Québec City, Tadoussac, Baie Comeau, Anticosti, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Mingan Archipelago, Gros Morne, Cornerbrook.

It’s a voyage where everything is larger than life! Explore the Giants of the Land and Sea. Passing through historic fishing villages you will marvel over the numerous sightings of wildlife, gaze upon the “giants” from whales, bears to spectacular fjords. These ports boast a unique culture, a blend of Acadian and Quebec traditions influenced by a profound isolation and the warmth of genuine hospitality.

Let the voyage begin… In the summer, a wonderful breeze of happiness flows through Québec! What a great place to begin our voyage. Setting sail in the afternoon we head through a river overflowing in riches. You’ll marvel at the immense St. Lawrence River with its bewitching isles, its numerous whales, its wide variety of seabirds and unforgettable sunsets… You’ll be enchanted by the ancestral villages dotting the length of its banks. It’s an overnight cruise and a chance to relax, get oriented with the ship and enjoy the scenic coastline.  (L,D)

DAY 2 – With the sun rising we arrive at Tadoussac, a small village with charming houses surrounded by a rocky coast, the majesty of the St Lawrence River, the Saguenay Fjord - the only one in North America, huge dunes and a lovely lake. Activities are endless this day from water biking (an unusual and fun activity), mountain biking, hiking or experiencing the Sand Dunes, an absolute must. You can run, jump, tumble, slide or slither and it’s certainly one of the most beautiful parts of Tadoussac. Visit one of the five museums and interpretation centers and you’ll discover the rich heritage. Interested in whales? Then you must visit the Center of Interpretation of the Marine Mammals (CIMM). Are you a salmon fishing devotee? Then it’s off to the fish-breeding station. A true history buff? The Chauvin Trading Post and the Maison des Dunes are yours to discover the village’s history. And if you are a “ships ahoy!” fan, then off to the Musée Maritime (Marine Museum) to discover the rich nautical past. A stopover at the Chapelle de Tadoussac will allow you to unwind and to meditate on the enthralling beauty of the surroundings.

After an eventful day of exploring, the evening finds us feasting on the Chef’s regional creations of land and ocean bounty as we’re entertained by local musicians that reverberate the love of this land. We depart on a moonlight sail to Baie Comeau.  (B,L,D)

DAY 3 - We wake in the morning for an adventurous day where the options are endless at Baie Comeau. Join a unique excursion to Dommaine de L’ours noir (Black Bear Estate). Accompanied by an experienced guide, you will learn to identify different species of bears and understand their nature, as well as find out more about their fiercely competitive world and the survival of the fittest. You can even photograph these magnificent creatures at your leisure from an observation site specifically designed for this purpose. Other wildlife such as wolves, fox, lynx, squirrels, hare and several species of birds can also be photographed. All of these animals roam in complete freedom. For a historic outing join “Discover Baie-Comeau” viewing beautiful landscapes and learning the history, industry and heritage of the area. The tour ends with a visit to Pointe-des-Monts a seven floor old lighthouse tower. Centre Boréal du Saint-Laurent is an integrated interpretation and experimentation site that is ideal for outdoor fun, the centre also offers various activities such as Tyrolean traverses, a rappel descent,

DAY 3 CONT’D - climbing routes, hiking trails (30 km / 20 mi.) and sea kayaking. End this day with an overnight sail, join your new shipmates on deck, watch the stars and enjoy the rhythmic sounds of the wind and sea.  (B,L,D)

DAY 4 - This sailing day is a great time to become more acquainted with Caledonia, discover all the seafaring ways to operate a traditional sailing ship. Sign up for one of the daily sailing activities ranging from historical lectures, sailing theory or taking the wheel. For adventurous ones climb the rigging it’s a great spot for viewing marine and wildlife that frolic near shore areas.
We arrive early in the evening to Îles d’Anticosti, not just any destination. Its striking scenery and diversified natural environment make it the place for very exotic discoveries! For more than a century, this island located at the mouth of the St. Lawrence has been attracting salmon fishing enthusiasts to the fabulous Jupiter River. Whatever adventure you choose, you’ll fall under the island’s spell! The culture here also includes the culinary arts, and this time the sea’s influence can be tasted. We enjoy local seafood, fine cheeses, innovative maple desserts and of course the wine of the region, as we learn from a local historian, telling tales of the Îles providing insight about the next days discoveries.  (B,L,D)

