One day, the Irish shore feels close. This St. John’s to Ferryland loop is built around short scenic stops, a standout 17th century site, and a pan fried cod lunch that keeps the day moving. I like that you get pickup and dropoff at major hotels, so you can focus on the views instead of parking or timing.

My one main caution is weather. This tour is better with good visibility and dry walking, and rain can turn the quick stops into, basically, photo runs.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group, big local attention: capped at 20 travelers, which makes it easier to ask questions and hear stories over the road noise.
• Pickup varies by neighborhood: you must match your hotel to the listed pickup window, since pickup is before the 9:30 am departure.
• Bay Bulls connects to seabirds: you’ll see a picturesque fishing harbor area near the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, known for puffins and other seabirds.
• Colony of Avalon is your anchor stop: a 1-hour visit to a 17th century English settlement with well-preserved archaeological sites and early colonial life context.
• Renews includes a storyteller and Mug Up: after lunch, you’ll hear local tales from a hometown storyteller and get invited in for a proper Mug Up.
• Guides like Billy and Larry bring it to life: the best part is the human layer, including lively hosting and easygoing Newfoundland Irish heritage talk.

The Irish Loop feels personal, not rushed

This is not a “hit every big attraction” tour. It is a coast-driven day that uses a string of southern shore stops to show you what Newfoundland’s Irish ties and shoreline life look like in real time. The pace is practical, too. You’re in the vehicle long enough to cover ground, but you also get enough time at the key moments to actually learn something.

The best part is how the tour blends scenery with explanation. Bay Bulls and Bauline East are quick, but they’re chosen for coastal character. Then Colony of Avalon slows things down so you get history you can point to, not just read on a sign.

You’re also not doing this solo with a rental car. With hotel-style pickup and dropoff, the logistics stop nagging you and the day becomes about seeing, eating, and listening.

Your 9:30 am start: pickup timing and how the schedule really works

The tour starts at 9:30 am, and pickup times begin before that. What matters most is this: pickup depends on your specific location, and you have to select the correct pickup point so they can find you.

A good rule of thumb for planning your morning is to treat the pickup as the real start time. Some hotels are picked up about 5 minutes prior, while others can be 45 minutes prior. The Alt Hotel is listed as closest to the Cruise Terminal, roughly 300 meters away.

The day runs about 7.5 hours, including driving time and pickup. The tour also notes that they generally spend around 15 minutes at each stop, even though two of the stops are listed as 10 minutes and two longer stops are 1 hour each. In plain terms: expect short scenic stops early, then longer teaching moments later.

If you hate being in a bus, this might feel like a “full day” even though it is just one tour. If you like guided route structure, it’s a smart trade.

Bay Bulls: fishing harbor views and puffin-country energy

Bay Bulls is the first stop, and it’s built for quick coastal context. You’re in a picturesque fishing village area with a scenic harbor, and the tour frames it as a place you can connect to seabird life nearby, including the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, known for puffins and other seabirds.

Even with only around 10 minutes, this is a good “eyes on the coast” moment. Newfoundland communities like Bay Bulls are small and rooted. What you get in a short stop is the feel of the place, the working harbor vibe, and the guide’s framing of what you’re seeing.

Photo tip: have your camera ready early. The stop is short, and rain can cut your time outside. If the weather is decent, you’ll likely find enough viewing points for a couple of strong photos of the harbor and shoreline.

Bauline East: a coastal village break that’s short but scenic

Bauline East is another brief stop, also listed at around 10 minutes. It’s a tranquil coastal village stop with coastal views and scenic hiking trails nearby.

This is the kind of stop you use to reset. You step out, breathe in the sea air, look down the coast, then get back on the road before you feel like you’re “tour-stopping” your whole morning.

If you’re hoping for a long walk, plan for that elsewhere on your trip. This one is about quick scenery and a sense of place, not a full hike.

Colony of Avalon: 17th century settlement and the sites you can actually see

Colony of Avalon is where the tour earns its keep. You get 1 hour here, and the admission is included. This is a 17th century English settlement on Newfoundland’s southern tip, with well-preserved archaeological sites and a chance to learn about early colonial life.

What makes this stop valuable is that it is concrete. Instead of listening to general history from behind a steering wheel, you’re looking at physical remnants and learning what daily life looked like during that era. If you like history that you can point to, this is your payoff stop.

There’s also a practical benefit. Once you’ve got one hour of steady attention on the ground, the rest of the day feels less like bouncing around.

If the weather is bad, you still have a better chance of getting a meaningful visit here than at the shorter outside-focused stops.

Ferryland lunch sets the tone, then Renews turns the volume up

After you’ve had your history stop, the tour moves you toward Ferryland for lunch, then up the southern shore to Renews. Lunch is included, with pan fried cod served unless you’ve notified them of dietary restrictions.

