Cape Spear Lighthouse

The oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland, Cape Spear is the furthest east one can venture in North America. It stands watch over the cold Atlantic Ocean with a storied past. Due to it’s location, the lighthouse played a key role in the Battle of the Atlantic, where it provided a watchful eye that protected the site from German submarines.

Now the lighthouse sits quietly atop cliffs of weathered gray rocks covered with moss. Seagulls dot the sky while whales, icebergs, and ships break the waves. The point offers access to the original existing lighthouse that was built in 1836, the concrete lighthouse built in 1955, as well as a gift shop. From here, several trails can be accessed that traverse the cliffs and beautiful landscape. The original lighthouse is a simple square design with relics preserved in place to show life as it was in the early days. One can venture through bedrooms and the kitchen imagining a much simpler lifestyle. Cape Spear is a must see for any adventurer. Amenities include the ticket office with restrooms, a gift shop, a parking lot, and wooden stairs leading up to the lighthouses. Signs currently show plans for a new observation deck overlooking the Atlantic.