During our Newfoundland road trip, we set aside a full day to explore Fogo Island, a small island off the province’s northeast coast known for its fishing communities, rocky coastline, and distinctive architecture.
Our Fogo Island, Newfoundland day trip began with a ferry crossing from Farewell and included a hike to Brimstone Head, a visit to Joe Batt’s Arm, lunch at The Storehouse, and a guided tour of Fogo Island Inn. We even spotted an iceberg during the ferry crossing!
We were staying in Gander, which made Fogo Island a manageable day trip, although we knew we’d have to keep an eye on the ferry schedule.
Taking the Ferry to Fogo Island
We drove from Gander to the ferry terminal at Farewell, where we purchased our ferry fare before boarding. The fare also covers the return trip, so there’s no need to purchase another ticket when leaving Fogo Island. Having our own vehicle gave us the flexibility to explore several parts of the island without having to arrange transportation after arriving.
The ferry crossing was part of the experience, especially when we spotted an iceberg out on the water. We’d already enjoyed seeing icebergs earlier in our Newfoundland travels near St. Anthony, so this was an unexpected bonus.
After arriving on Fogo Island, we headed toward the community of Fogo and our first destination, Brimstone Head.
Hiking Brimstone Head
Brimstone Head was one of the stops we were most looking forward to. Rising above the village of Fogo, this rocky headland offers views of the harbor, colorful houses, coastline, and Atlantic Ocean.
There’s also a rather unusual bit of folklore associated with Brimstone Head. It’s sometimes described as one of the four corners of the Flat Earth. We weren’t there to test that theory, but the views alone were reason enough to make the climb!
The drive from the ferry terminal took approximately 25 minutes. When we arrived, we weren’t immediately certain where to park. We eventually used the parking area at the Fogo Harbour Lions Club, and it appeared we were among the first visitors that morning. By the time we returned, several other vehicles had arrived.
The hike is approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) round trip. It begins with roughly 140 stairs, followed by steeper, rockier sections where chains and handrails to provide assistance.
We’d describe it as a short hike with a few challenging sections. The distance isn’t particularly long, but the stairs and uneven footing make it more demanding than an ordinary coastal walk.
Allowing for a few brief stops, it took us about 20–25 minutes to reach the viewing platform.
Once at the top, we had sweeping views of the village, harbor, rocky shoreline, and ocean. It was an excellent place to spend some time taking photographs and enjoying the scenery before heading back down.
We also recorded a panoramic video to capture more of the view than we could fit into a single photograph.
Exploring Joe Batt’s Arm and Joe Batt’s Point Trail
From Brimstone Head, we continued to Joe Batt’s Arm, another of Fogo Island’s coastal communities. The colorful fishing houses and buildings along the waterfront made this a particularly photogenic stop.
Village Of Joe Batt’s Arm
We also wanted to experience part of Joe Batt’s Point Trail, a coastal walking route offering views of the ocean and surrounding landscape.
Joe Batt’s Point Trail
We didn’t walk the entire trail. Instead, we followed it as far as the first distinctive structure associated with Fogo Island Inn before turning back.
Along the way, we found a bench overlooking the ocean and stopped to sit for a while. Sometimes those unplanned moments, when there’s no particular destination or schedule to worry about, are among the nicest parts of a day of exploring.
Lunch at The Storehouse and Ice Cream at Growlers
After our morning exploring Brimstone Head and Joe Batt’s Arm, we were ready for lunch.
We stopped at The Storehouse, which turned out to be a good choice. If you’re planning a day on Fogo Island, it’s a place we’d recommend considering for lunch.
We also made time for ice cream at Growlers Ice Cream Shop. A little ice cream seemed like a fitting addition to a day spent exploring the island.
We didn’t take photographs at either stop, but both are worth mentioning for anyone putting together a similar itinerary.
Touring Fogo Island Inn
One of the highlights of our visit was the opportunity to tour Fogo Island Inn.
