Few cruise ports in the world drop you into a UNESCO World Heritage Site before you’ve finished your morning coffee. Woody Point is one of them — a tiny Newfoundland village perched at the edge of Bonne Bay, ringed by billion-year-old mountains that seem to lean over the water to get a better look at you. Come prepared to have your breath stolen.
Arriving by Ship
Woody Point has no large cruise dock, so most ships anchor in the protected waters of Bonne Bay and tender passengers ashore. The tender ride itself is part of the experience — you glide across the glassy fjord with the Tablelands’ rust-orange cliffs ahead of you and spruce-covered slopes rising on both sides.
Once ashore, you’re essentially in the village already. The wharf landing puts you within a short walk of the main road, the heritage buildings, and the trailheads that lead into Gros Morne National Park. Everything is compact, walkable, and strikingly unhurried.
Things to Do
Woody Point punches well above its weight for a village of fewer than 300 people. Between world-class hiking, ancient geology, and one of Canada’s quirkiest literary festivals, you’ll struggle to fit it all into a single port day.
Nature & Hiking
- Hike the Tablelands Trail — a 4 km return walk across exposed ancient mantle rock that looks more like the Arabian Desert than Atlantic Canada; the trailhead is a short drive from the wharf and park admission is ~CAD $10.50/day.
- Take a Bonne Bay boat tour — guided boat tours of the fjord offer close-up views of sea caves, waterfalls, and seabirds; check with the national park visitor centre for locally operated options departing near Woody Point. 🎟 Book: 2 Hour Award-Winning Whale and Seabird Boat Tour from St. John's
- Spot moose and woodland caribou — Gros Morne has one of the highest moose densities in North America; drive or cycle the park roads at dusk for almost-guaranteed sightings.
- Visit the Gros Morne Discovery Centre — the park’s interpretive centre in Woody Point explains the plate tectonics that created this landscape in vivid, accessible detail; open daily in summer, free with park admission.
Culture & History
- Explore the Woody Point Heritage Theatre — a restored hall that hosts the celebrated Writers at Woody Point literary festival each August, with author readings and community events running throughout summer.
- Walk the Heritage Buildings — stroll past the handful of weathered clapboard homes and fishing premises that line Water Street; most date to the late 1800s and are still occupied.
- Stop at the Lookout Hills viewpoint — a short, steep hike above the village delivers a panoramic view over Bonne Bay and the Gros Morne summit that photographers absolutely should not skip.
Families
- Junior Naturalist Program — Parks Canada runs free hands-on nature activities for kids at the Discovery Centre; check the posted daily schedule when you arrive.
- Tidal pool exploration at Bonne Bay — the rocky shoreline around the wharf is alive with sea stars, periwinkles, and sculpin; bring rubber-soled shoes and curious children.
What to Eat
Newfoundland cooking is honest, hearty, and rooted in the sea — and even in a village this small, you’ll find food worth writing home about. Portions are generous and prices are refreshingly reasonable by cruise-port standards.
- Fish and brewis — salt cod rehydrated and served with hard bread and scrunchions (fried pork fat); the definitive Newfoundland dish, available at the Seaside Restaurant on Water Street for ~CAD $18–22.
- Toutons with partridgeberry jam — fried bread dough served with wild berry jam; a classic Newfoundland breakfast for around CAD $8–10, found at local cafés near the wharf.
- Jiggs’ dinner — slow-cooked salt beef with root vegetables and pease pudding, a Sunday tradition sometimes served as a daily special at the Seaside; ~CAD $20–25.
- Bakeapple (cloudberry) desserts — the pale golden berry grows wild on the barrens; try it in a tart or jam at any local café for a taste completely unlike anything you’ve had before.
- Fresh crab claws — Bonne Bay snow crab is landed locally; look for seasonal specials at the Seaside Restaurant or ask locals where it’s served that day.
Shopping
Woody Point is not a souvenir-factory port, which is precisely why the shopping here feels worthwhile. A small number of local artisans sell hand-knitted goods, driftwood art, and soapstone carvings — look for the studio signs along Water Street and near the Discovery Centre.
Skip the mass-produced “Canada” merchandise and instead pick up a locally made booklet on Gros Morne geology, a jar of bakeapple jam, or a hand-stitched wool item. These are things you genuinely cannot buy anywhere else.
Practical Tips
- Currency — Canadian dollars only; carry cash as card acceptance is limited in very small shops and cafés.
- Tipping — 15–18% is standard at sit-down restaurants in Canada.
- Transport — rent a bike near the wharf or join a guided van tour; there is no local taxi service, so plan ahead if you want to reach distant trailheads.
- Dress in layers — Bonne Bay creates its own microclimate; mornings can be cool and foggy even in July.
- Park pass — buy your Gros Morne daily pass (~CAD $10.50) before you head to the trailheads to avoid delays.
- Go ashore early — tender queues build mid-morning; the first boats ashore get the trails and fjord almost entirely to themselves.
- Allow the full day — a minimum of six hours is needed to do justice to even one hike plus lunch and a look around the village.
Woody Point will reorder your sense of what a beautiful place actually looks like — and you’ll be back on the ship before dinner, already planning a return.
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
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📍 Getting to Woody Point NL, Gros Morne NP, Newfoundland-Labrador Canada
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
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