Newfoundland Icebergs
Newfoundland Icebergs
Information & Pictures
The massive size of a Newfoundland iceberg above water belies the enormity of what lies below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean, as this photo clearly demonstrates. We can see only the “tip of the iceberg” above water, which is only possible because these gigantic pieces of “freshwater” ice are not as dense as salt water. Up to nine-tenths of a Newfoundland iceberg remains hidden below the ocean’s surface.
How Many Icebergs?
Over 40,000 icebergs annually break away from the edges of glaciers in Greenland and from glaciers in Canada’s North Atlantic Ocean. These icebergs are made up of freshwater that has been frozen for over 10,000 years. Up to 800 of these majestic icebergs annually reach the Bonavista area along the eastern coast of Newfoundland, having traveled a distance of over 1800 nautical miles.
Iceberg Alley
Newfoundland icebergs are carried south by the cold Labrador Current, which follows along “Iceberg Alley”, a stretch of Atlantic coastline that runs from the north eastern shores of Labrador down into the eastern shores of Newfoundland. It is a journey that can take up to two to three years bringing some of the world’s largest and most beautiful icebergs into our inshore coastal Newfoundland waters. Pushed along at approximately 10 miles a day, these huge blocks of ice are at the mercy of the current, the tides and the wind. They arrive in all manner of breathtaking shapes and sizes but in time, they move south of Newfoundland into the warm Gulf Stream waters where they eventually melt.
Many Newfoundland icebergs that come down along “Iceberg Alley” make their way to our inshore waters near Bonavista and can be viewed from the safety of our luxury Newfoundland Cottages.
Post Titanic Icebergs
During its maiden voyage, the Titanic (the world’s largest ocean liner at the time) struck a massive iceberg and sank off the coast of Newfoundland in April of 1912. The following year the International Ice Patrol was established to observe and track icebergs in order to improve marine safety.
Newfoundland Iceberg Pictures
 Some Newfoundland Icebergscan stand as tall as a 5-story building. |
 This Newfoundland iceberg is most likely one iceberg. |
 This is a fantastically shaped Newfoundland iceberg very close to shore. |
 Use your imagination and find your own shapes in this remarkable Newfoundland iceberg! |
 |
Iceberg Watching Tour Companies
We are very fortunate here in Bonavista to have some very excellent, highly respected local Newfoundland tour companies that we highly recommend. They offer similar, yet very different boat tours for whale watching and/or viewing Newfoundland icebergs up close. The Newfoundland tour companies based locally include;
Book Newfoundland Cottage Now
Your Home Away from Home!
Bonavista is a remarkable place. Come…escape…and find your “home away from home”.
I have created two luxury self-catered cottages only a few feet from the shoreline with jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic Ocean, Puffins, Whales and of course, passing Newfoundland icebergs. There are also many spectacular coastal Newfoundland Trails nearby.
Newfound icebergs generally arrive in the Bonavista area around the first week of May and can still be seen from our Newfoundland cottages often as late as the second week of July. Puffins can be viewed between May and September and whales & dolphins are visible between May and October.
To book one of our two authentic replica Newfoundland cottages in Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, please call Toll Free 1-866-468-5035 anytime or Email Newfoundland Cottages.
“It’s been wonderful to be back – we just love it here!
We saw icebergs from the front porch…what a site!”
North Branch, New Jersey, USA
Read More Client Testimonials
Other Newfoundland Attractions
View Newfoundland Cottage Pictures
The Globe & Mail rates Elizabeth J. Cottages as “1 of the Top 11 Destinations in the World”
Canada Select rates our self-catered cottages “4 ½ stars!”
Other visiting anonymous travel writers have given Elizabeth J. Cottages excellent reviews in the following famous travel books and magazines;
Frommer’s 2nd, 3rd and 4th Editions
Rough Guide
Moon Handbooks Atlantic Canada
