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Gulf of St. Lawrence
12-day expedition around the Gulf of St. Lawrence aboard Ocean Nova.
Best Price Guarantee
Best Price Guarantee
Best Price Guarantee
Best Price Guarantee
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The Ocean Nova is a sturdy but nimble expedition vessel, originally built in Denmark to sail through the ice-packed waters off Greenland. With its ice-strengthened hull, and after a full refit in 2006, she was converted to become the perfect Antarctic cruise ship. Since then, she has been upgraded and improved every year to maintain her excellent reputation.
For our air-cruises, Ocean Nova has capacity for only 67 passengers who will find themselves in comfortable outside cabins. The ship offers three categories of accommodation for Antarctic cruises: dedicated Single Cabins, Twin Cabins, … Read more about Ocean Nova
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Fitness Center
Bar
Lecture Theater
Zodiac Fleet
Observation Lounge
Private Flight to Antarctica
Medical Services
Library
-5% for children ≤ 10
When booking online, you can choose the option to "Upgrade to single occupancy". This will guarantee you the whole cabin to yourself, for an additional fee. If you don't select this option, then another traveler of the same sex might be placed into the same cabin with you. Exceptions may apply.
Passage aboard the Ocean Nova
Applicable taxes and credit card fees
Complimentary expedition jacket
Special access permits, entry, and park fees
Expert expedition team
Guided activities
Sightseeing and community visits
All Zodiac excursions
Port fees
Pre-departure materials
Educational program
Interactive workshops
Evening entertainment
All shipboard meals
Wi-Fi access (basic service included)
Commercial and charter flights
Program enhancements/optional excursions
Gratuities
Personal expenses
Mandatory medical evacuation insurance
Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
Possible fuel surcharges and administrative fees
Pre- and post-trip hotel accommodation
Premium internet access available at an additional cost
Landings, Zodiac cruises and the order of visits depend on weather, sea conditions, permissions and the expedition leader’s safety assessment.
Whales, seals and seabirds may be encountered but are never guaranteed.
The voyage starts and ends in St. John’s; pre- and post-trip hotels are not included.
Commercial and charter flights, gratuities and optional programs are not included.
Mandatory medical evacuation insurance is required by the operator and is not included in the voyage price.
After completing your booking, you will receive an invoice from your travel specialist by email. A deposit of 30% of the trip price is required to secure your booking. Payment can be made through bank transfer or by credit card through a secure payment link.
Full payment is expected 30 days before your trip. Payment can be made in installments.
Long-haul flights and the on-the-ground program generate 3.6 t CO₂e on this trip. Polartours regularly measures and monitors the carbon footprint of its journeys and actively reduces emissions through sustainable travel design: no unnecessary flights, fewer feeder flights, integration of rail and public transport, and promoting longer stays for a more balanced relationship between travel distance and impact.
From 2018 to 2024, we supported carbon reduction projects equivalent to the emissions generated. Recognizing the limits of traditional offsetting, we now focus on active environmental protection through our own rainforest project, Forest Guardians.
More information on our climate and environmental responsibility: https://www.venturatravel.org/impact
All cruises in the polar regions operate to itineraries that are more-or-less fixed. We say "more or less", because wildlife (breeding, seasonality) and weather always play an important role in routing. Most cruises will offer a range of land-based and water-based activities that you will enjoy at various points in your cruise, including:
All boats carry English speaking, scientifically trained guides. They will lead you on your excursions, allowing you to learn as much as possible about the unique wildlife and habitats of the Polar Regions.
Choosing the right ship for a cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic seems difficult, but it doesn't have to be. Our fleet is over 30 vessels, we are sure that there is the perfect one for you. Please, follow these simple steps, and you will be able to find your ideal ship:
In addition: We work with responsible partners who provide a great experience for their passengers. All of our providers are committed to sustainability and to preserving the beauty of the polar regions. You don’t need to worry about the impact of your cruise, because we’ve already taken care of it.
We love to help people find their dream vacation to the Arctic and Antarctic. Whether you give us a call, contact us via email, or use our website inquiry form, one of our Polar travel experts will be more than happy to answer any questions, recommend ships and itineraries, and walk you through the whole process!
