The Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve in Canada is known for the largest concentrations of erosion monoliths. It is a famous tourist site encompassing thousands of miles and islets.
While the park is restricted by the Islands, it is shaped by the sea. There is everything for visitors to experience ranging from climate, wildlife, rocks, and plants.
How to visit Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve
When planning your visit to Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, there are several things to consider. This will make the trip seamless, fun, and exciting. You need to know how to get there, the right time to visit and how to prepare for the trip.
The right time to visit Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve
According to a travel guide posted on the site Diaguily, from June to early September is the right to visit. This is because most registered marine transportation companies are available from Mid-June to early September. It is worth noting that the park is accessible by boat only.
Make plans ahead of time and contact one of the marine companies to reserve a spot. Unless you own a kayak and want to come with it, making an early reservation is recommended.
How to get there
You need to take Highway 138 and drive for about two hours heading east of Sept-Iles. There are interpretation and information centers at Havre- St. Pierre and Longue-Pointe-de Mingan. There are also several kiosks In Baie-Johan-Beetz and Aguanish where you can find more information and maps.
Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve stretches between the towns of Aguanish and Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan. It also stretches along the north shore of St-Lawrence Gulf.
Visiting Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve
As indicated earlier, the best way to visit the park is by taking a boat. If you had a boat reservation with one of the marine transportation companies, you can be ready to take the tour.
Boats depart from Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan and Havre-St. Pierre. Boat companies vary when it comes to size and passenger capacity. Most will have a capacity of 8 to 58 passengers.
The tours take you through several Islands in Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve lasting three to five hours. There is a lot to see and enjoy. Most of the tours have park Canada interpreters to make sure you don’t miss out on anything.
What to expect
There are several things to see and enjoy. You can see unbounded horizons and enjoy the cool sea breeze. There are also spectacular giant monoliths the will create an amazing view. You can also enjoy the great sights of festooned cliffs that are sculptured by the sea.
Get busy and keep your eyes engaged by searching for buried fossils embedded in the rocks. The fossils date years back when fish and vertebrates had not evolved.
There is a lot more to see and enjoy if you spend a few days in the area. You can hire a taxi boat and spend a few extra days camping in the area. This gives you unforgettable experiences of waking up on genuinely secluded islands. If you’re lucky, you can observe passing whales and seabirds.
Feel free, relax and soak in solitude away from the busy town lifestyle.
If camping is not your thing, take a boat taxi and enjoy half-trips. You can hike on the several hiking trails in the area. There is no pressure on these islands. Make sure you relax and explore the Island at your own pace.
The possibilities are endless in Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve. You can try kayaking, endless day trips, and guided excursions. There are several itineraries to choose from that will offer you unforgettable experiences. Whether you want to a short trip of a day or want to camp for days, preparation is important for a successful trip. Start by visiting the information and interpretation centers. You can also visit exhibition centers and talk to Park Canada Employees. Having all the information you need ensures you don’t miss out on anything.