Five-Day Newfoundland Road Trip in May

Morning

Start early for Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site, ideally leaving downtown St. John’s around 8:00 a.m. The drive takes roughly 15–20 minutes; follow Blackhead Road toward the coast, and arrive early for easier parking and quieter cliff paths. Allow about two hours to explore the easternmost point in North America, including the lighthouse grounds and the short coastal trails. May can feel wintry here even when town is mild, so wear your waterproof boots, warm layer, gloves, and windproof jacket; keep well back from the cliff edges, as the wind is serious and the rocks can be slick.

Return toward Signal Hill for the late-morning visit to the Johnson GEO CENTRE, an excellent rainy-day-friendly stop built into the hillside. Plan around 1½ hours, and check the seasonal opening schedule before setting out, as May hours can be limited early in the season; admission is generally around C$12–20. There is parking nearby, but the approach roads are steep and narrow in places. After the exhibits, stay in the area for the Signal Hill National Historic Site: tackle the North Head Trail for harbor views and a proper taste of the coastal landscape. Allow about 1½ hours, and bring water and a windproof layer—the trail is exposed, with steps and uneven surfaces.

Afternoon and Evening

Head downhill into downtown St. John’s for The Rooms, usually a 5–10-minute drive from Signal Hill, with paid street parking and nearby lots. Give yourself about two hours to see the provincial art, history, and natural-history collections; confirm the day’s opening hours before visiting, as seasonal schedules vary, and budget roughly C$15–20 for admission. This is a good place to slow the pace, warm up, and get a broad sense of Newfoundland beyond the scenery. From The Rooms, walk through the Waterford Valley edge of downtown or along nearby Duckworth Street before dinner—St. John’s is compact, but the hills make comfortable walking shoes worthwhile.

For dinner, reserve ahead at Chinched on Bates Hill, a short walk or quick taxi ride from the museum. Its Newfoundland-focused small plates are ideal for sharing, with a menu that changes regularly; expect approximately C$50–80 per person before drinks and gratuity. May evenings are often chilly, so keep the down jacket handy even after a sunny day.

Morning

Leave St. John’s around 7:00–7:30 a.m. for Mickeleens Path, part of the East Coast Trail near Bay Bulls. Plan roughly 35–45 minutes south on Route 10, then allow time to locate the trailhead and arrange your return if you are hiking point-to-point; parking and trail access can be informal, so download the route beforehand. The three-hour hike is rugged, often muddy in May, and exposed to wind, with dramatic coves, headlands, and seabird views. Wear your waterproof boots, warm layers, gloves, and carry water and a packed snack—there are no reliable facilities along the path. Check the East Coast Trail Association trail conditions before setting out, especially after rain.

Afternoon

After the hike, drive a short distance to Bay Bulls for one reserved wildlife cruise—choose either the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve boat tour or Gatherall’s Puffin and Whale Watch, not both. These excursions generally run about 2½ hours and are highly weather-dependent in May; confirm the day’s sailing time, arrive 30–45 minutes early, and bring motion-sickness medication, waterproof outerwear, and a dry bag for your phone and camera. Puffins and whales are possible rather than guaranteed, and boats may be cancelled for wind or rough seas, so keep the afternoon flexible and call ahead before leaving the trail.

Late Afternoon and Dinner

Finish in Petty Harbour–Maddox Cove, about 15 minutes north by car, for an easy hour wandering the working harbor. Walk along the waterfront, watch for fishing boats returning through the narrow entrance, and photograph the brightly painted buildings—but stay clear of active wharves and gear. Have dinner at Chafe’s Landing, where the harbor-facing setting suits a plate of fish, seafood, or casual local fare; budget approximately C$25–45 per person. May hours can be limited early in the season, so verify opening times and reserve or call ahead if possible.

Morning

After the early drive from Bay Bulls, aim to reach Dungeon Provincial Park around 10:30–11:00 a.m. Allow about an hour for the short coastal walk and viewpoints over the collapsed sea cave, arches, and wave-cut cliffs. May weather here can feel wintry even on a sunny day, so wear waterproof boots and a warm layer; the paths may be muddy, and there is little shelter from the wind. From the park, continue roughly 15 minutes north to Cape Bonavista Lighthouse, where you can spend an hour exploring the headland and, if visibility is good, looking for icebergs, whales, and seabirds. The lighthouse’s seasonal opening hours can vary in May—often beginning around late morning—so check the official site before setting out; even if the tower is closed, the surrounding coastal views are worthwhile and parking is straightforward.

