Oka offers several distinct ways to shape your stay: nature watching, seasonal swimming and heritage. If you’re looking for hotels in Oka, first consider whether you’d like to focus your trip more on an activity or on historic sites. Parc national d’Oka brings together wetlands and birdwatching with a seasonal beach. Abbaye d’Oka offers monastic history, mountain biking trails and the possibility of a tasting. Site du patrimoine d’Oka and Site patrimonial de la Pinède d’Oka add further opportunities to explore village history and observe nature.
Nature watching and seasonal swimming
Parc national d’Oka has been classified as a national park since 2001 and works to protect ecosystems. Wetlands can be found in Grande Baie and along Rivière aux Serpents. The park’s natural features therefore include both the bay and an area along the river.
Pointe aux Bleuets and the La Grande Baie marsh are recommended spots for birdwatching. More than 200 bird species can be found at Pointe aux Bleuets or in the La Grande Baie marsh. Grande Baie brings together both of these nature experiences: wetlands and birdwatching. Pointe aux Bleuets is also recommended for birdwatching.
Pinède d’Oka is considered the oldest planted forest in North America. The walking trails at Site patrimonial de la Pinède d’Oka offer opportunities to observe fauna and flora. In addition to the observation spots at Parc national d’Oka, you can also choose walking trails for nature watching.
Parc national d’Oka has a seasonal beach where visitors can swim in the lake, supervised by lifeguards. Since beach dates and opening hours may change, check them before your visit.
Monastic history and heritage
Abbaye d’Oka was founded by Cistercian monks in 1881; its monastery is designated as a heritage site. The founding year reflects the abbey’s history, while the designation applies to the monastery as a heritage site. A visit to the abbey can end with a tasting of Oka cheese and homemade apple juice. Since product availability may change, check the current selection in advance.
The abbey also has 30 km of mountain biking trails. The trail length gives you a specific point of reference if you’d like to include cycling in your plans. Trail availability and operating conditions may change; check the current conditions if the mountain biking trails are to be an important part of your stay.
Site du patrimoine d’Oka is a village ensemble with institutional, recreational and harbour-related functions. It includes a parish church built between 1879 and 1883. The ensemble’s wharf bears witness to the development of tourism since the last quarter of the 19th century. The church and wharf offer different historical perspectives: the parish church’s construction history and the tourism development associated with the wharf.
Discover more destinations: Pointe-Calumet, Saint-Eustache.
Go to the main travel overview: Deux-Montagnes.
