Join the Ocean Endeavour on this 10-day voyage to explore La Belle Provence! This cruise incorporates the stunning coastal regions of Quebec's North Shore, the Gaspe, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Magdalene Islands, and Saint Pierre. Keep your eyes out for the plentiful marine mammals who inhabit this region, as well the numerous bird species. This trip offers the perfect combination of wildlife viewing and cultural exploration as you venture into a region noted for its mix of Acadian, English, and French histories.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
One of the oldest and loveliest European settlements in North America, Québec takes its name from the Algonquin word meaning "where the river narrows." The city that Champlain founded in 1608 was the capital of New France, and later of British North America. Today the proud capital boasts the old-world charms of Vieux Quebec, the world-famous Chateau Frontenac hotel, and the only remaining intact citadel walls in North America. Cultural riches, superb cuisine, and an incredible view over the river make Québec the perfect place to begin your voyage!
Home to Aboriginal cultures for thousands of years, the Saguenay Fjord’s first European visitor was Jacques Cartier in 1532. The Saguenay drains fresh water from Lac St. Jean, but the majority of its volume is salt tidal water from the St. Lawrence Estuary. The result is ideal habitat for marine mammals, including four species of whale: fin, minke, blue, and the famous (endangered) Saguenay beluga population. Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park and Saguenay Fjord National Park both protect the region’s vast natural riches.
It’s easy to forget Quebec is a coastal province – but not at Parc National du Bic. Watching the seabirds swoop and dive, viewing seals basking in rocky coves, or basking in the region’s glorious sunsets, the spirit of the Atlantic Ocean is ever-present. Salt marshes and rocky hills define the park, located on the South Shore of the St. Lawrence. Aboriginal artifacts dating to 5000 BC attest to the region’s natural riches; many such artifacts are now preserved in the park’s interpretive center. Walking trails give access to Le Bic’s unique landscapes; birding and wildlife opportunities abound.
Day 4: Havre-Saint-Pierre / Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve
Due north of Anticosti Island on the North Shore of the St. Lawrence, Havre-Saint-Pierre has a unique history. The village was settled in 1857 by a group of Acadian deportees from Georgia, by way of Magdalene Islands. The local dialect retains strong elements of Acadian French to this day.
The spectacular natural sculptures of the Mingan Islands are formed of limestone, shaped by the action of the sea. At 50 degrees North latitude, these islands owe as much to the north as to the east for their character. Atlantic puffins and Arctic eiders vie for the birders' attention, while harp, harbor, and gray seals cavort in the waters. Not to be outdone, the flora of the islands is wildly diverse and includes 450 plant species, 190 lichens and 300 mosses!
A huge island in the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, Anticosti Island is known for its breathtaking scenery and extraordinary birdwatching opportunities. Larger than Prince Edward Island, Anticosti is the twentieth-largest island in Canada by area, but has a human population of only a few hundred. By contrast, more than 160,000 non-indigenous white-tailed deer make their homes on Anticosti – rightfully known as a hunter’s paradise. It’s also a great spot for birds: 60 per cent of Quebec’s known bald eagle breeding grounds are here, and more than 220 species of birds have been sighted at Anticosti, along with numerous seals and whales.
The Gaspé Peninsula, also known as Gaspesie, separates the mouth of the St. Lawrence from the Baie de Chaleur. Dominated by high cliffs on the north shore, the Gaspé includes the eastern tip of the Appalachian mountain chain and offers amazing views of and from its highland regions.
The first National Park in Quebec, Forillon, is an important birding and marine mammal location. Forillon also preserves human history in the Grand-Grave National Heritage Site, telling the story of the fishing families who once made their homes here. The park contains Canada’s tallest lighthouse and fortifications remaining from the Second World War, when German u-boats were a threat to Allied shipping.
Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé is the formal name of the park at the eastern tip of the Gaspe Peninsula. But most Canadians are more familiar with its best-known feature, the awe-inspiring Percé Rock. Less well known is the area’s superb Northern gannet colony, extolled as the largest and most accessible in the world.
