Red Bay is a fishing village and former site of several Basque whaling stations on the southern coast of Labrador in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Between 1550 and the early 17th century, Red Bay was a major Basque whaling area. The site is home to three Basque whaling galleons and four small chalupas used in the capture of whales. The discovery of these vessels makes Red Bay one of the most precious underwater archaeological sites in the Americas.
Attractions at Red Bay include icebergs, which are a common site in the area during spring and early summer. The spectacular Northern Lights are also commonly seen in the region during the fall and winter. At nearby Saddle Island visitors can observe first hand the archaeological sites and the whalers' cemetery with more than 60 graves. A Spanish galleon was also discovered by underwater archaeologists , one of only two in the world that provide examples of the naval architecture that allowed Europeans to colonize the New World in the 16th century.
Things to see and do
* Basque whaling stations
* Iceberg and Whale watching
* Saddle Island
* Fishing
* Red Bay Visitor’s Centre
General Information
Cruise Season – May - Nov
Currency – Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Language – English, French
Population – 230 approx
Land Area – 1.58 km²
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins US style or with a round pin below
Time – GMT minus three and a half hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 1
Transport Links – Travel to Labrador is by ferry from Newfoundland to Blanc Sablon Quebec. It is then approx 5 kilometres east to the Labrador border. Apparently the ferry may not be running during the winter, depending on conditions in the Belle Isle strait.