Things to Do in St. John's in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
May Weather in St. John's
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
78°F (25°C)
High Temp
49°F (10°C)
Low Temp
0.0 inches (0 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Dense fog (locally called RDF: rain, drizzle, fog) can roll in within minutes, hiding coastal viewpoints and cancelling boat tours, in early May.
⚠ Strong Atlantic winds batter exposed points like Cape Spear and Signal Hill, where the cliffs are unfenced, wet, and undercut, so keep well back from the edges.
Is May Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Iceberg season kicks off now. Late May brings the first bergs calved off Greenland drifting into Iceberg Alley off the Avalon Peninsula. You can often spot them grounded in the shallows from Cape Spear or the Signal Hill trails without paying for a boat. The water sits around 0-4C (32-39F), cold enough that the bergs hold their shape for days.
- + This is true shoulder season. You skip the July-August crush. Signal Hill's North Head Trail, the lookout at Cabot Tower, and the row-house streets of downtown stay quiet. Hotel rates run noticeably lower than the summer peak.
- + Boat-tour season opens in the last week or so of May, usually around the Victoria Day long weekend. The Atlantic puffins return to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, the largest puffin colony in North America, about a 40 km (25 mile) drive south. The first operators start running.
- + Daylight is long and the light is dramatic. By late May you get over 15 hours of daylight. The sun is up before 5:30am. Cape Spear, the easternmost point in North America, catches the continent's first sunrise while the cliffs are still empty.
Considerations
- − The weather is raw. Days hover around 10-13C (50-55F). Nights drop near 3C (37F). Fog can swallow Signal Hill in minutes. Expect rain, drizzle, or fog on roughly 14 days of the month. Pack as if it is early spring rather than summer.
- − Many seasonal businesses are only half awake in early May. A number of boat operators, smaller restaurants in places like Quidi Vidi and Petty Harbour, and some trail services do not open fully until late in the month. The first two weeks offer fewer options.
- − Whales are a gamble in May. The humpbacks follow the capelin, and the capelin usually do not roll onto the beaches until mid-June. A boat trip booked for whales in May can come up empty. Come for icebergs and puffins. Treat any whale sighting as a bonus.
Best Activities in May
Top things to do during your visit
St. John's in May is a city shaking off the long Atlantic winter. You will feel a damp chill in the air. A cool breeze often rolls in from the harbour. The light takes on a particular clarity between bouts of the famous RDF (rain, drizzle, and fog). Locals trade snow shovels for garden trowels. The historic downtown hums with a quieter, more local energy before the summer cruise ships arrive. This is a month for the maritime climate. A warm sweater and a reliable jacket are constant companions. Your reward is having the city's dramatic landscapes and intimate venues largely to yourself. The season's rhythm is set by weather and arts. Mid-May brings the Lawnya Vawnya festival. This independent music and arts gathering transforms small downtown rooms into hubs of sound. On cool, drizzly evenings, follow the scent of damp pavement and charcoal smoke to a venue. There you will hear modern Newfoundland indie acts. The sound echoes off old brick walls. It is a chance to experience St. John's as a living, creative port city, not a postcard. You can talk to a band member over a local beer after their set. Planning is key. Wristbands for marquee nights tend to sell out quickly.
Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise
cruiseEnters the icy, nutrient-rich waters of the North Atlantic. You will see towering seabird cliffs come alive with the frantic beats of thousands of puffin wings. You will hear the explosive breath of a humpback whale. Feel the salt spray on your face as the boat heels in the swell.
This cruise has a direct encounter with wild marine life. It defines Newfoundland's coastal identity.
Insider tip: Dress in layers warmer than you think you need. The wind on the open water is biting, even on a sunny May day.
This month: May marks the start of the reliable whale watching season in St. John's. The great migrations bring humpbacks close to shore to feed.
Historic St. John's Newfoundland and Cape Spear Tour
culturalWeaves through steep, winding streets. It passes rows of Victorian houses painted in vivid colours. You can see them gleaming in the soft May light. The tour goes to the continent's easternmost point. At Cape Spear, you will hear the deep groan of the foghorn cutting through the mist. Feel the raw power of the Atlantic winds against the historic lighthouse.
This tour connects the storybook charm of downtown with the raw drama of its coastal frontier.
