Things to Do in St. Johns in May

May Weather in St. Johns

28°C (82°F) High Temp

21°C (70°F) Low Temp

89mm (3.5 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is May Right for You?

Advantages

Shoulder season pricing - accommodation rates drop 20-30% from April's peak tourist season, with best hotel deals appearing in the third week of May
Perfect hiking weather with cooler mornings averaging 21°C (70°F) and manageable afternoon temperatures, ideal for Signal Hill trails before 11am
Iceberg season finale - last chance to see massive icebergs from Greenland ice sheet drift past the Narrows, typically 40-60 visible from Cape Spear through mid-May
Extended daylight with 16+ hours of light by month's end, allowing for late evening photography at Quidi Vidi Village until 9pm without artificial lighting

Considerations

Unpredictable spring weather with temperature swings of 10°C (18°F) in a single day - morning layers become afternoon burdens by 2pm
Rainy days average 10 per month with sudden afternoon showers lasting 30-45 minutes, disrupting outdoor plans without warning
Tourist infrastructure still ramping up - some seasonal attractions like boat tours operate limited schedules until Victoria Day weekend

Best Activities in May

East Coast Trail Coastal Hiking

May offers ideal conditions for the Spout Path and Blackhead Path sections with moderate 21-28°C (70-82°F) temperatures and minimal bug activity. Morning fog creates dramatic coastal photography opportunities, clearing by 11am most days. Trail conditions are excellent post-snowmelt with secure footing on cliff sections.

Booking Tip: No reservations needed for trails, but book guided interpretive walks 7-10 days ahead through Parks Canada. Self-guided costs nothing, guided walks typically ฿40-60 CAD. Download offline maps - cell service spotty beyond 2km (1.2 miles) from trailheads.

Iceberg and Whale Watching Boat Tours

Peak iceberg viewing coincides with early humpback whale arrivals in Trinity Bay and Conception Bay. May offers 70% iceberg sighting probability with bergs averaging 30m (98ft) height. Calmer morning seas before 1pm provide better viewing and photography conditions with minimal motion sickness.

Booking Tip: Book 14-21 days ahead as tours run limited schedules until Victoria Day. Tours typically cost ฿80-120 CAD for 2-3 hours. Choose morning departures (8-10am) for calmest seas and best iceberg visibility. See current tour options in booking section below.

Historic Downtown Walking Discovery

Pleasant 21-25°C (70-77°F) temperatures make extensive walking comfortable through the Jellybean Row houses and historic Garrison District. May's longer daylight extends exploration time, with golden hour photography opportunities at Signal Hill lasting until 8:30pm. Fewer crowds allow better access to narrow historic streets.

Booking Tip: Self-guided walking is free using city heritage trail maps. Guided heritage walks typically cost ฿25-35 CAD and run weekends starting Victoria Day. Book cultural center tours 5-7 days ahead. Weather can change quickly - start early morning for best conditions.

Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site

North America's easternmost point offers spectacular sunrise viewing at 5:45am in late May with minimal cloud interference. Ideal weather for the 1.5km (0.9 mile) coastal trail with moderate winds averaging 15km/h (9mph). May timing catches both late icebergs and early wildflower blooms in the barrens ecosystem.

Booking Tip: Site entry typically ฿8-12 CAD, open dawn to dusk. No advance booking required but arrive by 6:30am for sunrise photography without crowds. Parking fills by 11am on sunny weekends. Lighthouse tours run hourly 10am-4pm weather permitting.

Traditional Music Pub Sessions

May marks the return of regular traditional music sessions in George Street pubs after winter hiatus. Authentic Irish and Newfoundland folk music performances typically run Wednesday through Saturday evenings. Comfortable walking weather encourages pub-hopping between venues on George Street's 200m (656ft) strip.

Booking Tip: No advance booking needed for most sessions. Cover charges typically ฿10-20 CAD, starting around 8pm. Music quality peaks Thursday-Friday nights. Arrive by 7:30pm for seating - standing room only after 9pm on weekends.

Quidi Vidi Village and Brewery Experience

Historic fishing village 3km (1.9 miles) from downtown offers perfect spring weather exploration with calm harbor waters and operating fish boats. The microbrewery features seasonal May ales using local ingredients. Pleasant walking temperatures make the harbourfront trail and craft shops comfortable for extended browsing.

Booking Tip: Village exploration is free, brewery tours typically ฿15-25 CAD including tastings. Tours run daily 2-6pm starting mid-May. Book brewery experiences 3-5 days ahead on weekends. Combine with nearby Battery heritage trail for full afternoon.

May Events & Festivals

Late May

Victoria Day Weekend Festival Activities

Long weekend marks official start of tourist season with harbor celebrations, outdoor markets, and extended hours for seasonal attractions. Local food vendors set up harbourfront stalls featuring traditional Newfoundland specialties like fish and brewis, toutons, and seal flipper pie.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support - coastal trails have loose rock sections and sudden puddles from 89mm (3.5 inches) monthly rainfall

Layered clothing system: base layer, fleece mid-layer, waterproof shell for 10°C (18°F) daily temperature swings

Quality rain jacket with hood - afternoon showers arrive without warning and last 30-45 minutes

SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index reaches 8 with intense reflection off ocean and remaining snow patches

Warm hat and gloves for early morning activities - 6am sunrise viewing at Cape Spear feels like 15°C (59°F) with windchill

Power bank for phone - extended daylight encourages longer outdoor activities, draining batteries faster

Insect repellent - mosquitoes emerge in sheltered areas by late May, especially around Quidi Vidi Lake

Camera with weather protection - May offers prime photography conditions but sudden weather changes threaten equipment

Cash in small bills - many seasonal vendors and small tour operators don't accept cards until mid-season

Comfortable walking shoes with grip - historic downtown cobblestones become slippery when wet from frequent showers

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations by April 15th for Victoria Day weekend - prices jump 40% and availability drops to 20% for downtown hotels after this date

Visit Signal Hill before 9am or after 6pm to avoid tour bus crowds that arrive in waves between 10am-5pm from cruise ship schedules

Download weather radar apps - locals check radar hourly in May due to rapidly changing conditions that surprise tourists

Iceberg sightings peak during incoming tides - check tide tables and visit Cape Spear 2 hours before high tide for best viewing probability

Avoid These Mistakes

Packing only light spring clothing - visitors underestimate how cold morning temperatures feel with ocean winds at 15km/h (9mph)

Planning rigid outdoor schedules - May weather changes require flexible itineraries with indoor backup plans for rainy afternoons

Expecting full tourist season services - many seasonal restaurants and attractions operate reduced hours until Victoria Day weekend