Stretching from the Arctic to the southeastern coast of Newfoundland, Iceberg Alley is a breathtaking destination for iceberg watching—sometimes even from your kitchen window while preparing the local favorite dish, Jiggs’ Dinner.
If you live in Canada’s Iceberg Alley, you’ll never run out of magnificent icebergs to marvel at. During the spring, as the surrounding sea ice melts, these icebergs become even more spectacular.
Most of the icebergs originate further north in Greenland, where massive ice chunks tend to break off during the spring and summer. Ocean currents then guide them southward along Baffin Bay and into the Labrador Sea, where they eventually melt.
A smaller number of these icy giants come from the Canadian coastline, carried by currents from Baffin Bay through the Davis Strait into the Labrador Sea, finally reaching the eastern and western shores of Newfoundland.
Ancient Giants on the Move
These colossal icebergs are around 10,000 years old, and an estimated 400–800 icebergs pass through Iceberg Alley each year. Their speed depends on various factors, such as shape, size, wind, currents, and waves, averaging around 0.4 miles per hour.
Though they appear massive, what you see is just “the tip of the iceberg.” Only about 10% of an iceberg is visible above the water!
According to Atlas Obscura, icebergs are classified into six types, all of which can be seen at Iceberg Alley:
- Tabular icebergs – flat with a width much greater than their height.
- Blocky icebergs – steep, sharp edges resembling truncated pyramids.
- Wedge-shaped icebergs – with one steep side and one sloped side.
- Dome-shaped icebergs – featuring rounded tops.
- Pinnacled icebergs – showcasing one or more steep peaks rising above the surface.
- Dry-dock icebergs – U-shaped formations with arches.
As icebergs drift southward into warmer waters, they begin to melt more rapidly. At this stage, they become dangerous and unpredictable—recall the infamous Titanic disaster off Newfoundland’s coast in 1912. While satellites today can track medium and large icebergs, smaller ones often go unnoticed, posing the greatest risks to smaller vessels.
A Colossal Visitor
One particularly massive iceberg made international headlines in 2017 when it “parked” next to a small Newfoundland town, completely dwarfing it. The iconic sight was even immortalized in postage stamps.
Though this giant iceberg has long since melted, its image continues to travel the world—on postcards. Iceberg Alley remains a spectacular destination, showcasing the raw beauty and power of nature.
A Perfect Getaway
A trip to Iceberg Alley is an unforgettable experience for you and your loved ones. The majestic icebergs offer a humbling reminder of nature’s wonders and the many mysteries left for us to explore.
