Anticosti Island is a true hidden treasure, so far escaping heavy tourism. With a population of around 150 and some 100,000 adorable deer, it’s a fascinating destination for nature-lovers.

To give you an idea of its size, Anticosti is comparable to Corsica – or about 6.7 times bigger than the island of Montreal – and is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, between the Gaspé Peninsula and the North Shore.

While it has generally been a favourite among hunters, it’s also well worth visiting for its breathtaking scenery and unique ecosystem. In 2023, the island was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, mainly thanks to its abundance in fossils, petrified records of the first mass extinction of animal species.

Here are my discoveries about this little-known island, which deserves to be appreciated far beyond just hunting. A destination that will captivate nature and adventure lovers!

One of the must-see attractions is the impressive 76-metre-high Vauréal Falls, which surpasses Niagara Falls in height.

And don’t miss Baie-de-la-Tour and the Telegraph Trail, for superb views of the limestone cliffs rising out of the turquoise water.

If you like waterfalls, you can climb Boulay Falls, a seaside site where a magnificent cascade flows through the limestone strata.

Lac à la Marne is also well worth visiting. It’s renowned for its limestone-rich geological composition, making it ideal for a summer mud bath.

Do you know what an exclosure is? It’s an area protected from white-tailed deer, designed to observe the impact of wildlife on the ecosystem. The difference between the lush vegetation inside the exclosure and the sparse vegetation outside is striking, clearly demonstrating the deer’s influence on biodiversity. A fascinating visit!

Finally, ocean conditions permitting (which unfortunately was not the case during my autumn stay), you can board an inflatable boat to explore the ocean and observe a colony of grey seals located about fifteen kilometres off the shore.

To immerse yourself in the island’s history, head for Baie-Sainte-Claire, where you can discover the remains of the village founded by French chocolatier Henri Menier in 1895. Menier played a key role in the island’s development, introducing white-tailed deer cultivation.

In the time of this visionary entrepreneur, the village had a population of around 1,000, with impressive infrastructures such as an on-site doctor, a castle, and even a railroad. Historic sites to visit include the customs officer’s house, a lime kiln, and ancient cemeteries.

One of the most fascinating sites to visit on Anticosti Island is the Cap-de-la-Vache-qui-Pisse fossil site. Prized for its spectacular coastal scenery, this site is home to fossils dating back hundreds of millions of years. Sedimentary strata bearing witness to the first mass extinction of life on Earth, some 435 to 450 million years ago. You’ll also have the pleasure of unearthing a few fossils to take home as a souvenir of your visit.

And if you like historic sites, head to the wreck of the Calou, close to the Pointe-Ouest lighthouse, for a picnic lunch. The Pointe-Nord lighthouse, built between 1917 and 1918, is also well worth a visit. The surrounding rocky beach is perfect for a leisurely stroll in the sunshine.

For a little shopping, make a stop in the village of Port-Menier, the economic heart of the island and home to the majority of its population. Here you’ll find a number of services, including a general store, grocery store, gas station, bank, restaurant, and accommodation options. At the Insul’Art boutique, I took the time to buy a few local souvenirs, taking with me a little of the wild, unspoilt spirit of this island that seems to escape modern times.

Finally, if you love seafood, you must visit the Manowin oyster farm in l’Anse-aux-Fraises. John Pineault, the passionate owner, explains the process of growing local oysters, as well as telling captivating stories about the island’s history. And the highlight: an oyster tasting accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine, all by the sea.

Groupe Voyages Québec offers an immersive, all-inclusive package to explore the natural beauty of Anticosti. This new tour for small groups of about eight people includes round-trip flights, transfers, four nights at the Anticosti-Lodge, 12 meals and transportation for all activities.

Guided excursions and an inflatable boat trip to observe marine wildlife are also included, ensuring a well-organized, worry-free experience.

If you book a tour with Groupe Voyages Québec, use a travel rewards credit card like the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card. This way, you can reimburse a portion of your travel expenses with your Scene+ points.

The Anticosti-Lodge where I stayed, a new Port-Menier accommodation, opened this summer. This modern B&B, located in the island’s only urban woodland, offers comfortable rooms with lovely private bathrooms.

The meals are delicious, and the hosts, who are passionate about diving, will share their captivating stories with you. Plus, you can feed friendly deer right in front of the B&B.

There are many types of accommodation on the island, including B&Bs and chalets. Saving on a charming rental in the heart of nature is easy with the various rewards programs available in Canada.

Take Scotia Bank’s Scene+ program: with Scene+ points in your pocket, you can deduct all or part of the cost of your rental.

For example, 20,000 points = $200 in savings! Once you’ve booked with a Scotia credit card, simply apply an account credit to your account.

There are several credit cards that give points Scene+ to reimburse a travel expense, including the Scotiabank^® Gold American Express^®* card.

Our guide to using Scene+ points for a trip details the various steps involved in using these points wisely.

The largest natural island in the St. Lawrence River is well worth a visit! If you want to road-trip, we recommend booking your vehicle in advance.

To save on your car rental, the Scene+ program is also a good alternative, as your Scene+ points can be used to reduce the cost of your bill.

Finally, if you’re planning to do a lot of driving, we suggest you consult our guide to saving on gas prices in Canada.

If you’re planning your getaway from Montreal or Quebec City, it’s best to travel by plane to the North Shore, to have more time on the island and a chance to discover all its beauty.

You could fly to Sept-Îles with Air Canada. A minimum of 6,000 Aeroplan points is required for a one-way economy flight from Montreal or Quebec City.

When you earn a Welcome Bonus from an Aeroplan credit card, such as the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card, you’ll have the opportunity to fly for free, enjoy excellent travel insurance and check your first bag free of charge, as well as up to eight people on the same reservation.

With our Aeroplan Beginner’s Guide, you’ll understand how to earn points fast.

Then, to reach the island quickly, you’ll need to book another flight, this time with Air Liaison. This flight is available from Sept-Îles and Havre-Saint-Pierre airports.

Anticosti offered me a totally different experience, where you lose yourself in a nature that is both forested and maritime. The vegetation, composed of mosses, firs and larches that take on golden hues in autumn, is absolutely majestic.

But it’s the ever-present deer that make the island so unique. They roam freely, sleeping near the Stop signs, and often come out to meet visitors, curious and ready to be admired and, of course, hoping for a few treats.