Mighty St Lawrence | Ocean Endeavour

Québec takes its name from the Algonquin word meaning ‘where the river narrows.’ The city that Champlain founded in 1608 is one of the oldest in North America. The former capital of New France is now the capital of Canada’s largest province. Quebec still retains strong European influence in architecture, cuisine and culture.

Today, we'll travel by coach to the charming community of Tadoussac where we will meet the Ocean Endeavour. This pleasantly walkable community is ours to explore. With over four hundred years of history to discover and hospitable hosts to help, our embarkation point is a perfect way to kick off our St. Lawrence adventure.

At the mouth of Saguenay Fjord, salt water meets freshwater. Fin, minke, blue, and beluga whales are all found in the uniquely rich waters. We’ll be on the lookout for marine mammals and birds as we cruise Saguenay Fjord National Park!

Weather permitting, we’ll visit the famed Reford Gardens, a National Historic Site. Scenic walks wind among 15 distinct gardens offering more than 3,000 species and varieties of flowers and plants. The expansive site includes art installations, sculptures, a museum and a restaurant.

The spectacular natural sculptures of the Mingan Islands are formed of limestone, shaped by the action of the sea. At 50° N, these islands owe as much to the north as to the east for their character. Atlantic puffins and Arctic eiders vie for the attention of birders, while harp, harbour, and grey seals cavort in the waters. Not to be outdone, the flora of the islands is wildly diverse, including 450 plant species, 190 lichens and 300 mosses!

The Gaspé Peninsula (Gaspésie) separates the mouth of the Saint Lawrence estuary from Baie de Chaleur. Remnants of the Appalachian Mountain chain form stunning sea cliffs here, jutting above the tree-line.

Forillon National Park is an important bird and marine mammal habitat, with excellent hiking, including a walk to Canada’s tallest lighthouse. Grande-Grave National Heritage Site tells the story of the fishing families who once made their homes here.

Today we'll visit Parc National de Ille-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Perce, where we'll enjoy a Zodiac cruise of Perce Rock and Bonaventure Island.

Percé Rock is a huge natural arch within a mass of reddish limestone and sandstone, with a large sea stack at one end. Thousands of Northern Gannets and other seabirds nest at nearby Bonaventure Island.

Canada’s smallest province in both size and population, Prince Edward Island is known by several other names, including “Garden of the Gulf” (for its lush agricultural lands) and the “Cradle of Confederation” (referring to the Charlottetown Conference in 1864). It is a realm of rolling hills, wooded glades, ocean coves, and famously red soil. The island’s landscape has a strong bearing on its inhabitants, and Prince Edward Island—often abbreviated as PEI—retains a slow-paced, old-world flavour in its small, rural settlements. The island was made famous by Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables—and to this day, the Cavendish farmhouse described in the book is a popular destination for visitors.

Dramatic red sandstone cliffs are among the most striking features of the Magdalen Islands. Though a part of Quebec, the Magdalen Islands (les Îles-de-la-Madeleine) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence are closer to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island

When the British expelled the Acadians from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the Magdalen Islanders remained. Acadian heritage is evident in the culture and cuisine of the islands. Look for handicrafts, seafood, and local wines and beers!

Just off the shores of Newfoundland lie the islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon—an official territory of the French Republic. Having traced Canada’s French history and culture, it’s appropriate that we wind up in France!

You will have an opportunity to explore the charming, colourful town of Saint Pierre. French food, wine and shopping await! There you will end your trip by joining our charter flight to St. John’s, NL.