Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve is a national park reserve in Minganie, on the North Shore of Quebec.

The many attractions of the Mingan Archipelago captivate visitors, including:

• the thousands of giant limestone monoliths (in islets or cliffs) shaped by the relentless waves;
• educational activities for discovering and interpreting marine, riparian and island nature; in particular the observation of marine fauna (whales, seals) or birds;
• boat trips between the islands or islets for an immersion in this timeless setting;
• forest hikes on designated islands;
• camping on the islands;
• lodging on Île aux Perroquets in the house of the guardian or that of his assistant.

The Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve was established in 1984. There are exceptional geological structures, limestone monoliths that have slowly been eroded by the waves, as well as boreal-type vegetation.

• 50.2-63.8291671 Park Information and/or reservation, 1010, promenade des Anciens, Havre-Saint-Pierre; ou 625, rue du Centre, Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, ☏ +1 418-538-3285, +1 418-949-2126, toll-free: +1-888-773-8888, [email protected]. Open from June to September. (updated Jul 2022)

The Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada is comprised of roughly 1,000 islands and coastal inlets scattered between the mouth of the Saint-Jean River (near Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan) to the west, and the Aguanus River (near Aguanish), to the east. The archipelago has a surface area of about 90 km², while the reserve has an area of 151 km² (58 sq mi).

The islands formed as the continent slowly rose after the last glaciation. Over the course of the last few thousand years, the limestone rocks were slowly eroded by the waves, the changing sea level and the winds, as well as seasonal freezing and thawing. The result is a unique set of limestone sculptures, which form the largest group of such monoliths in Canada.

The waters surrounding the islands are rich in bird and marine life. The symbol of the park is the puffin which nests on certain islands of the archipelago.

Animals that inhabit this national park are beavers, river otters, muskrats, silver foxes, red squirrels, snowshoe hares, red foxes, ermines, certain species of bats and a number of small rodents. Occasionally, black bears and moose can be found on certain islands near the coast. Birds found on the islands include warblers, buntings, bald eagles, ospreys, passerines, eiders, terns, puffins, razorbills, and shorebirds. Marine animals that inhabit offshore are grey seals, minke whales, dolphins, harbour seals, humpback whales, porpoises, fin whales, and harp seals.

• Park website

Route 138 is the only road leading to the various departure platforms for excursions to the Mingan Archipelago. This road runs along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River and Gulf. From downtown Montreal, the distance to reach Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan is 1068 km; and 1115 km, to Havre-Saint-Pierre. Take Highway 138 from Quebec (approximately 870 km from Quebec to Havre-Saint-Pierre). Quebec City is approximately 870 km from Havre-Saint-Pierre, while Montreal is roughly 15 hours away.

Autobus Intercar ^{[dead link]} links Quebec City to Havre-Saint-Pierre via Sept-Iles (information: Ste-Foy +1 418-650-0087; Quebec City +1 418-525-3000; Baie-Comeau +1 418-296-6921; Sept-Iles +1 418-962-2126).

• From Havre-Saint-Pierre: Air Liaison (☏ +1-888-589-8972)
• From Sept-Îles:
  • Air Canada (☏ +1-888-247-2262)
  • Air Labrador (☏ +1-800-563-3042)
  • Pascan Aviation (☏ +1-888-885-8777)
  • Provincial Airlines (☏ +1-866-962-0380)

The Croisières Relais Nordik line links Rimouski, Sept-Îles, Port-Menier, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Anticosti Island and the Lower North Shore with the Bella Desgagnés (+1-800-463-0680).

Daily admission (2024):

• Adult $6.50
• Senior $5.50
• Youth and children free
• Family/group $13.50

Seasonal passes are available for about the cost of 5 day passes, and half that cost if purchased before June 30.

Parks Canada Passes

The Discovery Pass provides unlimited admission for a full year at over 80 Parks Canada places that charge a daily entrance fee. It provides faster entry and is valid for 12 months from date of purchase. Prices for 2024 (taxes included):

• Family/group (up to 7 people in a vehicle): $151.25
• Children and youth (0-17): free
• Adult (18-64): $75.25
• Senior (65+): $64.50

The Cultural Access Pass: people who have received their Canadian citizenship in the past year can qualify for free entry to some sites.

Map of Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve

From Havre-Saint-Pierre or Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, the means of transport to reach the archipelago are by boat or helicopter.

• 50.23687-63.606192 Excursions with Services Maritimes Boréale, Pélagie Portal Cormier, 1010 Promenade des Anciens, Havre-Saint-Pierre, ☏ +1 418-538-2865, toll-free: +1-866-538-2865. 

• Limestone monoliths: The islands formed as the continent slowly rose after the last glaciation. Over the course of the last few thousand years, the limestone rocks were slowly eroded by the waves, the changing sea level and the winds, as well as seasonal freezing and thawing. The result is a unique set of limestone sculptures, which form the largest group of such monoliths in Canada.

