Charlevoix offers all kinds of ways to make the most of summer. Want something easy and breezy? Done. Want something that leaves your legs complaining the next day? Also done.

For whale watching in Quebec, Croisières AML is one of the big summer classics. It is one thing to admire the river from shore and another to head out onto it, scanning the surface for the movement that makes everybody on board go quiet at once. You’ll get up close and personal with over a dozen whale species!

For hikers, the region’s two Quebec national parks reveal two different sides of Charlevoix. Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park is where you go when you want relief, scale, and a route with bragging rights. The Acropole des Draveurs offers one of the best hikes in Quebec. Grands-Jardins National Park offers another kind of beauty, with open high ground, wind-shaped terrain that resembles the Canadian north, with long, clean sightlines.

On the water, summer gets even better. Katabatik – Aventure dans Charlevoix and Bosco Charlevoix are fantastic options for water enthusiasts, whether that means sea kayaking on the St Lawrence River, a recreational descent of the rivière du Gouffre, or time on a paddleboard.

For an easy evening after a physical day outside, the Hôtel-Casino de Charlevoix adds a little sparkle to La Malbaie without taking you away from the river. Located near the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, it brings together casino games, dining, bars, live music, and a lively nightlife atmosphere.

Charlevoix in summer: The best Quebec summer vacation you’ll never want to end