Puffin Viewing Site — Attraction in Elliston

We visited the Elliston Puffin Viewing Site recently and absolutely loved the experience. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can see Atlantic Puffins up close from land — and the best part is, it’s completely free.

We went as a family, including our 1-year-old daughter, and met up with some friends. The site is very accessible, with a short and easy trail from the parking area leading to the viewing point. It’s not stroller-friendly beyond a certain point, but carrying our little one was manageable. The terrain is mostly grassy and rocky, with benches and plenty of photo-worthy views along the way.

As for the puffins — they were amazing to watch. Dozens of them flying back and forth from the ocean, diving into their burrows, or just standing on the grassy island a few meters away. It’s surprising how close you can get without disturbing them. Binoculars are helpful, but not necessary to enjoy the view.

It was windy when we visited, so dressing in layers helped. There’s no formal visitor centre at the viewing site, but the town of Elliston is known as the “Root Cellar Capital of the World,” so you can explore a bit more while you’re there. Also, nearby Bonavista makes a great side trip.

Overall, the Elliston Puffin Site is a must-visit for families, bird lovers, and photographers. It’s peaceful, picturesque, and offers a rare chance to observe these adorable seabirds up close in their natural habitat. We had a lovely time and would definitely return in the future — preferably again in summer when puffin activity is...

The puffin viewing site in Elliston is a stunning area rich with history and natural beauty. As you explore the region, you'll notice numerous traditional root cellars scattered throughout, adding a unique charm to the landscape. A scenic walk along the cliffs, with breathtaking views on either side, leads you to the tip of a point overlooking an island teeming with puffins.

While you can't walk right up to the puffins as you can at the Bonavista lighthouse, the vantage point still offers fantastic views of these charming birds in their natural habitat. The experience is further enhanced by the sight of numerous whales in the surrounding waters. Visiting during the first week of July is particularly special, as this is when the Capelin spawn, attracting both whales and puffins to the area.

Elliston provides an exceptional opportunity to witness the vibrant wildlife and stunning coastal scenery of Newfoundland, making it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and...

There is not much more I can say that others haven’t - this viewing site allows you to get very close to these adorable creatures, and it is an easy and beautiful walk next to cliffs. (We also saw whales). Especially interesting for us was how clearly we could see the many burrows. We wouldn’t really have appreciated this as much if we had not recently watched an incredible documentary called “Puffin Patrol”. (I think I streamed it from Amazon Prime Video.) I highly recommend watching this or a similar documentary before going to view the puffins. Having an understanding of these little creatures, their migration and mating habits, the construction of their burrows, and the little treasures that are currently inside those burrows made it infinitely more fascinating. Why do you see the puffins flying around with a fish in its bill? Why doesn’t he/she just swallow it? The documentary explains (and...