Safety at sea

Following are a few safety tips for your activity at Forillon National Park:

• Check the coastal weather and hours of high tide
  Weather conditions can change quickly on the waters around Forillon; for example, wind and fog can arrive quite suddenly. Tides can also cause currents that can be difficult to fight against.
  
  
• Be aware of potential risks and prepare yourself accordingly
  Around the park, there are fishing lines and devices, such as long floating lines that are attached to lobster cages. There is also shipping traffic, such as cruise ships, fishing vessels etc. The coasts of Forillon include reefs and shoals, particularly in the Cap-des-Rosiers and Cap-Bon-Ami beach sections, as well as at Cap-Gaspé and the Penouille section (sandbanks). Finally, even on a beautiful sunny day, do not forget that the water is still cold!
  
  
• Tell someone about your activity
  Where possible, do not conduct your activity alone. Tell someone about your start and end points, as well as your return time.
  
  
• Follow the safety tips and regulations associated with your activity
  Dress appropriately, bring all necessary safety items and know how to use them in case of an emergency. And do not go beyond your limits!

Specific tip for sea kayaking, diving and swimmer

Sea kayaking

In addition to following the usual safety instructions associated with this activity, remember that:

• the wind and currents can be very strong (particularly near Cap­-Gaspé) and can cause you to drift into open waters.
• even if the sea is calm, waves produced by ships can overtake you in a kayak!

Diving

In addition to following the usual safety instructions associated with this activity, remember that:

• the rocks along the seashore are often very slippery due to algae.
• at several locations in the water, there are commercial fishing devices, such as ropes and nets, not counting the boats that circulate within the park's boundaries.

Swimmer at Penouille

In addition to following the usual safety instructions for swimming, remember that:

• the beach is not supervised
• the depth of the water can vary from one area of the beach to another
• if sandbanks are accessible at low tide, some will no longer be at high tide, something to which you will need to pay attention with children
• kite-surfers and other craft can surprise you while swimming, so keep your eyes open and stay visible.
• swimming is not recommended near the floating wharf
• swimming is prohibited in the marsh.