Visitors / welcome
Welcome to Spaniard’s Bay!
The name "Spaniard’s Bay" originates from the fishermen of Jersey, who traveled to these shores from the Channel Islands around the late 15th century. In 1585, Sir Bernard Drake launched a significant assault on Spanish vessels in Newfoundland, taking care to avoid major Spanish settlements like Placentia and the Strait of Belle Isle. As a result, the Spanish cod-fishing industry never fully bounced back. French records indicate the presence of Spanish fishermen north of Bonavista after the 1660s, at which point France had become the dominant force in the fishery, with England as its primary competitor.
- Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Web Site Project
Today:
Spaniard’s Bay is situated on the Baccalieu Trail along Route 70 and stands as the largest bay in Conception Bay.
The Town of Spaniard’s Bay officially became a municipality on June 8, 1965. In 1991, the nearby community of Tilton was merged into the newly formed Municipality of Spaniard’s Bay. Presently, the population is 2,694. We are a lively and expanding community that enjoys modern amenities while preserving a small-town feel. Spaniard’s Bay is centrally located, with easy access to major shopping centers, a hospital, and just a 45-minute drive to St. John’s.
The growth potential for tourism continues to rise each year. For artists and visitors alike, the stunning landscape here is truly remarkable and not to be missed. We also boast a 565-million-year-old fossil discovery and a protected bird estuary, Shearstown Estuary, known as a ‘Birders Paradise.’