Insider tip: Ask your guide about the hidden military bunkers and tunnels at Cape Spear. They are remnants of the Second World War that are often overlooked.
St. John's Downtown Walking Tour
walking_tourLeads along uneven sidewalks and through narrow alleyways. You can smell the tang of salt air mixed with brewing coffee from a basement shop. You will hear tales of great fires and naval battles. Touch the cool, rough stone of the city's oldest surviving buildings. Their foundations were set long before Canada was a country.
This walk peels back the colourful clapboard layers of St. John's. It reveals resilient, centuries-old bones.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes with good grip. The hills are deceptively steep. The historic paving can be slippery when wet with May drizzle.
Award Winning 4 Hr Tour w Come From Away star* (lunch included)
guided_experienceHas a unique narrative drive. You will see the airport that inspired a global phenomenon. Hear firsthand stories from someone who lived the events. Their voice conveys the warmth and chaos of that historic week. You will taste a traditional Newfoundland lunch. It likely has a savory pie or a rich seafood chowder.
This tour provides an emotional gateway into the community spirit that defines this island.
Insider tip: Come with questions about the finer details of the true story. The guide's personal anecdotes are the gold here.
St. John's 3 Hour Newfoundland Food Tour
foodLets you taste the island's pantry. Expect the sharp, vinegary kick of mustard pickles. Taste the soft, sweet dough of a fresh touton drizzled with molasses. You will smell baking bread and frying fish moving between local eateries. Proprietors explain each dish's origins with proud familiarity.
This tour is a curated introduction to hearty, preserved flavors. They sustained Newfoundlanders for generations.
Insider tip: Pace yourself with the generous samples. The tour ends with a final, filling dish. You will want to have saved room.
2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls
cruiseProvides a concentrated offshore adventure. You will feel the hull thump against the waves. See the sleek, dark backs of minke whales gliding beside the boat. The air carries the distinct, pungent smell of guano from teeming bird colonies. You will hear the guides' excited shouts pinpointing wildlife.
This efficient tour delivers a powerful dose of the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve's marine activity.
Insider tip: Bring binoculars for a closer look at razorbills and murres. The boat cannot always get extremely close to the protected habitats.
This month: May is an excellent time for this tour in Bay Bulls. Puffins return to their cliffside burrows. Whale sightings become increasingly common.
Where to Stay in St. John's in May
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for May travellers.
★★★★
Mid-Range
Best Western Plus St. Johns Airport Hotel and Suites
From $281 / night
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May Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Mid May
Lawnya Vawnya
An independent music and arts festival that takes over small downtown St. John's venues for several days, showing Newfoundland and visiting indie acts in rooms intimate enough to talk to the band afterward. It is the city's best excuse to spend cold, drizzly May evenings inside, drink local beer, and hear music you will not find on a tourist itinerary. Tickets and wristbands tend to sell through for the marquee nights, so sort them out before you arrive.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View St. John's Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Drive to Cape Spear before dawn for the first sunrise in North America. In late May that is around 5:15am, and you will likely have the easternmost cliffs to yourself before any tour buses arrive.
On foggy days, skip the boat and chase icebergs from shore instead. Bergs often ground in the shallows off Cape Spear and below Signal Hill and sit for days, so a free clifftop walk can beat a sailing that fog might cancel.
Quidi Vidi village is the prettiest 20 minutes in the city, a working cove of fishing stages right beside downtown, and the brewery there pours a beer made with actual iceberg water.
Get 'Screeched in' at a George Street pub: kiss the cod, take a shot of Screech rum, and recite the line. It is unabashedly touristy. But the locals still enjoy watching newcomers go through with it.
Eat like a Newfoundlander: order cod tongues and fish cakes, start the day with toutons and molasses, and if you are in town on a Sunday, look for a Jiggs dinner of salt beef and root vegetables.
Avoid These Mistakes
Packing for a beach holiday. People arrive expecting warmth and sunshine and get cool, foggy spring weather instead. May here is jacket-and-boots season, not shorts season.
Booking a May boat tour expecting guaranteed whales. The humpbacks follow the capelin, which usually do not arrive until mid-June, so come for icebergs and puffins and take any whale as a happy surprise.
Underestimating fog and coastal driving times. A short hop to Witless Bay, Ferryland, or Petty Harbour can stretch out when fog drops visibility to a few car lengths, so leave more time than the map suggests.
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