Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve

Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve protects a chain of islands and islets off the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Quebec, Canada. The reserve is best known for its coastal geology and the tall limestone sea stacks that punctuate the islands’ shorelines.

The archipelago’s defining feature is the range of erosional rock formations and cliffs, including free-standing monoliths and stacks. The islands also support seabird colonies, coastal vegetation, and marine habitats and are visited for boating, kayaking and wildlife watching.

The area was given protected status as a national park reserve in the 20th century to conserve its geological and ecological features and to manage visitor access. Ongoing conservation focuses on seabirds, coastal vegetation and coastal erosion processes.

The archipelago lies off Quebec’s north shore in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, accessible from local coastal communities such as Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan and other north-shore villages.

• Sea stacks: Known for distinctive limestone and dolomite sea stacks carved by wave erosion, some formations rise several metres above sea level and create dramatic coastal silhouettes.
• Access: Most visitor access is by boat or kayak from coastal villages such as Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, and the islands host seabird colonies and coastal flora adapted to the Gulf of St. Lawrence environment.