Notre Dame Bay

Inlet of the Atlantic Ocean in northern Newfoundland, 250 km/155 mi northwest of St John's. It is bordered on the west by the Baie Verte Peninsula, and measures some 130 km/80 mi across.

Notre Dame Bay contains more islands than any other bay in Newfoundland; the largest of these is Fogo Island in the east, a former summer home of the Beothuk people and also, since the 1500s, a fishing base for Europeans. Fogo Island is known for its lively local cultural heritage and rich folklore. The Exploits River empties into the bay; near its mouth, the town of Lewisporte (population (1991) 3,800) is a fishing and ferry port. The town of Twillingate (population 1,400) on the islands of the same name – another former Beothuk site – is a fishing and trade centre. Lobster catching, sport fishing, sealing, and forestry have all at one time been important on the bay.