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Explore the Irish Loop & Ferryland from St. John's - Book Your Coastal Tour Your Way
Run "Up" the Southern Shore as you wind along the pretty coastal roadways that connect the outport fishing communities on the Newfoundland Irish Loop, enjoying a beautiful drive where coastal scenery and period architecture reveal an era of unexpected opulence; along the way you'll meet fascinating characters, visit small fishing communities, and absorb the magnitude of luxury items unearthed at the Colony of Avalon archaeological site - all easy to explore when you plan your event or stay from Downtown St. John's in St. John's.
About this activity in Downtown St. John's
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Highlights
- Drive the scenic Southern Shore and Irish Loop from Downtown St. John's, following coastal roadways that link historic outport fishing communities.
- Explore charming fishing villages where local characters and bygone architecture tell the story of the region’s unexpected 18th–19th century opulence.
- Visit the Colony of Avalon archaeological site to see luxury artifacts uncovered on the Avalon Peninsula and learn about early settlement life.
- Enjoy a relaxed full‑day sightseeing route with multiple short stops for photos, short walks, and local encounters along Newfoundland’s coast.
Important Information
- This is a full‑day, 7.5‑hour experience - expect substantial driving between sites with roughly 15 minutes at most stops, so plan for a mix of travel and brief on-foot exploration.
- Dress in layers and bring sturdy shoes and a windproof jacket - coastal weather here can change quickly and some stops have uneven ground.
- Bring a camera and binoculars for coastal views and village scenes; motion‑sickness remedies are recommended if you’re sensitive to winding coastal roads.
- Notify your booking contact in advance if you have dietary restrictions or accessibility needs so the operator can accommodate you before the tour.
Meeting Point
Meet at the confirmed pickup location in Downtown St. John's listed on your booking confirmation; exact time and any local meeting instructions will be provided with your reservation.
Includes
- Enjoy pickup and drop-off at listed major hotels and B&Bs in Downtown St. John's and nearby - convenient door-to-door service for your sightseeing or event bookings.
- All fees and taxes are included so you can book with confidence and avoid surprise charges.
- Savour a pan-fried cod lunch (unless you notify us of dietary restrictions) - a local Newfoundland favourite served during the full-day experience.
- An English-speaking guide accompanies the tour to provide local insights and commentary throughout the day.
Excludes
- Gratuity is not included; you may tip your guide or driver at your discretion.
Other
- Infants and small children may ride in a pram or stroller, making this tour family-friendly for those with young kids.
- Service animals are welcome, ensuring accessibility for travelers who need them.
- Public transportation options are available nearby if you prefer to travel to your pickup point independently.
- The itinerary is suitable for all physical fitness levels; you’ll be able to join the stops or remain in the vehicle if you prefer.
- We require a minimum of four people in total for the tour to proceed and reserve the right to cancel if we do not reach that minimum.
- Passengers should be prepared to go up and down a couple of steps during stops; we typically stop and walk around each site but you may stay in the vehicle if desired.
- The full experience lasts 7.5 hours, which includes driving between sites and hotel pickups; expect about 15 minutes at each stop with driving time accounting for much of the schedule.
- If you’re arriving by cruise, the closest convenient pickup is the Alt Hotel roughly 300 metres from the cruise terminal.
Customer Reviews
10/10
Based on 10 Reviews
Summary:
Very scenic drive thru the loop and Ferryland with several stops including a craft market. Dave our guide was very knowledgeable and made a couple more stops as we were a small group and ahead of schedule.
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Summary:
My husband & I were greatly impressed with McCarthy's Party Day Tours. On both of our Day Tours, our Guide, Dave Welshman, kindly shared his extensive knowledge of the culture and history of Newfoundland and we loved the stories that he provided as a foundation to the various locales that we toured. He went beyond our expectations by introducing us to people who lived in various communities. When we visited Renews, NL, Dave along with his friend, John Chidley, entertained us by playing music which further added to the pleasure of our NL experiences. The weather was perfect, the local food delicious and the scenery at every place on both Tours, was absolutely stunning. We definitely would recommend ‘the Irish Loop to Ferryland’ (Witless Bay, Tors Cover, Brigus, Ferryland, Renews) & ‘Excursion Around the Bay’ (Holyrood, Cupids, Brigus, Conception Harbour). FANTASTIC & THANK YOU, DAVE WELSHMAN & MCCARTHY’S PARTY DAY TOURS 10/10
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Summary:
My visit to St. John's was a last minute thing and I wanted to do a trip, or two, to get to know a bit about the area.
The first trip I did was the Irish Loop day trip.
From when I made the booking, right up to the end of the trip, everything was very well organised and I'm really glad I chose McCarthy's Party to go with.
Our driver, Steve, was brilliant! Very relaxed and was a fountain of great information, throughout the trip.
Saw some beautiful scenery and quaint villages. A wonderful lunch was provided too.
I'd highly recommend this trip and the company!
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Know more about Downtown St. John's
You’ll follow scenic coastal roadways connecting outport fishing communities, take in period architecture reflecting an era of surprising opulence, meet fascinating local characters, and visit the Colony of Avalon archaeological site to view luxury items uncovered there.
Yes-the tour is family-friendly: infants and small children may ride in a pram or stroller, lunch is provided (pan-fried cod unless you notify dietary restrictions), and stops let you explore or stay in the vehicle as needed.
Passengers may need to go up and down a couple of steps at stops and you will walk around at several sites; however, if desired you can remain in the vehicle. Service animals are allowed and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.
The full tour lasts 7.5 hours, which includes driving and hotel pickups; you can expect roughly 15 minutes at each stop while the driving time between coastal villages adds to the schedule.
Your booking includes pickup and dropoff at listed major hotels and B&Bs in the area, all fees and taxes, an English-speaking guide, and lunch (pan-fried cod by default), plus visits to coastal communities and the Colony of Avalon archaeological site.
The tour requires a minimum of four people to proceed and organizers reserve the right to cancel if that threshold isn’t met; for a full refund you must cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
