Dover is located approximately 70 km east of Gander, with access via the turnoff at Gambo. Nestled in a small cove at the head of Freshwater Bay along Bonavista Bay, the town lies northeast of Gambo.
An incorporated fishing and lumbering community, Dover was formerly known as Shoal Bay—a name likely derived from the many shoals found throughout the harbours and coves along the north shore of Bonavista Bay. From the 1950s to 1970, Shoal Bay was officially referred to as “Wellington,” although residents continued to call it Dover.
Local tradition suggests the name change to Wellington was made to avoid confusion with other Newfoundland communities named Shoal Bay. Following Confederation, the introduction of a new postal service required yet another change to prevent confusion with other Canadian communities named Wellington. A public meeting was held, and several names—including the popular “Port Charles”—were submitted. Ultimately, the name “Dover” was selected by authorities.
For a time, the community was officially known as Wellington (Dover), which led to continued confusion. In 1973, during a ceremony conducted by the Lieutenant Governor, the town was formally and permanently named Dover.
Today, Dover is a proud and welcoming community. Residents share a strong sense of connection—neighbors are not just neighbors, but friends. The people of Dover are its greatest asset, committed to the growth, development, and spirit of the town. Visitors from across Canada and around the world are welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm.
The Town of Dover is supported by three dedicated external committees: Recreation, Dover Fault, and Tidy Towns. These groups play a vital role in promoting tourism, preserving local history, and encouraging community engagement.
Their efforts include:
The Municipal Crest reflects the history, values, and identity of Dover. It symbolizes the hard work of past generations and the community’s commitment to high standards.
The Dover Fault is one of the most significant geological structures for understanding the geology of Newfoundland and the evolution of the Appalachian Mountains. It extends across the island, with geophysical surveys showing it reaches deep into the Earth’s crust for tens of kilometres.
Approximately 540 million years ago, a vast ocean separated what is now western and eastern Newfoundland. The western region was part of the ancient continent Laurentia (the core of North America), while the eastern portion—including Bonavista, Burin, and the Avalon Peninsula—originated from Gondwana. This ancient landmass included parts of present-day Africa and Europe.
Around 410 million years ago, these continents gradually drifted together and collided, forming a massive mountain range and fusing into a single landmass. This collision created intense pressure within the Earth’s crust, resulting in major fractures known as fault zones.
The Dover Fault is one such structure, formed as ancient rocks from Gondwana were pushed against those formed in the Iapetus Ocean (now central Newfoundland, stretching from Dover to Baie Verte). Today, this fault zone spans approximately 200–500 metres in width and extends from Dover to Hermitage Bay on the south coast.
Help make our community profiles better by submitting more information or helping to update current information. Please fill out the form below for your town.