Things to Do in St. John's in September
September weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
September Weather in St. John's
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
82°F (28°C)
High Temp
56°F (13°C)
Low Temp
0.0 inches (0 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Post-tropical storm risk peaks in September. Tail ends of Atlantic hurricanes can bring a full day of heavy rain and damaging wind. Boat tours and ferries cancel fast.
⚠ Atlantic fog can roll in fast. It swallows the city and coastline without warning. Visibility drops to a few metres. Coastal drives near Cape Spear turn ghostly. Headlands vanish into grey. Slow down. Use fog lights. Wait it out.
⚠ North Atlantic winds hit hard. They tear across exposed cliffs and lookouts. Temperatures feel ten degrees lower. Trails like North Head and East Coast Trail turn slick. Gusts can knock you sideways. Bring layers. Grip your poles.
Is September Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + September is the sweet spot in St. John's. The summer crowds that pack George Street and the Signal Hill trails through July and August have thinned out by the second week. Walk the North Head Trail along the cliffs above the harbour narrows without queuing for the good photo spots. Same-week tables open at the long-standing seafood rooms on Water Street that were booked solid a month earlier.
- + The light is the thing locals quietly love about September. Slanting afternoon sun sets the Jellybean Row houses on Gower and Prescott Streets glowing in their candy reds, yellows and blues. Long golden evenings over the harbour are far easier to photograph than the flat midsummer glare. Fog still rolls in off the Atlantic. But it tends to burn back by late morning more reliably than in June.
- + Whale-and-seabird boat tours and East Coast Trail hiking are both still running in early-to-mid September. Cooler air, often 14 to 18 degrees C, roughly 57 to 64 degrees F, makes cliff-top walking far more comfortable than sweating up Signal Hill in August. Humpbacks linger in the bays into the first weeks of the month before the season winds down.
- + Prices ease noticeably after Labour Day. Downtown guesthouses and the heritage inns around Military Road and Gower Street drop from peak-summer rates. Flights into St. John's International (YYT) soften. The whole town moves at a friendlier, less harried pace once the cruise-season rush tapers off.
Considerations
- − Post-tropical storms are the real September risk in Newfoundland. The tail ends of Atlantic hurricanes regularly track up to the island in September. A single system can bring a full day of horizontal rain and 80-plus km/h (50-plus mph) wind that cancels every boat tour and grounds the ferry to Bell Island. Build a flexible day or two into any short itinerary.
- − Daylight and warmth are both shrinking fast. By late September the evenings turn cool, dropping toward 14 degrees C (57 degrees F) or lower with a damp wind off the water that feels colder than the number suggests. The 28 degrees C (82 degrees F) warm spells the data hints at are the exception, not the rule, and they rarely last more than a day.
- − Some seasonal operators start closing for the year. Smaller boat-tour outfits in Bay Bulls and a handful of Quidi Vidi-area food and craft spots scale back hours or shut entirely after mid-month. so the later in September you visit, the more you should confirm a place is still running before you build your day around it.
Best Activities in September
Top things to do during your visit
September in St. John's brings clear, cool air. The city's famously variable weather often settles into stretches of crisp, blue days. A bank of sea fog can still roll in, cloaking Signal Hill in soft grey. Locals take to the trails in the Avalon wilderness. They savor the last reliable weeks for coastal hikes before the Atlantic chill deepens. The city's rhythm relaxes. This makes it a favored time for visitors who prefer the vivid architecture and storied lanes without the summer crowds.
Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise
cruiseSalt spray mists your face. The engine's rumble gives way to the explosive sound of a humpback's breath. Look from the dark, rolling water to the sheer cliff faces. They are dotted with the comical waddle and bright orange beaks of thousands of puffins preparing for migration. The cool ocean breeze carries the pungent smell of seabird colonies and fish.
This cruise delivers the profound experience of encountering whales and puffins within the dramatic seascape that defines Newfoundland's coastline.
Insider tip: Position yourself on the vessel's upper deck, starboard side, for the clearest views toward the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve cliffs. Puffin congregations are thickest there.
