Glide through the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve aboard a private Zodiac, weaving between surreal limestone monoliths sculpted by millennia of sea and ice. The nesting colonies of Atlantic puffins and razorbills make this one of Canada's most spectacular wildlife backdrops.
What to expect
Board a rigid-inflatable Zodiac at Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan and carve through jade-green channels framed by the archipelago's famous eroded limestone pillars, some rising over 10 metres from the sea. Your bilingual naturalist guide identifies Atlantic puffins, common murres, and double-crested cormorants nesting in the cliff faces just metres away. Step ashore on one of the 40+ uninhabited islands for a short walk among the monoliths and tidal pools. On the return, scan open water for minke whales and harbour porpoises feeding at the surface.
Good to know
Best July–August for puffin sightings before they depart for open ocean. Wear wind- and spray-proof layers; temperatures on the water are 5–10°C cooler than on land. Pre-book directly with the operator — group size is capped at 8–10 per Zodiac.