Sea kayaking with puffins and monoliths? You bet. I’m in Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve to do just that, as well as to stand up paddleboard and whitewater kayak one of the many rivers that drops into the Gulf of the Saint Lawrence River in Québec’s Côte-Nord.
A seemingly boundless area that's known for its rugged beauty and the diversity of its wildlife, Québec’s Côte-Nord region boasts 800 miles of coastline, thousands of islands and countless pristine rivers, making it a wild and wonderful paddling destination.
The Côte-Nord Region is located in Eastern Québec. Stretching along the Saint Lawrence from Tadoussac to Blanc-Sablon at the Labrador border, the area has countless natural treasures to discover. It's considered by many, to be the unpolished jewel of the province.
Kicking off my time in the region, I met up with Jean-Francois of Noryak, an accomplished whitewater paddler and sea kayaker, who has spent almost two decades exploring and guiding in the area.
Our adventure began on Quarry Island in Mingan National Park. We got up early, and made the short hike across the island, so that I could get my first look at the icons that attract adventure travelers from around the world: the stunning limestone monoliths. Walking around the monoliths, I felt like I was on another planet! It really is amazing to think that Mother Nature has spent thousands of years sculpting these beautiful shapes with her erosive chisel.
From the monolith gardens, we headed over to Île aux Perroquets—or Parrot Island—a tiny island with a storied history that serves as a gateway to the western arm of the Mingan Archipelago. Perhaps one of the coolest things about this island was the birds that were everywhere. And not just any birds, but birds you don't really find many places in the world…puffins! While we paddled along the coast the puffins would dive from their nests high up on the cliffs and bomb past us in our sea kayaks. It was an unforgettable experience.
When it comes to sea kayaking, I've always loved paddling exposed coastlines with rough water and surf, and there's nothing I enjoy more than picking my way through a rock garden, or a maze of mangroves. Now, however, I can add a new favorite activity to my list: monolith paddling. It's pretty awesome to weave your way through the carved limestone towers, exploring through shallow and narrow channels, and getting into places that would be virtually impossible to reach in any other way.
Of course, as my time with Jane-Anne Cormier of Les Vagues reminded me, there's lots of different ways to experience the magic of paddling. Jane-Anne and I explored one of the many rivers that drops into the Gulf of the Saint Lawrence by stand up paddleboard. As we paddled down the coast, it became obvious why Jane-Anne returned to Côte-Nord after ten years living in Montreal–the rugged coastline and lush forest here provides the perfect backdrop for exploring on a paddleboard.
On our final day, as I struggled with the idea of having to leave, my spirits are lifted as I got to meet up with Jean-Francois again. We decided to take our sea kayaks to the rapids that are found only a few hundred yards from the Noryak base, where the Romaine River drops into the Saint Lawrence. I really can't think of a better way to end my trip to Québec's Côte-Nord than with a good, old fashioned, play session. After all, the area is without a doubt one of the world's most incredible outdoor playgrounds. I like to think of kayaks as being nothing more than toys for big kids to take advantage of the natural world.
As with any great trip, the end always comes too soon. I'm sad to leave, but incredibly thankful for the experience I've had in this wild and wonderful region known as the Côte-Nord.
Special Thanks To:
Aventure Écotourisme Québec | Tourisme Côte-Nord | Le Québec maritime
