Icebergs are common along Labrador Coastal Drive during late spring and early summer. Originating in the high Arctic and Greenland, these mountains of floating ice are spectacular as they drift south on the cold Labrador Current to melt in the warmer waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Icebergs are often of enormous size and may reach a height of 90 to 150 m (about 300 to 500 ft) above the surface of the sea. Yet about 90 percent of the mass of an iceberg is beneath the surface, which presents potential problems for navigators.

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are frequently seen along Labrador Coastal Drive during fall and winter as a broad display of rather faint light in the night skies. There are many colours, with white, green, yellow, and red predominating. The aurora appears in a wide variety of forms:

• Sometimes as a quiet glow, almost fog-like in character
  
• As vertical streamers with considerable motion
  
• As a series of luminous expanding arcs
  
• As curtains, fans, flames, or streamers of various shapes.
  

Scientists tell us that auroral displays occur when charged particles from the sun interact with gases in the earth's atmosphere. Canada's aboriginal peoples possess a rich store of cultural beliefs regarding the Northern Lights. Whatever the explanation, the shapes, movement and colours of the Northern Lights are extremely beautiful.

Whales are frequently sighted in the Strait of Belle Isle during summer and early fall. The most common large species of whale is the humpback, usually seen in groups and noted for their classic roll and dive leaving their tail flukes in the air. Fin whales are more solitary than humpbacks, and are usually spotted alone or in small groups. Their main identifying feature is the tall, column-like spout of exhaled air when they surface after a dive. Smaller whales include pothead, minke and occasional killer whales. Porpoises and dolphins (known as "jumpers") are common.

Some of the best places along Labrador Coastal Drive for whale watching are Point Amour Lighthouse, the Battery Trail, the ferry crossing the Strait from Newfoundland, Red Bay, St. Lewis and at Battle Harbour.

There is a wide range of bird habitats in the region, ranging from seashore, through estuarine to tundra.

Bird watching along Labrador Coastal Drive can be rewarding as the area is underwatched and it is possible to spot species which have not previously been recorded here. The most rewarding seasons are the Spring and Fall migrations.
Spring brings the water birds heading north to breed: Canada Geese, Common Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Jaegers and two species of Merganser. At this time of the year the gulls return. Glaucous are the most common species, and Iceland Gulls are occasionally seen. Smaller birds such as the yellow warblers and flycatchers flock through, gathering in stands of trees before heading further north.

Throughout the summer several species of raptor can be seen, mainly in the tundra. The Rough-legged Hawk and the Northern Harrier are common. Northern Goshawk has been sighted and Gyre Falcon are rare visitors to these shores.

The Fall migration brings the greatest numbers of shore birds. Large numbers of Greater Yellowlegs gather in the estuaries and the smaller species such as Sanderling and White-rumped Sandpiper flock on the seashore all along the coast. Snipe with their characteristic call, can be heard in the late evenings making their way to the rich feeding grounds soon to be covered by snow.

Once winter sets in and the sea freezes there are few species which can withstand the rigors of the climate. Snow Buntings are the most frequent passerines at this time. Snowy Owls and Partridges are seen infrequently in winter.

Berry picking is one of the most common traditional summer pastimes in the Labrador Straits.
The most famous berry in the area is the bakeapple or cloudberry. Bakeapples are red initially, fading to a light orange colour when ripe (in local parlance bakeapples are red when they're "green"!). They are popular in jellies, syrups and pies, which can all be sampled in the local stores and restaurants throughout much of the year. These berries lend their name to the local Bakeapple Folk Festival held annually in August.

Other berries common to the area include black berries which ripen in late July, and partridgeberries, or lingonberries, which are a deep red colour when they ripen in mid-September. Partridgeberries are also popular in locally-made pies and jams.

All these berries are easily found within a few minutes walk of the highway.

There a number of beautiful sandy beaches in the region. L'Anse Au Clair, Forteau, L'Anse Au Loup and the most notorious, Wonderstands near Cartwright.