Things to Do in St. John's in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in St. John's
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- Crisp mornings at 17°C (63°F) make early hiking and walking tours genuinely comfortable - you can tackle Signal Hill or the East Coast Trail between 7-10am without breaking a sweat, which is impossible in summer's heat
- Whale watching season peaks in August with humpback and minke whales feeding close to shore - success rates for sightings typically hit 90-95% this month, compared to 60-70% in June
- Festival season is in full swing with the George Street Festival and Royal St. John's Regatta (weather permitting) - locals are out celebrating and the city has an energy you won't find in shoulder season
- Accommodations are actually bookable if you plan 6-8 weeks ahead - unlike July when everything fills up 3-4 months in advance. You'll find more availability and slightly better rates than peak summer
Considerations
- Those 10 rainy days aren't light drizzle - St. John's gets proper Atlantic weather systems that can shut down boat tours and whale watching for 24-48 hours at a stretch. You need flexible plans and backup indoor activities
- The 14°C (25°F) temperature swing between morning and afternoon means you're constantly layering and unlayering. What feels perfect at 9am will have you sweating by 2pm when it hits 31°C (88°F)
- Fog can roll in without warning and stick around for days - it's atmospheric and beautiful, but it will cancel your Cape Spear lighthouse photos and turn scenic coastal drives into white-out conditions
Best Activities in August
Whale Watching Boat Tours
August is genuinely the best month for whale watching in St. John's - humpbacks and minke whales are feeding on capelin close to shore, and success rates hit 90-95%. Tours typically run 2.5-3 hours and depart from the harbour. The combination of calm seas (most days) and peak whale activity makes this the activity to prioritize. That said, those 10 rainy days can cancel tours entirely, so book this for your first or second day and keep flexibility for rescheduling.
East Coast Trail Hiking
The trail system is in peak condition in August - no ice, no mud season, and the wildflowers are still blooming along coastal sections. The Spout Path and Deadman's Bay Path are particularly stunning this month. Start early though - those 17°C (63°F) mornings are perfect for hiking, but by afternoon when it hits 31°C (88°F) with 70% humidity, you'll be struggling. The UV index of 8 is serious on exposed coastal trails.
Signal Hill and Historic Site Tours
August weather is ideal for exploring Signal Hill - you can actually see the view, which isn't guaranteed in St. John's. The site includes Cabot Tower, the WWII fortifications, and the spot where Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal. Go in the morning before 11am when it's cooler and the light is better for photos. The walk up from downtown is about 2 km (1.2 miles) and takes 30-40 minutes, or you can drive to the top parking lot.
Downtown Food and Culture Walking Tours
St. John's has a legitimate food scene that goes way beyond fish and chips, and August is when local restaurants are showcasing seasonal ingredients - partridgeberries, bakeapples, and fresh cod. Walking food tours typically cover 5-6 stops over 3 hours, including George Street pubs, Water Street restaurants, and the Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. The mild August weather makes the 3-4 km (1.9-2.5 miles) of walking actually pleasant.
Cape Spear Lighthouse and Coastal Exploration
Cape Spear is the easternmost point in North America and the lighthouse is stunning - when you can see it. Fog is the gamble here in August. On clear days, you'll spot whales from the cliffs and get incredible photos. On foggy days, you'll see about 10 m (33 ft) in front of you. It's 15 km (9.3 miles) from downtown, about 20 minutes driving. The lighthouse tour itself takes 30-45 minutes, but budget 2-3 hours total for the drive and coastal walking.
Iceberg and Coastal Boat Tours
By August, iceberg season is technically over - the bergs have mostly melted or drifted north. You might catch a late straggler, but don't book a trip expecting icebergs. What you will see are dramatic coastal formations, seabirds nesting on cliffs, and likely whales. These tours run 2-3 hours and explore the coastline from Cape Spear to the Narrows. The scenery is genuinely spectacular when weather cooperates.
August Events & Festivals
George Street Festival
This is St. John's biggest summer music festival, typically running for 6 days in early August. George Street (a two-block stretch of bars and pubs) closes to traffic and hosts outdoor stages with rock, folk, and maritime music. It's loud, crowded, and genuinely fun - locals treat this as the highlight of summer. Daily passes run around 30-40 CAD, and the festival draws 10,000-15,000 people nightly. If you're not into crowds and loud music, avoid downtown during this week.
Royal St. John's Regatta
The oldest continuous sporting event in North America, dating to 1818. It's a rowing race held on Quidi Vidi Lake on the first Wednesday in August - but only if weather permits. The entire city gets the day off work if the race happens, which is a uniquely St. John's tradition. Even if you don't care about rowing, the atmosphere around the lake is worth experiencing - food vendors, midway games, and thousands of locals treating it like a summer holiday. If weather cancels the race, it moves to the next suitable day.
Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival
Usually held in early August at Bannerman Park, this three-day festival showcases traditional and contemporary folk music from Newfoundland and Atlantic Canada. It's smaller and more intimate than George Street Festival - you'll actually hear the music and have space to sit on the grass. Day passes typically run 25-35 CAD, weekend passes around 60-75 CAD. Locals bring blankets and coolers and make an afternoon of it.