Newfoundland in May
Good time to visit
Spring arrives in earnest with decent weather and returning wildlife. The tourist season kicks off gently, so you get good services without summer crowds. A solid shoulder season choice.
Weather
May delivers proper spring with temperatures reaching comfortable levels most days. Rain remains frequent but feels refreshing rather than miserable. The countryside explodes with wildflowers and migrating birds return in force.
12°C high4°C low12 rain days
Crowds & Cost
moderate crowds
~$115/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Victoria Day long weekend
- •Whale watching season begins
- •Spring festivals in various communities
May Tips
- •Book whale watching tours - this is when they start returning
- •Hiking trails fully open but can be muddy
- •Pack rain gear but also shorts - weather swings wildly
All Months
June through September is prime time, but each month serves up something different. June brings the first icebergs and wildflowers exploding across the landscape. The weather's unpredictable – pack for all four seasons in one day. July and August offer the warmest temperatures (15-20°C), peak whale watching, and festival season in St. John's. But also crowds and higher prices. September might be the sweet spot: fewer tourists, spectacular fall colors, whales still around, and you might catch the Northern Lights. The shoulder seasons have their charms too. May offers cheaper accommodations and the first puffins arriving at Witless Bay, though many tourist services aren't fully operational. October through April? Brutal weather but incredible Northern Lights, and you'll have the place mostly to yourself. Just know that many coastal accommodations close, and you're gambling with flight cancellations.
Newfoundland Scores
Solo
7/10
Couples
7/10
Families
6/10
Adventure
8/10
Budget
6/10
Luxury
4/10
BUILD YOUR NEWFOUNDLAND PLAN
Insider picks, smart timing, and a plan ready when you are.