Canada is celebrated globally for its vast and untamed wilderness, and nowhere is this more evident than on its rugged eastern edge in Newfoundland and Labrador. Here, within the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, lies the curiously named Pee Pee Island, a tiny landmass that punches far above its weight in terms of ecological significance.
This small island is an absolute must-visit (via boat tour) for anyone seeking to witness one of the most spectacular wildlife gatherings in the entire North Atlantic.
Geographical Location and Ecological Significance
Pee Pee Island is situated just 35 km south of St. John’s, the provincial capital, off the coast of the Avalon Peninsula. It is one of four protected islands—alongside Gull, Green, and Great Islands—that form the terrestrial component of the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve.
- Proximity: Pee Pee Island is the smallest of the four islands and is located only 250 meters from the mainland near the town of Saint Michael’s, making it easily viewable from the East Coast Trail.
- Establishment: The island, formerly known as “Pebble Island,” was incorporated into the reserve in 1983 to safeguard its role as a critical nesting site.
- Management: The entire reserve is managed by the Newfoundland and Labrador government’s Parks and Natural Areas Division under the Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Act.
- Geology: The island is made up of layers of dark grey sandstone and shale, creating an ideal habitat for burrowing seabirds.
Record-Breaking Seabird Statistics
The reserve as a whole is an internationally recognized Globally Significant Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) and is a genuine “Seabird Capital of North America.”
Pee Pee Island itself provides a breeding ground for up to 1,300 pairs of Atlantic Puffins, contributing to the reserve’s massive overall colony.
Climate and Best Time to Visit
The Newfoundland climate is cool and temperate, with two extreme kinds of weather to be prepared for: cold temperatures and heavy rainfall.
The best and ideal time to visit for a wildlife experience is during the seabird breeding season, from April 1 to September 1. This period is when the birds are nesting and is considered the best window for a pleasant climate.
Touring and Conservation: What to Expect
The experience of Pee Pee Island is one of observation, not exploration. Public landing on any of the four islands in the reserve is strictly prohibited and requires a special scientific research permit.
Touring Ideas
The entire experience is focused on licensed commercial boat tours operating out of nearby towns like Bay Bulls, Witless Bay, and Mobile. These tours navigate the marine area of the reserve, providing close-up views of the sheer cliffs blanketed in birds.
- Puffin Spectacle: Watch as Atlantic Puffins zip through the air at up to 55 miles per hour, flapping their wings up to 400 times a minute. They use their wings for both air flight and for “flying” underwater, diving to depths of up to 60 meters (200 feet).
- Capelin Run: The massive population of birds and whales is sustained by the Capelin fish (a small schooling fish that arrives to spawn in June and July). The presence of this enormous food source is the ecological driver of the entire reserve.
- Whale Watching: From May through September, the nutrient-rich waters are a crucial feeding area for various whale species, including Humpback, Minke, and Fin Whales, which come to feed on the capelin.
- Iceberg Alley: The island lies in “Iceberg Alley.” Visitors in late May and early June may have the spectacular “triple-play” experience of seeing seabirds, whales, and massive icebergs that have calved from the glaciers of Greenland.
The Puffin and Petrel Patrol
Visitors may encounter locals involved in the Puffin and Petrel Patrol. This volunteer conservation initiative, based in the communities surrounding the reserve, rescues stranded Puffin and Storm-Petrel chicks (known as “pufflings”) that become disoriented by artificial lights during foggy nights and mistakenly fly inland. Since they cannot take off from flat land, the patrol collects them and releases them safely back to sea.
Read also: Anna Maria Island Beach: Pristine Sands, Crystal Waters, Paradise!
Conclusion
Pee Pee Island, though small and strictly off-limits to foot traffic, serves as a powerful symbol of Canada’s commitment to conservation. A boat trip around the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve offers a raw, unforgettable connection to nature, presenting the chance to witness North America’s largest Puffin colony in an environment that remains perfectly preserved for them. It is truly a must-visit destination for any traveler drawn to spectacular coastal wilderness and teeming avian life.
Read also: Mousuni Island: All you need to know