• Innu activity (Activité innue). Every Wednesday from July 21 to August 18 - Duration: 3 hours. This activity allows you to discover the Innu culture accompanied by a Parks Canada animator-guide and members of the Ekuanitshit community. (updated Jul 2022)
• Boreal Flavor Hikes (Randonnées à saveurs boréales). 2 hours duration. This activity with a Parks Canada animator-guide allows participants to discover edible species in their ecosystem: small tea, balsam fir, cloudberry, cowberry, Labrador tea, etc. Participants will have the opportunity to take small bites made of local products. The other topics covered by the facilitator-guide are: the history, toponymy, terrestrial and winged fauna of Petite île au Marteau. (updated Jul 2022)

Water sports enthusiasts have the opportunity to live an adventure on the waters surrounding the Mingan Archipelago. The Mingan Archipelago offers a hundred kilometers of navigable waters between the islands and islets in pleasure craft.

• Sea kayak,
• Yachting,
• Paddle board,
• Scuba diving.

The main providers offering guided excursions in the Mingan Archipelago are:

Departures from Havre-Saint-Pierre

Departures from Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan

Note: Update of the table of excursion suppliers to the Mingan Archipelago: July 2022.

Apart from "Île aux Perroquets" (for visitors staying at the Auberge), there are no services on the islands for buying, eating or drinking. See nearby riverside villages: Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, Mingan (Innu Reserve), Havre-Saint-Pierre, Baie-Johan-Beetz and Aguanish.

Lodging is available in:

• Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan,
• Mingan (Innu Reserve),
• Havre-Saint-Pierre,
• Baie-Johan-Beetz,
• Aguanish.

Visitors can stay in four-star mode in the lighthouse station keeper's house on Île aux Perroquets or in the house of his assistant. This house with 1950s decor offers an immersion in island and riverside life, on a heritage site. Each room is designated by a name evoking the history of the island: example: rooms Mary C Kavanagh, Henry de Puyjalon... Users will be able to visit the lighthouse and contemplate the vastness of the gulf, the richness of the site and the way of life of the lighthouse keepers and their families. Users can also see the exhibition in the building of the fog criard, presenting the history of the station, the communications and the way of life on this island.

• Auberge de l'île aux Perroquets, Île aux Perroquets (reception 878, chemin du Roi, Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan), ☏ +1 418-949-0005. Overnight accommodations are available in the lighthouse keeper’s house or the assistant lighthouse keeper’s home from late June 23 to August. Single from $400, double from $300/person including breakfast. (updated Jul 2019)

The national park offers 32 camping sites spread over six islands. This camping experience is an immersion with the riverside and island nature: the sound of marine mammals or avian fauna, the pure air of the gulf, bucolic sunrises or sunsets, exquisite panoramas in the games of nature (reflections of the sun on the water, waves, clouds, mists, and wind) and passing boats... Campers can then imagine the history of the great explorers of the region: Indigenous peoples, Vikings, Basques, and Jacques Cartier who have passed through the area to admire the rock monoliths shaped by the sea, to fish or to hunt. Entrance and service fees are required for wild camping sites. Campsite reservation: ☏ +1-877-737-3783.

Campsites are only accessible by boat. Each site is equipped with a tent apron, a table and a cooking hearth; nearby, an outhouse and a shelter with firewood. A kitchen shelter and fire pits are available on some islands.

Camping fees per night (2024):

• Primitive, with pit toilets $17.50
• oTENTik (glamping) $133.25
• Group camping without showers, per person $5.50-6.50

• 50.233333-63.61 Havre-Saint-Pierre This riverside town offers many services to travellers and many attractions: Mingan Archipelago (Archipel-de-Mingan National Park Reserve), a well-organized seaport, several rivers (e.g., Romaine), several plans water, fishing (e.g. snow crab, scallops, lobster, salmon, trout), its sea excursions, its resorts, its cultural centre, its gastronomy and its markets, its ability to accommodation and outdoor activities.
• 50.283333-62.82 Baie-Johan-Beetz This picturesque municipality has a bucolic coastline, magnificent bays, islands along the coast, the Quetachou Falls trail, the Pontbriand River park, the Château Johan-Beetz, hunting and fishing activities.
• 50.266667-64.153 Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan It has a long fine sandy beach, a wooden waterfront promenade along the beach, hunting & fishing activities, resorts, excursions to the islands, and a museum on marine mammals.
• 49.538611-63.2452784 Anticosti This natural island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is the largest island in Quebec. It is known for its outdoor activities, fishing and deer hunting. Main attractions: falls of the Vauréal river, the Petit Canyon of the Chicotte river, Port-Meunier, observation of flora and fauna.