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Historic site · Red Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
Red Bay Basque Whaling Station
Remains of the station where Basque whalers hunted whales and rendered blubber in stone ovens to produce oil in the 16th century, with a visitor centre, ruins on Saddle Island and shipwrecks in the bay. A UNESCO World Heritage site.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Red Bay Basque Whaling Station
From about 1530, whalers from the Basque Country in northern Spain and southwestern France crossed the Atlantic every summer to the Labrador coast. At Red Bay they established onshore stations where they melted whale fat in stone ovens to produce oil sold in Europe for lighting. In some years hundreds of men worked in the bay.
Archaeologists have found the ovens, coopers’ workshops, cemeteries and remains of huts on Saddle Island and the shore. Several ships lie wrecked on the bay floor, including the galleon San Juan, which sank in 1565 and is one of the best‑studied 16th‑century ships in the world. Red Bay was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013.
The visitor centre displays objects recovered in the excavations and a Basque fishing boat, the chalupa, salvaged from the bay. A boat takes visitors to Saddle Island, where a trail passes the ruins.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day, including Saddle Island.
Best time
From mid‑June to early September, when the centre and the boat to the island operate. The boat is weather‑dependent.
How to get there
In central Red Bay, by the harbour, on Route 510.
Tip
Ask at the visitor centre on arrival for the boat schedule to Saddle Island: departures depend on the wind.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Red Bay Basque Whaling Station
When did the Basques hunt whales in Red Bay?
In the 16th century, mainly from about 1530 to the early 17th century.
What is the San Juan of Red Bay?
A Basque galleon that sank in the bay in 1565 and has been studied by archaeologists.
Can you visit Saddle Island?
Yes, by boat in summer when weather permits.
Is Red Bay a UNESCO site?
Yes, since 2013.