O'Brien's Whale and Bird Tours

O'Brien's Whale and Bird Tours

O'Brien's Whale and Bird Tours
5
Boat ToursDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife Tours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Voted Best Boat Tour by Newfoundlanders! O'Brien's Whale and Bird Tours is a family owned and operated business that has been offering Award Winning Boat Tours for over 30 years, in Bay Bulls, Newfoundland and Labrador (just 30 minutes from St. John's). Cruise with us to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, home to the largest Atlantic Puffin colony in North America (1/2 a million) and millions of other seabirds. Enjoy a spectacular performance by Humpback Whales as they frolic, breach and pectoral fin slap right before your very eyes. A show not to be missed! Breathe in the fresh ocean air as you sail past 10,000 year old icebergs. Come for the whales, countless seabirds and Newfoundland charm. Come to experience our rugged coastline and enjoy the famous O'Brien's hospitality. Ride in comfort during this two hour tour aboard our new custom built passenger vessels. The boat features a fully enclosed heated cabin with panoramic viewing, canteen, bar and restrooms. Ample rail space (upper and lower deck) providing picture perfect views for everyone! Wheelchair accessible. Daily departures May through September. Visit our website for tour times and rates. We also offer a Coastal Adventure Tour: For the more adventurous hop aboard the Kingfisher for a more intimate experience of the ocean, while getting a whale's eye view of our ruggedly beautiful coastline. Enjoy the fresh ocean air as you sail alongside breathtaking sea stacks, caves and cascading waterfalls. When conditions permit, explore the unique natural phenomenon known locally as the Spout, a natural wave-powered geyser. In season you could see Bald Eagles and Humpback Whales. Experience nature so close you can almost reach out and touch it!
Bay Bulls, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Meets animal welfare guidelines

Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024

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Tours and Tickets by O'Brien's Whale and Bird Tours
Travellers talk about

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles1,916 reviews
Excellent
1,746
Very good
133
Average
26
Poor
6
Terrible
5

Alex V
Halifax, Canada1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
My parents and I took part in O'Brien's Whale and Bird Tour during the May long weekend. It was incredible. They crew were amazing, Con was amazing, kept pointing out all the amazing birds and facts about the islands we were sailing by with hilarious humour. They went over and above to ensure all of the guests on the boat saw everything there was two see. A one point there was quite a rare bird birched on the side of one of the island. Instead of just pointing and hoping everyone looked over to see it. The captain reverse and we stayed there for a few minutes to ensure everyone saw it and was able to take photos. Con ensured everyone saw it and if someone wasn't able to he would point it out personally for them. The birds were absolutely incredible the show was run by them and we were just the spectators. They flew and swam all around the boat so we had many close ups with turs & puffins. We even got a glimpse of a couple porpoises which again they turned the boat around so we could all see. It was a perfect day for a boat tour and I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Newfoundland
Written June 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Alex, Thank you so much for your kind words! We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your time with us here at O'Brien's, on behalf of Con and our entire crew we would like to thank you for joining us! We hope to see you on board again someday!
Written June 5, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

huronbb
Victoria, Canada3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023
Shawn, Liam and Mark were very outgoing and friendly hosts. We had a great time out on the water. We saw lots of whales and tons of birds, including puffins, auks and murres. Everyone on the boat enjoyed the singing and the stories told us by Shawn and Liam. We went in late June, but still found it cold out on the water. We stayed warm by wearing lots of layers including hats and mitts. We highly recommend O’Brien’s and would book again if ever back in Bay Bulls.
Written July 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, Thank you for your feedback - it's greatly appreciated! Delighted to hear you enjoyed your time on board with us, despite being a little chilly. Thank you for joining us, we hope to see you again someday! :)
Written July 3, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Rosanne J
19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Friends
We took our second O'Briens Whale and Bird Tour of the summer and we took our son and his fiance on the excursion yesterday.

It was the highlight of their visit and the crew did another excellent job entertaining the passengers and narrating the geology and the various wildlife and bird species along the route.

It truly is a spectacular part of the Newfoundland experience and we highly recommend this operator to locals and visitors to the province.
Written August 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, Highlight of their visit?! Wow - thank you so much for the kind words. I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed your time on board with us here at O'Brien's - on behalf of us all, thank you so much for joining!:)
Written August 28, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Amy
Toronto, Canada9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
Spectacular! I didn’t intend to go whale watching when I visited Newfoundland but then thought ‘oh, why not?’. I went in with low expectations - so as not to be disappointed - because that’s who I am. I thought well, even if it’s raining and foggy and we see nothing, I’ll be on a boat and getting the FULL Newfoundland experience. Well, the ‘gods’ were in our favour. It was exhilarating and hilarious (the hosts, not the whales) and awe-inspiring (the whales, not the hosts although maybe the hosts, I don’t know them). I 100% recommend O’Briens if you want to laugh and see some whales and ‘potatoes with wings’.
Written July 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, Thank you for your feedback! Whale watching is always a magical experience - we are so glad to hear your experience did not disappoint and of course those cute puffins or "potatoes with wings" like our crew often refer too!! lol Thank you for joining us! :)
Written July 15, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Elaine H
Rockville, MD240 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Couples
We set out for a two-hour tour to see the puffins at Witless (yes!) Bay Ecological Preserve. A perfect experience as we were overwhelmed with puffins, murres and more, numbering about 500,000 on one gigantic rock island. The running commentary was helpful, light and charming. The captain even sang us a highly professional Irish ditty or two and chatted with us on the top deck (because we couldn’t pull ourselves away to venture below)! Top choice for a very worthwhile activity in season. BTW, puffins are much smaller than expected and zip along in droves at an amazing clip.
Written June 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Elaine, Thank you for choosing O'Brien's and for sharing your positive feedback! The puffins are for sure a breathtaking sight at the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve! Thank you for joining us, we hope to see you again someday :)
Written June 4, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Carol G
Hartsdale, NY535 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
Seeing puffins, northern gannets, eagles, gulls, and murres in their nesting sites was exciting. Added to the adventure was spotting a minke whale in Witless Bay just south of St. John's, Newfoundland.

