Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve

Established in 1984, the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve protects about twenty main islands and nearly a thousand islets spread across approximately 150 km of coastline, stretching from the mouth of the Saint-Jean River near Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan to the Aguanus River estuary to the east. The archipelago's most spectacular geological feature lies in its limestone monoliths—rock formations sculpted by millennia of marine and glacial erosion, some of which have taken on evocative silhouettes. Notably, Mingan Bare Island and Niapiskau Island boast monoliths shaped like owls and women, earning the archipelago international recognition when The New York Times once ranked it among the 52 destinations to discover in the world. Accessible only by water from the visitor centers in Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan or Havre-Saint-Pierre, the archipelago is ideal for hiking, sea kayaking, and birdwatching. During nesting season, entire colonies of seabirds arrive, including the Atlantic puffin—this is Quebec's best site for observing them. Two heritage lighthouse stations, including the one on Parrot Island, offer immersive four-star accommodations that extend your experience beyond a simple day trip. The waters surrounding the archipelago are also home to harbour porpoises, white-sided dolphins, and several species of minke whales, making Minganie a natural extension of the Whale Route to the east.