Eastport, Newfoundland and Labrador: History, Things to Do and Travel Guide
Eastport is a beach and outport community on the Eastport Peninsula in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Eastern region, close to Terra Nova National Park and Bonavista Bay. It is one of eastern Newfoundland’s strongest small coastal destinations for travellers who want sandy beaches, peninsula drives, local history, day trips to Salvage and Sandy Cove, and a slower base near the park.
Eastport works because the pieces are close together. Beach time, short drives, community history, food, accommodations and nearby hiking can all fit into a relaxed day without turning the visit into a long highway loop or rushed checklist.
How Eastport Started
Eastport was originally known as Salvage Bay. The Town of Eastport’s history says it was first established as a farming community to serve surrounding fishing communities, with records showing pioneer families from Salvage settling there in the mid-1860s.
James Burden played a major role in early development by acquiring and working a prime agricultural property. Farming helped support nearby fishing communities, but the town’s history also notes that many men returned to fishing when the cod fishery recovered around 1874, especially the summer fishery on the Labrador coast. Women often maintained crops and livestock while men were away.
Heritage research on the Eastport Peninsula describes the settlement of Eastport, Happy Adventure and Sandy Cove as a connected process from the 1850s into the 1870s. Eastport’s origin story is therefore both agricultural and coastal: it grew from land-based support for sea-based communities, then became part of a peninsula shaped by beaches, road access and tourism.
What Eastport Is Like Today
Eastport had 527 residents in the 2021 census, with Statistics Canada marking the figure for caution because of census count notes. The town is small, but its visitor role is larger than the number suggests. It has beaches, accommodations, food, community facilities and proximity to Terra Nova National Park.
The present-day community is seasonal in feel. Summer brings beachgoers, families, hikers and visitors using Eastport as a gentler base outside the park. Shoulder seasons are quieter and better for people who want walking, photography and scenic drives without peak beach traffic or crowded parking.
Eastport’s scale is part of the appeal. Travellers can spend the morning on the beach, drive to Sandy Cove or Salvage after lunch, and still return for an evening walk without committing to a long-distance itinerary. The town has enough services for a comfortable stay, but it remains small enough that weather and beach conditions shape the day.
Things to Do and Places Nearby
Eastport Beach and Northside Beach are the main local draws. The town promotes water recreation such as boating, fishing, whale watching, beachcombing, swimming, sunbathing and iceberg viewing in season. Bring realistic expectations: North Atlantic water, wind and fog can change a beach day quickly.
Use the peninsula as part of the experience. Sandy Cove has its own beach setting, Caplin Gulch and Crooked Tree Park. Salvage offers a more rugged outport landscape with docking, trails, picnic areas and coastal views. Happy Adventure adds boat launches, food and accommodations.
Eastport is also close to Terra Nova National Park, making it practical for travellers who want park trails and a beach-town base on the same trip. Plan the park and peninsula together, but leave enough time to enjoy Eastport itself before continuing through the peninsula at a relaxed pace.
For an easy first itinerary, start at Eastport Beach, add Northside Beach or a short community walk, then use the afternoon for Sandy Cove, Salvage or Happy Adventure. Travellers with more time can add Terra Nova trailheads or a park interpretive stop, but the peninsula deserves its own unhurried day in good weather, especially when children or beach gear slow the pace for most families.
Events, food and accommodations are seasonal, so check local listings before arrival. The town’s tourism material emphasizes beach recreation and peninsula communities, which means the best plans are flexible: beach when the weather is open, trails and drives when wind or fog make swimming less appealing, and park time when inland conditions are better.
Quick Facts
- Province: Newfoundland and Labrador
- Region: Eastern region
- Municipality type: Town
- 2021 census population: 527
- Official website: https://eastport.ca/
- Main travel areas: Eastport Beach, Northside Beach, Sandy Cove, Salvage, Happy Adventure, Eastport Peninsula, Terra Nova National Park access
- Key routes: Route 310, Trans-Canada Highway access, Eastport Peninsula roads, Bonavista Bay coastal routes
Travel Notes
A car is strongly recommended. Summer is best for beach use, swimming, boat tours and family travel, but it is also the busiest season. Book accommodations early if travelling during beach weather or events. Bring layers, sun protection and wind protection in the same bag. If combining Eastport with Terra Nova National Park, check park advisories and build enough time for both trailheads and beach stops.