Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada

The archipelago is made up of some forty limestone islands near the north coast and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The islands feature exceptional geological structures (monoliths) and boreal-type vegetation.
The waters surrounding the islands are rich in bird and marine life.
Many water sports are available, including sea kayaking, trimaraning and other boat excursions.
There are 24 km of hiking trails on 4 different islands.
Most of the time, these trails take you into the seaside world, but sometimes they take you into the heart of the islands, into the forest, moorland and peat bogs.
The park also offers camping and lodging at l’auberge de l’île aux Perroquets.
Despite the small size of the archipelago, there are nearly twenty species of land mammals, including red fox, snowshoe hare, beaver, red squirrel, river otter and moose.
Marine mammals include ten species of cetaceans, including minke whales and harbour porpoises, and three species of seals: grey, harp and harbour.
More than 200 species of birds frequent the park.
Of these, 12 species nest in the archipelago, forming colonies of over 50,000 individuals.
The Atlantic puffin, which also nests in the park, is considered the park’s emblem.
Three provincially designated vulnerable bird species are present in the park: bald eagle, peregrine falcon and golden eagle.
Because of the limestone nature of the islands, the flora is different from that found on the mainland.
There are 460 species of vascular plants, 302 species of bryophytes and 190 species of lichens.

Access

Take Route 138 to Mingan or Havre-Saint-Pierre, then take a shuttle to the islands.