Wildlife Wonders Abound!
- Michelle Myrick
- Apr 16
- 4 min read
If you’ve ever daydreamed about swapping your desk lamp for breath-taking sunsets, your inbox for the call of the wild, and your morning traffic for a herd of caribou strolling across open barrens — then we’ve got just the place for you.
Tucked away at the southernmost tip of Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula, our tiny coastal community of St. Shotts is a world apart from other destinations. Here, raw beauty meets untamed wildlife in a landscape so authentic that it feels like nature is showing off just for you!
Where the Wild Things Roam — and Pose
St. Shotts and its surrounding coastline are a wildlife enthusiast’s dream. This rugged stretch of land, shaped by wind and salt spray, offers more than just breathtaking ocean views. It’s a living, breathing canvas for some of the most awe-inspiring creatures you’ll ever lay eyes (or lenses) on.
Imagine standing on a weathered bluff, camera in hand, as a wild herd of caribou drift across the barrens, or a moose stands silhouetted against the sky, antlers backlit by the golden glow of the setting sun. These majestic animals roam freely here, completely at home and protected, in the stark beauty of the Avalon Wilderness Conservation Area - locally referred to as ‘the barrens’.
Wander a little closer to the coastline, and the many small coves that dot the landscape, and you’ll discover a favorite hide-out for wild seals. Whether they’re sunbathing on the rocks or gliding silently through kelp beds, these sleek ‘residents’ are always a thrill to watch. They’re curious too about us humans as they frequently pop their heads up trying to get a glance.
Above it all, the skies offer their own spectacle. Keep your eyes peeled for soaring eagles or snowy owls, and keep an eye out for Ptarmigans - known locally as ‘partridge’ - as they dart among the low-lying shrubs and coastal grasses. St. Shotts is one of the few places where you can observe these charming, seasonal shape-shifters up close, often right along the roadside.
And let’s not forget the clever and elusive local foxes. These sharp-eyed survivors weave their way through the landscape, often spotted at dawn or dusk, adding just the right dash of wild intrigue to your trip.
Photo Credit: Clifford Doran
Morning Coffee with Moose
While the caribou may rule the barrens, there’s another antlered heavyweight you’re likely to meet during your stay at The Keeper’s Kitchen Inn — the moose.
Introduced to Newfoundland in the early 1900s, moose have flourished across the island, and the open marshes and rolling barrens surrounding St. Shotts offer them the perfect blend of shelter, water, and grazing ground. Spotting a moose here isn’t a matter of luck — it’s practically part of the local itinerary.
Early mornings and quiet evenings are prime moose-viewing hours. You might catch sight of one pausing to graze on barren platlife or simply standing still against the horizon like something out of a Canadian postcard.
And in true St. Shotts fashion, the wild sometimes comes to you. Our guests have been known to wake to the sight of a moose through their bedroom window. It’s one of those heart-skipping moments that makes the Avalon’s southern tip so unforgettable.
So whether you’re hiking the coastal paths, driving through the barrens, or simply pouring your morning coffee, keep your camera ready — in St. Shotts, you’re never far from some sort of wildlife sighting.
Witness Giants Up Close: Humpback Whales at St. Vincent’s Beach
Just a scenic drive from The Keeper’s Kitchen Inn lies one of Newfoundland’s most extraordinary wildlife spectacles on St. Vincent’s Beach. If the wild caribou, seals, foxes and seabirds haven’t filled your camera roll yet, the humpbacks surely will.
Every summer, the waters off this windswept shoreline become a stage for one of nature’s most intimate and breathtaking encounters. Thanks to an unusual twist of human engineering — a man-made causeway that created the perfect underwater trap for capelin, the humpback’s favorite snack — these ocean giants come so close to shore you can hear the sound of their exhale before you ever see them. On a calm day, you can even hear them ‘talk’ to one another.
It feels surreal to watch these massive whales breach, dive, and feed just meters from the landwash, often in plain view of stunned beachcombers and photographers. No need for binoculars here. The whales bring the show to you.
The sheer proximity and reliability of these sightings have earned St. Vincent’s a global reputation among wildlife watchers. It’s not every day you can sit on a beach with your coffee and watch a humpback roll in the surf like a carefree swimmer. But here, it happens often (usually from the end of June to early August) and is an absolutely magical sight, even for locals!
And the best part? When the day’s whale watching is done, you’re just a short drive from The Keeper’s Kitchen Inn, where stories of the day are best paired with a glass of wine, or one of our signature ‘wild-infused’ cocktails as the sunset glows over the barrens.
Stay Wild, Sleep Cozy
At The Keeper’s Kitchen Inn, you’ll find more than just a soft bed and warm hospitality. You’ll find kindred spirits who appreciate the magic of this place as much as you do.
After a day spent roaming the barrens and bays, swapping memory cards filled with shots of fur, feather, and flipper, settle in at our cozy table, where you can trade stories over a gourmet-style meal inspired by Newfoundland’s land and sea.
Whether you’re a seasoned wildlife photographer, a casual nature lover, or simply in need of a digital detox with a view, St. Shotts offers an experience you won’t find in any guidebook — just pure, unfiltered nature at its best.
Ready to pack your binoculars and tripod?
Book your wild escape today at The Keeper’s Kitchen Inn where adventure meets comfort on one of Newfoundland’s wildest peninsulas - the Avalon.
We look forward to welcoming you to this wild and wonderful place.
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