Come discover with Voyages CoSte and the Desgagnés group, the North Shore up to the Labrador border at Blanc-Sablon.
Aboard the N/M Bella Desgagnés, a 63-cabin vessel commissioned in 2013 by Relais Nordik, experience the atmosphere in each of the ports along the coast. The Bella Desgagnés, a supply ship for the Lower North Shore, makes a round trip every week between Rimouski and Blanc-Sablon.
Its stops in Sept-Îles, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Natashquan, Kegaska, Blanc-Sablon and in each village not connected to the road network will allow you to discover a unique way of life.
The Bella Desgagnés makes the trip from Rimouski to Blanc-Sablon (round trip) starting in April, for 44 trips a year.
The schedule is subject to change depending on navigation conditions and the duration of ship’s dockside operations. Therefore, stopovers are determined by the time required to load and unload the goods.
Since the schedule is in no way guaranteed, we advise you to plan a 48-hour interval if you need to take another means of transport at the end of your trip.
Important: Only passengers in Panoramic and Select cabins have a choice of meal service times.
Observe the rich marine and terrestrial wildlife, interact with Innu, Francophone, Anglophone and Métis cultures,
taste local products and explore a little-known but unique territory through guided tours of the main ports of call.
Residents of each of these communities have designed interesting tours that give you an otherwise inaccessible perspective on their way of life.
IMPORTANT: Tours are developed with respect to the ship’s operations. The duration of the excursions is approximate. Thank you for your understanding.
Stopover every Tuesday (rate $17.40/person + taxes) from June 06 to August 29, 2023 inclusively:
Walk along the wharves facing the islands with stops to discover the chronological development of the city between anecdotes, local particularities, interpretation panels and historical information in order to know everything about our city!
Stopover every Tuesday (rate $86/person + taxes) from May 9 to September 26, 2023 inclusively:
Voyages Coste offers you a “tour-privilege” (minibus) in this city.
This tour will allow you to discover various aspects of this capital of the Middle North Sea where members of the Innu first nation who have been living here for thousands of years rub shoulders daily with the Sept-îliens, sons and daughters of families from the other side of the river, from the Magdalen Islands and from many other places downstream and upstream of the St. Lawrence.
If Sept-Îles was long perceived as an industrial city associated with natural resources (iron ore), its history reveals unsuspected aspects related to the fur trade (trading post to be visited), fisheries, forestry, a NORAD radar station, and the gradual blossoming of a mixed population.
We won’t forget to take you to the North Shore Regional Museum, which is an excellent introduction to the region you are about to discover, without forgetting to tell you about the importance of the Moisie River (Mista-shipu) for the Amerindians.
Today, culture, traditions, nature, education, sports, health and recreation have their roots in the heart of this modern city where the convergence of the Euro-Quebec culture with that of the Innu is lived.
This morning tour lasts 130 to 150 minutes, depending on the ship’s schedule, and includes an overview of the city, the islands in the center of the Bay (Uashat), the beach area, the third largest airport in Quebec, as well as visits to the Regional Museum and the Old Trading Post.
Stopover every Tuesday evening at 9 p.m. (rate $80/person + taxes) from June 13 to September 26, 2023 inclusively;
A short 30 minute night tour of Port-Menier and a visit to the Musquaro Smokehouse. This tour will allow you to understand the process of cold smoking according to a traditional native method. The products are smoked with maple wood.
At the end of your experience, you will be able to savor the exquisite taste of one of the products offered by the master of the Musquaro Smokehouse.
Stopover every Wednesday, early in the morning (rate $199/person + taxes) from May 24 to September 20, 2023 inclusively:
Seeing Natashquan and taking the pulse of this community are among the desires of many passengers on the Bella Desgagnés. For the 2023 tourist season, the Voyages Coste cooperative is organizing a land excursion between Havre-Saint-Pierre (early morning stopover) and Natashquan.
A special opportunity offered to visitors sailing to the Lower North Shore to visualize the country of the North Shore plains, on the road to the famous village sung and narrated by the great Quebec poet who, having been born there, having lived there and having rubbed shoulders with a number of characters who have become legendary, was inspired for a long time in his songs.
An opportunity to spend a few hours there and to have lunch. VIP tour in a mythical place also sung by Bécaud on Gilles Vigneault’s lyrics. We have a few good hours before your ship arrives in the afternoon.
On the program, route 138, listening to the audio production “Sur la route de Natashquan”, the villages of Baie-Johan-Beetz and Aguanish, a peaceful tour of Natashquan, a welcome tasting and a visit to places evoking the history and life in Natashquan: the classified site of the Galet stores, the church, the poet’s family heritage site and the Old School Interpretation Center, contact with the Amerindian population of Nutashkuan (“where we hunt bears”) and 30 minutes of free time.
You calmly re-board in the middle of the afternoon as your ship prepares to continue its journey to Kegaska.
Stopover every Wednesday in the early afternoon (rate $60/person + taxes) from May 24 to September 20, 2023 inclusively:
Discover the village where Gilles Vigneault grew up. You will see the famous site of the Magasins du Galet and you will be able to breathe the salt air for a few moments between the church, the reception area and the pedestrian promenade, all places inaccessible from the dock on foot.
A short period is planned to stop at the craft booth.
Stopover every Wednesday (rate $25/person + taxes) from July 27th to August 24th inclusively;
Acoustic concert of about two hours with the performance of a local artist, Carolyne Jomphe. Flamboyant singer-songwriter, she will sing songs inspired by the North Shore.
