The northeast coast of Newfoundland is the place to see an iceberg and whales this week

Wanda Bridger, who lives in Triton, has keeping her eye on a nearby iceberg in the northeast coast of Newfoundland. (Submitted by Wanda Bridger)

An iceberg inching closer to the northeast coast of Newfoundland has drawn plenty of visitors to one tiny town in the past week.

Brighton — situated on a small island in Notre Dame Bay near Triton — is playing host to one of the rare bergs that's made its way down from the north so far this spring.

Wanda Bridger, who lives in Triton, says it's quite the sight.

"Oh, the iceberg's very, very close to shore for someone that wanted to just drive by, have a good look," she told CBC.

Bridger got an up close view of the iceberg last week while in boat, calling the experience "breathtaking."

"I was there with some people from India and just watching their reactions even makes me, myself, appreciate the icebergs more."

She said they were blown away by the view and snapped plenty of pictures.

Bridger said if people want to see this iceberg, they should not delay a trip, though she hopes it will remain in the area for the rest of the week.

"That's one thing about icebergs — here today and gone tomorrow," she said.

She chatted with one man from Ottawa who said it was his dream to see an iceberg, and that he'd driven along the shoreline hoping to see one.

"He was really blown away with it. He was so excited we could hardly get him to settle down," recalled Bridger.

She even heard people were coming in by helicopter on Saturday to see the iceberg.

Whales ahoy

A 74-km drive from Triton, Krista Gillingham, owner of By the Sea Inn & Café in King's Point, said humpback whales have been getting close to the shore for the past week.

At one time, she could see three humpback whales feeding from 10 to 15 feet from her café's deck. At one point, a whale was so close she saw the roof of its mouth.

Krista Gillingham, owner of By the Sea Inn & Café in King’s Point, says whales have been getting close to shore, chasing after fish to eat. (Submitted by Krista Gillingham)

"It's something that's definitely not common to see. It actually maybe even looks like synchronized swimming," said Gillingham.

The whales get close to shore because the water drops off a few feet out into the harbour.

On Saturday she was told there was mackerel in the bay, which she hoped would bring the humpback whales back so they could feed.

"So I can't promise you'll see one. But very good chances that you will," Gillingham chuckled.

The visiting humpback whales are also having a positive impact on her business, she said.

"Usually this time of year we do see an increase in tourists anyway, but we have calls every day from people wondering if the whales are in."

Gillingham said there was a couple that spent hours on her café's deck, hoping to see the whales and they were eventually rewarded for their patience.

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