The inn has become one of Newfoundland’s most recognizable buildings, with its contemporary white exterior standing in contrast to the traditional fishing communities and rocky landscape surrounding it.
We weren’t staying overnight, but before our trip we contacted the inn’s front desk by email to inquire about a guided tour. We were able to arrange a tour for the day of our visit.
There were two small-group tours scheduled that day, one in the late morning and another in the afternoon. We joined the afternoon tour, which fit nicely with our other activities.
Visitors were directed to park away from the main building, and the inn provided shuttle transportation to and from the property.
During the guided tour, we saw several areas of the inn, including locally inspired furniture, quilts and textiles, contemporary design, theater and one of the guest rooms.
The guest room had a distinctive combination of contemporary design and traditional details, including a colorful patchwork quilt, a rocking chair, and large windows looking out toward the Atlantic Ocean.
Fogo Island Inn Tour
The tour also gave us an opportunity to learn more about the inn and see parts of the building that we otherwise wouldn’t have experienced as day visitors.
Our tour involved stairs, so visitors with mobility concerns may want to ask about accessibility arrangements when contacting the inn.
If you’d like to tour Fogo Island Inn without staying overnight, we’d recommend contacting the front desk well ahead of your visit to ask about current tour opportunities. Availability and arrangements may change.
You can find information on the Fogo Island Inn website or contact the front desk at 709-658-3444.
A Stop at Fogo Island SaltFire Pottery
Before leaving the area, we stopped at Fogo Island SaltFire Pottery, where we browsed locally made pottery and other crafts.
It was a nice opportunity to see some of the island’s creative work, and the stop also provided another view of Fogo Island Inn from a different perspective.
Saltfire Pottery
Catching the Return Ferry to Farewell
Eventually, it was time to head back toward the ferry terminal for our return trip to Farewell.
When we arrived, there was already a long line of vehicles waiting. For a while, we weren’t sure whether we’d make it aboard or have to wait for the next sailing.
Fortunately, we made it onto the ferry and were able to return to the mainland as planned.
From Farewell, we drove back to Gander after a full day of exploring.
It was a good reminder that when planning a Fogo Island day trip, it’s important to allow enough time for the return ferry. Arriving at the terminal doesn’t necessarily guarantee space on the next departure, especially when vehicle queues are long.
Tips for Planning a Fogo Island Day Trip
If you’re considering a day trip to Fogo Island, here are a few things we’d suggest based on our experience.
- Plan for a full day. Between the drive to Farewell, ferry crossings, hiking, sightseeing, and meals, there’s plenty to fill your schedule.
- Check the ferry schedule before traveling. Sailing times and service arrangements can change, and vehicle space may be limited.
- Arrive early for your return crossing. We encountered a long vehicle queue and were relieved to make it aboard.
- Bring a vehicle if possible. The attractions we visited were spread across different communities, and having our own transportation made the day easier.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes. Brimstone Head includes stairs, rocky terrain, and some steeper sections.
- Be prepared for changing weather. Coastal Newfoundland weather can shift during the day, so an extra layer is worth having.
- Bring some Canadian cash. We purchased our round-trip ferry fare at Farewell, but having cash as a backup is sensible in case electronic payment systems experience connectivity problems.
- Arrange Fogo Island Inn tours in advance. Contact the inn directly rather than assuming tours will be available when you arrive.
Is Fogo Island Worth a Day Trip?
For us, the answer is yes.
Fogo Island offered a wonderful mix of coastal scenery, small fishing communities, a rewarding short hike, and some interesting stops that made the day feel quite varied.
Brimstone Head was a favorite for its views, while Joe Batt’s Arm gave us time to slow down and enjoy the shoreline. Touring Fogo Island Inn added something different to the experience, and the unexpected iceberg sighting on the ferry was a bonus.
We were glad we’d made room for Fogo Island in our Newfoundland road trip. While spending a night or two would certainly allow more time to explore, we found that a well-planned day trip gave us an enjoyable introduction to the island.
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including Brimstone Head, Joe Batt’s Arm, and Fogo Island Inn.
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