BonTours runs the boat. In 2026 an adult ticket was $99 plus tax, youth and children $55 plus tax. The parking lot is about 27 km north of Rocky Harbour. From there you walk 3 km each way to the dock unless you qualify for the golf cart. Book before you fly. July and August fill up.
How to book
Tickets come from BonTours, not Parks Canada. You still need a park entry pass on top of the boat ticket.
- Online at bontours.ca
- Phone 1-888-458-2016 or 709-458-2016
- In person at 105 Pond Road, Rocky Harbour
The office is generally 8 am–5 pm daily in peak season, shorter hours in the shoulder. They ask for a minimum of 15 people to run a departure. Cancellation is 24 hours before tour time. Dockside internet is unreliable; if you plan to pay there, carry cash.
This is the activity to lock in first, before you fill the rest of that day. Landing at Deer Lake and hoping for a same-day seat is how people end up walking to the dock with no boat.
Season, and what we know about 2027
The tour usually runs from mid-May into early October. Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism has listed the Western Brook Pond site around May 15 to October 5; BonTours sets the actual calendar each year. Departures are weather dependent. Wind and low cloud cancel boats even when Rocky Harbour looks fine.
As of September 8, 2026, BonTours has not posted 2027 dates or prices. That is normal. Check the operator in late winter if you are planning next July or August. Do not treat last year’s timetable as a reservation.
Park admission is separate. In 2026 a federal pass program covered Parks Canada entry for part of the summer. That window closed in early September. For 2027, use whatever Parks Canada is charging that year.
The walk in
From the Route 430 parking lot it is about 3 kilometres one way on flat gravel and boardwalk, through bog and low forest, with benches along the way. Most people take around 45 minutes each way.
BonTours runs a golf cart for guests with mobility limits. In 2026 it was $10 return, cash, not reservable. They asked cart users to be in the lot at least 90 minutes before departure. Confirm the current rule before you count on it. Pets stay off the boats; kennels are at the dock.
The boat
About two hours on a canopied boat with washrooms, through a landlocked freshwater fjord. Cliffs run up to roughly 650 metres. A live interpreter talks through the geology. There is a canteen and gift shop at the dock, plus a sheltered waiting area. The water is colder and windier than town, even on a warm day in Rocky Harbour. Bring a layer.
A day from Rocky Harbour
Do not treat this as a quick stop on the way to something else.
- Drive 27 km north from town. See the drive-time page.
- Be in the lot with time to spare. Earlier if you need the cart.
- Walk 3 km in.
- Two hours on the water.
- Walk 3 km out.
- Drive back.
That is most of a day before you add photos, a slow kid, or a weather hold. If you fly into YDF the same morning, read Deer Lake to Rocky Harbour and book the boat for the next day.
Without a boat ticket
The walk still works. The dock has real facilities. You only need the park pass. If the tour is sold out, this is the honest fallback — not a same-day miracle seat in July.
FAQ
How much does it cost?
2026: about $99 + HST adult, $55 + HST youth and child, set by BonTours. Confirm the live rate before you pay.
How long is the walk?
About 3 km each way, roughly 45 minutes. Flat, but it is still an hour and a half of walking around a two-hour cruise.
When should I book for next summer?
When BonTours opens the season. For July and August, that means booking as soon as dates appear, not after you land.
Can I skip the boat?
Yes. The trail and dock are worth the walk on their own.
Last reviewed: September 8, 2026