Côte-Nord is the underrated region in Quebec you’ll absolutely love visiting! With incredible wildlife, scenic views and charming towns, this area will capture your heart in an instant. This is the perfect Cote Nord Quebec itinerary that balances relaxation while seeing all the best sights.
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Stretching for hundreds of miles along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, this gorgeous area is known for its towering cliffs and waterfalls, quiet beaches, and some of the most impressive marine wildlife in Canada. Oh, and not to mention the shining star: Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve.
Whether you’re going to spot whales, explore remote islands, or simply take in the endless coastal views, Côte-Nord is a bit of a wild part of Quebec that you’ll love.
This wild and underrated region of Quebec, Canada truly took me by surprise. Having visited places like Riding Mountain National Park in Clear Lake, Manitoba and Banff and Jasper in Alberta, I’ve seen some really special places in Canada.
But Cote Nord just blew me away with the unspoiled beauty and abundant wildlife.
This is the info you need to plan a beautiful vacation in this region of Quebec…
How to get to Côte-Nord
Real quick…to get to this region in Quebec, you can:
- Fly from Montreal or Quebec City to Sept-Îles, which may be the most convenient.
- Drive Route 138! Known as The Whale Route, it’s a fabulous drive along the river’s north shore and can be taken from Quebec City along the St. Lawrence River with many small towns and epic scenery along the way.
4 day Côte-Nord itinerary
Four days in Côte-Nord is the sweet spot. It gives you enough time to hit the highlights without packing your days super full! Of course you’ll have more time to relax if you can stay a few extra days.
Whether it’s your first time on the North Shore of Quebec or you’re returning to the area, this 4-day itinerary is the perfect way to experience the regions’ best sights, sounds and flavors.
Let’s dive in!
Day 1 in this underrated region of Quebec, Canada: Port-Cartier & Sept-Îles
I recommend a slow day after arriving in the area! Spend the morning in Port-Cartier. It’s a small community with cute waterfront areas.
Rochers River Waterfall
This is one of the smallest waterfalls you’ll experience in the Cote-Nord region of Quebec, but it’s fun to see up close.
There’s a visitor’s center here, talking about the creation of the dam and the history. It’s free of charge but you can also walk around to see the waterfall if it’s closed. I think the Rochers River waterfall is unique in how it splits into two before it dumps into the St. Lawrence River.
And if you’re up for some fishing, this is a great spot to catch wild salmon in Quebec!
Maritime Museum
This fun museum brings a few very special exhibits, and helps you get a feel for the Maritime area. I found it to be very informational with the region’s history, geography and a focus on Innu heritage.
The interactive exhibit full of the region’s geography and history is for kids and adults alike. I spent just about an hour in the museum, but you could go through it quicker or spend a few hours reviewing it all.
The Maritime Museum is also a great rainy day activity!
Note: be sure to check the museum’s hours as they vary based on season.
Lunch at Casse-Croute du Pecheur
If you’re looking for amazing seafood in Quebec, this is your spot! I especially loved the crab – it’s phenomenal. Casse-Croute du Pecheur literally means ‘fisherman’s snack’ and it’s so good!
Located in the heart of Sept-Iles and right by the pier, it’s a local spot where you’ll see boats and equipment for fishermen…so you know it’s fresh!
Casse-Croute du Pecheur gives off real sponge bob square pants vibes, too. So it’s a fun environment!
Atikuss – Maskisin Économusée
This museum, shop and interactive experience celebrates Innu peoples. Visiting the location in Sept-Iles, you’ll discover the significance of the caribou, who has greatly contributed to the survival of First Nations.
The Innu stories are woven into in the work of the artisans that work locally. Boots and shoes are the specialty and the gorgeous textures really stole my breath away. You can see how the Atikuss effort supports 300+ women who help make the clothing, shoes, gear and accessories.
Take the dreamcatcher class or buy a kit for a future time. It’s a fun way to celebrate and learn while getting creative.
Dinner at Bistro 7 de l’Hôtel Sept-Îles
I had a great view of the beach from the during my time in Sept-Iles. So while I’d recommend to stay at Hotel Sept-Iles during your time in Quebec Maritime, you’ll also definitely want to eat at the restaurant attached to the hotel, Bistro 7 de l’Hôtel Sept-Îles.
I ate there for breakfast and dinner and both meals were absolutely delightful!
Note: you’ll get to see the “7 islands” which is the area known for all the land that’s surrounding the cove. After dinner, there’s a great outdoor space and boardwalk, too.
Day 2 in Cote-Nord, Quebec Maritime
This is a day to explore the northern shore of the St. Lawrence River from Sept-Îles to Havre-Saint-Pierre.
Road trip from Sept-Îles to Havre-Saint-Pierre
Route 138, also known as The Whale Route is a scenic stretch of highway along the St. Lawrence River. From Sept-Îles, the river only gets wider as you go east! There are 13 species of whales and marine mammals that frequent these waters from May to October, and it’s magnificent!
Manitou Falls
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One of the most spectacular waterfalls in Quebec, Manitou falls at 115 feet (35m), this waterfall trail is a fun way to stretch your legs on your trip down Route 138.
