Bonavista Bay (bon"uvis'tu) [key], arm of the Atlantic Ocean, c.40 mi (60 km) long and 40 mi (60 km) wide, E N.L., Canada, on the E coast of Newfoundland. The bay is irregular and filled with islands. Cape Bonavista, the headland of the Bonavista Peninsula, marks the southern entrance to the bay and is the reputed landfall (1497) of John Cabot, the discoverer of Newfoundland. Bonavista is the chief fishing town.
