Taking the Western Brook Pond boat tour was a Newfoundland highlight. Calling it a pond is a bit of understatement. This is a large deep lake that was once a fjord open to the ocean like Bonne Bay. It sits in the towering Long Range Mountains (which are the northernmost section of the Appalachian Mountains). The pond’s surrounding rocky mountains were glacier carved and as the glaciers slowly receded, the land slowly recovered from its crushing weight and eventually Western Brook Pond (along with Bakers Brook Pond and Trout River Pond) became cut off from the ocean, making it a land-locked fjord. Over many years its salt water fill was replaced with fresh water from runoff.
To visit Western Brook Pond here’s some things to know:
- There is only one tour company (with 2 boats) that has met all of the strict environmental requirements to offer this tour and the tour is very popular so book ahead of time at Bon Tours (link here).
- The 3km walk from the parking lot to the dock is part of the experience so get there in plenty of time to really enjoy it.
- There are restrooms and a few snacks at the dock.
- Line up early for boarding as the best views are from the top deck.
- Bring a windbreaker or sweatshirt. We had an unusually calm day, but more typically, it is very windy, especially where on the open water from the dock to the mouth of the fjord. Later in the trip, the over-2000-foot cliffs (see the boat in the picture below for scale) will block some of the wind.
Boat for comparison
- Bring sunglasses and sturdy shoes. If you’re lucky, like we were, the overcast morning clouds will melt away making for a beautiful sunny day. Sturdy shoes will allow you to move comfortably around the deck to take in the large rock pillars on both sides and the waterfalls snaking down the heavy forested rocks to feed this pond.
- Don’t expect see too many animals. This extremely clean, freshwater fjord doesn’t support a lot of fish, so the birds are scarce, and thus, there are few larger predators. This doesn’t make the trip any less awe-inspiring. The rock formations, waterfalls, and perfect hanging valley are jaw-dropping. A phone photo won’t do them justice, but you get the idea.
Stunning Hanging Valley
- Consider a cash tip for your guides and be prepared to talk about your favorite hockey team. Not only do the guides provide a lot of great information about the area, but they inject some great humor and aren’t afraid to bring out the spoons for some traditional Newfoundland seafaring music on the return to the dock.
Our boat trip on Western Brook Pond was one of those days that I remember as being simply perfect! It started with a nice brisk walk towards cloud shrouded hills and the sunshine arrived just in time to highlight this pond and the surrounding mountains in all their glory. It could have even been the calming of the wind that still carried the slight smell of fresh rain once inside the walls of the fjord. It was probably the combination of all these things that made it a pinch-me-I-might-be-dreaming moment.
Days like this one remind us of how fortunate we are to have the opportunity to travel in this manner. We are thankful and hoping that you’re finding beauty and joy in your life as well.
