Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve

The Mingan Archipelago is a nature reserve spreading along the North Shore coast with thousands of islands and small islets marked by tall limestone rock formations. These stone columns rise from the water and create the distinctive character of the landscape.

The islands began forming 500 million years ago when sediments and shells accumulated on the floor of a shallow tropical sea covering the region. The limestone columns visible today are remnants of that ancient seafloor.

The islands provide breeding grounds for many seabirds that arrive in spring and summer to nest along the rocky shores. Visitors encounter these birds naturally while walking through the landscape.

Access to the islands is by boat tours departing from Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan or Havre-St-Pierre, usually lasting three to five hours depending on the route. Bring weather-appropriate clothing and plan visits during warmer months when conditions are best.

The park contains caves, cliffs, and grottoes shaped by ongoing water erosion into the limestone. These hidden spaces invite exploration and reveal how water has carved passages and chambers within the stone.