Red BayOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

The 16th-Century Whaling Station

Red Bay's history is linked to Basque whalers who established a major whaling station here in the 16th century. From approximately 1530 to the early 17th century, Red Bay, then known as 'Butus', was the largest whaling station in North America. Basque mariners from Spain and France crossed the Atlantic annually to hunt right whales and bowhead whales in the waters of the Labrador coast. They rendered whale blubber into oil in large stone ovens called 'tryworks' and shipped it back to Europe for use in lamps, soap, and other products. This industry shaped the early European presence in the region and left significant archaeological traces.

A Preserved Industrial Landscape

The remains of this industrial activity are still visible today. Archaeological excavations, particularly since the 1970s, have uncovered evidence, leading to Red Bay being designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013. On Saddle Island, the foundations of tryworks, cooperage workshops where barrels for oil were made, and a cemetery containing the graves of over 130 Basque whalers are present. The San Juan, a 16th-century Basque galleon that sank in 1565, is the most famous shipwreck discovered in Red Bay. Its preserved hull provided insights into period shipbuilding and maritime life. These remnants explain the layout of the site and the activities that occurred here centuries ago.

• —Red Bay National Historic Site Visitor Centre — This is the starting point, with exhibits detailing the Basque whaling industry, artifacts recovered from archaeological digs, and a full-scale replica of a chalupa, the small boat used by whalers.
• —Saddle Island — Accessible by a short boat ride, this island holds archaeological remains. Here you will find the foundations of tryworks, where blubber was rendered into oil, the outlines of cooperage workshops, and the Basque whalers' cemetery with its stone markers.
• —Whaling Station Remains (Mainland) — Along the shore near the visitor centre, you can see the foundations of the main whaling station, including the large oil warehouse and other structures that supported the industry.
• —Point Amour Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site — A short drive from Red Bay, this is the second tallest lighthouse in Atlantic Canada, built in 1857. You can climb to the top for views of the Strait of Belle Isle.
• —Basque Whalers' Cemetery on Saddle Island — This site contains the graves of over 130 Basque whalers who died in Red Bay, offering a connection to the lives of these 16th-century mariners.

The best time to visit Red Bay is from late June to early September. Temperatures are mildest then, typically ranging from 10°C to 20°C, and all attractions, including the boat service to Saddle Island, are operational. The light is long and clear. Outside of this period, many facilities begin to close. Visiting in late spring or early fall can offer views of changing foliage, but services may be limited, and the weather can be unpredictable with colder temperatures and higher chances of rain or fog. Winter travel is not recommended due to harsh weather conditions and widespread closures.

Red Bay is on the south coast of Labrador. The closest major airport is Deer Lake Regional Airport (YDF) in Newfoundland, which requires a ferry crossing across the Strait of Belle Isle to Labrador and then a drive along the Labrador Coastal Drive (Route 510). Alternatively, you can fly into Blanc-Sablon Airport (YBX) in Quebec, a short drive from the Labrador border. Once in Red Bay, the main historic site and village are explored on foot. Parking is available at the Red Bay National Historic Site Visitor Centre. There are no public transport options within Red Bay itself, so a personal vehicle is necessary for exploring the surrounding area, such as Point Amour Lighthouse. There are no specific market days; local goods are found in small general stores. Services like gas stations and restaurants can be sparse outside of the summer season, so plan ahead.