The Strait of Belle Isle harbours 500-year-old Basque whaling stations and millennia of Inuit culture — one of the most overlooked archaeological landscapes in North America. A specialist historian leads you through sites that rewrote the story of European contact.
What to expect
Your historian guides you through the remains of the 16th-century Basque whaling station at Red Bay — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — where the world's best-preserved galleon lies on the harbour floor. The interpretive centre displays original cooper's tools, whalers' artefacts, and Inuit trade goods recovered from the site. From a hilltop lookout, the strait that once carried galleons to Europe stretches to the horizon. Allow 2.5–3 hours including the centre and outdoor sites.
Good to know
Red Bay is approximately 55 km south of Indian Harbour; arrange a private vehicle or local taxi in advance (approx. CAD 120–CAD 150 round trip). Confirm opening hours with Parks Canada before your port call. Pre-arrange the specialist guided session directly with site staff via the Parks Canada contact page.