A World-class Seabird Colony

Located about 200 km southwest of St. John’s, Cape St. Mary’s, also known as “the Cape,” is one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most important seabird colonies. During the breeding season, tens of thousands of seabirds gather here, including Northern gannets, Black-legged kittiwakes, Common murres, Thick-billed murres, Razorbills, Black guillemots, Cormorants, and Northern fulmars.

What makes the reserve exceptional is that visitors can observe these birds from land. Nesting, courtship displays, feeding behaviour, and spectacular flying manoeuvres can all be viewed at close range from designated viewing areas.

In particular, visitors can see Northern gannets nesting on “Bird Rock,” a 100-metre-tall sandstone sea stack separated from the mainland by a narrow chasm. Watching thousands of birds interact around the colony is an unforgettable experience, even on foggy days.

A footpath guides visitors to Bird Rock through open meadows and coastal barrens above steep sea cliffs, where wild iris grow and sheep sometimes graze.

Weather at Cape St. Mary’s can be cool, damp, and foggy, particularly from April through June. The average July temperature is 14°C and fog is common throughout much of the year. On days when visibility is limited, visitors can explore the modern Interpretive Centre, which features exhibits about the reserve’s birds, history, and environment. Visitors can also check with Interpretive Centre staff for current weather and trail conditions before setting out.

Reserve Background

Cape St. Mary’s was established as an ecological reserve in 1983. The Reserve covers 64 km², including 54 km² of marine habitat. These offshore waters are important wintering grounds for sea ducks including harlequin ducks, common eiders, scoters, and long-tailed ducks.

The reserve lies within the Eastern Hyper-oceanic Barrens ecoregion (861 KB), one of the world’s most southerly expanses of sub-Arctic tundra. Mosses, lichens, alpine wildflowers, and low-growing shrubs carpet the landscape. Ponds, bogs, brooks, and dramatic sea cliffs create habitats for a wide variety of plants and wildlife. During summer, whales can often be spotted offshore.

How to Get There

Cape St. Mary’s is located at the southwestern tip of Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula. It’s a two-and-a-half hour drive from St. John’s (Trans-Canada Highway/Route 1 to the Cape Shore highway/Route 90), and about an hour from Argentia/Placentia.

The turnoff to the reserve access road is about 5 km east of St. Bride’s and 15 km west of Branch.

Aircraft are prohibited from landing in the reserve, or flying lower than 300 metres from April 1 to October 30. No tankers or vessels longer than 20 metres are permitted in the marine portion of the reserve.

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Accessibility and Trail Information

The Interpretive Centre, parking area, and public washrooms are wheelchair accessible.

The primary seabird viewing area at Bird Rock is reached by a 1.4 km natural footpath across coastal barrens. The trail surface is unpaved and may be uneven, muddy, wet, slippery, or rough depending on weather conditions.

Please note that the trail and Bird Rock viewing area are not wheelchair accessible and may be challenging for visitors with limited mobility.

Before setting out:

• Wear sturdy footwear.
• Dress for changing weather conditions.
• Stay on designated trails.
• Use caution near cliff edges.
• Check with Interpretive Centre staff for current trail conditions.

Visitors who do not wish to walk the trail can enjoy exhibits, educational programming, and views from the accessible Interpretive Centre area.

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Activities

Cape St. Mary’s offers exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, interpretation, and guided experiences. Service animals are the only animals permitted within the reserve.

Bird and wildlife watching

Birdwatching is the reserve’s most popular activity. Visitors can explore on their own, join a guided tour, or learn more through exhibits and programs at the Interpretive Centre.

In addition to Northern gannets, black-legged kittiwakes, common murres, and thick-billed murres, visitors may observe razorbills, black guillemots, cormorants, and Northern fulmars. The breeding season for most species is April through October.

Offshore during summer, whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seals are frequently seen. Migrating shorebirds and raptors visit in spring and fall, while sea ducks are common during winter.

The lookout adjacent to Bird Rock has limited space. Visitors are asked to take turns and avoid crowding during busy periods.

Visitors should remain on designated trails and avoid cliff edges, steep slopes, and breeding areas. Trail conditions may include loose rock, sheep manure, and wet or uneven ground.

Programs and Events

The staffed Interpretive Centre has displays, programs, and activities about the birds and their environment. During the summer, it sometimes offers musical and other general attractions. In addition, educational and special events are often offered at the Cape that are supported by a group of volunteers – the Friends of Cape St. Mary’s. Anybody can become a member of Friends of Cape St. Mary’s for a fee of $20.00.

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Visitor Services, Hours and Tours

Become a friend of the Cape! Donations to the Friends of Cape St. Mary’s are welcomed and help support educational programming and conservation initiatives.

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Rules and Regulations

Biodiversity protection and habitat conservation are two of the key purposes of ecological reserves, so certain rules apply within all the reserves in the province.

The public can visit most ecological reserves for educational purposes or low-impact recreational activities, such as hiking or sightseeing.

To help protect wildlife and sensitive habitats, visitors are asked to stay on designated trails and view wildlife from appropriate distances.

The following activities are strictly prohibited in all wilderness and ecological reserves:

• Disturbing, destroying, or removing plants, animals, or fossils
• Introducing plants, animals, or anything else to the reserve landscape
• Forestry, mining (including exploration), hydro development, agriculture, new roads, tracks, or buildings
• Driving off-road vehicles including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)

In addition, at Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve:

• Pets are not permitted in the reserve.
• A person may enter the reserve with a service animal which is to be is kept under control at all times‎.
• No hunting is allowed in the reserve.
• Commercial and recreational fishing can occur in the waters of the reserve within limits. All provincial and federal regulations apply when fishing in the reserve. Boaters must be careful in the marine portion of the reserve so as not to disturb the birds.
• Motorized boats are not permitted within 100 metres of the cliffs containing nesting birds during the breeding season (April 1-October 30).
• Non-motorized boats can approach to 20 metres of the cliffs containing nesting birds during the breeding season (April 1-October 30).

Complete rules and regulations for scientific researchers, fishers, local residents, commercial tour boat operators, Coast Guard staff, and other potential visitors are available online.

Read the official reserve regulations:

• Seabird Ecological Reserve Regulations
• Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve Order 
• Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Act

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Contact Information

For more information or to book a tour, please contact:

Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve: (709) 277-1666

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