Timeline
17:12
Cape Spear National Historic Site
Drive the 15 km from St. John's to Cape Spear. The site is remote, so plan your return trip before it gets dark.
17:42
Cape Spear National Historic Site
Park and walk the trails toward the cliff edge. Find a sturdy railing or safe spot facing west. The drop is 45 meters, so stay well back from the edge and heed all posted warnings. The ocean wind will be brisk.
18:12
Cape Spear National Historic Site
Watch the sun set toward the WSW. The light fades quickly as the sun disappears below the horizon, leaving the lighthouse and cliffs in shadow.
18:32
Cape Spear National Historic Site
Stay for the twilight. The sky shifts from orange to blue. It is the perfect time to reflect at the most easterly point in North America before heading back.
Local tip
Cape Spear is a National Historic Site with no food services on location. Bring a thermos or snack with you. The drive from St. John's is short but the return trip in the dark requires care.
Check before you go
- The site is open daily, but check the Parks Canada website for seasonal hours and weather closures.
- The cliff edge is steep and dangerous. Do not lean over railings.
- No food or drink shops are available at Cape Spear. Bring provisions.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to St. John's (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).