St. John's 
A trip to Battle Island on the east coast of Labrador is unlike any other across the province.
Battle Harbour, located on Battle Island, is an incredible vacation destination, a place filled with preserved history, remote natural beauty, and pristine landscapes. There are several key features of the island that help keep it pristine, maintained, and simply beautiful.
This getaway destination is unlike any other in Newfoundland or Labrador, as the region is free of vehicular traffic and private businesses, such as fast-food chains and hotel chains. There is, however, simple transportation to Battle Island via ferry, as Well as accommodations and meal plans for visitors. With this, travellers to Battle Island can escape to a place that is quiet, filled with learning and recreational opportunities, and home to simple yet beautiful places to stay.
Getting to Battle Harbour
The trip out to the southeastern Labrador community of Battle Harbour requires getting to Mary’s Harbour first. From here, it is a one-hour course to Battle Harbour aboard The Trinity Pride. And this ferry ride is where some of the adventures and amazing sightseeing can begin. The ferry passes alongside beautiful coastal and island scenery, much of it untouched by humans. And along the waters, there could be icebergs, whales, other marine life, or several different types of seabirds.
- The St. Mary’s Ferry only transports passengers, and those hopping aboard the ferry will need to leave their vehicles in St. Mary’s.
Battle Harbour History
The history of this far eastern region of the province and of Canada as a whole is one of the biggest reasons to visit. The entire Island serves as a great look into Labrador’s geological and natural history, while many sites and locations around the Island give visitors a deep look into the cultural history of Battle Island- some of which goes back over 200 years. This now-summer-vacation-destination and fishing village was once the economic hub of southeastern Labrador with a bustling fishing industry.
Battle Harbour Historic District, designated a National Historic Site in 1996, is a beautifully preserved outport fishing village on Labrador’s coast. Once called the “Capital of Labrador,” it features 18th–19th century wooden stores, wharves, and fish processing spaces tied to the Labrador fishery. Founded by English merchant John Slade in the 1770s, the site captures the community’s rich history, traditions, and merchant-driven economy in a dramatic, coastal setting.
- Guided Historical Tours are available for free to all Battle Harbour visitors. The tours last about 1.5-2 hours and are led by guides who grew up on the Island and around Battle Harbour.
- A tour of Battle Island’s natural history is available with the Self-guided Battle Island Geology Tour. The tour includes 7 sites across the Island that showcase history which goes back hundreds of millions of years.
Unique Battle Island Experiences
There are a few ways to enhance your trip to Battle Harbour and create memories that can only be made here. Most of these are experiences you’d book in advance, while others are available as walk-up activities.
- There are a few different vacation packages available from the Island, which add tons of excitement and adventure to your travels. Battle Harbour’s Iceberg Hunting Special is a trip package designed for two with plenty of time spent hunting for the ocean giants, as well as pre-planned meals/drinks.
- Arch to Tickle Hike and Stay includes a visit to the neighbouring Great Caribou Island, with transport to the other island included in the package. Hikers are provided with a meal for the trip, their meals at Battle Harbour, and safety equipment for the overnight stay after the 8km hike. The Hike and Stay Package is also based on double occupancy. The Great Caribou Island Traverse package is another option for exploring the spot, but it includes a 12km hike.
- The Cape St. Charles package is another chance to explore beyond Battle Island with a speedboat trip to the Cape community included in the deal. With this, get a chance to hike to the most easterly point in all of North America!
- Fishing is permitted off the Battle Harbour Wharf, with rods available for a $5 rental fee. Plus, Battle Harbour cod fishing vacation packages are also available to book.
- Fresh Air Yoga is a common activity on Battle Island as the fresh sea breezes and coastal scenery make for incredible yoga settings. Bring your own mat or borrow one from Guest Services.
- Harness the power of Atlantic winds over the Battle Harbour with kite flying! This popular activity is available to all with kites available from Guest Services. This may be one of the best spots for scenic kite flying in the province.
Battle Harbour Walking Trail
The 2km Battle Harbour Footpath will get visitors to all the key historic sites around the island, as well as the best waterfront views. This is also the best way to take in one of the most enchanting natural features of Battle Island: the abundance of wildflowers!
Credit: Battle harbour
- The route moves east from the wharf toward a site overlooking the ocean, and to a second viewing area and plane crash memorial.
- Heading back inland, the trail then leads north toward more viewing areas, benches, and the two Battle Harbour cemeteries.
- The trail has a few more strenuous sections before the cemeteries but is suited to all ages.
The Summer Dining Experience in Battle Harbour
For most travellers, the dining experiences on Battle Island will offer something a bit different when it comes to experiencing the local food and drink. Visitors to the island are invited to dine as a community with each meal taking place at the same time each day. The meals are served family-style and give all travellers a chance to meet, socialize, and learn about more traditional meals of eastern Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Grub Tub Picnics are also available! These cozy picnic experiences include tea, biscuits, and coffee, to be enjoyed while overlooking the water and wharf.
- A second island opportunity not to be missed which also welcomes walk-up guests is the bakeapple picking. The apples ripen for picking by August, with Island staff using apples in many of their homemade dishes that are served to guests. This is a fun chance to pick AND taste the apples of Battle Island.
Historic Island Accommodations
Each of the hotels or inns on the island and around Battle Harbour is a chance to stay within buildings steeped in local history. Each of the accommodation buildings in Battle Harbour has historical significance and has been restored to look at least somewhat similar to their original style.
- The Spearing Cottage is an ideal and quiet getaway spot for families with multiple rooms/beds. This historic cottage was originally the Lightkeeper’s Inn and provides excellent waterfront views from all around the property.
- A stay at the local Isaac Smith House will offer a look into some of the amazing features or craftsmanship of the era, which have been fully restored. Once again, guests are treated to beautiful views of the vast and open Atlantic Ocean.
- The Battle Harbour Inn and the Merchant Building both have multiple guest hotel rooms that offer a blend of historic charm and modern comforts.
- The pet-friendly Constable Forward Cottage (named for the RCMP officer of Battle Harbour), creates an ideal getaway for couples or solo travellers with a queen bed, wood stove, and full bathroom.
- Opt for a bit more space with the four-bedroom Grenfell Cottage, where the luxurious style of early-20th-century English architecture has been restored for visitors to enjoy.