Named by Samuel de Champlain, the rock itself is world-renowned, containing a huge natural arch within a mass of reddish limestone and sandstone. A second arch once pierced the rock but collapsed in 1845, leaving a massive column at one end. Percé Rock has revealed fossils of 150 species and more than 200 species of birds are found nearby. Fin, minke, humpback and blue whales ply the nearby waters of this magnificent coastal outpost.
Long frequented by Mi’kmaq people, the Magdalen Islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence were first sighted by Europeans when Jacques Cartier sailed among them in 1534. Today, although closer to Nova Scotia and PEI, they form a regional municipality of the Province of Quebec. However, the islands have a history distinct from that of mainland Quebec. When the British expelled the Acadians from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the Magdalen Islanders remained, and to this day take great pride in their Acadian heritage. There are also long-standing English settlements, and a percentage of the population can claim descent from survivors of the many shipwrecks that have occurred among the Islands.
Pack ice has historically surrounded the Islands during winter, leading to near-total isolation for months at a time. Besides fishing, shipping, salt mining and tourism, sealing on the pack ice has been a traditional source of income and subsistence for Islanders.
You could be forgiven for not knowing the French history of Newfoundland: sections of the island’s coastline changed hands multiple times, and the remaining communities have in general come a long way since they were unequivocally French. The name of the tiny outpost of Francois, for example, is pronounced locally as ‘Fransway.’ Accessible by boat only, this charming fishing village is surrounded by spectacular cliffs and offers a glimpse of a way of life that has largely disappeared.
Newfoundland’s South Shore is full of surprises, including vast stretches of virtually uninhabited wilderness. Fjords, cliffs and islands offer excellent Zodiac cruising territory and terrific birding.
Day 10: Saint Pierre-et-Miquelon, France
1 Breakfast
On a trip that traces the history and geography of New France, it’s appropriate that we wind up in France. The small islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon remain officially a part of the French Republic, despite their location only a few dozen kilometers off the shore of Newfoundland.
Disembark in charming Saint Pierre. Stay to enjoy the fine wine and cheese, excellent coffee and pastries, and contemporary French fashions independently or transfer to the airport for your homeward journey.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$2,595
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Quadruple - Category 1
Deck four: Interior cabin, four lower berths, private bath (separate shower room and powder room) - approx. 240 sq. ft.
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Triple - Category 2
Deck four: Interior cabin, three lower berths, two private baths - approx. 200 sq. ft.
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Interior Twin - Category 3
Deck five: Interior cabin, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 125 sq. ft. (twin)/110 sq. ft. (single)
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Exterior Twin - Category 4
Deck four: Porthole window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 100 sq. ft. (twin)/90 sq. ft. (single)
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Main Twin - Category 5
Deck five: Picture window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 115 sq. ft.
Deck seven. Forward-facing picture windows, unobstructed view, matrimonial bed, private bath with full tub, refrigerator - approx. 310 sq. ft.
Notes
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Request the Twin Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the double occupancy rate.
Initial deposit is $1200, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.6 | 105 reviews
TrustScore 4.6 of 5
Based on 105 reviews on
4 hours ago
The ability (of Kassandra) to tailor a guided trip to my exact preferences is very valuable to me, as well as the ability (of Kassandra) to provide expert guidance on destinations and travel dates. I also appreciate the ability of the backup staff (Maria Ignacio, Exito Travel) to coordinate all the details to make the travel logistics easy for the customer.
Mark Whalen
7 hours ago
Our Costa Rica trip was amazing! Kassandra planned everything and the excursions, hotels, overall organization were outstanding. Everything worked out smoothly, the excursions guides were knowledgeable allowing us to see so much of the fauna and flora of the country. The hotels were great as well, all in fantastic locations and with beautiful views.
Danny
22 hours ago
This is our 7th trip Kassandra has planned and she is wonderful to work with. She is responsive, helpful, patient and knowledgeable. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to work together with her. We love Adventure Life!
Aana Rivlin
1 day ago
Love Adventure Life, Mary is very experienced in the cruise department. Their post follow up after booking is great too.
Rita Shiver
1 day ago
Responsiveness and follow through along with staff being very personable.