Historic St. John's Newfoundland and Cape Spear Tour
culturalYou hear the deep groan of the foghorn. You feel the constant push of the Atlantic wind. Stand before the stark white and red stripes of North America's oldest surviving lighthouse. Watch ocean swells crash against black rocks far below.
It frames the story of St. John's, from its urban heart to its role as a sentinel on the easternmost point of North America.
Insider tip: Wear a wind-resistant layer. The gales at Cape Spear are consistently stronger and colder than in the city center.
St. John's Downtown Walking Tour
walking_tourYou see the brilliant fuchsias, yellows, and blues of the Jellybean Row houses under the September sun. Hear tales of great fires and maritime triumphs. Feel the worn cobblestones on Water Street. Catch whiffs of salt air and coffee from basement cafes.
It unlocks the history and character embedded in the slopes of one of North America's oldest cities.
Insider tip: Start at the Anglican Cathedral on Church Hill. You begin with a panoramic view over the city and the Narrows.
Award Winning 4 Hr Tour w Come From Away star* (lunch included)
guided_experienceTaste a traditional lunch. It likely has a rich stew or dense molasses bread. Listen to stories of notable generosity. They carry a palpable emotional weight.
It transforms the global story of 9/11 kindness into an intimate encounter with the culture of the Avalon Peninsula.
Insider tip: Allow time after the tour concludes at Gander International Airport. Walk the tarmac and see the actual runway where 38 wide-bodied jets sat.
St. John's 3 Hour Newfoundland Food Tour
foodTaste the tangy heat of a mustard pick. Try the dense chew of a figgy duff. Sample the salty savor of fish and brewis. Duck into a historic pub. Hear lively chatter and the clink of glasses. The air smells of fried cod and dark ale.
It provides an essential education in Newfoundland's unique foodways, from preserved traditions to contemporary versions.
Insider tip: Come hungry. The portions across multiple stops are substantial and hearty.
2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls
cruiseThis faster boat ride brings you quickly into the feeding grounds. Feel the hull slap against the cold, green water. The sharp cry of gulls mixes with the captain's spotting call. He directs your eyes to a distant puff of spray or the glossy black curve of a minke whale's back.
The condensed timeline offers an intense window into the marine life thriving minutes from the St. John's area shoreline.
Insider tip: The shorter duration makes this an ideal afternoon excursion. Pair it with a morning on the nearby East Coast Trail.
Where to Stay in St. John's in September
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for September travellers.
★★★★
Mid-Range
Best Western Plus St. Johns Airport Hotel and Suites
From $281 / night
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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
Locals watch the marine forecast and the storm track, not the daily temperature. A St. Johner planning a September boat day or cliff walk checks the wind speed and any approaching post-tropical system first. Wind, not rain or cold, is what ruins a day here.
Fish and chips is a local institution. The long-standing chip shops, the kind that have been frying since the 1950s, do cod the way it should be done. Order it with dressing and gravy the way Newfoundlanders do. Try cod tongues or fish cakes if you want what the older crowd eats.
September is berry season. Partridgeberries and bakeapples (cloudberries) turn up in jams, tarts and sauces around town. You will spot people picking partridgeberries along the barrens off the East Coast Trail. It is a quietly seasonal taste of Newfoundland most summer visitors miss.
If a Screech-in is offered at a George Street pub, do it for the fun rather than the rum. It is a lighthearted local ritual involving a shot of dark rum and kissing a cod. The bartenders deliver it with deadpan Newfoundland humour that is half the experience.
Avoid These Mistakes
Do not underpack for wind and damp because the forecast shows a mild number. A 16 degrees C (61 degrees F) day with 60 km/h (37 mph) wind and fog off the water feels far colder. Visitors in shorts and a t-shirt regret it within an hour on Signal Hill.
Avoid booking a non-refundable boat tour for the only afternoon of a short trip. September storm days happen. A rigid one-shot plan often means missing the whales entirely. Build in a backup window.
Do not assume everything runs at full summer hours. By mid-to-late September some seasonal boat operators and smaller Quidi Vidi spots cut back or close. Confirm a place is open before building your day around it.
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