Cod is a classic Newfoundland choice, and in this tour format it works well because it keeps the day simple. You don’t spend time searching for food or negotiating with menus while the bus waits. You sit down, eat, and get ready for the more personal storytelling section.

One more thing: the tour is explicitly built for a smooth day rhythm, not a food quest. If you want a guaranteed meal as part of a guided itinerary, this inclusion is a real value.

Then comes Renews, and it’s one of the most memorable parts of the day. A local storyteller welcomes you to his hometown, shares tales from his time there, and invites the group in for a proper Mug Up. This is the social heart of the tour. Even if you’re not Irish, you still get the Newfoundland Irish thread through real conversation, not just cultural trivia.

If you’re the type who likes hearing local people talk like local people, this is the moment to lean in. It’s also a nice break from the road.

What the best guides actually do for you

This tour lives or dies on the guide’s ability to turn roadside moments into stories you remember. The named guides you might get, including Billy and Larry, are described as friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely entertaining. Billy in particular has been noted for being a strong host, and even having a good singing voice, which tells you the tour can feel less like a lecture and more like a moving conversation.

It also helps that the guide handles day-to-day realities, including meal needs. There’s an example of the guide checking in when someone can’t eat fish, and helping them make their own lunch arrangements. That kind of attention matters because it keeps the day comfortable, not stressful.

If you like asking questions, this is a good format. With a maximum of 20 people, your questions have a better chance of landing instead of getting swallowed by a big crowd.

Comfort and practical realities: steps, time outdoors, and rainy-day coping

The tour notes that you may have to go up and down a couple of steps at some sites. If you want, you can stay in the vehicle when needed, but you should still plan for occasional short walks around stops.

Bring layers. Newfoundland weather changes fast, and the tour is also listed as requiring good weather. In rain, you will still see plenty, but the short stops can feel shorter when everyone is trying to stay dry.

My practical advice is to pack for variability:

• waterproof outer layer
• non-slip shoes for quick stops
• a small umbrella or rain hood

This tour is built for movement, so comfort matters more than you might expect.

Also, since the tour starts with pickup across many hotels and B&Bs, keep your phone charged for the mobile ticket and updates. They issue a mobile ticket, and pickup timing is tight.

Price and value: when $157.36 makes sense

At $157.36 per person, the price is not “budget,” but it also is not inflated for what you get. You’re paying for a guided day, hotel-style pickup and dropoff, included admission for the main historic stop, and a full included lunch.

Here’s what you should compare when deciding:

• If you rent a car, you’d cover fuel, parking, and time planning a route. This tour hands that work to someone else.
• Two of the stops have free admission, and one major stop has admission included, which helps you avoid ticket surprises.
• The day lasts about 7.5 hours with real driving time. You’re buying convenience and structure, not just a bus ride.

Group size also affects value. Maximum 20 people is small enough to feel personal, which usually makes the guide’s storytelling land better.

One more note: the tour is commonly booked in advance, averaging 69 days ahead. If your dates are fixed, it’s smart to book early rather than hope for late availability.

Finally, keep one cost in mind: gratuity is not included, so plan a tip if you feel the guide earned it.

Should you book the Irish Loop to Ferryland tour?

Book it if you want a guided way to see Newfoundland’s southern shore from St. John’s without dealing with a rental car, and if you enjoy history with real stops, not just roadside narration. The combination of Colony of Avalon plus Renews storytelling is a strong pairing: you get both the past you can see and the people who explain the present.

Skip it or adjust expectations if you dislike bus time or you’re traveling on a day likely to be soaked. The early scenic stops are short, and weather can shrink your outdoor time. Also, if you want long hikes, this itinerary is more about looking and learning than spending hours on trails.

If you’re flexible on timing and weather, this is a solid, good-value day that feels authentically Newfoundland because it prioritizes local places and local voices, not just checkboxes.

FAQ

What time does the tour start in St. John’s?

The tour start time is 9:30 am, and pickup happens before departure. Your exact pickup time depends on the pickup location you select.

How long is the Irish Loop to Ferryland tour?

It is listed as approximately 7 hours, and the tour notes it lasts about 7.5 hours including driving time and pickups.

Do I get pickup and dropoff?

Yes. Pickup and dropoff are included at listed major hotels and B&Bs, and you should look for your pickup time before the tour start.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes all fees and taxes, lunch (pan fried cod unless notified of dietary restrictions), pickup and dropoff, and an English-speaking guide.

Is lunch included, and what is it?

Lunch is included. The default is a pan fried cod lunch unless dietary restrictions are provided at booking.

How many stops are on the itinerary?

There are four main stops: Bay Bulls, Bauline East, Colony of Avalon, and Renews (after lunch in Ferryland).

Are any admission tickets included?

Colony of Avalon admission is included. The other listed stops show admission ticket free.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Is the tour operated in English?

Yes, it is offered in English, with an English-speaking guide.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What’s the cancellation window?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.