Things to Do in St. John's in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
November Weather in St. John's
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
45°F (7°C)
High Temp
36°F (2°C)
Low Temp
0.2 inches (5 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ UV index reaches 8 even in November - the thin atmosphere at this latitude burns skin faster than tropical destinations
⚠ Black ice forms on hills after sunset when temperatures drop - avoid driving unfamiliar routes after dark
Is November Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + November lands in St. John's sweet spot. The hurricanes have gone, winter has not yet clamped down. Afternoons hit 15°C (59°F) and feel almost balmy after October's damp chill.
- + Whale watching peaks now. Humpbacks gorge before their southward migration, the bay thick with them. Local captains know the exact ledges where they surface.
- + Hotel rates drop 30-40% from summer highs. Restaurants still serve fresh cod and the last of the season's partridgeberries. You get the food without the cruise-ship crowds.
- + George Street's pubs turn properly local again. Summer bartenders have flown home. You drink with fishermen who rose at 4 AM to haul crab pots.
Considerations
- − Days shorten fast. By late November you lose 3 minutes of daylight daily. Sunset hits 4:30 PM. That Newfoundland darkness feels heavier than elsewhere.
- − Weather swings violent. You might wake to windshield frost, need sunglasses by lunch, and face horizontal rain by dinner. All in one day.
- − Some well-known boat tours shut down by mid-November. Operators prep for winter fishery. Want that puffin colony shot? You're cutting it close.
Best Activities in November
Top things to do during your visit
Signal Hill Winter Hiking
The November wind up here tastes of salt and pine resin. You'll have the trails mostly to yourself. The summit gives that panoramic view of the Narrows where icebergs would float in spring. Now it's just the Atlantic rolling in endless grey-blue. Dress in layers. The wind chill drops the felt temperature 5-7°C (9-12°F) below whatever your weather app claims.
Booking Tip: No booking needed for the hill itself; it's public land. Go before 10 AM when the sun hits the trails. Bring microspikes for your boots after mid-November when frost makes the boardwalks treacherous.
Quidi Vidi Village Microbrewery Tours
This fishing village tucked inside St. John's harbor becomes a different place in November. The cod-drying flakes are empty. But the brewery inside an old fish plant pumps out stout that tastes of roasted barley and sea air. Locals gather here after the boats come in, and the conversation runs thick with accents that mainland Canadians need subtitles for.
Booking Tip: Tours typically run hourly but shrink to weekends-only by late November. The brewery keeps irregular hours tied to fishing schedules. Call ahead rather than just showing up.
Cape Spear Whale Watching Boat Trips
November's when the humpbacks bulk up for their 5,000 km (3,100 mile) swim to the Caribbean. The boats are smaller now, maybe 12 passengers max, and the water's rougher, but you'll get within 30 meters (100 feet) of whales that are longer than your boat. The spray hits cold enough to numb your face. But then a 40-ton whale breaches and you forget the temperature entirely.
Booking Tip: Book 2-3 days ahead max. Captains won't commit further out because they need to read the marine forecast. Morning trips run 8 AM-noon when winds are typically calmest.
Downtown Food Walking Tours
November's the month for comfort food. Think moose stew thick enough to stand a spoon in, toutons (fried bread dough) served with molasses at places like The Ship Pub, and the last fresh cod before winter sets in. Tour guides know which kitchens still have partridgeberry pie and which ones have switched to frozen berries.
Booking Tip: These run smaller groups in November, maybe 6 people instead of 15, so you talk to chefs instead of just watching them. Book the afternoon tour; you'll need the daylight walking between stops.
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 November
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for November travellers.
★★★★
Mid-Range
Best Western Plus St. Johns Airport Hotel and Suites
From $281 / night
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November Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Mid November
Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival Winter Warm-Up
Local musicians pack into downtown pubs for sessions that run until the bars close at 3 AM. The music is pure kitchen-party: fiddles, accordions, and songs about fishing disasters that happened before your grandparents were born. No cover charge. But buy a round or three.
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
The Rooms museum cafe serves the city's best fish and chips. But locals know to ask for the 'screech-in' version; they soak the cod in rum before battering it.
November's when you can get into Raymonds for dinner without booking three months ahead. The cruise crowds are gone but the chef hasn't left for his winter break yet.
Water Street's shops discount winter gear 25-30% in mid-November as they clear inventory. Perfect if you underestimated how cold St. John's gets.
The Battery neighborhood's colorful houses photograph best at 2 PM in November when the sun hits them straight on. Morning and evening they're in shadow.
Avoid These Mistakes
Assuming November means winter tires aren't needed. Rental agencies switch over by October 15, and you'll slide sideways on the hills without them.
Booking whale tours more than a week ahead. Captains cancel for weather constantly in November, and you'll lose deposits to operators who won't reschedule.
Wearing jeans. They take three days to dry in November's damp, and locals will spot you as a mainlander immediately.
Ready to plan your trip to St. John's?
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Top-rated things to do in St. John's this November
