Cape Spear

Cape Easternmost point of North America with historic lighthouse

At North America’s eastern edge, Cape Spear protects an 1836 stone lighthouse and WWII gun battery; tourists visit for coastal walks, historic exhibits and seasonal seabird and whale-watching opportunities.

Cape Spear is a rocky promontory on the Avalon Peninsula at the eastern tip of the island of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is known for its historic lighthouse complex and coastal viewpoints.

The site includes the stone lighthouse built in 1836, interpretive displays, coastal walking trails and low cliffs that offer wide ocean views and seasonal sightings of icebergs and marine mammals. The headland is a short walking area with marked trails and viewpoints.

The lighthouse and adjacent defences were used for maritime navigation and coastal defence, with gun emplacements added during the Second World War. The lighthouse is preserved as a historic site and the complex interprets both maritime history and local natural history.

Cape Spear lies on the eastern edge of the Avalon Peninsula, approximately 12 kilometres southeast of the city of St. John’s, facing the North Atlantic Ocean.

Wildlife and views: Located at the eastern tip of the island of Newfoundland, the headland offers wide Atlantic views, regular iceberg sightings in spring and early summer, and whale sightings offshore.
Historic site access: The site is designated and managed for its historic and natural values, with accessible walking paths and interpretation centred on the lighthouse complex.

What to See #

Old Lighthouse: The original stone lighthouse built in 1836 stands on the headland and is presented as a historic site with interior displays about navigation and local maritime history.
WWII battery and defences: Remains of a Second World War coastal defence battery and concrete gun emplacements are preserved on the headland and form part of the visitor interpretation.

How to Get to Cape Spear #

Cape Spear is the easternmost point of North America, located just outside St. John’s, Newfoundland. By car it’s a short drive from downtown St. John’s (roughly 10-15 km depending on start point) following local roads toward the southeastern headland (signposted Cape Spear/Cabot Tower areas); there is a visitors’ car park and from there it’s a 10-15 minute walk to the lighthouse and coastal viewpoints. Many visitors also join guided tours from St. John’s that include transport; seasonal visitor shuttles and organized coach tours run from the city in summer.

Tips for Visiting Cape Spear #

Aim for sunrise to enjoy the lighthouse and rugged coastline with far fewer visitors-sunset is stunning but draws the biggest crowds and tour groups.
Use the official parking at the national historic site/visitor centre as your starting point and follow the marked coastal paths to the lighthouse and WWII batteries rather than trying to park closer to the cliffs.
Many visitors stick to the lighthouse overlook; walk the coastal trails to find the WWII gun battery and other viewpoints for whale and seabird spotting, then return to the centre to avoid midday crowds.