An impossibly remote Labrador fishing village that was once the whale-oil capital of the world. Red Bay's UNESCO-listed Basque whaling ruins and icy strait scenery make for one of Canada's most memorable port calls.
Cruise ships anchor in the harbor and tender passengers ashore to a small dock right at the edge of the village.
💡 Pro move: Tender operations depend on sea conditions. In rough weather, landings may be delayed or cancelled — rare in summer but possible.
There is no cruise pier; all ships tender to the village landing dock near the Visitor Centre.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Holland America, Viking, Seabourn | Red Bay harbor anchorage → village tender dock📍 | Tendered |
| Expedition/small ships | Red Bay harbor anchorage → village tender dock📍 | Tendered |
Red Bay's draws are almost entirely historical and natural — Basque ruins, icebergs, hiking, and whale watching define the best excursions here.
The centerpiece of Red Bay. Visit the Parks Canada Visitor Centre to see the chalupa (a 450-year-old Basque whaling boat), artifacts, and a film, then take the boat to Saddle Island to walk the actual whale-oil rendering sites and the Basque whalers' cemetery.
Find Red Bay history tours →In June and July, icebergs drift down the Strait of Belle Isle in stunning numbers. Local operators run zodiac or small-boat tours to view bergs up close and spot minke, fin, and humpback whales feeding in the rich strait waters.
Find whale watching tours →Climb 689 wooden steps to the summit of Tracey Hill for panoramic views over Red Bay harbor, the Strait of Belle Isle, and on clear days the coast of Newfoundland. A rewarding short hike with big payoff.
Find Red Bay hiking tours →A short drive along the Labrador Coastal Drive brings you to Point Amour Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Atlantic Canada (1857), and the nearby L'Anse Amour Burial Mound — a Maritime Archaic Indian burial site over 7,500 years old.
Find Labrador coastal tours →Walk the Boney Shore Trail along the water's edge where centuries-old whale bones still surface from the sediment. In summer, Labrador's wildflowers and hardy coastal plants are in bloom along the trail.
Find Red Bay walking tours →Red Bay village is tiny — most sites are within a 15-minute walk of the tender dock.
From the tender dock, walk to the Parks Canada Visitor Centre, browse the exhibits and chalupa display, then stroll through the small village to the shoreline overlook before returning.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Begins near the Visitor Centre. Follow the wooden boardwalk and stair system up Tracey Hill for sweeping views of the harbor, the Strait, and iceberg-dotted waters in season.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Red Bay, Labrador, Canada (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25°F / -4°C | 12°F / -11°C | 14 | 8:14 AM | 4:17 PM |
| Feb | 24°F / -4°C | 10°F / -12°C | 12 | 7:25 AM | 5:06 PM |
| Mar | 30°F / -1°C | 16°F / -9°C | 12 | 7:30 AM | 7:01 PM |
| Apr | 38°F / 3°C | 26°F / -3°C | 11 | 6:27 AM | 8:04 PM |
| May | 47°F / 8°C | 34°F / 1°C | 11 | 5:33 AM | 8:58 PM |
| Jun | 56°F / 13°C | 42°F / 6°C | 11 | 5:03 AM | 9:28 PM |
| Jul | 63°F / 17°C | 48°F / 9°C | 11 | 5:16 AM | 9:16 PM |
| Aug | 63°F / 17°C | 49°F / 9°C | 11 | 6:03 AM | 8:28 PM |
| Sep | 56°F / 13°C | 44°F / 7°C | 11 | 7:04 AM | 7:27 PM |
| Oct | 46°F / 8°C | 36°F / 2°C | 13 | 8:05 AM | 6:26 PM |
| Nov | 37°F / 3°C | 28°F / -2°C | 14 | 8:00 AM | 4:31 PM |
| Dec | 29°F / -2°C | 17°F / -8°C | 15 | 8:28 AM | 4:03 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Red Bay is an exceptionally small, walkable village. Ships tender passengers directly to the dock in the heart of the community, steps from the main attractions.
Parks Canada site covering the 16th-century Basque whaling station is a short walk from the tender dock. Admission required for the visitor centre and Saddle Island boat ferry.
Local operator Whaler's Quest Ocean Adventures offers coastal tours departing from Red Bay, including whale and iceberg viewing and whaling heritage excursions.
Cruise lines including Holland America and Viking offer organized bus excursions from Red Bay to nearby sites such as the Point Amour Lighthouse along the Labrador Coastal Drive.
Upcoming cruises that call at Red Bay, Labrador, Canada. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Other cruise ports within about 250 km.