An immense region, Côte-Nord extends from the north shore of the St. Lawrence to the taiga via a nearly uninhabited boreal forest abounding in game. Côte-Nord takes you along the Whale Route, northbound or past the end of the road!
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The Whale Route
Made up of the two tourism regions of
Manicouagan and
Duplessis, Côte-Nord
is home to the Whale Route, which runs along the coast from Tadoussac to Blanc-Sablon. The 13 species of whales found
in the St. Lawrence can be observed along this scenic drive, from the small harbour porpoise to the enormous blue whale, the
largest mammal on the planet. This region is one of the five best whale-watching destinations in the world. It is therefore no coincidence that four world-renowned research groups are based here.
Manicouagan
Tadoussac Bay, a member of the
Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club, is at the heart of the
Saguenay-St.Lawrence Marine Park and is the home base of several companies offering
sea excursions. While Tadoussac is the best known area for
whale watching in Côte-Nord, several other sites in both Manicouagan and Duplessis offer exceptional observation conditions—even from the shore. Keep your eyes peeled from April to November, and remember that several
species of seals and sea
birds will probably join in
the show, to your great delight!
While visiting Côte-Nord, be sure to stop
at the
new Jardin des glaciers de Baie-Comeau. This attraction offers unique experiences that focus on phenomena associated with the last ice age, climate change and the migration of the first peoples. Located in a converted church, the
Glacier Exploration Station is home to the
Multimedia Zone: a multimedia show with spectacular projections and décors. The centre also offers the
Adventure Zone, where you can observe how the surrounding landscape was carved out by glaciers over 10,000 years ago. This zone offers three interactive guided tours, including a visit to a seashell valley, a site that is unique in the world. Outdoor lovers will also want to visit the
Adrenalin Zone, which offers a multitude of exciting activities, including
sea kayaking and hiking.
Northbound
While the coast offers magnificent fine-sand beaches, the interior is blessed with a myriad of lakes and rivers. Giant dams have been built on some of these rivers, including the largest multiple-arch-and-buttress dam in the world, the Daniel Johnson Dam (
Manic-5), a proud witness to our
industrial heritage.
In the heart of Manicouagan's pristine wilderness, immerse yourself in the world of the
black bear, which you can observe in complete safety thanks to the know-how of a professional guide. The Groulx Mountains offer experienced
hikers a captivating adventure in the wild: you will be awed by the immensity of this landscape. Route 389, which takes you to these mountains, also goes all the way to Fermont and Labrador, via a unique and little-known scenic drive.
Duplessis
The Duplessis region covers an immense wilderness area that encompasses unique attractions such as the Magpie River, which is world-renowned among white-water canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts.
Further east and nearly at the end of Route 138, discover the mysteriously shaped monoliths in the
Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada. Keep an eye out for the famous
Atlantic puffin (also known as the sea parrot), one of the many seabirds species that inhabit this park.
An enchanting island
On Anticosti Island,
Anticosti National Park presents nature at its best and most unusual: canyons, cliffs, fossils, crystal-clear waters, etc. With an area of over 8000 km² (3000 square miles)—which is twice the area of Rhode Island and 16 times that of the Island of Montréal— Anticosti is home to only 250 people... and 125,000 white-tailed deer!
Past the end of the road
Route 138, the Whale Route, follows the St. Lawrence through a string of Acadian and Innu villages all the way to Natashquan. From there, only the
Nordik Express cargo ship or a plane can take you to Harrington Harbour, Tête-à-la-Baleine or Blanc-Sablon. Jacques Cartier called this region the “land of many isles” because there are so many. Today, the
Lower North Shore is made up of over a dozen francophone, anglophone and Innu villages. The joyous
Kuai Kuai with which the Innu will greet you marks the beginning of a unique cultural adventure you must experience to truly understand!
See all road trip ideas in Côte-Nord 
Summer 
