The Port aux Port Peninsula is a peninsula in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Roughly triangular in shape, it is located on the western edge of the heavily eroded Appalachian Mountain chain which runs along Newfoundland's west coast.
The peninsula extends into the Gulf of St. Lawrence and is joined to Newfoundland by a narrow isthmus connecting at the town of Port aux Port. It is bounded on the south by the Bay St. George, the western side by the Gulf of St. Lawrence and on the northwestern side by Port aux Port Bay.
With a rocky shoreline measuring approximately 130 km in length, the peninsula extends approximately 40 km west from its isthmus to Cape St. George and northwest 50 km to the finger-like Long Point which by itself is approximately 25 km in length. The eastern shore of the peninsula is irregular, jutting into Port aux Port Bay.
There are no natural harbours along the peninsula's rocky coastline. The peninsula was once heavily forested but many areas along its shores have been cleared for subsistence farming.
There are scattered settlements and the Port aux Port Peninsula's economy is based on natural resources, namely fishing. Limited forestry takes place in the unsettled areas of the interior and a small amount of subsistence farming takes place along coastal areas. Many residents of the peninsula, particularly the communities at the eastern end near the isthmus, work in nearby Kippens and Stephenville. The French minority, a mix of Acadian, French and Basque, has had an important influence on the area's culture.
Abundant wildlife and fantastic rugged scenery are quite sought after to observe by tourists.
The High Arctic is best explored in May to September, as the pack ice recedes. Weather in the sub Antarctic islands is cool but pleasant in the summer months. The nature of the area means that the weather can and does change quite quickly, so if you plan a Cruise here take good note of the cruise lines advice on clothing. Again remember that island visits are by zodiac inflatables so you need to ensure you are properly dressed for these trips.
Language: English and French
Currency: Canadian dollar (CAD)
Time Zone: UTC/GMT -2:30 hours