Things to do

Experience 16th century Basque whaling traditions, brought to life through costumed interpreters, original artifacts, scale models of work buildings, photographs and a 30-minute film. See original artifacts recovered from archaeological excavations. Get a close-up view of a 16th century chalupa. Discover tools and weapons used by the Basques, along with well-preserved personal items. Tour Saddle Island to see the archaeological remains of buildings where the Basques worked and lived 400 years ago.

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Digging Through Time

With the earliest and best preserved artifacts of their kind, take a short ferry ride to join a Parks Canada guide to visit the archaeological sites on Saddle Island. Walk around the breath-taking island to hear first-hand experiences of finding some of Red Bay’s most precious artifacts, check out where whale oil was processed, and explore the life and times of Labrador’s 16th-century Basque whalers.
If These Bones Could Talk

Explore the Boney Shore with a Parks Canada guide to see the most visible remains of 16th century Basque whaling at Red Bay: the whale bones! Walk along the beautiful harbour with a view of Saddle Island. Let these ancient bones cast new light on the present-day population of North Atlantic right whales.