﻿ Elliston - Whales, Icebergs & Mini-Dungeon


Attractions - Whales, Icebergs & Mini-Dungeon




Whales are no strangers to Elliston. Each year we are fortunate to witness them swimming, jumping and feeding in our waters. There are days you can literally sit in your yard and just watch the show. Whales can be often seen feeding on the caplin (tiny fish) that swarm annually by the millions to spawn around our shores.


Humpbacks whales are often sighted in late spring from their Caribbean winter breeding grounds. They reach a body length of up to 53 feet.


Other common whales are Minke and Fin. Minke whales are the smallest baleen whale in the northwest Atlantic reaching a length of approximately 30 feet. They are common in inshore waters in the summertime. They are quite curious and will often approach boats. The fin whale reaches about 75 feet in length and is also a common sight.



Whale Photos






Often Elliston is treated to the sight of icebergs that pass along our coast line. However, the frequency of icebergs in the area varies annually. They are 10,000-15,000 years old and are transported by the Labrador Current.


Ice is less dense than salt water and typically one-ninth of the volume of an iceberg is above water. Hence what you actually see is quite literally the "tip of the iceberg.”





Iceberg Photos






Elliston has what many people may describe as a Mini-Dungeon (aka Blow Hole) located not too far from Sandy Cove. This hollow in the ground was caused through the process of erosion over many years and is similar to Bonavista's Dungeon but on a smaller scale.


It is fenced off but caution is advised about getting too close.









Mini-Dungeon Photos




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