Groais IslandAbout Groais Island
Groais Island is one of the Grey Islands located off the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The island is uninhabited and characterised by rocky coasts and cliffs.
The island is primarily notable for seabird colonies and its remote, undeveloped coastal terrain. There are no public facilities or services on the island, and visits require private boat access and careful planning.
Groais Island sits offshore from the Great Northern Peninsula in the North Atlantic and Labrador Sea region of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Location and wildlife: Part of the Grey Islands group off Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula and noted for rugged cliffs and seabird habitat.
- Access: Uninhabited and without visitor facilities, access is by private boat and landing can be difficult in rough weather.
Best Time to Visit Groais Island
Groais Island is best visited in the short North Atlantic summer when sea conditions make boat landings possible and seabird life is most active.
Weather & Climate near Groais Island
Groais Island's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -15°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1211 mm/year), wettest in December, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -15° - -6° | -19° | 108 mm | - | - | 6.8 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -15° - -6° | -19° | 94 mm | - | - | 6.6 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -11° - -2° | -14° | 92 mm | - | - | 6.6 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -5° - 2° | -7° | 80 mm | - | - | 6.0 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | -1° - 7° | -1° | 81 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 4° - 13° | 6° | 107 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 8° - 18° | 13° | 96 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 9° - 18° | 13° | 106 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 5° - 13° | 7° | 107 mm | - | - | 5.6 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 0° - 7° | -1° | 112 mm | - | - | 6.0 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -4° - 2° | -7° | 110 mm | - | - | 6.4 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -10° - -3° | -14° | 118 mm | - | - | 6.9 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Groais Island
There are no scheduled public services. Access is by private boat or charter from communities on Newfoundland’s northern coast; local operators in towns such as Twillingate or smaller northern harbors may run seasonal trips. Landing conditions are highly dependent on weather and sea state.
Tips for Visiting Groais Island
- Landing can be rough; if planning a private boat trip, time the crossing for calm summer weather and check local charts for currents and shoals.
- Respect seabird colonies - many landings are timed to avoid nesting season.
- Bring binoculars and a tidal chart; wildlife is often best seen from a quietly anchored boat rather than from shore.