EASTPORT BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Zodiac Out of Eastport: Puffins, Sea Caves and the Offshore Edge of Newfoundland
A 2-hour Rigid‑Hull Inflatable outing from Eastport that puts you among puffin colonies, a resettled shoreline community and tight sea passages—this guide explains what the trip covers and what to expect.
Zodiac Out of Eastport: Puffins, Sea Caves and the Offshore Edge of Newfoundland.
Embark from Eastport aboard a pair of 22' rigid‑hull inflatable boats for a short but intense offshore run: skirting the exposed Atlantic to Little Denier’s puffin colony, visiting the resettled community of Smokey Hole, threading the narrow Scott’s tickle passage and hugging Newman Sound to peer into a shoreline cavern known locally as “the Dungeon.” Along the way the zodiac platform offers the best chance to encounter whales, eagles and any icebergs that have drifted into the bay.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Puffins on Little Denier
The zodiac approach gives a front‑row view of hundreds of nesting and flocking puffins on Little Denier—scenes the shore can’t match and a central spectacle of the offshore tour.
Smokey Hole — A Resettled Community Seen From Sea
The boat visits the resettled community of Smokey Hole, offering a rare shoreline perspective on abandoned settlement patterns and the way buildings sit against the coast.
Tight Passages, Sea Caves and Open Water Wildlife
After threading Scott’s tickle the tour follows Newman Sound and draws close to a sea cave called “the Dungeon,” while offshore waters present strong chances for sighting whales, eagles and occasionally icebergs.
What the day feels like
What it Feels Like to Be Offshore
The tour compresses several distinct coastal experiences into a two‑hour zodiac circuit—short high-energy bursts of open water combined with slow, circled approaches to islands, abandoned shoreline and cave mouths. The rigid‑hull platform is small and immediate: you’re close to the waterline for wildlife viewing, passage through narrow channels, and a look into sea caves that read differently from the deck than they do from shore.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits—and who should check with the operator first.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
No operator‑supplied list of required gear is provided in the verified data; contact Happy Adventure Tours for specific clothing and equipment recommendations before you go.
The operator typically runs offshore zodiac tours twice per day; confirm exact departure times when booking.
Happy Adventure Tours operates two 22' rigid‑hull inflatable boats; each boat has a capacity of 12 passengers and is available for private bookings or individual add‑ons.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the OffShore Boat Tour?
The tour duration is two hours.
Where do tours depart from?
Meeting location: 8 Harbour View Rd, Eastport, NL A0G 1Z0, Canada.
What type of boats are used and how many people fit on each?
Happy Adventure Tours operates two 22' rigid‑hull inflatable boats (RIBs or Zodiacs); each boat has a capacity of 12 passengers.
Can I book a private trip or join as an individual?
Yes. The boats are available for private bookings and also accept individual add‑ons to the operator’s scheduled trips.
What wildlife might we see on the tour?
The offshore tour offers the best chances to see puffins, whales and eagles, and to encounter any icebergs that have entered the bay.
Are there any age or health restrictions listed?
No specific age or health restrictions are provided in the verified data; consult Happy Adventure Tours about suitability if you have concerns.