This picturesque community on the Bonavista Peninsula is every birders dream! During the months of late May – early August Elliston is home to thousands of nesting puffins. With a bit of luck, photographers can view these birds from as close to 5-6 feet away!

Elliston also has the distinction of being the root cellar capital of the world, due to the 135 root cellars that exist in the community.  Some of these root cellers are very well preserve and it is possible to view the inside of one located next to the bird island.

In addition, depending on the time of year that you visit, it is not uncommon to see both whales and icebergs off the coast in Elliston.

Directions

Once in Elliston, there’s a small visitor’s information/gift shop on Coles Street (just off Main Street), which is itself a Registered Heritage Structure. The shop has free maps that show you exactly where to see both the Puffins and the Root Cellars. You can see the Puffins by walking out onto a small Peninsula – it’s a very easy walk and only takes a few minutes. You’ll pass by two very well preserved root cellars on the way to the bird island. The Puffins nest on a small island that’s just off the tip of the peninsula (approximately 30-40 feet offshore). If you’re lucky the Puffins will be on the mainland instead of the island. When the puffins are are on the mainland, visitors are able to approach them very closely (approximately 6 feet). The Puffins are more likely to be on the mainland if the weather isn’t too hot, so the best viewing hours are in the very early morning and in the evening.

Map

Sample Photos