Exploring the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve is like stepping into a surreal world carved by wind, waves and time. Rugged limestone monoliths rise dramatically from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, wildlife is all around you in the air and the water, and every island has its own story. Here’s your guide to Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, perfect for planning an unforgettable visit!
This post may contain affiliate links. For more info, see my disclosures. Thank you to Parks Canada for hosting me! As always, all opinions are my own.
The Mingan Archipelago in northeastern Quebec is an amazing destination if you’re into nature, hiking or just love seeing something totally unique. I was blown away by scenery during my time in Côte-Nord Quebec, and this national park is hands-down one of the most underrated places in all of Canada, I’m sure of it!
The highlight? Seeing the largest concentration of erosion monoliths in Canada.
There are many ways to explore the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, and this travel guide will focus on day trips from Havre-Saint Pierre and Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan. But you can also spend time in the parks by camping or even staying in a lighthouse keeper’s house!
Let’s dive in!
Exploring the eastern islands: Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve
The eastern islands in the Mingan Archipelago are incredible, offering diverse coastlines and spectacular monoliths! While there are many islands within the park, here are the islands you can visit on a day tour departing from Havre-Saint-Pierre.
Île Quarry
My favorite island in the Mingan Park, this large island offers a ton of hiking opportunities with plenty of great viewpoints! It’s one of the most popular islands within the park, and for good reason.
Île Quarry has a large network of hiking trails that lead you through several types of terrain, showcasing the dramatic contrast between dense boreal forest and the famous monoliths that appear to be rising along the shore.
Make sure you take the Baie Quarry shore trail, a relatively easy hike that leads you past some of the most striking rock formations on the island. These towering limestone pillars have been sculpted over thousands of years by the water, wind, and freeze-thaw cycles.
Visit from early June to early October.
Île Niapiskau
Most famous for the Bonne Femme monoliths, Île Niapiskau is another island you can visit via boat ride. If you’re looking for a bit of a challenge with plenty of views, the Samuel Trail is a popular one on the island, coming in at 4.1km and rated as an intermediate level hike.
While I visited many islands during my time in the Mingan Archipelago, this isn’t one of the ones I personally stepped foot on. Next time I’m in the area though, I’ll be sure to check out the monoliths here!
Visit from early June to early October.
Île du Fantôme
Île du Fantôme is aptly named after schooner Phantom, shipwrecked in the north of the island in 1862.
Unique for the variety of landscapes including rounded monoliths, coastal sculptures, and checkerboard-style wave-cut platforms sculpted from limestone. This island is smaller than Île Quarry and Île Niapiskau, and the hiking trails are shorter.
Visiting time is a shorter period, from late June to early September – so be sure to schedule your trip in that window if you want to explore the island.
Visit the western islands: Mingan Archipelago
It’s crazy how much variety there is within the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve. To visit the western islands, day tours depart from Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan.
Île aux Perroquets (AKA Puffin Island)
Perhaps a shining star of the park for a completely unique reason, this island is a must-visit when in Côte-Nord because it’s home to the Atlantic puffin during the summer months.
You won’t find monoliths and hiking trails on this island, instead you’ll find a lighthouse and several buildings that have been converted to museums and lighthouse keeper houses you can actually stay in!
Fun facts about the puffins at Île aux Perroquets:
- Over 1200 puffin couples call this island home during mating season.
- The puffin couple has 1 baby per year.
- After mating season, the colorful, large beak falls off to smaller, less cute beak.
Despite visiting during peak mating season, I actually saw a lot more penguins on the island than puffins! But as I understand it, the weather and tides are highly dependent of where the birds are and when you’ll see them. Also, much of the island at the shoreline is roped off to give the birds plenty of space to nest.
Visit from early June to mid September.
Île Nue de Mingan
One of the smaller islands in the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, this island is unique for the barren landscape. Quite literally “naked island” this spot has very little trees and elevation change.
This island’s feature is the plethora of monoliths you can walk around and between! It actually reminds me of walking through the rock formations in Arches National Park in Utah.
Your day tour will likely stay about an hour here. You can spend time amongst the monoliths and walking the island’s coastline. There’s also a small building for escaping the weather or eating a quick picnic lunch.
And of course, like the other islands within the Mingan National Park, it’s a great spot for bird watching!
Visit from early June to mid September.
Can we talk about the sea life at Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve?
The Mingan Archipelago Park sits at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean, which means there’s an absolute abundance of marine life to see!
Whales
In fact, Havre-Saint-Pierre and Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan are situated along Route 138, also known as The Whale Route in Quebec. It’s home to 13 different species of whale throughout the year. However the most common whale you may see in the Mingan Archipelago is the Minke Whale.
While I personally didn’t see any during my time exploring the national park and Côte-Nord (bummer, I know), I desperately hope you’ll get to see some whales during your visit!
Seals
I did, however see an abundance of Harbour Seals during my visit to the region! A pod of over 30 seals entertained us during our boat trip from Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan to Île aux Perroquets.
And while eating dinner in Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, two harbor seals were eating and frolicking just off the shore as well!
What to bring & wear to the Mingan Archipelago in Côte-Nord
Regardless of the time of year you experience this amazing area, you’ll want to be prepared! Here are some essentials I recommend…yes, even for summer!
Clothing
- Moisture-wicking base layers.
- Insulating mid-layers like a fleece or puffy jacket for summer.
- Rain jacket or windbreaker – the wind is cold on the water!
- Thick outer layer in the fall.
- Sturdy shoes or hiking boots and warm socks (these kept my feet warm).
- Hat and gloves, scarf or buff.
Other gear
- Backpack with water, snacks and essentials.
- Camera with zoom lens.
- Power bank for your phone and/or spare camera battery.
- Sunscreen and insect repellent (I love doubling Picardin lotion with natural bug spray in Canada summers!)
Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve – that’s a wrap!
From incredible monoliths to whales, puffins, and historic lighthouses, the Mingan Archipelago offers a wild experience within a fabulous corner of Quebec, Canada. A summer trip means booking early, dressing smart, and planning both boat and hiking days.
Enjoy the natural landscapes and wildlife encounters along the Mingan Archipelago!
Related content to read next:
Côte-Nord Quebec Itinerary: What to Do and See in this Underrated Region of Canada
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