Ocean Nova, Newfoundland Circumnavigation ex St. John’s return

Newfoundland Circumnavigation ex St. John’s return

Day 1: St. John’s, NL, Canada – Begin Your Adventure
Welcome to St. John’s – Newfoundland’s historic, vibrant capital. Sailing out of the port of St. John’s, Signal Hill keeps watch as we exit the world-famous Narrows. The charming houses of the Battery are always a hit with shutterbugs. Watch for whales and seabirds as we sail!

Day 2: Saint-Pierre, France – Visit European Shops and Cafes
Explore Saint-Pierre, a last bastion of France’s colonial territories in North America. The colourful and charming shops and residences of the town of Saint-Pierre reveal its unique historical character.

French food, wine, clothing, and culture are all on offer here. The sweets at the local cafes and bakeries are in high demand. Saint-Pierre offers a taste of European living, just a short sail from the coast of Newfoundland!

Day 3: Miawpukek (Conne River) – Experience Mi’kmaw Culture
The First Nations community of Miawpukek became a permanent settlement sometime around 1822. Before then, it was one of many semi-permanent camps used by the Mi’kmaw people – who had traditionally travelled nomadically throughout the east coast of Canada.

Since its establishment as a reserve in 1987, Miawpukek has successfully bridged traditional knowledge and contemporary practice. We will receive a formal welcome from local leaders and have a chance to explore this special community.

Day 4: Francois – Kick up a Jig at a Kitchen Party
The wild and windswept coast of southern Newfoundland is home to a few remaining outport communities. Experience the warm hospitality and adventurous spirit of Francois, Newfoundland – a quaint and picturesque fishing village, with colourful homes and buildings that offer visitors a glimpse into Newfoundland’s coastal lifestyle.

Explore the town, and hike to stunning lookout points and waterfalls. A day in Francois will stimulate your soul and remind you of the importance of good neighbours, stories, and music.

After a day of adventure, head to the community hall for an oversized kitchen party with treats, drinks, and dancing. Rediscover a bit of your own spirit, through the essence of Newfoundland’s culture in this charming and resilient community.

Day 5: Southern Coast – Explore Scenic Coastlines
There are many choices of unique bays and coves to explore via Zodiac or land excursions. Along the coast, the geology is outstanding, and the plant life is gorgeous. We’ll be on the watch for wildlife, too. We’ll make the most of every chance to explore this beautiful and remote coast.

Day 6-7: Gros Morne National Park and Woody Point – Hike through Incredible Geology
Gros Morne National Park’s Tablelands, a six-hundred-metre plateau, form one of the world’s best examples of exposed mantle. Normally found below the Earth’s crust, the mineral-rich rocks support very little life, making the Tablelands an eerie landscape.

We will offer various walking and hiking options here. Views of Bonne Bay are spectacular. Gros Morne’s interpretation centre is excellent and the town of Woody Point is a delight to explore.

Day 8: Red Bay – Soak in Basque Whaling History
The Red Bay Basque Whaling Station became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013. Basque whalers operated out of the Red Bay harbour in the 1500s: North America’s first export industry.

The interpretation centre at Red Bay is excellent. Here we find tools, personal items, and navigational instruments recovered from the wreck of the whaling ship San Juan. The ship was lost in a storm in 1565 and found centuries later submerged in the harbour. We’ll visit nearby Saddle Island to learn the history of the whaling industry.

Day 9: L’Anse aux Meadows – Immerse Yourself in Viking Archaeology
L’Anse aux Meadows, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the only authenticated Norse settlement in North America. The archaeological remains found here in 1960 date to approximately 1000 CE. Amazingly, the location was first established by a close reading of the Viking sagas.

Today, a superb interpretation centre and several reconstructed Norse-style sod buildings make L’Anse aux Meadows a must-see for any visitor to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Day 10-11: Northeast Coast – Visit Picturesque Villages and Charming Communities
The northeast coast of Newfoundland is known for the dozens of picturesque villages that dot its rocky shores, and we’ll find harbour in one of these unique communities. We look forward to a characteristically warm Newfoundland welcome upon our arrival. Photographers will have their work cut out for them, capturing all the special charm of classic island communities and stunning coastlines.

Day 12: St. John’s, NL, Canada – Wave a Fond Farewell
On the final day of our expedition, we sail back through the Narrows and into St. John’s harbour. We will say our farewells and the expedition team will be on hand to assist you with luggage and transportation arrangements.

Imagine waking up to breathtaking sea views through your cabin windows, each one whispering promises of adventure. Built in Denmark in 1992 for Greenland’s icy waters, this ship sails with a lighter carbon footprint than most expedition vessels. Its crown jewel? A glass-enclosed lounge with sweeping 200-degree views–perfect for whale watching and seabird spotting. Prefer the outdoors? The open decks are a dream for photographers and scenery lovers. With a shallow draft and easy Zodiac access, you’ll spend more time exploring and less time ferrying. Meals feature open seating and ocean views, with globally inspired options to suit all tastes-including vegetarian and fish dishes. Desserts, made fresh daily, are a highlight. Special diets? We’ve got you covered! On the Ocean Nova, every moment connects you to nature, each other, and discovery.

Founded in 1987, Adventure Canada was created to bring travellers to Canada’s “blank spaces”, those areas whose remoteness alone made them special. Over the last fifteen years, along with our guests, we have discovered that there is so much that is extraordinary about the places we travel, from the landscape, wildlife and culture to the history, art and archeology that is unique to every destination. It is our belief that there is so much to see “beyond the binoculars” that drives us to delve deeper into our favourite places with every expedition and continually seek out new destinations.

We travel by small expedition ship, the best suited mode of transportation for remote exploration. The number of passengers on our voyages run between 45 and 100, depending on the ship we choose. We believe that these small vessels are superior, as they not only allow us to gain access to places not accessible by larger vessels, but our fleet of Zodiac landing craft permit us to visit some of the most remote places imaginable – the key to expeditionary travel.

Select the Deck to view detail.

Ocean Nova - Main Deck

Ocean Nova - Upper Deck

Ocean Nova - Bridge Deck

Ocean Nova - Top Deck

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Category 6 - Single

* Window
* One lower berth
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Wardrobe
* Approximately 86-114 square feet

Category 5 - Superior Twin

* Window
* Two lower berths
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Two wardrobes
* Approximately 145-156 square feet

Category 4 - Bridge Deck Twin

* Window
* Two lower berths
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Wardrobe
* Approximately 104-112 square feet

Category 3 - Upper Deck Twin

* Window
* Two lower berths or matrimonial bed
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Wardrobe
* Approximately 106-140 square feet

Category 2 - Bunk Bed Twin

* Window
* Bunk bed twin
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Wardrobe
* Approximately 86-122 square feet

Category 1 - Triple

* Window
* Two lower and one upper berth
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Two wardrobes
* Approximately 159 square feet