Making the most of Red Bay Labrador
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruise ships cannot dock here, so passengers are tendered ashore. The town has fewer inhabitants than visiting cruise passengers.
Take a printable map with you.
See Red Bay's cruise schedule.
Right and bowhead whales were once plentiful in coastal Labrador, drawing Basque whalers from northern Spain and southern France in the 16th century. Along the Labrador coast, a thriving whale-oil industry for European export developed from the mid to late 1500s. Sheltered Red Bay harbor was the busiest port in this historic enterprise.
Getting around
- Canada Hall at the Canadian Museum of Civilization has two exhibits, Shipboard Life and A Whaling Station, portraying 16th century fishing and whaling.
- Visit the official Parks Canada website for Red Bay National Historic Site.
- Take a small boat, costing $2, to nearby Saddle Island for its self-guided interpretive trail through excavated land sites. Set aside at least two or three hours for the museum and island.
Nearby places
Tour the Visitor Interpretation center, take in Labrador's rugged coastal beauty, and enjoy iceberg and whale watching.
Food and shopping
Tipping 10-15% of a restaurant bill is normal. Savvy drinkers also tip bar staff, as do visitors tipping bell hops, concierges, room cleaners, cab drivers, hairdressers and hotel attendants.
Money
Currency: Canadian dollar.
ATMs are found in many grocery stores, malls, airports and elsewhere, most connected to international networks such as Cirrus, Plus, Star and Maestro. Major credit cards can also withdraw cash from an ATM, but this tends to cost more because a service fee applies and interest is charged immediately.
Staying connected
Canada's main languages are English 59.3% and French 23.2%, both official, with other languages at 17.5%. Quebec and New Brunswick are the most "French"; the rest of the country is English speaking.