Anticosti: a Journey to the Heart of a Preserved Island | Itineraries and Highlights

Anticosti – A UNESCO World Heritage Jewel

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.

Anticosti: a Journey to the Heart of a Preserved Island | Itineraries and Highlights - chevreuils

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!

Anticosti – Magnificent Natural Sites

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.

Anticosti – For History and Culture Buffs

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.

Anticosti: a Journey to the Heart of a Preserved Island | Itineraries and Highlights - cimetière

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.

Anticosti – Shopping and Culinary Discoveries

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.

Anticosti: a Journey to the Heart of a Preserved Island | Itineraries and Highlights - Anticosti

Anticosti – Comfortable All-Inclusive Tourism With Groupe Voyage Québec

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.

Anticosti: a Journey to the Heart of a Preserved Island | Itineraries and Highlights - GVQ

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.

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Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $150
Our valuation: $350Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.; Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer: Up to 35,000 points; Ends Nov 1, 2026

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card ^+* Card^MC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

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* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year, the value of savings on foreign currency transaction fees and the cost of airport lounge access as of May 22, 2026:

$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;

$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;

$132 in savings on foreign currency transaction fees based on the average amount of foreign currency purchases made per active account over the past 24 months (by saving on the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fees typically charged by other credit card issuers);

$364 representing the potential value of points earned in the first year (36,400 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made per active account over the past 24 months, assuming an average spend of 21% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 2X and 3X points;

$358 representing the value of complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program which includes 6 airport lounge passes (based on « Preferred » membership valued at approximately $357 CAD/$259 USD). Based on the exchange rate in effect on May 22, 2026.

Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer description and conditions: The 25,000 Scene+ points offer (the « offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card accounts (the « accounts ») opened between August 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account) subject to the conditions below. The offer may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time without notice, and it cannot be combined with any other offer.

In addition, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Cardholder, you are eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible everyday purchases to your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account over the course of one year. Conditions apply; see below for more details.

Description and conditions of the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: To be eligible for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer (« 25,000 bonus points »), you must charge at least $2,000 in total eligible purchases to your account within the first three months following the account opening date.

Conditions for the annual 10,000 Scene+ points bonus:
As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit cardholder, you can earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points (the « annual points bonus ») if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible purchases to your account over the course of one year (12-month period). The annual period begins on the account opening date; a new period starts again every twelve months thereafter. If you replace another Scene+-eligible credit card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card (i.e., it is not a new card or an additional card), the opening date of your original account will be carried over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account and your annual period under this offer will begin on the next anniversary date of your original account opening. For example, if you originally opened a Scotiabank Gold American Express^® Card account on January 15, 2022 and you switch to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025, your annual period under the 10,000 Scene+ points annual bonus offer will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next anniversary date) and a new period will start again on January 15 each year thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for each additional $10,000 in purchases made during the same year once you have reached the $40,000 annual purchase threshold.

Eligible purchases means purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and excludes payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, as well as card fees and other fees.

Fulfillment of the annual points bonus: Bonus points will be credited within approximately eight weeks after you become eligible for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 25,000 bonus points and the annual points bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000, or $40,000) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months, or the first 12 months). If an additional cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 25,000 bonus points, or the annual points bonus, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. It is possible to transfer points between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, a co-borrower or an additional cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not past due, there is no over-limit, and the cardholder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the account. All other program conditions continue to apply during the offer period.

Offer eligibility and exclusions: You cannot take advantage of the offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or have been one in the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, small business credit cardholders are eligible for this offer.

Rates and fees: The annual fees are $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates applicable to the account are as follows: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). The rates, fees, and features and benefits, which are described in the disclosure statement accompanying the application, may be changed.

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

Earning rate

2xGroceries
2xRestaurants
2xTransit
2xEntertainment
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650

2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Anticosti – Lodging in a New B&B

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.

Anticosti: a Journey to the Heart of a Preserved Island | Itineraries and Highlights - Repas savoureux au Anticosti-Lodge

Save With Points

Accommodations

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.

SponsoredCompare

Scotiabank Gold American Express^® Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $120
Our valuation: $500Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$500Total$500Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.; Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$500Total$500Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer: Up to 50,000 points; Ends Nov 1, 2026

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers an excellent welcome bonus.

Until November 1, 2026, you can earn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points, broken down as follows:

30,000 Scene+ points by charging $2,000 in purchases to the card within the first 3 months
20,000 Scene+ points by making $7,500 in purchases on the card in the first year

This represents a value of up to $500 for travel (including Airbnb).

With the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, you earn 6 points per dollar spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà par IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! grocery stores. FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.

Also, you earn 5 points per dollar for:

Grocery stores
Restaurants
Entertainment centers

And 3 points per dollar on gas, transit and streaming services purchases.

You can redeem your points on travel purchases (flights, hotels, all-inclusive and even Airbnb). You can also use your points as cash back rewards with Scene+.

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card also offers no foreign transaction fees, excellent insurance for your travel or purchases, concierge service, exclusive American Express benefits like the Front of the Line program.

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* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year and the value of foreign transaction fee savings as of May 22, 2026:

$300 in travel rewards (30,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Gold American Express Cardholders who make purchases totaling $2,000 in the first 3 months

$200 in travel rewards (20,000 bonus Scene+ points) for making purchases totaling $7,500 in the first 12 months

$59 in foreign transaction fee savings based on the average annual amount of foreign currency purchases made per account over the last 24 months (saving on the 2.5% foreign transaction fee typically charged by other credit card issuers);

$398 corresponding to the potential value of points earned in the first year (38,500 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made, per account, over the last 24 months, assuming an average spend of 28% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 6X, 5X and 3X points.

Maximum potential value after the first year = $957 (rounded to $950)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and rewards earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer Description and Conditions: The 50,000 Scene+ points offer (the « Offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Gold American Express credit card accounts (the « Accounts ») opened between July 2, 2026, and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account), subject to the conditions below. All other program terms and conditions continue to apply during the Offer period. The Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offer.

To qualify for the 30,000 bonus Scene+ points (the « 30,000 Bonus Points Offer »), you must make eligible purchases totaling at least $2,000 within three months of the account opening date. To qualify for the 20,000 additional bonus Scene+ points (the « 20,000 Additional Bonus Points Offer »), you must make $7,500 in eligible purchases on your new account during the first year (twelve months). Eligible purchases mean purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and exclude payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, card fees and other fees.

Fulfillment of the Annual Bonus: Bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account within approximately eight weeks after you qualify for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 30,000 bonus points and the 20,000 additional bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000 or $7,500) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months or the first 12 months). If a supplementary cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 30,000 bonus points or the 20,000 additional bonus points, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. Points can be transferred between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, co-borrower or supplementary cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not delinquent, the credit limit is not exceeded, and the holder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement applicable to the account. All other program terms and conditions continue to apply during the Offer period. The Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offer.

Eligibility and exclusions: You are not eligible for the Offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or if you have been within the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, Scotiabank small business credit cardholders are eligible for this Offer.

Rates and Fees: The current annual fee is $120 for the primary card and $29 for each additional card (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates currently applicable to the account are: 21.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions).
Rates, fees, features and benefits, which are described in the application statement, are subject to change.