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National park · Havre-Saint-Pierre, Quebec
Mingan Archipelago
A national park reserve with about a thousand islands and islets along the coast, famous for limestone monoliths sculpted by the sea, visited by boat.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Mingan Archipelago
The Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve protects roughly a thousand islands and islets spread over 150 km of the north coast of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The rocks are limestone formed on the floor of a tropical sea about 450 million years ago, and contain fossils of corals, algae and other marine organisms.
After the glaciers retreated, the sea, waves and ice eroded the limestone and left standing the monoliths — isolated stone columns up to about 10 meters high. Many have names inspired by their shapes, such as Bonne Femme and Flower Vase. Quarry and Niapiskau islands, near Havre-Saint-Pierre, have trails among the monoliths.
The islands also host colonies of seabirds, such as puffins and common murres, and seals and whales appear in surrounding waters. The Innu people, who have lived in the region for thousands of years, collaborate in the management of the reserve.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day to a full day, depending on the boat tour.
Best time
From mid-June to September, when boats and island landings operate. For puffins, from June to mid-August.
How to get there
Boats depart from the harbour at Havre-Saint-Pierre and from Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, about 40 km to the west.
Tip
Choose a tour that includes a landing on Quarry or Niapiskau: walking among the monoliths gives the best sense of their scale.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Mingan Archipelago
What are the Mingan monoliths?
Limestone columns sculpted by the sea and ice, up to about 10 meters high.
How do you visit the Mingan Archipelago?
By boat, departing from Havre-Saint-Pierre or Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, from mid-June to September.
Can you see puffins in Mingan?
Yes, from June to mid-August, on tours to the bird islands.
How many islands are in the Mingan Archipelago?
About a thousand islands and islets along 150 km of coastline.