Jim, our guide on the bus gave the group a running history of the area and each town as well as side stories about the myths many people believed such as Signal Hill being named for Marconi instead of the merchant ships flying their flags. Con, the guide on the boat to the four islands where the birds and whales could be found was also very knowledgeable in natural history as well as famous musician, so he serenaded us with Irish ditties.

To end the tour, we stopped at Cape Spear, the easternmost point in North America to see the marker and the lighthouse. Self-guiding signs in English and French filled visitors in on the significance of the site during World War II against German submarines.
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Carol, Thank you for your feedback - we greatly appreciate it! The Witless Bay Ecological reserve is certainly spectacular, we are very lucky to have this right in our back yard! We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your time on board - on behalf of our entire crew, thank you for joining us!
Written August 6, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Bonnie M
11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Couples
Great team of folks take you on an excursion to see puffins, murrs, gulls, and other sea birds nesting on nearby islands plus offer you a fantastic vireo of the shoreline around Bay Bulls, in all its majesty and cragginess, and if all goes well, you’ll also see some whales. You are on the water for about 2 hours and you the team is always on the lookout for signs of whales. The birds are pretty much a guarantee. The island they take you to is home to about 600,000 nesting puffins, about a million murrs, and a variety of other sea birds. The whales are a cross-your-fingers thing.

We got lucky and spotted a single humpback about an hour into the tour and followed that one for a bit but it was a bit away from us. However, the team heard there was cow and calf a. It further up the coast so off we went in search. I think the captain was about to give up when we spotted them and we were treated to quite a show with mom and baby breaching the surface several times and the baby getting really really close to the boat! What a spectacle! There was 0,entry of vpchsnce for everyone to get pictures or videos as Captain Mike skilled steered the boat to be alongside the pair but respectfully distant. The. They chose to come nearer.

The team was classically Newfoundlanders….friendly, generous and entertaining from start to finish and, since we were the last tour of they day, they stayed out about 30 minutes longer than planned as we hunted and then we’re rewarded! The boat was clean and in great condition too!

I would totally recommend this boat tour company!
Written June 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Bonnie, Thank you so much for these kind words based on your recent experience with us! The birds are certainly breathtaking on their own and whales is for sure the icing on the cake. So glad you got to enjoy both! On behalf of Captain Michael and our entire crew - thank you so much for joining us! :)
Written June 30, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Diane M
Whitby, Canada64 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022 • Friends
I enjoyed being on the ocean and learning about the different birds and their behaviours. It helped to to watch them and understand what they were doing. The hosts were informative, entertaining and fun. It felt like a Newfoundland experience even some ‘screeching’ was involved. My friend and I are in our 50’s and we enjoyed the experience on the ocean. It is rough in the open water so wearing a windbreaker coats with a hood and windbreaker pants kept us warm in September. We also had binoculars which helped. Hold onto your phones etc. because it would be easy to lose items. Drinking is difficult in the open water area. We brought a lunch to eat by the pier which worked out well however there was a restaurant there and the gift shop had a large variety of tourist items that were well priced and high quality. All of the staff were friendly and helpful.
Written September 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Diane, Thank you for your feedback - we look forward to hearing from our guests! We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your time on board with us! :)
Written November 4, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Christopher M
New York City, NY12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Couples
Look, the climate is changing and odds are you’re not going to see too too many puffins in August, and the only whale tail you’re likely to see will be coming out of the jeans of your fellow passengers.

So WHY was this boat ride one of the highlights of our trip? Con, Joe, and sweet baby Noah, that’s why. The O’Brien fellers sang, joked, and taught their way into our hearts in a fun and fascinating two hour tour.

We learned tons about Turrs and Tickle-Asses, about jellies and the great Mola Mola, and yes, even about ourselves. Con in particular was a natural raconteur, and we were just so so so delighted to share a voyage with such fine fellas. Would 100% do it again… next time in June.
Written August 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Christopher, Thank you for your feedback, greatly appreciated! We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your time on board with Joe, Con and Noah! We hope to see you again on board someday, if you are coming for the Whales - be sure to come by in July! Thanks again. :)
Written September 5, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

M M
Chatham, Canada5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Couples
We booked this whale watching tour last minute in hopes to see whales, and boy did they deliver!!! I know they say they can’t guarantee it, so we were overly pleased when we encountered 7 whales within the first hour. The guides were friendly and entertaining. We loved the singing they did, and the way they got the passengers involved in it. The music they played and the optional screeching in were perfect ways to pass the time while leaving and getting back to the dock. The guides were also extremely informative about the various wildlife we encountered in our excision, including the whales and birds. We appreciated how entertaining and informative the trip was. We will definitely be back with our kids soon and will book this trip again with them!!!! Absolutely amazing. Thank you for such a memorable experience!!!!
Written July 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
"Best Whale Watching Ever" Thank you! We greatly appreciate the kind words - love your shots as well! Thank you for joining us on board - we are delighted to hear you enjoyed your experience with us here at O'Brien's! On behalf of our entire crew - thank you for joining us!
Written July 15, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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O'BRIEN'S WHALE AND BIRD TOURS (2025) - All You MUST Know Before You Go (with Reviews)

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