Step 1: Find your perfect trip. If you have already started looking for Polar Cruises, you will have quickly noticed that the sheer amount of options can be quite overwhelming. To help you navigate the countless departures and itineraries that our fleet offers, we have put together a great filter page for Antarctic and Arctic Expedition Cruises. Use this page to filter all trips by price, date, ship category, and even destinations you wish to visit. We update all dates, prices, and availabilities daily, and are proud to host what is doubtlessly the world's most complete collection of information.
Step 2: Found something you love? We'll hold your spaces, free of charge! If you find a cruise you like, you can either inquire directly with us or make an unbinding booking online. We will then reach out to the shipowners to put a hold on your spaces for a limited time, free of charge. Once we have confirmed your block with the ship, we will send you a written confirmation of your reservation and include full payment details in an invoice. Typically, we are able to hold unpaid reservations for up to 1 week*. This gives us time to clarify all your remaining questions, and also ensures that no other passengers can book your spaces, while we continue our conversation.
Step 3: Confirm your booking. In order to confirm your booking, we ask for a deposit payment. You can pay via bank transfer or credit card. Keep in mind, that we can only hold your spaces for a limited amount of time. If we don't receive your payment after this time, we can no longer guarantee that the places will be available or that the price won't increase. To prevent disappointment, we will automatically cancel your reservation if we don't receive your deposit by the due date stated on your booking reservation.
Step 4: Booking confirmation & Payment. As soon as we have received your deposit and a completed passenger information form, we will be pleased to send your booking confirmation and updated invoice, along with your trip itinerary, important information, and other great tips for your cruise.
Step 5: Final payment. In your initial invoice, we will define a final payment date by when you need to pay us the remaining amount of your trip. Once we have received your final payment we'll send you your cruise documents and voucher. As your trip approaches, we make sure to pass along all necessary information, so you feel super prepared and stress-free.
*For last-minute bookings, we might not be able to hold your spaces for so long. We will also require the full payment of your cruise upon booking.
An expedition cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic is a big deal! Most people plan for this type of trip at least 8 months in advance. This means the earlier you book, the better chance you'll have to reserve your prefered cabins. Early bird discounts are also popular and a great way to get 10-30% off your cruise.
Most expedition cruises offer optional activities like camping and kayaking, but the spaces are limited. A cruise with 120 passengers can have only 10-15 spaces for kayaking. These are reserved on a first come first served basis. The earlier you book, the higher your chance of grabbing a spot.
Even though last minute deals do occur, keep in mind that the airline prices will be much higher if you purchase them last minute. You may save a few hundred on your cruise, but you may end up paying the most for airfare.
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Henley Harbour’s basalt formations.
The limestone monoliths of the Mingan Archipelago.
Percé Rock and Bonaventure Island’s gannets.
Acadian Îles-de-la-Madeleine and French Saint-Pierre.
Best Price Guarantee: Find a better price elsewhere, and we’ll match it.
Polar Expedition Specialists: We focus exclusively on polar voyages, with advice rooted in real, firsthand expertise.
Travel that gives back: Every booking directly funds our mission to protect and restore global rainforests.
Circle the Gulf of St. Lawrence on a 12-day expedition aboard Ocean Nova, beginning and ending in St. John’s. The route follows Newfoundland’s northeast coast and Labrador before entering the Innu homeland of Nitassinan and Québec’s island-rich north shore.
Two days with Innu hosts are followed by the limestone monoliths of the Mingan Archipelago, fossil-rich Anticosti, Percé Rock and Bonaventure Island’s gannet colony. The Îles-de-la-Madeleine add Acadian culture and island food, while Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon brings a distinctly French Atlantic chapter before the return to Newfoundland.
Weather and sea conditions determine Zodiac landings and the order of visits. Wildlife and seabird encounters are possible but never guaranteed, and community visits depend on local permissions and schedules.
Keep in mind this is an expedition cruise, so your itinerary will depend greatly on the weather, amount of ice and wildlife breeding behavior.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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