BonTours runs the Western Brook Pond boat tour, a 2-hour cruise through a landlocked fjord with cliffs up to 650 metres, priced around $99 for adults in 2026. Getting there means a 3 km walk each way from the parking lot to the dock — budget the better part of a day, and book the boat well ahead.
Key takeaways
- The boat tour is run by BonTours, not Parks Canada, and costs extra on top of your park entry pass — roughly $99 for adults and $55 for youth and children in the 2026 season.
- The walk from the parking lot to the dock is about 3 kilometres one way on flat gravel and boardwalk, around 45 minutes each way; a paid golf cart shuttle is available if you'd rather not walk both directions.
- The tour runs mid-May to mid-October, is weather dependent, and can require a minimum number of passengers — book ahead rather than assuming a same-day spot.
- You can skip the boat entirely and still get real value from the walk-in trail and dock area, for the cost of a park pass alone.
The operator
BonTours has run boat tours in Gros Morne since 1975, operating out of Norris Point. Tickets can be booked online in advance or in person at the BonTours office at 105 Pond Road in Rocky Harbour. Phone reservations are also available. Adult pricing runs around $99 with youth and children around $55 for the 2026 season — confirm current rates directly with BonTours, since prices are set annually and may be affected by seasonal government fee programs.
The walk in
From the parking lot on Route 430, it's about 3 kilometres one way to the boat dock on flat gravel and boardwalk through bog and forested ridges, with benches along the way. Most people cover it in around 45 minutes each way. If you'd rather not walk the full return trip, a paid golf cart shuttle (roughly $10) is available to cover one direction.
The boat tour
The tour itself runs about 2 hours aboard a canopied catamaran-style boat with on-board washrooms, cruising a landlocked freshwater fjord flanked by cliffs up to roughly 650 metres, some of the rock over a billion years old. A live interpreter points out geological and historical features along the way, and refreshments are available on board. Dockside, you'll find a sheltered waiting area, indoor washrooms, a canteen, a gift shop and picnic areas — pets aren't permitted on the boats, but kennels are available at the dock.
Without a boat booking
If the tour is sold out or doesn't fit your schedule, the walk itself is still worthwhile — flat, scenic, and ending at a dock with real facilities, all for the cost of a standard park entry pass. Don't assume you can get a same-day boat spot during peak summer; it fills up.
Practical advice
- Book the boat before you arrive, especially for July and August travel.
- Budget the better part of a day. Between the drive from Rocky Harbour, the walk each way, and the 2-hour tour, this isn't a quick stop.
- Bring layers regardless of the forecast in town. It's noticeably cooler and windier out on the water.
- Experienced backcountry hikers can also arrange a one-way boat shuttle with BonTours as part of the multi-day Long Range Traverse — contact the operator directly for current pricing and requirements.
FAQ
How much does the Western Brook Pond boat tour cost?
Around $99 for adults and $55 for youth and children as of the 2026 season, run by BonTours. Confirm current pricing directly with the operator before booking, since rates change annually.
How long is the walk to the boat dock?
About 3 kilometres one way on flat gravel and boardwalk, roughly 45 minutes each way. A paid golf cart shuttle is also available for those who don't want to walk both directions.
Do I need to book the boat tour in advance?
Yes. It's the most in-demand activity in the park, tours can require a minimum number of passengers to run, and departures are weather dependent, so advance booking through BonTours is strongly recommended.
Can I visit Western Brook Pond without doing the boat tour?
Yes. The walk-in trail and the dock area, including the waiting facilities and picnic spots, have real value on their own, and only require a park entry pass, not the separate boat tour fee.
Last updated: August 3, 2026 · Editorial team · Approx. 8 minute read