Southern Islands: Choose St John’s, Lazarus or Kusu

If you prefer an outing without a boat, compare the Labrador coastal walk before booking.

SLA’s visitor route starts with St John’s, continues on foot over the causeway to Lazarus Beach, then returns to the St John’s jetty for a ferry to Kusu. It estimates the Lazarus beach walk at 15 to 20 minutes; allow more time if carrying picnic gear or walking with children.

That walk is not the whole outing. You still need time to settle, eat, pack up and get back to the departure point. If your group mostly wants to sit by the coast, omit the extra island rather than making everyone watch the clock throughout lunch.

Use the ferry operator’s schedule for your actual travel date. Check the starting pier, island order, permitted stops, return departure and whether the ticket covers the itinerary you want. Do not combine one company’s outward sailing with another company’s return timetable.

SLA describes scheduled services from Marina South Pier to St John’s and Kusu, with Lazarus reached on foot from St John’s on that route. If a product advertises a different Lazarus landing, inspect its own boarding instructions. A destination name on a ticket does not establish which jetty you will use.

Choose the Kusu stop because the group wants its cultural setting, not because collecting a third island sounds like better value. Keep dress and behaviour respectful around places of worship and follow local signs.

Pilgrimage-period arrangements can affect the practical journey. Check date-specific booking information instead of applying an ordinary weekend schedule automatically. If the available route leaves only a rushed stop, give Kusu its own visit or save it for another day.

SLA advises bringing sufficient drinking water and food, and says there are no medical services on the islands. Although its page lists a Lazarus convenience store with limited weekly opening, a first visit should not depend on finding a particular meal there.

Pack food that travels sensibly, a rubbish bag, sun protection and a way to keep important items dry. Carry less bulky equipment than you would take to a car-accessible picnic. Someone has to move it between the pier, boat and beach, then carry it back when tired.

A mainland café is not an immediate escape once you are on an island. Look at the forecast before departure, read the operator’s cancellation terms and distinguish poor beach weather from an actual cancelled sailing. Do not assume a change of mind earns a refund.

Save the correct return timetable offline and aim to be ready before boarding begins. Make the walk back the first thing you subtract from the departure time, not the last. See SLA’s island guide for the current safety and access advice. This day plan does not require camping, a barbecue or entering the water.

Find more independent outing ideas in the Eventful blog.