Ocean Nova, Gulf of St. Lawrence: Wild & Storied ex St. John’s return

Highlights
• Admire Percé Rock from the sea and watch thousands of seabirds on Bonaventure Island’s soaring cliffs.
• Experience waterfalls, fossils, and wild beauty on UNESCO-designated Anticosti Island.
• Immerse yourself in Acadian culture on the wind-shaped Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
• Wander among the limestone monoliths of Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve.
• Explore the Innu homeland of Nitassinan, where land, language, and tradition remain deeply connected.
• Marvel at whales and seabirds thriving where ocean currents meet in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
• Discover colourful harbours and timeworn outports along Newfoundland’s storied coast.
• Stroll cobbled streets and savour a taste of France on the island of Saint-Pierre.

Itinerary
Day 1: St. John’s, NL, Canada
Harbour City at the Edge of the Atlantic
Your journey begins in St. John’s, a vibrant North Atlantic city where history and commerce meet. Set in a vast, amphitheatre-like harbour, the port hums with activity—freighters, cruise ships, offshore vessels, and fishing boats sharing the water below steep hills and colour-splashed neighbourhoods.

As we sail out through the passage known as the Narrows, Signal Hill keeps watch above, and the bright façades of the Battery seem to cling to the cliffs. If we’re lucky, a whale or two may mark the start of our voyage into the open Atlantic.

Day 2: Northeast Coast
Life Beside the Iceberg Alley
Trace the rugged shoreline shaped by the cold, nutrient-rich Labrador Current, aka Iceberg Alley—a marine lifeline that sustains seabirds, whales, and the communities who have long made their lives here. Along this coast, weathered wharves, brightly painted boats, and enduring, hand-built homes speak to generations of resourcefulness.

Whether from ship or shore, you’ll witness a landscape where ocean rhythms govern daily life and where craggy headlands, sweeping skies, and working harbours offer endless fascination for the curious and the camera-ready.

Day 3: Henley Harbour & Castle Island
Stone Altars and Stories in the Wind
Wander through Henley Harbour, a once-thriving fishing village now gently surrendering to time. Weathered buildings lean away from the wind, and history lingers in the quiet.

Above the harbour, a striking formation of basalt columns known as the Devil’s Table rises like a stone altar. Nearby, Castle Island, with similar basalt columns, rises like a natural fortress, its sheer cliffs formed over half a billion years ago.

Days 4–5: Nitassinan, QC
Voices of the Innu Shoreline
Visit Nitassinan, the ancestral homeland of the Innu Nation, along Québec’s lower north shore. In communities such as Unamen Shipu or Natashquan, local hosts welcome us into a living culture shaped by thousands of years of deep connection to land and sea.

Over two days, you’ll hear the cadence of Innu?aimun, listen to stories passed down through generations, and engage in moments of respectful exchange—whether through food, craft, language, or laughter.

Day 6: Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve
Limestone Giants and Island Wilds
Sail into a dreamscape of stone and sea. Along this Gulf coast, wind and water have sculpted limestone into monoliths—towering figures that rise from the Gulf like natural cathedrals. This is Canada’s largest concentration of erosion-carved limestone monoliths—but it’s also a place where geology, ecology, and imagination meet.

Among a maze of islands and islets, puffins, razorbills, and terns nest on grassy ledges. Spring awakens the meadows with wildflowers, while seals stretch out on sun-warmed rocks. Every curve of the coastline invites wonder.

Day 7: Anticosti, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Fossils, Falls, and a Chocolate Baron’s Dream
Welcome to Anticosti—Québec’s wild island in the Gulf and a newly designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, fossil-rich cliffs and deep canyons tell a story 450 million years in the making. White-tailed deer wander through boreal forest, and Arctic-alpine plants cling to windswept rock.
You’ll hike to Vauréal Falls, where spring melt sends water crashing into a sheer-walled canyon, and explore the community of Port-Menier—founded by French chocolate magnate Henri Menier and still home to islanders proud to call this place their own. In spring, Anticosti is untamed and alive: a landscape shaped by time, rich with life, and layered with human stories.

Day 8: Parc national de l’Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé
Gateway Rocks and Gannet Skies
Sail into one of Québec’s most iconic coastal scenes. Rocher Percé—its massive stone arch rising from the sea—greets us like a gateway to the wild. Get rare views of this geological wonder from the sea. Nearby, Bonaventure Island comes alive each spring with the calls and wingbeats of over 100,000 northern gannets, one of the largest and most accessible colonies in the world.

Watch for kittiwakes, murres, and other seabirds beating their way to or from the feeding grounds or nesting along the ledges. This is a place where geology, biodiversity, and Acadian spirit meet—endless inspiration for photographers and nature lovers.