Midday and Afternoon

Drive about 35–40 minutes south to Skerwink Trail near Port Rexton for the day’s main hike. This roughly 2.5-hour loop combines spruce forest with dramatic cliff-top views toward sea stacks and Trinity Bay; bring water, a snack, and your rain shell, since exposed sections can be windy and slick. There is a trail parking area, but arrive with enough daylight and avoid edging close to the cliffs, especially in fog. Afterward, drive approximately 25 minutes to Bonavista and take a relaxed walk around Bonavista Harbour, where colorful fishing stages, working boats, and weathered waterfront buildings make for excellent late-afternoon photographs. If you need coffee or something sweet, check the small cafés around the harbour and Church Street, though May opening hours can be limited.

Evening

Have dinner at Neil’s Yard, a characterful Bonavista restaurant known for seasonal, locally inspired cooking; budget about C$40–70 per person before drinks. Reserve ahead if possible, as the dining scene is small and May service may run on reduced hours. After dinner, take a final stroll along the harbour while the light lingers—Newfoundland’s evenings are wonderfully long in May—then keep the car fueled for the next morning’s drive.

Morning

After the long drive from Bonavista, aim to arrive in Twillingate around late morning, with enough fuel for the peninsula—services become sparse once you leave the main highway. Head first to Long Point Lighthouse in Crow Head, where the short walk from the parking area opens onto wide North Atlantic views and, in a good iceberg year, drifting ice along the horizon. Allow about an hour; the exposed headland is often much colder and windier than town, so keep your waterproof jacket, beanie, and gloves accessible. From the lighthouse, drive back toward Twillingate for the Rockcut Trails, allowing roughly two hours on the coastal paths. Expect uneven, wet rock and muddy sections in May; waterproof boots and a daypack cover are genuinely useful, and stay well back from cliff edges.

Afternoon

After the hike, take a relaxed lunch break in Twillingate—this is a good moment to use the café or provisions you picked up earlier, since opening hours can be seasonal. Then return to Crow Head for the Twillingate Museum & Long Point Lighthouse Interpretive Centre, usually an hour-long visit focused on fishing history, lighthouse life, and the communities’ relationship with the sea. Check the May opening schedule before setting out, as small museums may open late or operate limited days early in the season. Return to Twillingate harbor for Iceberg Quest Ocean Tours, a roughly 2½-hour outing. Confirm the sailing time and weather policy in advance, arrive 20–30 minutes early, and take motion-sickness medication before boarding if you need it; even on a calm day, the boat can be cold and spray is possible. Tours are commonly in the C$100–150-per-person range, and departures may be cancelled or altered for wind, fog, or ice conditions.

Evening

Finish at Canvas Cove Bistro in Twillingate, budgeting about C$30–55 per person for seafood and regional dishes. Reserve ahead if possible—the dining scene is small in May and hours can change outside the main summer season. This is a good night to keep plans unhurried: watch the harbor light fade, charge camera batteries, and dry boots and rain gear before tomorrow’s drive.

Morning

After the early drive, aim to reach Lighthouse Park in Trinity East around 11:30 a.m. Park near the lighthouse area and spend about an hour taking in the exposed headlands and broad Atlantic views; the paths can be muddy in May, so waterproof boots and a warm layer are worthwhile. Before setting out, top up with fuel and snacks—services become limited as you leave the main highway and enter the Trinity area.

From Lighthouse Park, drive roughly 10 minutes into Trinity for the Trinity Historical Society. Allow about 90 minutes to explore its restored buildings, artifacts, and stories of the area’s fishing and seafaring past. Opening dates and hours can be seasonal in May, so check the society’s current schedule that morning; a modest admission fee is typical, generally around C$5–10.

Midday and Afternoon

Continue on foot through Trinity to Rising Tide Theatre, usually just a few minutes from the historic village core. Set aside about two hours for a seasonal Newfoundland production if the May program is running; otherwise, use the time for a self-guided heritage walk among the brightly painted homes and old commercial buildings. Showtimes and opening days vary early in the season, so reserve ahead if a performance is listed. Afterwards, wander down to Trinity Harbour, where the green hills, fishing stages, and calm waterfront make a fine unhurried stop—bring the camera, but expect wind even on a sunny afternoon.

Evening

Finish at Twine Loft Dining, a short walk or very brief drive from the harbour, for an atmospheric dinner in a historic setting. Budget approximately C$60–100 per person before drinks, and book ahead because May service can be limited to selected evenings. Order from the local seafood and seasonal menu if available, and leave a little time after dinner to stroll the quiet waterfront before returning to your accommodation.