak Tours (Quirpon)
Your best bet to see icebergs in Newfoundland will typically be between May and June, but you can get lucky later in the season and into July (depending on the year) if you would rather visit when the weather is nicer.
READ MORE: When & Where To See Icebergs in Newfoundland
8. Whale Watching Tours
As we quickly discovered on our trip, Newfoundland is one of the best places you can go for whale watching. And St. Anthony is considered the whale-watching capital of the island!
Each year, several species of whales make their way back to the coastal waters of Newfoundland for the summer, and boy do they put on a show!
We couldn’t go for a coastal hike or sit on the beach to watch a golden sunset without spotting several whale spouts just off-shore… and even a breach or two!
And yes, we squealed with joy each and every time we spotted one.
Local Whale Watching Tours:
And if you are hoping to also see Atlantic Puffins in Newfoundland, be sure to make a stop in Twillingate or St. John’s during your visit! This was another huge highlight of our trip to Newfoundland!
9. L’anse aux Meadows National Historic Site
Our trip to L’anse aux Meadows felt like stepping back in time and is a thrilling and beautiful way to explore this area of Newfoundland’s history and Viking ties.
As you walk through the grassy meadow framed with stunning ocean views, you will discover remains of an 11th-century Viking settlement. This UNESCO World Heritage site is evidence of the first European presence in North America.
If you have time, we highly recommend signing up for Sagas and Shadows where you can experience an authentic reenactment of Viking tales and history inside a recreated Norse structure. This was one of our favorite experiences at L’anse aux Meadows! And don’t forget to hike the great trails through the park as well!
Across the road, you can also visit a recreated Viking Port of Trade at Norstead.
- Location: 436 L’anse aux Meadows Road
- Cost: $13.25/adult (Canada Parks Discovery Pass Accepted)
10. Norsestead Viking Village
This living history museum adds to the experience you will get at L’anse aux Meadows National Historic Site.
A recreation of daily life and traditions of Norse settlers, here you can wander around the recreated Viking village, see artisans at work, and even participate in hands-on activities.
Don’t miss the wooden boat on display here as well!
- Location: 263 L’Anse Meadows, Saint Lunaire-Griquet, NL A0K 2X0, Canada
- Hours: June to September, Monday to Sunday 9:30am-5:30pm
- Cost: $14.40/person, $42.00/family
11. Live Music & Fresh Seafood at Daily Catch
Our favorite way to learn about where to eat and what to see and do in each place we visit is from the locals. They never lead us astray!
A recommendation that came up time and time again for the Great Northern Peninsula was The Daily Catch.
And it sure delivered!
Fresh local seafood in a charming restaurant, about halfway between St. Anthong and L’anse aux Meadows.
The food was delicious and extremely fresh, and we even had drinks cooled by ice from an iceberg caught in the local harbor!
We also caught an amazing life music performance from a local – who turned out to be the same gentleman leading us in Viking folklore storytelling at the Sagas and Shadows event we participated in at L’anse aux Meadows.
Newfoundland locals are a talented bunch!
- Location: NL-436, Saint Lunaire-Griquet, NL A0K 2X0, Canada
- Hours: Open 11-8, June to September
12. Quirpon
Located on the very northern tip of the Great Northern Peninsula, this is as far north as you can get on the island of Newfoundland.
It also happens to be a spectacular place for iceberg viewing, with these icy giants drifting by the area’s stunning blue waters and lush green landscape.
As the morning fog lifts, you might just be surprised by a mighty iceberg taking a rest from its long journey in the local harbour. We spent several hours hiking along Quirpon’s coastline, admiring the icebergs and spotting whales!
13. Hike The Coastline Along Iceberg Alley
Both near St. Anthony and the other northern towns of the Great Northern Peninsula, there are ample opportunities to hike along the rugged coast and spot icebergs!
As iceberg viewing was one of our main objectives for making the journey to the northernmost point in Newfoundland, we took advantage of hiking as many coastal trails pointed towards Iceberg Alley as we could!
Our favorites include:
Camel’s Back Trail, Saint Lunaire-Griquet
We had this trail completely to ourselves! It is unassuming and hidden away, and after a short hike through a wooded path, you are served with stunning vistas.
In our opinion, this is a great place to get a vantage point of the iceberg highway that is iceberg alley!