Every Wednesday from July 27 to August 24, 2022 inclusively, come join us at the Bella Desgagnés café-bistro located on deck 8 and experience the North Shore in music with us. Let yourself be lulled to the rhythm of the songs of the sea!
Carolyne will be available at the end of the concert to exchange, discuss, have your CDs signed and much more…
Thursday morning stopover ($21.74/person +taxes) from August 10 to August 31, 2023 inclusively;
Stroll along the wooden sidewalks of this village that fascinated Quebec thanks to the film La grande séduction. Your local guide will show you some of the filming locations and tell you about other places, such as the fish processing plant and the church.
You will also have access to the Rowsell House interpretation center for a visit and purchase of souvenirs.
Stopover every Thursday around noon (Rate $55/person + taxes) from May 11 to October 12, 2023 inclusively:
Discover one of the three francophone communities of the Lower North Shore and the daily life of its inhabitants. Your local guide will show you, among other things, the school, the heliport, the church and the fascinating first aid system.
A few stops are also planned to enjoy the view of the water and the islands on the 11 km road between the village and the wharf.
Stopover every Thursday in the late afternoon (Rate $55/person + Taxes) from May 18 to October 19, 2023 inclusively.
Embark with a local guide and a young student from the community to learn more about this village with Amerindian and Scottish origins.
You will have the chance to travel to Baie-des-Moutons (Mutton Bay), a small picturesque village connected by road to La Tabatière.
IMPORTANT: If the Bella Desgagnés’ stopover time is shortened, the Mutton Bay visit will be replaced by other activities.
Friday morning stopover ($45/person + taxes) from May 09 to October 13, 2023 inclusively:
Spend a morning in the far east of the province. Your local guide will take you to many places including the beautiful Brador Falls, the Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes Shrine and the Labrador border.
In high season, you will also be able to discover two small exhibits on the history of the region. Take advantage of this excursion to buy a local souvenir.
Friday morning stopover ($119/person + taxes) from May 05 to October 13 inclusively:
Upon arrival in Blanc-Sablon with the Bella Desgagnés, your private guide will be waiting to take you on a personalized tour to the Aqualabadie farm. On the westbound road, you will see the villages of Lourdes de Blanc-Sablon, Brador and Middle Bay.
You will also be able to see the sub-arctic wonders on this scenic route. Arriving in Salmon Bay, a tour of the scallop farm facilities is offered by its owner. You will be able to savor the subtlety of this seafood.
On the way back to the ship, you can enjoy other natural attractions of the area, and make a few more photo stops.
Friday morning stopover (Rate $85/person + taxes) from May 12 to October 13, 2023 inclusively:
Board a minibus with your guide who will take you from Blanc-Sablon in Quebec to Anse-au-Clair, Forteau, English Point and Anse Amour in Labrador.
The main points of interest you will discover are: the Labrador border, the heritage site of Anse Amour and the historical lighthouse of Pointe Amour before returning to the Bella.
* Taxes such as TPO tax (.35%) are not included and must be added to the final selling price.
Stopover every Saturday afternoon (Rate $70/person + Taxes) from May 13 to September 02, 2023 inclusively.
Discover a piece of the native culture with your local guide who will tell you about the history and modern life of this community where more than 1000 Innu and about 100 white francophones live.
Discover the way of life inspired by the nomadic roots, as well as the local crafts.
Stopover every Sunday afternoon at 1:15 pm (Rate $80/person + Taxes) from June 11 to October 01, 2023 inclusively.
Discover the history of this island 17 times the size of Montreal. See the foundations of the Château Menier, the Louis Jolliet commemorative plaque and the village’s artisan store.
Learn about the life of the islanders, while keeping an eye out for a deer as you pass.
Ability to buy food to feed deer.
* Taxes such as TPO tax (.35%) are not included and must be added to the final selling price.
Thank you for encouraging a non-profit cooperative that works for the development of tourism in our beautiful region!
Have a good discovery!
A confirmation of the reservation is sent to the passenger after the Carrier has received 100% of the total cost of the boarding pass, all in accordance with the Carrier’s policies. An amount of 15% of the total cost of the reservation up to a maximum of $350 is non-refundable. Payment must be made by credit card. Only Visa and MasterCard credit cards are accepted.
Excluding the non-refundable portion of 15% of the total cost of the reservation up to a maximum of $350, all purchases are refundable up to 49 days before the scheduled date of travel. It is possible to change the date of the trip according to availability or request a credit valid for one year up to 28 days before the planned date of the trip.
An administrative charge of 5% of the total cost of the reservation up to a maximum of $150 (plus taxes) is payable and must be paid by the customer to make the change or apply for a travel credit valid for a period of one year (payable upon change).
In the event that Relais Nordik has to cancel a trip or if you are unable to travel due to illness (covid-19 or other, upon presentation of a medical certificate), the amount is fully refunded or credited for a trip l ‘Next year.
During the summer period, la Coopérative de solidarité en tourisme équitable (CoSte) organizes shore excursions for a fee.
There are no reservations on board, so please reserve in advance by calling 1-877-573-2678.
Some villages are located a few kilometers from the ports and are therefore inaccessible on foot.
Here below, the distance from the port to the village / town:
Start your cruise in Rimouski, Sept-îles, or Havre-Saint-Pierre ! Use the links below to view rates and dates.
Confirm your cabin aboard the Bella Desgagnés!
Personalise your cruise package with Voyages CoSte’s exclusive land excursions. Use the link on the right to purchase online, or call us and we’ll process your order for you. The confirmation and the invoice will be sent to you later by email.
