The Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador is a rustic oasis in today’s modernized world. With world class camping, snow sports, and hiking Newfoundland and Labrador is the sportsman's dream, plus being a coastal area Newfoundland and Labrador offers the many exciting adventures available on the northern sea.
If a sea faring adventure is what you are looking for then look no farther than the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. There you can explore the thrills of deep water fishing on guided expeditions, or have fun with the more sedate shallow water fishing tours. Reeling in a 50 pound fish is indeed thrilling, but sometimes you just want to kick back on a pier and lazily waste away the day.
If fishing is not for you, but still enjoy the open ocean, then Newfoundland and Labrador has some exciting options available for you; such as taking a relaxing kayaking trip around one of the many inland bays, or for the more adventurous, taking a guided whale tour in search of natures largest mammal. If the whales are still not enough then you can take one of the many iceberg tours available in Newfoundland and Labrador to get an up close and personal view of these majestic works of nature. Even if you are not a fan of the water, the beautiful beaches and diverse wildlife will keep even the most hyper nature lover busy. With over 350 different species of sea birds, and 22 different species of whales visible from shore, all you need is a pair of binoculars and a beach chair to enjoy the biodiversity.
Boat tours come in many different packages, and range anywhere from an hour, to overnight excursions that explore the many islands and inlets surrounding the shores of Newfoundland and Labrador. These tours also encompass the historical aspects of the area; visiting abandoned fishing villages, and learning about the local lore surrounding historic shipwrecks. With waterfalls and nature reserves to top it all off, you will leave the tour with a new appreciation of both nature, and the area. A cautionary note to the uninitiated; it is a good idea to start with baby steps if you are unused to high seas adventures. Take a few hour long tours to get your sea legs before attempting any of the more adventurous deep sea and over night tours.
Aside from the oceanic recreations, Newfoundland and Labrador is home to some truly amazing snow mobile trails. Whether you are an old pro, or an absolute novice there is a trail out there with your name on it just waiting to be explored. Newfoundland and Labrador has thousands of miles of both groomed and virgin powdery trails that twist and wind through the wilderness and up the mountains, each trail with its own unique character and charms. The level of difficulty varies greatly between trails, so there truly is something out there for every skill level, and every sense of adventure.
Camping is a popular past time in Newfoundland and Labrador. With 2 national parks, 14 provincial parks, and an array of ecological reserves the diverse geography available to the camping enthusiast is stunning. Be it a deep forest getaway or a seaside retreat there is a campsite available for everyone, and like the snow mobile tracks every skill level. The campgrounds of Newfoundland and Labrador accommodate every possible camping skill level; from the hard core backpacker, to the more laid back RV camper. Want to learn about rare geology, or the history of ancient human populations? Then settle in at Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Winter can be pretty icy in Newfoundland and Labrador; and if you are not a winter camper, and opposed to the odd snow mobile jaunt; then you are in luck because Newfoundland and Labrador has some of the best snowshoeing trails around. Much like the snow mobile trails, the snowshoeing trails come in groomed, and virgin ungroomed varieties to challenge different skill levels. Your snowshoeing adventure can take you up mountain peaks through twisting frozen passages, and across frozen harbors as you explore abandoned fishing villages. Many of the trails lay along natural caves that offer the hiker shelter from the elements, and make a great place to enjoy an outdoor picnic. Should you make your snowshoe journey a nighttime event, there is a chance you will see one of natures most awe inspiring displays; the northern lights. Many people travel to the northern regions for the sole purpose of viewing this magical phenomenon first hand; why not make it a more fun filled trip by scheduling daytime activities as well?
When the inland waters are not frozen, and you are not snowshoeing across them, you could be enjoying a nice kayaking journey instead. Kayaking in Newfoundland and Labrador is not limited to inland waters however, you could do that anywhere, instead take a truly wondrous ocean kayaking expedition. In Newfoundland and Labrador you can kayak around inlets, up fjords, and through harbors; or for the really adventurous take a kayaking tour through deep ocean caves, alongside whales, and even get up close and personal with ancient icebergs. You can kayak with or without a guide, however for the inexperienced a guide is a definite must; especially in the more risky waters like around icebergs, or inside ocean caves. As an added benefit these guides will be able to rent you equipment so that lugging your own around becomes unnecessary.
Newfoundland and Labrador really is a great northern adventure. It offers so much more than the traditional hotel vacation, with strange and beautiful wildlife, majestic vistas, and enough outdoor activities to keep even the most hardcore sports person busy. At the same time different degrees of skill level are always attended to so that the outdoor novice still has plenty to do. So pack the truck, RV, or car and head north for a great outdoor adventure. Be it spring, summer, winter, or fall there is never a bad season for the tourist in Newfoundland and Labrador.