- Hike Distance: 1.5 miles
- Location: Dark Tickle Rd, Saint Lunaire-Griquet, NL A0K 2X0, Canada
Iceberg Trail
There are also several sections of a trail network dubbed the “Iceberg Alley Trail.” These trails can be found in the seaside towns of Quirpon, St. Lunaire-Griquet, and St. Anthony and are definitely worth the hike!
These trails are a bit more unofficial, and not well documented anywhere that we could find (although you will see signage for them on the trails themselves).
This said, we will list a few places we would recommend hiking below:
- Hiking Locations (with AllTrails links): Iceberg Trail Part Four, Fortune Route, Fishing Point Park Trails, Lamage Point Trail
14. Viking Trail
The Viking Trail in Newfoundland is a historic route that spans along the eastern coast, starting and ending at awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Starting at Deer Lake, travelers embark on a journey through Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its striking fjords and geological wonders.
Continuing northward to the very tip of the Great Northern Peninsula, L’Anse aux Meadows emerges, a UNESCO site and the only confirmed Norse settlement in North America. Here, reconstructed Viking buildings offer a glimpse into their remarkable past.
Along the way you will encounter dreamy scenery, plenty of quaint fishing villages, and coastal views that will make the drive along the very bumpy road completely worthwhile.
Other potential stops on the Great Northern Peninsula
St. Anthony & Great Northern Peninsula Map
As you can see, the best things to do in St. Anthony Newfoundland and the Great Northern Peninsula, are far from the other main stops you might have on your Newfoundland itinerary.
If you are up for an adventure, you surely won’t be disappointed by making the journey up north to these little fishing towns perched along the northern grips of Iceberg Alley.
Best Time To Visit St. Anthony & The Great Northern Peninsula
The northern portion of Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula is rugged and immensely beautiful and peaceful. With the longest iceberg season on the island and most businesses not opening until June, the best time to visit is between June and September.
Earlier months (June or July) will be better for iceberg viewing, which to us was one of the biggest draws of making the journey up this far north on the island.
Where To Stay
If you are on an RV road trip across Newfoundland, there are a few great options for camping near St. Anthony:
- Viking RV Park (this is a small campground, reserve your site in advance!)
- Free parking lot camping near L’anse aux Meadows National Historic Site
- Triple Falls RV Park (Call: 709-454-2599 for reservations)
READ MORE: Everything You Need To Know About RVing In Newfoundland
There are also some great hotel stays in the area:
- Grenfell Heritage Hotel & Suites (St. Anthony)
- Valhalla Lodge (L’anse aux Meadows)
- Burnt Cape Cabins (Raleigh, near Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve)
Tips For Visiting St. Anthony & The Great Northern Peninsula
- Pack Accordingly: Newfoundland weather can be unpredictable (expect wind, rain, and fog), so be sure to pack layers and waterproof clothing to stay comfortable in all conditions. Don’t forget sturdy hiking shoes and hiking poles if you plan to explore the great trails of the Great Northern Peninsula.
- Plan Ahead: With great iceberg viewing and whale watching, St. Anthony and the other northern Newfoundland towns are popular destinations during the iceberg season and peak summer months. Be sure to book accommodations and tours in advance!
- Embrace the Local Culture: The Great Northern Peninsula is known for its Viking history and icebergs. Take the time to explore local museums and National Historic sites and learn more about the town’s history and culture. We highly recommend leaning into the Viking experiences that you can only experience in this area of Newfoundland.
- Prepare for rougher roads: The journey up north in Newfoundland is remote and rugged. While the roads are not horrible by any means (and is completely paved), there are potholes and frost heaves that can make for a rough ride in some sections – especially if you are traveling with an RV. Take it slow, and have some sound spare tires and extra parts, just in case!
Plan Your Trip To Newfoundland
- Reserve your Marine Atlantic ferry crossing early
- If flying in, reserve your rental car early
- Reserve Canada Parks camping in advance or find local stays with Booking.com
- Check out local tours
- Be prepared for rain, wind, and bugs (pack rain gear, head nets, bug spray, and waterproof hiking shoes)
- Consider a travel credit card with no international fees (we love our Chase Sapphire Reserve and it helps us build travel points for future trips)
- Be prepared for pricier food in remote towns (especially produce)
- Newfoundland Time is 90 minutes ahead of EST (its own time zone)
- July is typically the driest month and the best weather
- Be mindful of wildlife if driving at dawn or dusk
- The island is large, give yourself time to explore
- Don’t forget your passport! (And rabies certificate if traveling with your pets) Check out these border-crossing tips!
More Resources For Planning Your Trip To Newfoundland:
(& Bringing Your RV With You)!
