Dildo harbour

Dildo is a town of 803 people (2021) by Trinity Bay, on the Avalon peninsula in Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

It offers some picturesque scenery. Its unusual name has attracted some attention and it is thought that it may derive from a place name in Spain or Portugal. The people of Dildo are called Dildoians.

Understand

The place name "Dildo" is attested in this area since at least 1711, though how this came to be is unknown. The name, then written as "Dildoe", was first applied to Dildo Island, offshore from the present-day town of Dildo. This use was recorded in 1711 and 1775, and the name was thereafter applied to the Dildo Arm of Trinity Bay and other local physical features. Social scientist William Baillie Hamilton notes that Captain James Cook and his assistant Michael Lane, who mapped Newfoundland in the 1760s, often displayed a sense of humour in the place names they chose, and were not above selecting names that might offend over-sensitive readers. Regardless of the origin, the name has brought the town of Dildo a measure of notoriety. In the 20th century there were several campaigns to change the name, though all failed.

History

The Dildo area has a long history, going as far back as 2000 BC when Maritime Archaic aboriginal people resided at Anderson's Cove. By 700 AD, people of the Dorset culture inhabited Dildo Island. In 1613, Henry Crout, whilst sailing up Dildo Arm, came in contact with the Beothuks, who were residing on Dildo Island at this time. He traded with them and left gifts. The town of Dildo was founded in the late 18th century and settled to exploit the abundance of marine resources such as fish (mostly cod), whales and seals.

Get in

Dildo is on Route 80, approximately 15 km from the Trans-Canada Highway. From St. John's it is about a 50 minute drive. Take the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) as far as Exit #28 where you turn on to Route 80. The town of Dildo is signposted 8 km down Route 80.

Buses connect the town to St. John's.

Get around

Where Dildo is a small community the only method of transportation is one you bring yourself! So get out and smell the salt air as you walk along the water front enjoying the beautiful view.

See

Dildo is well known for its own island, Dildo Island. There are adventure tours that run there daily during the summer. The Island boasts a huge archaeological dig, studying both the Beothic Indians and the Dorset Eskimos.

Do

To begin with, giggle at the name. After that, some whale watching might be in order.

• Historic Dildo Days Celebration. Aug. (updated Jul 2018)
• Dildo Island Adventure Tours, Route 80, Dildo Marina, Dildo, ☏ +1 709 582-2988. May 1-Oct 1. "Heritage Explorer" whale-watching ship, local guide on board; view icebergs, dolphins, nesting bald eagles, seabirds and historic Dildo Island. 

Eat

• 1 Dildo Dory Grill, 9 Front Road, ☏ +1 709 582-3776, fax: +1 709 582-3194. Waterfront dining, chicken, seafood, steak. 
• Fran's Kitchen, Dildo, ☏ +1 709 582-3726. A good home-cooked meal in a cosy atmosphere. 

Drink

• Dildo Brewing Company & Museum, 1 Front Road, Dildo, dildobrewingcompany@gmail.com. A five-barrel capacity microbrewery and tap room (established 2018). Beer made with all natural ingredients (water, malted barley, hops and yeast) with no added preservatives or pasteurization. A museum of the operation is attached. 
• 1 Blue Whale Lounge, 8 Main St, South Dildo, ☏ +1 709 582-3123. 11AM-2AM. Where many in the area retire after a long weekend, also home of Mudders takeout. 

Sleep

• 1 Inn By The Bay, 80 Front Road, ☏ +1 709 582-3170, toll-free: +1-888-339-7829. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. The inn's oceanside Verandah Dining Room serves a candlelit four course fixed-price dinner nightly. No pets, no smoking. 
• 2 George House Heritage Bed and Breakfast, 80 Front Road, ☏ +1 709 582-3170, toll-free: +1-855-582-2167. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 
• 3 Island View Efficiency Cottage, Hwy 80, Broad Cove, ☏ +1 709 582-2230, +1 709 682-7316. One three-bedroom cottage and three two-bedroom efficiency units. Satellite TV, stereo, broadband Internet. 

Nearby

• Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador, 273 Main Rd, Winterton (57 km N of Dildo on Route 80), ☏ +1 709-583-2044. Jul 8-Sep 8: W-aSu 10AM-5PM. Archives, conserves, and exhibits local wooden boat history and its contribution to the province's economy and way of life. $7. (updated Jul 2020)

Go next

• Bonavista
• St John's and the Avalon Peninsula