Stretching summer in Pointe-Nord

The beautiful season in Montreal often stretches until October… Many warm days are still ahead of us and for many reasons, Pointe-Nord is one of the best places to enjoy the most of it.

Spending time by a body of water, whether to practice a sport or simply to relax, can do wonders for the mind and the body. And the view is pretty great, too!

This is only one of the reasons why Pointe-Nord is one of the most wonderful places to spend the summer. Waterfront activities, bike paths, nature spots galore… it’s basically summertime heaven! If you’re looking for fun ways to make the most of the area’s waterfront, here are the 7 best summertime activities to do in Pointe-Nord.

1 – Reading a Good Book on the Belvedere 

We all have a never-ending list of books to read. Well, now is your chance to get to it! Pick a light, fun summer book and read it in one of the belvedere’s cozy lounging chairs.

2 – Kayaking with Espace NAVI 

Kayaking is a challenging and rewarding sport that everyone should try at least once. Furthermore, if you live right by the waterfront, there are no excuses not to get out on the water and take advantage of it! Espace NAVI, conveniently placed right next to the Pointe-Nord dock, makes it easy by renting out all of the necessary equipment. If kayaking isn’t your thing, they also rent out SUP and wake surf equipment.

3 – Biking to the Atwater market

One of the many advantages of living in Pointe-Nord is its proximity to the city. One of the area’s easiest and fastest trails leads to the Atwater market, where you can pick up some flowers and a few groceries, or simply bring a picnic to eat by the canal.

4 – Having a drink on the terrace of Les Enfants Terribles 

Les Enfants Terribles is a great spot for socializing, but it’s also the perfect place to have a drink or a bite to eat on your own. Sit out on their beautiful patio, order a glass of wine, turn off your electronics and enjoy the moment. The view and the ambiance are simply captivating!

5 – Jogging or biking on the bike paths 

If you’re a sports lover, Pointe-Nord has got you covered. With the many beautiful bike paths that lead around almost the entire shoreline of Nun’s Island, cyclists and joggers of all experience levels will love practicing their sport in the neighbourhood. Entirely surrounded by trees and nature, these waterfront paths are some of the gems that make Pointe-Nord the perfect summertime spot. You can even follow the path that leads to the Nun’s Island preserved forest and take a walk in the gorgeous trails.

6 – Getting a Quick Park Workout in at the Belvedere and the Esplanade

Working out is great, but doing it outside is even better! Pointe-Nord has everything you need to work out –  bike paths, benches, an amazing park and, most of all, the opportunity to take advantage of the beautiful sunshine!

7 – Taking a Nighttime Walk and Checking out the Breathtaking View of the City 

The island’s hidden gem, which most won’t see on their first visit, is its northeastern-most point. The view of downtown Montreal is absolutely breathtaking, especially at night, when the city is completely lit up. It’s definitely worth the walk!

There you have it – this guide has everything you need to enjoy a perfect summer in Pointe-Nord. Get out there and take advantage of the sunshine and beautiful weather.

Let us know if you have any other activities you love to do in the neighbourhood!

Find out more about living in Pointe-Nord

Want to enjoy the rest of the summer fully? Espace Navi offers to take control of the river on a kayak.

“ Happiness is to make your passion into a profession.”  Michel Tremblay took this Stendhal quote to heart when he launched Espace NAVI in 2012. Electrical engineer by trade, and nautical sports fanatic, he was able to transform his love of kayaking into a thriving business.

A Nuns’ Island resident for the last 25 years, this well-known business man appreciates its access to the river, the proximity to Downtown, and the fact that Verdun is, in itself, a neighbourhood full of sports fans from all walks of life.

Espace NAVI

Established in Pointe-Nord since 2014, Espace NAVI, which is an acronym for « Nautique en Ville », has built its mission around Mr Tremblay’s sheer joy of guiding Montrealers to rediscover their river by offering all sorts of excursions, as well as simple kayak outings. For Michel, an hour of Kayak is the ultimate relaxation. And we believe him!

This a wonderful activity that can be done solo, as a couple, but also as a family, since children can join starting at 4 years old. Triple kayaks are available for this purpose.

Watching the fireworks on the river, escapades to Rock Island, or going down from Sainte-Catherine to Pointe-Nord on Nun’s Island are among the many activities offered.

Is the river safe?

What if one falls in the water? Contrary to popular belief, the current near Pointe-Nord is not very strong. It gets strong to the west of the Victoria Bridge. Regarding water quality, the south side of Nuns’ Island is swimmable, unless a storm causes a sewage overflow. In which case it is better to wait 24 hours before swimming safely. The proof is in the pudding since thriathletes train there daily! Also on security, a Zodiac is always on standby during group excursions.

Definitely the must-do activity of the summer.

Ready to try Espace NAVI?

ESPACE NAVI
205 de la Rotonde
Nuns’ Island (Québec) H3E 0C1
(514) 800-0481

There is something most people can agree on about living by the water. It’s calming. It feels good. But did you know it can actually have a positive impact on your health?

It’s already clear to the scientific community that green living has positive impacts on our wellbeing. Now studies are being commissioned to find out what « blue spaces » do for our bodies and minds.

Studies show

• It has been proven that simply watching images of bodies of water, including underwater photos, were calming enough during certain simple surgeries (such as dental surgeries).

« In general, these studies in the U.K. demonstrate that both natural and built scenes containing water are associated with higher perceived restorativeness than those without water. » – University of Plymouth psychologist Matthew White and his co-authors in a paper published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology.

• The mind apparently enters a mild meditative state when near a body of water. Scientists have found that levels of dopamine, seratonin and oxitocyn raise significantly in the brain, causing the mind to relax and feel positive. In the meantime, the stress hormone called cortisol lowers when in proximity to water.
• There are a number of research being held around water-based therapies. Blue Mind researches show important findings between proximity to water as well as immersion, and emotional and physical healing properties.
• People taking breaks near water and nature show a boost in their immune systems. Combined with the lower cortisol, levels of stress are significantly lowered while near or in water.

Reading some of these studies also shows scientist are exploring evolutionary theories explaining our reaction to water. Our bodies are mostly water, and our current society has only been detached from living in symbiosis with nature for the last 200 years or so. Hence the theories explaining that our true balanced emotional and physical state require nature and water.

Maybe this explains why the majority of us delight in taking our vacations on a beach. Maybe our animal instinct recognizes our need for being in nature and particularly near water.

Pointe-Nord on the waterfront

That being said, what if you could live all year-long near water? How great does it feel to see and feel the negative ions daily?
That is not a question in Pointe-Nord. We are lucky to benefit from water and nature, as well as having access to outdoor paths and indoor gyms and exercise. The health benefits are endless…

Learn more about living in Pointe-Nord