At just over an hour’s drive from the province’s historic capital of St. John’s and its famous sites and nightlife, Ocean Delight Cottages are the perfect starting point to explore the many attractions in the Northern Avalon.
There are things to do and see in all directions including a variety of driving loops, so day-trips are always a new adventure. Drive to a point such as Bay de Verde or Cupids, and return by a different route, visiting each charming community along the way.
World-Class Ecological Reserves
Take a day-trip to one of the Avalon’s three world-class ecological reserves:
- Witless Bay Ecological Reserve has North America’s largest Atlantic puffin colony. More than 260,000 pairs of the province’s official bird nest here during the late spring and summer. In addition, whales swim and breach in the waters, and icebergs can usually be seen in the spring. The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve contains four islands—Gull, Green, Great, and Pee Pee—that teem with bird life during the seabird breeding season.
- At Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve, you can literally walk to the edge of the cliff and closely observe a sea stack which houses thousands of nesting gannets and murres. Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve is one of the best and most accessible places in the world to see nesting seabirds.
- Baccalieu Island Ecological Reserve is the largest seabird island in Newfoundland and Labrador. Located just off the northwestern tip of the Avalon Peninsula, near Bay de Verde, the island supports the greatest diversity of breeding seabirds of any of our seabird colonies. More Leach’s Storm Petrels breed here than anywhere else in the world.
Points of Interest
Rodrigues Winery, Newfoundland’s first winery, offers a wide selection of hand crafted wines and liquors made from wild berries and fruit. Open year round, take a tour, have a tasting in their wine shoppe, La Cave, or pick up the perfect Newfoundland-made souvenir to bring home. Once the site of Markland’s historic Cottage Hospital, you’ll also be experiencing a piece of small, rural Newfoundland history on your visit. Rodrigues is located in Markland, just outside of Whitbourne and about 45 minutes from our cottages.
Pitcher’s Pond Golf Course, a nine-hole course, is located in Whiteway. For a challenging golf experience, heavily flavoured with Newfoundland scenery and hospitality, visit Pitcher’s Pond.
Dildo Island Adventure Tours will take you to Dildo Island, which in addition to its spectacular scenery, has ecological and historic significance. Whales and eagles, as well as many species of sea birds, can be observed, and you’l learn about the island’s intriguing history of human settlement dating back to the Dorset Eskimo, who lived there over 2000 years ago and includes the Beothuck, who met John Guy and his colonists when they traveled to the area in 1612.
Experience traditional outport life at Beyond Baccalieu in the historic village of Grates Cove. Enjoy walking trails, historic buildings, local arts and crafts, and a great Cafe and Gift Shop. And take in live, traditional music featuring well-known Newfoundland artists all summer long at their Summer Concert Series.
Spectacular views of the ocean for 3km are waiting on the Witch Hazel Trail, one of many in the region. Don’t forget your hiking shoes!
Don’t miss the Heart’s Content Lighthouse, built in 1901 and designated a Recognized Federal Heritage Building in 1990.
Get up close and personal with the residents of the Horse and Pony Protection Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, in nearby Hopeall. This farm is the only one in eastern Canada to provide care for equines in need, and has a policy of never turning an animal away. Call or email for a tour!
Shopping
To pick up supplies and see traditional Newfoundland outport stores, visit Drover’s Store in Whiteway, and Cram’s General Store in Green’s Harbour. These are fun places to visit – you’ll never know what you’ll find. They say if you can find it at Drover’s, you don’t need it!
Nic Naks in Green’s Harbour is an old-fashioned store with “the largest selection of local souvenirs, crafts, hand-knit items, and quilts on the Baccalieu Trail.”
If you like bargain shopping, you’ll love The Bayman’s Flea Market in Spaniard’s Bay.
Stop by The Inside Scoop in South Dildo, a cute store that sells gourmet and bulk foods, coffee and ice cream, gift baskets, wine and beer making supplies, tableware and more.
The Treasure Trove in South Dildo boasts lots of locally made items and home decor.
And no trip to Whiteway is complete without stopping by Shag Rock Arts and Crafts. Minutes away from the cottages, it’s a great place to buy local arts and crafts, including jams and pickles, knitted goods, handicrafts, and original art from exceptional Newfoundland artist, Wayne George.
More Than 20 Museums
Discover North American roots in more than 20 museums, including the nearby Heart’s Content Cable Museum.
Take a day-trip to the nearby Wooden Boat Museum in Winteron. Here you’ll learn about the construction and history of wooden boats which were crucial to the survival and way of life of early Newfoundlanders. Throughout the summer, you can also take workshops to learn the timeless craft of wooden boat-building.
In nearby Cupids, visit the Cupids Legacy Centre, which was built in 2010 to honour the 400th anniversary of the establishment of John Guy’s Colony, the first English colony in Canada. The Cupids Archaeological Dig, which has been rated one of the ten best archaeological digs in Canada, was named a Provincial Historic Site in 2010.
 Interior of Cupids Legacy Centre |
 Cupids Legacy Centre Opened in 2010 |
Restaurants
If you chose to dine out, area restaurants that we recommend are: Brown’s Restaurant in Whiteway (specializing in seafood and traditional Newfoundland cuisine) , CJ’s Restaurant in Green’s Harbour, and Inn by the Bay in Dildo (Winner of Destination St. John’s ‘Silver Puffin Award’ for 2008/2009 for service and highlighted by ‘Where To Eat In Canada,’ as well as recommended by Fodor’s and Frommer’s.)
Explore your Heart’s Delight
Explore scenic walking and hiking trails, looking for local wild life including moose and caribou. The town of Heart’s Delight, which has a history of European landings going back to the mid 1500s, boasts two beautiful walking trails, including the spectacular coastal walking trail which leads directly from our Heart’s Delight cottages to the town of Heart’s Delight.
Enjoy mini-golf, fishing, boat tours, kayaking, or horseback riding, not to mention the recently opened Pitcher’s Pond Golf Course offering a challenging golf experience, heavily flavoured with Newfoundland scenery and hospitality.
Back at home, the Atlantic Ocean reaches to the horizon from your deck, providing a breath taking view. Watch for whales playing and breaching in the ocean, the spray from their blowholes rising like a geyser as they come up for air.
At Long Point Cove, there is a small beach where thousands of caplin roll during the spawning season (late June to early July.) The picturesque fishing community of Whiteway is alive with fishing boats out for their daily catch. Bald eagles and other birds are also frequent visitors so keep your binoculars nearby!
