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Need tips on what to wear in a different location? For a full listing of all our destinations, please visit our packing list page!
For travelers who aren’t used to cooler climates, Newfoundland’s ever-changing weather can easily take you off guard! But if you arrive prepared, no weather can stop you from having a beautiful trip! No matter what time of year you plan on visiting, we know exactly what you need.
What to Pack For Newfoundland
Written By: Amanda Stellisano
Newfoundland is quickly growing as a popular vacation destination, and celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Jason Momoa, Harrison Ford, and Russell Crowe sing praises of this beautiful little island.
Newfoundland is rich with culture, history, beauty, and incredible cuisine. Whether you’re visiting viking settlements, watching whales and puffins on a boat tour, or enjoying fine dining in the capital, you’ll find something to love that keeps you coming back.
So what should you pack to visit this beautiful province? Here is my go-to guide for what to bring to Newfoundland.
A Waterproof Jacket
Columbia Jacket / The North Face Jacket / Patagonia Jacket
There’s a common saying in Newfoundland: “If you don’t like the weather, wait a half hour.”
The weather can change quickly with a turn of the wind, so even if you’re enjoying a gorgeous day of sunshine, you should always be prepared for the possibility of rain. Not to mention the ocean spray when you’re on a boat watching the whales play!
These are the best waterproof jackets for travel!
Hiking Boots
Ahnu Montara Boot / ECCO Gora GTX Hiking Boot / Columbia Newton Hiking Boot
Newfoundland has an incredible system of hiking trails all across the province, and you’d be doing yourself a disservice to miss them. A comfortable pair of hiking boots can take you from a long day of exploring cities and towns built on rugged landscapes to trekking the East Coast Trail and discovering amazing views.
Find out how to choose the best hiking boots!
An Infinity Scarf
Infinity Scarf / Infinity Scarf / Dri-fit Scarf
This is such a wonderfully versatile accessory, and it will help protect you from the elements. On a bright day, a thin scarf will give you an extra layer of sun protection. On a breezy day, you’ll have a barrier against strong and possibly cool winds.
Layering is essential for Newfoundland’s weather!
Find out why female travelers love circle scarves!
Sunscreen
Neutrogena Body Stick Sunscreen
A cool ocean breeze on a warm day of sunshine can even fool a native Newfoundlander into thinking there’s no need for sunscreen. Even if you’re feeling a bit chilly, make sure you don’t forget to apply it regularly. After a day of exploring in the sunshine, your skin will thank you.
We’ve got even more solid toiletries for you to choose from!
A Cellphone Power Bank
Lumina Ultra Compact Portable Charger
Newfoundland is a picturesque destination; you’re sure to be snapping pictures and taking videos all over the place. Ensure you have some backup power so you won’t miss that perfect photo of scenery, landscape, or wildlife.
Choose from our favorite portable chargers!
Dresses
Woven Minidress / Wrap Dress / Skater Dress
This can be the most versatile thing you pack when coming to Newfoundland. A dress is perfect for a day of casual exploration and easy to glam up for going out in the evenings.
St. John’s has beautiful restaurants with both fine and casual dining, and George Street has the most bars per square foot in North America. Whether you like top 40 hits or are looking for something more local and traditional, you’ll find it all on George Street!
Here’s how to wear one dress many ways!
Re-useable Shopping Bag
Bring along your favorite tote; it will always come in handy! There’s lots of great souvenir shopping across the island.
Even better, there are many amazing artists across the island selling their wares. You’ll find knitted goods, art, ceramics, woodworking, and even locally-made foods. Don’t pass up the chance to take home a beautiful handcrafted item!
O’Keeffe’s Skincare
O’Keeffe’s Working Hands & Healthy Feet
After a day of sun exposure and salt air from the sea, your skin will be in need of some serious love. On days like that, my top choice to soothe my skin is O’Keeffe’s; particularly their Working Hands and Healthy Feet products. It’s strong enough to heal whatever ails your skin.
There’s only one thing I’d recommend not taking. When hearing about all the rain you could potentially see, it’s tempting to pack an umbrella. But an umbrella will certainly either be folded inside out or taken straight from your hands by the wind! Stick to hoods.
What are your tips on what to pack for Newfoundland? Share in the comments!
For more tips on North America packing lists, please read:
- What to Wear in Niagara Falls
- What to Pack for Toronto in Fall
- What to Wear in Vancouver
- What to Wear in New York
Suggested travel resources:
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I hope you liked these tips on what to pack for Newfoundland. Please share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Author Bio: Amanda Stellisano is a freelance writer and travel blogger from St. John’s, Newfoundland. Despite her friends calling her Nan for her love of tea and knitting, she has quite the sense of adventure. She loves pasta, Italy, and a colorful wardrobe.
We are visiting Newfoundland from mid June to kid July & want to know if we should pack bug spray. Thank you.
Pat
Heading to Newfoundland soon and this list makes a great start. Been breaking in my hiking boots for 6 months now! Excellent tip about the umbrella. If my hood isn’t enough to keep me dry – I’m finding a pub 🙂
Thankyou. We are over 60 doing an Atlantic crossing in June.
Warm or light clothing ? Please help.
Patricia
Hi Patricia, the best advice we can offer you is to check the weather forecast at weather.com nearer to your departure dates to ensure that you have the most appropriate clothing and footwear packed for the temperature.
I would also highly recommend that you join our TFG facebook group and post any questions you have there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/ Its a fabulous community of helpful female travelers that love to share their advice and experiences.
Have an amazing time! ?
As someone from Newfoundland I can say you’ll definitely benefit from light layers during June, a wind proof jacket and a sweater to wear in under is sufficient. Three quarter length pants might be a better choice than shorts, but light, long length pants would be fine also. The wind might still be cold, especially if visiting the ocean locations like Bonavista where there might be sea ice or cold ocean breeze.
In my 35 years I’ve seen snow in June, enough to shut down schools and require snow plows, but I’ve also seen temperatures pushing 25°+ at times.
You should expect cool nights in the single digits to low teens and warm days in the 15- 20° range. (Don’t forget we think 25 is a huge deal here, it’s too hot to live as you’ll often hear locals say, lol. So don’t be fooled when you see us with shorts on, they come out as soon as we see double digit temperatures). 🙂
Ps: it’s always windy here so the hot sun can trick you also. The deck you are sitting on might be sweltering but open air in the wind might be freezing.
Enjoy your trip!!!
Hi Robin, I just read your great comment and thought you might be someone good to ask about packing for my upcoming cruise since Newfoundland is one of our stops. We leave this Wednesday and return on Oct. 2. The cruise is roundtrip from Boston, with stops along the New England coastline, the Canadian Atlantic coastline, down the St. Lawrence Seaway, with 2 nights in Quebec. Then back to Boston with 2 stops on the way. Any advice you can pass along would be appreciated. I also hope you are staying safe with the storm this weekend and there won’t be much damage.
Love this list. Luckily I had already considered 6 out of 8 and I just put my umbrella away. Same issue in Ireland – should have known. Thank you for this reminder.
Hi Birni, thank you so much for your comment, so pleased you loved the post!! Have an amazing trip! 🙂