Just about an hour east of Sept-Îles, you’ll find a large parking area. Walk across the bridge and the trail down to the falls is about 1.4 miles (2.25km) round trip.
About 1/3 way down you’ll see the upper falls and platform. You’ll be able to see the smaller waterfall going into a large pool. It’s very scenic, but it’s not the main feature!
Continue down the trail and you’ll find lots of wooden steps which lead to the bottom and to the largest waterfall. The water by volume is incredible and the mighty Manitou River falls down the cliff!
It’s very very loud with all the water rushing and the bottom platform is a wet experience. It actually reminds me of the mist at Montmorency Falls near Quebec City.
Note: this area is very buggy! Wear layers or lather yourself up! I found layering picardin bug lotion and this natural bug spray was a pretty good solution for the mosquitos in Quebec!
Whale watching along Route 138
As you make your way along Route 138, be sure to check out these whale watching spots from the shore – no tour needed!
- Sept-Îles: Secteur des plages
- Sept-Îles: Parc du Vieux-Quai (further in the bay, but with plenty of seating for whale watching)
- Rivière-au-Tonnerre: Belvédère Coste
- Magpie: Belvédère de Magpie (such a gorgeous area)
- Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan – Promenade sur le bord du fleuve (I actually saw seals from here!)
Dinner at Restaurant Chez Julie in Havre-Saint-Pierre
You absolutely cannot come to Havre-Saint-Pierre without dining at Restaurant Chez Julie! It’s an experience in dining, and especially if you love seafood!
Known for their seafood pizza (which is delicious), this dining option has fresh, local seafood. If you’re with a group, make sure you order big and take advantage of sharing so you get a variety!
Côte-Nord Quebec itinerary, what to do day 3
The shining star of Côte-Nord, you’re going to want to spend time in the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve!
Day trip to Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve: Quarry Islands
There’s many different ways to explore the Mingan Archipelago National Park. I recommend a full day trip via boat, allowing you time for hiking or kayaking, or a 1/2 day with light exploration.
From Havre-Saint-Pierre, you can access the east part of the national park reserve via boat, which takes 30-45 minutes from the shore.
Book your boat tour in advance, as the visitation window is limited to the summer months to early fall. I recommend the Quarry excursion if you’re looking for hiking only or want a 1/2 day option.
On Île Quarry, you’ll be able to do some light hiking to discover the indescribable monoliths. To see these in person is incredible!
Note: make sure you find the one that looks like a rhinoceros.
You can also visit Île Niapiskau for a more challenging hike via the Samuel Trail, with some pretty great views!
More in Havre-Saint-Pierre
For a slow afternoon or evening in Havre-Saint-Pierre in Maritime Quebec, you can grab ice cream at La molle – Crème glacée. A quirky ice cream shop has some fun flavors!
Be sure to kiss the blue moose nearby!
You could also hang out at Beach Havre-Saint-Pierre. Enjoy the sound of the waves along the beach for a relaxing evening, maybe even packing a picnic.
If you’re up for it, head over to the Puyjalon Brewery & Distillery for locally made cocktails.
That night, grab dinner locally or transfer hotels and make your way to Longue-Pointe.
Côte-Nord itinerary – what to do your final day
Your final day in Maritime Quebec is just as incredible as your first 3! This Côte-Nord itinerary sets you up to enjoy the western part of the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve!
Day trip to Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve
Spend a 1/2 day touring more of what this national park in Quebec has to offer! With an incredible amount of diversity, the islands closest to Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan are beautiful in their own ways.
Your boat tour will take you to Île aux Perroquets to see the puffins! Complete with a lighthouse, museum and even lighthouse keeper’s place you can rent for the night. During peak season there are over 1200 puffin couples on the island, so it’s likely you’ll see some during a visit.
Next is Île Nue, where you can go hiking among monoliths (again). This monolith experience are different than on Île Quarry based on the size and number of them. I found the monoliths here to be more accessible due without waiting for low tide.
Note: the boat ride to and from the islands takes about 45 minutes each way. And even in summer, you’ll want to bundle up as it’s quite cold on the water! I wore this medium coat under the outer layer they provide.
More from Longue-Pointe
So this is a cute spot but a small town with not a lot of accommodations and restaurants. You could grab a burger or sandwich at Cantine chez Nath, which is a great take-out restaurant.
Longue-Pointe also has quite a long beach with a cute boardwalk that extends along the picturesque shore.
Return to Sept-Îles
It’s over two hours to drive back to Sept-Îles, which you can do this afternoon. Or, this 4-day Cote Nord Quebec itinerary is wrapped up with a leisurely afternoon in Longue-Pointe and you can return to Sept-Îles the following day.
Côte-Nord Quebec – that’s a wrap
While there are tons of other things to do in this underrated region of Quebec, that’s where this travel guide ends. With four days of exploring the unique landscapes, witnessing marine life and diving into the culture a bit, I hope your trip goes spectacularly and you enjoy this destination in Canada!
Related content to read next:
Land of the Monoliths, Whales & Puffins: Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada
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