Diving in Newfoundland

Best Time to Dive in Newfoundland

The warmest water temperatures in Newfoundland occur in August, averaging 15.9°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 0.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

• January: 2.3°C
• February: 1.1°C
• March: 0.3°C
• April: 1.3°C
• May: 3.9°C
• June: 7.3°C
• July: 12.4°C
• August: 15.9°C
• September: 14.6°C
• October: 11.9°C
• November: 8.0°C
• December: 4.6°C

Marine Life in Newfoundland

Home to 72 recorded species including 35 reef fish, 13 whales & dolphins, 7 sharks & rays, 5 seagrass & algae, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 soft corals.

Recommended Packing List for Newfoundland

Based on average water temperature of 7.0°C, currents 2 cm/s.

• Drysuit - water at 7°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
• Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
• Mask - essential for every dive
• Fins
• BCD - buoyancy compensator
• Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
• Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
• Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
• Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
• Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in Newfoundland

• Terra Nova Migratory Bird Sanctuary - Migratory Bird Sanctuary (IUCN Category II)
• Baccalieu Island Ecological Reserve - Ecological Reserve (IUCN Category II)
• Funk Island Ecological Reserve - Ecological Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Witless Bay Ecological Reserve - Ecological Reserve (IUCN Category II)
• Bellevue Beach Provincial Park - Provincial Park (IUCN Category II)
• Deadman's Bay Provincial Park - Provincial Park (IUCN Category III)
• Dungeon Provincial Park - Provincial Park (IUCN Category III)
• Gooseberry Cove Provincial Park - Provincial Park (IUCN Category III)
• Eastport – Duck Island Marine Protected Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Mistaken Point - World Heritage Site (natural or mixed) (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
• Eastport – Round Island Marine Protected Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Lobster Area Closure (Gander Bay) - Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
• Lobster Area Closure (Gooseberry Island) - Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure (IUCN Category Not Applicable)

Getting to Newfoundland - Nearest Airports

• St. John's International Airport (YYT), St. John's - 74 km away, approx 96 min travel time
• Gander International Airport (YQX), Gander - 125 km away, approx 151 min travel time
• Saint-Pierre Pointe-Blanche Airport (FSP), Saint-Pierre - 250 km away, approx 288 min travel time