The Most Beautiful Places to Kayak In Quebec and Ontario

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, a recreational kayaker or a sea kayaker, let your paddle carry you along on superb trips along the water. In the four corners of Quebec and Ontario, our experts reveal their favourite destinations for paddling, from a few hours to several days.

In this article, you will discover our experts’ favourite locations to head out kayaking.

1. The Most Beautiful Places to Kayak in Quebec

• The Sorel Islands
• Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park
• Bic National Park
• Poisson Blanc Regional Park
• Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve

2. The Most Beautiful Places to Kayak in Ontario

• Thousand Islands National Park
• Georgian Bay Islands National Park
• Algonquin Park
• Bay of Quinte
• Pukaskwa National Park

Kayaks

1. The Most Beautiful Places to Kayak in Quebec

The Sorel Islands

Photo credit: Tourisme Sorel

Our kayaking and fishing expert, Claude Roussin, strongly recommends taking up kayaking in the Sorel Islands region. A true aquatic paradise less than an hour from Montreal, the region is lined with canals to explore while paddling around a string of green islands. The water is shallow and the current is almost non-existent, making it an ideal destination for beginners. Keep your eyes peeled for an impressive array of birds, fish, frogs and turtles in the marshes!

Duration: From a few hours to one day
Level: From beginner

Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park

Photo credit: Sépaq

Our writer, Annie Gélinas, participated in a guided kayak trip on the Saguenay Fjord last summer. The adventure consisted of paddling according to the winds, currents and tides in a grandiose environment, dominated by 300-meter high cliffs carved out during the last ice age. In the evening, Sépaq Parks campsites offer kayakers a stopover to watch the breathtaking spectacle of marine mammals.

Duration: From a few hours to several days
Level: From beginner to expert

Bic National Park

Photo credit: Sépaq

Frédérique Sauvée, writer for the SAIL blog, remembers her most beautiful kayaking memories from her last stay in the Lower St. Lawrence region. Especially in Bic National Park, which has an enchanting archipelago of protected islands and islets. On a guided or self-guided outing, you can explore creeks, paddle among the seals, or stop off at one of the park’s superb sandy beaches for a picnic and a nap in the sun. A must in Quebec!

Duration: From a few hours to one day
Level: From beginner to expert

Poisson Blanc Regional Park

Photo credit: Vincent Bombardier for Unsplash

Do you dream of paddling from island to island and camping on a private islet for one or more nights? The Poisson Blanc regional park, on the border between the Outaouais and the Upper Laurentians, offers a huge territory to explore at your own pace by kayak. The perfect opportunity to play Robinson Crusoe for a weekend.

Duration: From a few hours to several days
Level: Beginner and up

Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve

Photo credit: Lévis Landry for Canada Parks

A must for sea kayaking enthusiasts, the Mingan Islands Archipelago is a destination of choice for unforgettable nautical excursions on the North Shore. You can have fun making your way between the rocky islets that look like flower pots while breathing in the fresh sea breeze. Because of the sometimes strong currents, it is recommended to have a good level of kayaking skills to venture out on your own.

Duration: From a few hours to several days
Level: Intermediate to expert

2. The Most Beautiful Places to Kayak in Ontario

Thousand Islands National Park

Photo credit: Tim Ford for Canada Parks

Located halfway between Toronto and Montreal, the Thousand Islands National Park is an Ontario destination that deserves to be known by kayaking enthusiasts. As its name suggests, the park protects an impressive number of islands that dot the St. Lawrence River in a sumptuous setting. It is possible to dock on several of them and even to camp on designated sites. You’ll love the sunsets that colour the sky as far as the eye can see.

Duration: From a few hours to several days
Level: Beginner to expert

Georgian Bay Islands National Park

Photo credit: Northern Ontario Tourism

If you’re dreaming of stunning blue water and enchanting scenery from your kayak, head to Georgian Bay this summer. Located just a few hours north of Toronto, the eponymous national park offers great tours to discover the incredible natural rock sculptures that dot its shores. It is also possible to paddle over shipwrecks, easily visible through the clear waters of the bay.

Duration: From a few hours to one day
Level: From beginner to expert

Algonquin Park

Photo credit: Jaime Dantas for Unsplash

Just a few hours northwest of Ottawa is one of Frédérique Sauvée’s favorite places to kayak in Ontario. Algonquin Park protects a territory covered with immense lakes, rivers and spruce forests, worthy of the most beautiful Canadian postcards. Numerous water tours allow you to venture out for several hours to several days, with or without a portage, and to enjoy spectacular views.

Duration: From a few hours to several days
Level: From beginner to advanced

Bay of Quinte

For kayak fishing enthusiasts specifically, our expert Claude Roussin recommends the Bay of Quinte, located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario. It’s a fishing paradise with some of the best walleye fishing in the province. Why not try your luck in a kayak and enjoy the tranquility of the area while bringing home some great catches?

Duration: From a few hours to one day
Level: From beginner

Pukaskwa National Park

This destination is the wildest and most remote on our list. But also one of the most remarkable. Located northeast of Lake Superior, this vast expanse of rocky coastline and crystal clear bays offers an endless playground for kayaking adventures. The beauty of the area is well worth the road trip across Ontario!

Duration: From a few hours to several days
Level: Beginner to expert