Here are two trips that allow one day visitors to observe monoliths, birds and with a little luck, marine mammals.
Trip A will lead us to Île aux Perroquets (Parrots Island) and the surrounding islands. This island is known for its rare species of birds such as the penguin and puffin. The old lighthouse on the island was once a strange and magnificent site for two families of guardians. A naturalist of Parks Canada will show us around the island and explain its wildlife as well as teach us about its history. After that, we will paddle over to Île de la Maison and Île du Wreck.
Île de la Maison is occupied by tern colonies that will, with a gracious but aggressive flight pattern, show us there presence and sovereignty of the site. Île du Wreck is known for its numerous shipwrecks caused by the risky ocean floor. However, the limestone ocean floor, together with the remarkably clear water, gives us the opportunity to observe the ocean floor wildlife. With a bit of luck, we will also observe seals lying on the warm rocks heated by the sun.
Trip B will allow you to discover Île Nue. Île Nue, or Naked Island, is relatively large and gets its name from the fact that there is practically no tree on it. It is covered with a low vegetation that looks like tundra which is typical of a subarctic region. The limestone shores of Île Nue are composed of monoliths. Before the Europeans came to America, the island was a shelter and a center of commerce for the Basque whalers who transformed the whale fat in big stone ovens. The ruins of these ovens can still be observed.
From Longue-Pointe, we will cross over to the northern point of Île Nue where we will take a break for lunch. This will also be an occasion for us to observe the monoliths and participate, if wanted, to a guided tour of the island with a naturalist of Parks Canada. After that we will head towards the Îlot, a small island nearby where tern colonies nest, and complete a tour of the island before returning to where we left from.
This section of the archipelago is also known for the abundance of minke whales and common porpoise. Even if it is very rare not to see any wildlife, Odyssée Minganie cannot guarantee their presence.
The guide will choose the itinerary depending on the weather, the ocean conditions and the direction of the tides. If the weather does not permit to go out on the ocean, the trip will be delayed a day or replaced by a trip on the Mingan river. The final decision is up to Odyssey Minganie.