Day 9: Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Acadian Spirit and Island Bounty
Where red sandstone cliffs meet wide beaches and salt-tinged air, the Îles-de-la-Madeleine reveal a bold expression of Acadian identity. Though part of Québec, these islands are geographically closer to the Maritimes—and feel entirely their own.
Spend the day exploring vibrant fishing villages, lively studios, and cafés where Acadian voices prevail. Meet some of the 12,000 residents who call this windswept archipelago home and taste the island’s bounty: fresh-caught lobster, local cheeses, smoked delicacies, and small-batch wines and beers.

The Magdalen Islands are rich in culture, cuisine, and character—and always ready with a warm welcome.

Day 10: South Coast, NL
Wild Shores and Deep Fjords
Along Newfoundland’s rugged south coast, the landscape invites exploration at every turn. We’ll navigate a coastline carved with hidden bays, narrow fjords, and steep headlands—each offering a new window into the island’s geological story.

Depending on conditions, we’ll land by Zodiac to hike, beachcomb, or simply stand and take it all in. Wildflowers may brighten the barrens and wildlife appears when least expected. This is the kind of day that rewards flexibility and curiosity—where the journey is shaped by wind, sea, and a spirit of discovery.

Day 11: Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, France
Europe by the Rock
Just off Newfoundland’s coast, step ashore into a world of cobblestone streets, brightly painted houses, and unmistakably French charm. Saint-Pierre is a living remnant of France in North America—complete with gendarmes, boulangeries, cafés, and markets that hum with island life.
Explore the town’s unique blend of European elegance and Atlantic resilience. Taste fresh pastries, sip local wine, browse French goods, and hear the stories that shaped this overseas community—from maritime traditions to rum-running intrigue. It’s a small island with a big cultural presence—familiar, and yet delightfully foreign.

Day 12: St. John’s, NL, Canada
Homeward Through the Narrows
This morning, we sail back through the Narrows into the wide embrace of St. John’s harbour. The colourful houses of the Battery welcome us home, and Signal Hill stands watch, just as it did at our departure.
As we disembark, we’ll say farewell to shipmates and expedition team members who have shared stories, sightings, and unforgettable moments along the way. The journey ends—but the experience, and the connections made, will travel with you long after the lines are tied.

Imagine waking up to breathtaking sea views through your cabin windows, each one whispering promises of adventure. Built in Denmark in 1992 for Greenland’s icy waters, this ship sails with a lighter carbon footprint than most expedition vessels. Its crown jewel? A glass-enclosed lounge with sweeping 200-degree views–perfect for whale watching and seabird spotting. Prefer the outdoors? The open decks are a dream for photographers and scenery lovers. With a shallow draft and easy Zodiac access, you’ll spend more time exploring and less time ferrying. Meals feature open seating and ocean views, with globally inspired options to suit all tastes-including vegetarian and fish dishes. Desserts, made fresh daily, are a highlight. Special diets? We’ve got you covered! On the Ocean Nova, every moment connects you to nature, each other, and discovery.

Founded in 1987, Adventure Canada was created to bring travellers to Canada’s “blank spaces”, those areas whose remoteness alone made them special. Over the last fifteen years, along with our guests, we have discovered that there is so much that is extraordinary about the places we travel, from the landscape, wildlife and culture to the history, art and archeology that is unique to every destination. It is our belief that there is so much to see “beyond the binoculars” that drives us to delve deeper into our favourite places with every expedition and continually seek out new destinations.

We travel by small expedition ship, the best suited mode of transportation for remote exploration. The number of passengers on our voyages run between 45 and 100, depending on the ship we choose. We believe that these small vessels are superior, as they not only allow us to gain access to places not accessible by larger vessels, but our fleet of Zodiac landing craft permit us to visit some of the most remote places imaginable – the key to expeditionary travel.

Select the Deck to view detail.

Ocean Nova - Main Deck

Ocean Nova - Upper Deck

Ocean Nova - Bridge Deck

Ocean Nova - Top Deck

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Category 6 - Single

* Window
* One lower berth
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Wardrobe
* Approximately 86-114 square feet

Category 5 - Superior Twin

* Window
* Two lower berths
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Two wardrobes
* Approximately 145-156 square feet

Category 4 - Bridge Deck Twin

* Window
* Two lower berths
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Wardrobe
* Approximately 104-112 square feet

Category 3 - Upper Deck Twin

* Window
* Two lower berths or matrimonial bed
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Wardrobe
* Approximately 106-140 square feet

Category 2 - Bunk Bed Twin

* Window
* Bunk bed twin
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Wardrobe
* Approximately 86-122 square feet

Category 1 - Triple

* Window
* Two lower and one upper berth
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Two wardrobes
* Approximately 159 square feet