The Québec maritime Blog

Best Sea Kayaking in Côte-Nord
  • Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve
    Paddle Tales

Best Sea Kayaking in Côte-Nord

Bordering the St. Lawrence for over 1250 km (775 mi.) from Tadoussac to Blanc-Sablon, Côte-Nord will delight sea kayaking enthusiasts. In addition to giving you the opportunity to admire spectacular scenery from another angle, your sea kayaking excursions in Côte-Nord will allow you to encounter the marine and bird life that inhabit this region. Here are some of the best places to go sea kayaking in Côte-Nord.

The Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park is one of the best spots in the world to observe whales! In the Les Bergeronnes area, Mer et Monde Écotours offers guided sea kayaking excursions to discover the marine environment, including winter kayak tours through the ice floes, which adventurous kayakers are sure to enjoy! Paradis Marin also offers guided kayak tours to introduce you to the mysterious St. Lawrence.

The Saguenay Fjord is a classic destination for kayakers in Québec: the remarkable scenery in this area will leave you speechless. From the water, the fjord’s sheer rock faces, majestic capes and rugged shoreline look even more impressive! Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay offers 13 primitive campsites along the fjord, some of which are only accessible by kayak. Fjord en Kayak, a company based in L’Anse-Saint-Jean, provides you with the perfect opportunity to explore the waters of the legendary Saguenay River at your own pace. It offers everything from tours lasting a few hours to kayak camping trips lasting several days. Another option is to paddle the waters of the fjord during an inclusive stay at the Ferme 5 Étoiles holiday resort.

In Saint-Pancrace Bay in Baie-Comeau, follow the passionate guides at Attitude Nordique to discover all the beauty and serenity of the St. Lawrence in this area. Several packages are available during the day or in the evening and include other outdoor activities as well as the opportunity to taste local gourmet products.

If you have your own kayak, be sure to stop in Sept-Îles along the way to explore the archipelago that gave the city its name. Paddle to Grande Basque Island, where you’ll find hiking trails and a primitive campground, and extend your stay in this area known for whale watching.

For experienced kayakers looking for a complete change of scenery in a remote environment, the Mingan Archipelago is the place to visit. These islands and islets offer countless possibilities for exploration lasting from a few hours to several days. Sea-sculpted limestone monoliths stand guard over the water, adding to the unique character of the archipelago. As you paddle, you may spot Atlantic puffins, one of the many bird species found in this area. The Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve also offers 42 campsites in six campgrounds on the islands to make your trip in this unique corner of paradise truly unforgettable.

Are you inspired to go sea kayaking in Côte-Nord during your next vacation in the region? Start planning your trip now!

Categories What to Do

Author Jean-Pascal Côté

A certified translator and avid outdoorsman, Jean-Pascal Côté works as a freelance writer and translator in Bas-Saint-Laurent, the region where he was born. He regularly escapes his daily life by going road biking, cycle touring or cyclocross racing, skiing in the mountains of Bas-Saint-Laurent or Western Canada, or sea kayaking on the St. Lawrence River. He is constantly dreaming up new travel plans. He also blogs (on an admittedly irregular basis) about his cycle touring adventures.

Post a comment
*

(0) comment