Codroy Valley

Covering an area of over 100 square kilometres, the Codroy Valley is comprised of 15 smaller communities that have a total population of approximately 1,595 people.  The scenic Codroy Valley is framed by the Long Range Mountains, the Anguille Mountains, and the Atlantic Ocean, producing some of the best weather on the Southwest Coast of Newfoundland.  With its combination of mountains, rugged coastline, waterways, rolling hills, and fertile farm land, the valley has some of the most spectacular and varied scenery on the island.  The collection of communities that comprise this beautiful region are: Benoits Siding, Cape Anguille, Coal Brook, Codroy, Doyles, Great Codroy, Loch Lomand, Millville, O’Regans, Searston, South Branch, St. Andrew’s, Tompkins, Upper Ferry and Woodville.   

Cape Ray

Situated at the base of the Table Mountains and bordering 16 kms of white sandy beach, Cape Ray is a small community nestled between Port aux Basques and the Codroy Valley.  Just off the Trans Canada Highway on Route 408, this community has some of the most spectacular scenery on the Southwest Coast.  From kilometres of beautiful beaches to breathtaking views atop the Long Range Mountains where you can occasionally see the islands of Nova Scotia, this community of 390 people is a gem of the Southwest Coast region.

Channel-Port aux Basques

Channel - Port aux Basques, commonly known as Port aux Basques, is located on the Southwest tip of Newfoundland.  The Gateway port to Newfoundland, this community handles 90 percent of all passenger and road freight traffic arriving and leaving the Island of Newfoundland.  Port aux Basques has a large, natural ice free harbour which is used not only by the shipping industry, but also a sheltered harbour affording sanctuary to stormstricken vessels since the 1500s.  The communities of Channel and Port aux Basques amalgamated in 1945. The origins of the name Port aux Basques came from the 17th century when the Basques whalers used the port for sheltering and watering place on their way to Labrador.  In spite of a prosperous fishery, it wasn't until the mid to late 1800's that permanent settlers were recorded in the area. The growth of settlement was attributed to the areas advantageous position abutting the mouth of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

With continuing growth in the area along the coast, the need for a more efficient link with the markets and the people of North America was felt.  Channel-Port aux Basques, an ice-free port facing the Gulf of St. Lawrence, was the logical choice for the terminus of the Newfoundland Railway, which ran from the Avalon Peninsula to the Exploits River by 1893.  To benefit the entire island, it was decided to extend the line to Channel - Port aux Basques to connect with a steamer that would coincide with the railway schedule. Both the steamer service and the railway, owned by the Reid Company, were inaugurated June 30, 1898, with one steamer crossing the Gulf three times a week.  Growth in the area led the towns of Channel and Port aux Basques, which were two separate fishing communities, to merge and become one.  This occurred in the year, 1945.  Currently, the population of Channel-Port aux Basques is 4550.

Margaree-Fox Roost

Just on the outskirts of Channel-Port aux Basques are the conjoined communities of Margaree and Fox Roost.  Separated only by a church, school and community centre, the charming fishing villages are accessible by Route 470 and have a combined population of approximately 300 people.  Many of the residents of these communities rely on their neighbouring community, Port aux Basques, for employment and services.

Isle aux Morts

Isle aux Morts has a rich maritime heritage of fishing and sailing with many tales of shipwrecks and loss of lives in the ruggedly treacherous waters offshore.  For this reason the French named it "Deadman's Island", or as it is known locally "Island of the Dead".  Isle aux Morts currently has a population of 718 residents and is known as a community of heroism throughout the decades.  This community is another in a string of small communities located along the beautiful Route 470.

Burnt Islands

With a population of 703, Burnt Islands is located half way between Channel-Port aux Basques and Rose Blanche.  The community consists of two distinct portions, a mainland settlement and an island settlement, which were joined in the 1950's by a causeway.  As with most settlements in the area, fishing is the principal occupation, although the community supported a lumber industry and a fish glue plant at one time.  Housed with wharfs, stages and boats, Burnt Islands is a great place to explore a traditional Newfoundland outport. The raw beauty of the area can be fully appreciated by taking a stroll around the community and talking to the friendly locals.

Rose Blanche/Harbour LeCou

At the end of Route 470, on the Southwest Coast of Newfoundland is the small community of Rose Blanche.  Home to the only granite lighthouse in Atlantic Canada, this quaint community has a population of 640 residents.  Like many communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, Rose Blanche was heavily dependent on the fishery until its collapse in 1992.   Since that time, people of the community have turned to the service industry with others obtaining seasonal employment in other parts of Canada.

LaPoile

La Poile is another isolated fishing community on the South coast of the Newfoundland which is only accessible by boat.  With a population of 125 residents in La Poile, the community name originates from the presence of citizens from the French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon who would come to the area for fish and timber as early as the 1700's.  Although permanent settlement did not occur until well into the 1800's, American ships fished in the area of La Poile Bay as early as 1739.  This area is ideal for tourists who would like to visit a traditional Newfoundland outport.  The community's tranquility and isolation from more populated areas is a welcomed place to many city dwellers.

Grand Bruit