DAY 5 - On Anticosti Island, the National Park presents nature at its best and most unusual: canyons, cliffs, fossils, crystal-clear waters, etc. With an area of under 8000 km² (3000 square miles)—which is 2 ½ times the area of Rhode Island and 17 times that of the Island of Montréal— Anticosti Island is home to 250 people and 130,000 white-tailed deer. Spend the day horseback riding, at the marine mammal observation, sea excursions by zodiac, hike, bike or kayak. We depart in the evening for a moonlight sail to Havre St. Pierre.  (B,L,D)

DAY 6 - It’s all-hands on deck, you won’t want to miss this sight. Beyond the 50th parallel, along the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, lies a remarkably beautiful scattering of some forty limestone islands and more than 1000 granitic islets and reefs. The Mingan Archipelago is a necklace of land carved out of the limestone bedrock. The site of spectacular natural monuments which bear witness to the never-ending wear of the sea and of the centuries.

We dock at Havre-Sainte-Pierre in the morning allowing you the entire day to explore the abundance of life in this strange half-world: plants of variegated hues and shapes, seabirds gathered in colonies, seals, dolphins and whales, swarming the blue vastness in which the islands bathe. For those who want to explore from the water there will be chances for zodiac rides or go for a paddle. This collection of islands is a sea kayaking paradise. For the landlubbers, hikes or walk exploring the “Flora of a Thousand Faces”. The evening allows time to relax on deck, in awe of our surroundings that shelter and cradle us for the night. At the end of our time here you’ll find the Mingan Archipelago is a treasure to discover and preserve…“One of the 10 great places to discover the tale of a whale” (USA Today).  (B,L,D)

DAY 7 - We set sail at dawn to the Gulf of the St. Lawrence, known as “the sea.” It’s so broad that its horizon appears to stretch to infinity! Its salty waters, which obey the rhythm of the tides, are home to abundant marine life. Fin whales, humpback whales, porpoises and seals are among the marine mammals that can be observed. For those who’ve become sailor’s, you’ll begin to take pride in your achievements as you and your new shipmates help to maneuver the sails, master the wheel and plot the course this overnight crossing. To make sure we never miss the view, Chef prepares an on deck mixed grill with true maritime flavour and flair.  (B,L,D)

DAY 8 - You awake to a sunrise off the Long Range Mountains as the ship continues along the coastline of Newfoundland’s West Coast. You will pass historic fishing villages and marvel over the numerous sightings of wildlife arriving late afternoon to Norris Point. A visit to the Marine Biology Station is a must with a chance to touch sea urchins and other fascinating creatures of the deep. There is a chance to stroll to the craft store or stretch your “sealegs” with a bike or kayak of the area. The evening is time for a celebratory dinner, it’s a true treasure on this voyage with a combination of “Captain’s Dinner” and a special Newfoundland tradition, it’s an evening of song, food and laughter.  (B,L,D)

DAY 9 - Our morning is full of discovery, we’re joined by a biologist from the Norris Point’s Marine Biology Station and get a hands-on chance to explore the unique microcosm of the Bonne Bay fjords. Late morning join one of the best hikes to see wildlife in their natural habitat, the challenging Gros Morne Mountain. It’s one of the province’s most extensive trails systems, millions of years of tectonic plate movement has yielded an otherworldly landscape of varied rock formations and diverse vegetation. You can wander over the earth’s mantle, see fjords unlike anything else this side of Norway, and encounter flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth. Others may enjoy a boat tour into a land-locked freshwater fjord called Western Brook Pond followed by a visit to the sandy beaches of Cow Head. We depart during cocktail hour with a Parks Canada guide giving us insight on the region on our way to Cornerbrook.  (B,L,D)

We arrive at sunrise to Cornerbrook, the region is rugged and the scenery is spectacular. The surrounding coastline holds magnificent fjords, jagged headlands, thickly forested areas and many offshore islands. Wildlife, forest and water mingle with the city’s borders on all sides and mountains fill the horizon in all directions. It’s a perfect place to end our journey.  (B)

B = Breakfast    L = Lunch    D = Dinner