Boating Near Quebec: Places You Can’t Miss
Whether sightseeing down the St. Lawrence River or passing through on your Great Loop adventure, boating in Quebec can offer vibrant culture and beautiful scenery. “Of course we have clients that love to take their yacht south for the winter,” said Vincent Piétracoup, General Director of Marine 360. “But boating around Quebec gives you a distinct feeling when sitting on the flybridge of your boat, enjoying the landscape, stopping for dinner with friends, or even fishing around some of our large lakes.”
At Marine 360, we have the right mix of new boats to meet any cruising lifestyle, as well as access to all brokerage yachts available throughout North America. Our expert, professional yacht brokers In Quebec can not only assist you with finding the right vessel, but can also guide you to some of the best destinations to take your boat.
Below are 5 places to take your boat in and around Quebec.
1. Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park
Known as one of the best places in the entire world to watch multiple species of whales, the Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park is accessible by boat as long as certain rules are followed. Lined with dramatic cliffs and flush with marine life, the Saguenay Fjord is a real experience when explored by boat. Some of the rules in the Marine Park include:
- Never going above a maximum speed of 25 knots
- If your boat is less than half of a nautical mile from a Beluga Whale, you cannot remain stationary
- From May 1st through October 31st, the max speed is 15 knots near the mouth of the Sageuenay River.
All of these rules are meant to preserve the wildlife of the area so they can flourish in their natural habitat. Still, it’s a treat to enjoy such amazing animals from the flybridge of your yacht.
2. Gaspé Peninsula & Percé Rock
Along the southern shore of the St. Lawrence River is the Gaspé Peninsula, a beautiful, rugged peninsula that jets out into the water in a dramatic fashion. High cliffs mark where the Appalachian Mountains drop into the sea, creating exceptional views by boat, as well as an abundance of marine life. Percé Rock is a must-see for all boaters in the area. This massive limestone formation is one of the largest natural arches over water in the world. Be careful though, only small boats are able to make it under the arch at low tide. From Quebec city, it is easily a full days boat ride to Percé Rock, but one that should be enjoyable for everyone on board.
3. Jacques Cartier Bridge
The St. Lawrence River offers delightful cruising opportunities around Quebec, but a half day’s cruise will take you to Montreal. Pass under the Jacques Cartier Bridge at the right time of the evening and you will catch the interactive lighting concept that illuminates the bridge every night, 365 days a year. The colors change as the seasons change, going from a vibrant green in the Spring to an icy blue in the winter. There are even animations that fluctuate as the city changes; the lights are tapped into the traffic, weather, and social media data collected from the area. Its truly a unique bridge!
4. Montmorency Falls
Montmorency Falls Park is probably best enjoyed by docking your boat and heading over by car, but cruising you can still see this gem from mother nature. Montmorency Falls is right off of the St. Lawrence River and can be seen in the distance from your boat. What’s interesting about Montmorency Falls is that the geological structure actually dates back to the Paleozoic era that dates back hundreds of millions of years!
5. Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
It will be difficult to miss the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac hotel when cruising the St. Lawrence River. While this is an operational 125 year old hotel, it more resembles a castle and has been designed for nobility. Royals, political figures, and other celebrities have all stayed at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. As one of eastern Canada’s most distinguished landmarks, seeing it from the St. Lawrence by yacht is certainly a unique experience.
Marine360 is the premier new boat dealer and yacht brokerage firm in Canada. With strategic locations in both Quebec and Ontario, along with offering yacht service, storage, accessories, and more, we can help you in every aspect of your boating experience. With premium brands like Absolute, Aquila, Galeon, as well as all of the pre-owned yachts we have access to, there’s not type of boating we can’t prepare you for successfully. Contact us today and learn more about how to improve your free time spent on the water.