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
48°F (9°C)
High Temp
36°F (2°C)
Low Temp
0.1 inches (3 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 emerging from the long Atlantic winter. The air, thick with salt and dampness, holds a chill that locals still call a sweater breeze. You will see the hillsides shift from drab brown to a tentative green, and hear the harbour come alive with the metallic clatter of rigging and the low groan of fishing boats. The city's signature row houses, painted in shades of butter yellow, robin's egg blue, and fire-engine red, appear even more vivid against the frequent grey backdrop of rain, drizzle, and fog. This is not a month for predictable sunshine. But for witnessing the raw, elemental character of Newfoundland as it shakes off the cold. The rhythm here is dictated by the water and the weather, with days often spent moving between cozy cafes and dramatic coastal lookouts as squalls roll in from the sea. Visiting St. John's during this time means embracing the maritime climate. With average highs around 13 degrees Celsius and a persistent humidity near 82 percent, the damp can seep into your bones, making a steaming bowl of seafood chowder or a rich cup of coffee taste all the better. The conditions are famously changeable; a morning of thick, woolly fog that muffles the sound of the harbour bell can give way to an afternoon where you feel a cool, clear breeze carrying the sharp, iodine scent of seaweed from the rocky shore. Locals are tending to gardens, preparing boats, and simply enjoying the lengthening days without the peak summer crowds, offering a glimpse of St. John's as its residents know it.
Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise
cruiseA boat journey from St. John's into the North Atlantic brings you face-to-face with the region's most charismatic wildlife. You will see the comic, orange-beaked puffins bob on the waves before they flutter clumsily back to their cliffside burrows, and hear the explosive breath of a humpback whale breaking the surface. The cool salt spray on your face and the sight of these creatures against a backdrop of sheer, bird-strewn sea stacks defines the Newfoundland coast.
It delivers a direct, exhilarating encounter with the abundant marine life that defines the ecosystem just beyond the city's harbour.
Insider tip: Dress in layers you do not mind getting damp, as the weather offshore from St. John's is often several degrees cooler and wetter than in the sheltered port.
Historic St. John's Newfoundland and Cape Spear Tour
culturalThis tour weaves together the human and natural history of the Avalon Peninsula, from the steep, winding lanes of downtown St. John's to the wind-whipped cliffs of Cape Spear. You will stand at the continent's easternmost point, feeling the full force of the Atlantic winds and hearing the deep thrum of the foghorn, then contrast that with the stories etched into the city's centuries-old batteries and Signal Hill.
It connects the intimate, colourful streetscapes of the city with the monumental, raw geography that has shaped its destiny.
Insider tip: If the RDF clears, the view back towards St. John's from the Cape Spear lighthouse, with the city clinging to the hills, is striking.
St. John's 3 Hour Newfoundland Food Tour
foodThis is an edible introduction to the culture of St. John's, moving from traditional bakeries to modern eateries. You will taste the dense, molasses-sweetened comfort of figgy duff, sample tangy, salt-cured cod prepared in a classic manner, and finish with a rich, creamy bite of partridgeberry cheesecake, all while walking the historic downtown streets.
It provides an essential, delicious context for understanding Newfoundland's distinct culinary heritage, which is rooted in preservation and local ingredients.
Insider tip: Come hungry and skip breakfast, as the portions are generous and designed to show the hearty nature of local fare.
2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls
cruiseDeparting from the nearby community of Bay Bulls, this tour ventures into the sheltered waters of a scenic fjord, where wildlife viewing is often concentrated. You will hear the captain's knowledgeable commentary over the rumble of the diesel engine and feel the boat sway as passengers rush to one side to see a minke whale's sleek back arc through the water.
The protected inlet near St. John's often offers calmer waters and reliable, close-up sightings of whales and towering seabird colonies.
Insider tip: The shorter duration makes this a good option for families or for fitting into a day with other plans around St. John's.
2 Hour Award-Winning Whale and Seabird Boat Tour from St. John's
cruiseThis acclaimed expedition from St. John's harbour focuses intently on the whales and seabirds that feed in the rich offshore banks. You will smell the damp, briny air as the boat reaches the feeding grounds, and see the dramatic sight of a humpback's fluke rising high before it dives into the dark, cold depths.
The dedicated focus and expert guides maximize your chances of witnessing spectacular marine mammal behavior just a short distance from the city.
Insider tip: Position yourself near the onboard naturalist to hear detailed identifications of the various shearwaters, gannets, and puffins that swirl around the boat.
Explore St. John's Scenic Bus Tour to Cape Spear and Quidi Vidi
guided_experienceA comfortable overview of St. John's and its immediate natural landmarks, this tour covers both the urban core and the rugged coastal edges. You will see the small, scenic fishing stages of Quidi Vidi Village, feel the relentless wind at Cape Spear, and get a panoramic view of St. John's colourful skyline from the heights of Signal Hill without the exertion of the hike.
It efficiently packs the well-known visual postcards of the region into a single, accessible trip, good for those with limited time or mobility.
Insider tip: Request a window seat when booking for unobstructed photography, along the winding road to Cape Spear.
Explore More Activities in St. John's
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See All St. John's Tours on ViatorWhere to Stay in St. John's in May
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for May travellers.
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From $281 / night
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Public Holidays in May
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
National Patriots' Day
A public holiday in these regions only: CA-QC.
Victoria Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
National Patriots' Day
A public holiday in these regions only: CA-QC.
Victoria Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
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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