![]() ![]() Rogers is a fan of foggy days, when he’s the only one who knows there’s a berg off the bow until, suddenly, he stops the boat – and a massive mountain of ice is illuminated in the fog. But an iceberg doesn’t have to be very big to cause a lot of trouble.” Large bits break off, causing the water to roil (“When an iceberg collapses, you’re looking at, say, 60 tonnes of ice tumbling down from around 100 feet in the air.”) and, of course, bits also break off from the bottom (“When something the size of a house bobs up 500 feet away from you without warning, that gives you a respect for how dangerous they can be.”). “The people on board probably didn’t take much time to think about that. The most oft–posed query, “How big was the iceberg that sank it?” makes him chuckle. From the helm of the Capo de Espera, Rogers good–naturedly fields them all. Inevitably, there are questions about the Titanic. The bergs are as big a draw as the thousands of humpback whales that also return each spring to feed on caplin and krill – spotting whales is often an added bonus when you’re out chasing icebergs. Rogers says he was destined to make his life on the water, sharing his enduring awe for these icy monoliths from the north with visitors from all over the world. But it always stayed with me, the beauty and magnitude of the ice.” In the evening, you’d see one drifting along what people now call Iceberg Alley, then you’d get up the next morning and it would be gone. “The most joyous time was spring,” says Rogers, “when I’d go down on the headlands and watch for icebergs. Related: Author Souvankham Thammavongsa’s Favourite Town in Newfoundland Rogers’ father and grandfather were both ship captains, and fireside conversations revolved around navigating fierce storms and mammoth bergs. As a fifth–generation seafarer, his childhood was filled with tales of oceanic exploits and Arctic explorers, like Bob Bartlett from Brigus, N.L., who survived 12 shipwrecks. ![]() But his fascination with these giant chips of glacier began when he was a boy, growing up in Twillingate, an island off the island. Safety should always be your first priority.Rogers – grizzled beard, piercing gaze, lots of laugh lines – has been within eavesdropping range of icebergs for 22 years as owner of Iceberg Quest Ocean Tours, based in St. Within this perimeter, there is a risk of falling ice, large waves, and submerged hazards. When viewing icebergs from the water, it is recommended that you maintain a safe distance (D) – equal to the length of the iceberg (L), or twice its height (H), whichever is greater. Icebergs can be unpredictable, which makes them difficult to navigate around safely. You can also paddle yourself out to have a look, or stand on our amazing coastline and watch them sail by (although they don’t move that quickly). Many tourism operators around the province offer boat tours designed to show you the icebergs at their best, along with our visiting whales and numerous sea birds. The best ways to watch icebergs are by boat tour, kayak, and from land. April and May are the months when bergs are most plentiful, but they may be locked up in sea ice, so we suggest late May and early June for best viewing. As you move north, the season stretches a bit longer. The icebergs come through Iceberg Alley from spring to early summer. The further north, the longer the iceberg season. The first four, which are on the coast of southern Labrador, can be accessed by car ferry from the island of Newfoundland year round. All of these locations are accessible by road. John's / Cape Spear, and Bay Bulls / Witless Bay. ![]() Anthony, La Scie, Twillingate, Fogo Island, Change Islands, Bonavista, St. Lewis, Battle Harbour, Red Bay, Point Amour, St. Some of the more popular places from shore, or from tour boats, are (from north to south): St. Iceberg Alley stretches from the coast of Labrador to the southeast coast of the island of Newfoundland. ![]()
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