Canada Guide
Newfoundland and Labrador
Red Bay
The world's largest whaling port in the late sixteenth century, RED BAY is the most worthwhile place to visit on Labrador's southern coast. Finds from extensive land and marine archeological surveys can be viewed at the Red Bay National Historic Site Interpretation Centre (daily: June to early Oct 9am–6pm; 
709/920-2142, 
www.pc.gc.ca/redbay ; $7.15). The most impressive find is one of the Basque whaling vessels that foundered in the bay and was beautifully preserved in its ice-cold waters. The story of its discovery and excavation is told in an hour-long documentary film in the Welcome Centre a short walk away and here also is one of the small Chalupas used by the whalers and also recovered from the bay (entry included in Interpretation Centre admission fee). If you're feeling adventurous, take a boat trip to Saddle Island (hourly departures from the Interpretation Centre daily 9am–4pm July-Sept; $2), where you can roam around the whaler's cemetery on a self-guided tour. If you are lucky you may also spot a few whales in the distance.
For accommodation, Red Bay's Whaling Station Cabins, 61 East Harbour Drive (May– Oct; 709/920-2156
; $81–100), offers en-suite rooms with cable TV, some with their own catering facilities and a restaurant serving traditional Labrador dishes for aorund 415, while the Basinview Bed& Breakfast, 145 Main (709/920-2002; $41–60) is more basic but run by friendly owwners with a good knowledge of the town's Basque whaling history.