Near Aylmer, an oasis

Bayou-Outaouais offers Canada’s only airboat tours

The wetlands in McLaren Bay can now be explored by airboat. Marco Alain launched his Bayou-Outaouais business in an effort to share the bounty of this public land. Working on a larvae count in the wetlands, he says he marvelled at the diversity of both flora and fauna. “Eight of the 10 fresh water turtle species in this zone live right here in McLaren Bay,” he told the Bulletin. In 2012, the idea of running airboat tours struck him. The particular airboat he bought was custom made in Texas. Hovering at water level means he can bring visitors into marshes without destroying the water plants, or disrupting water creatures. The craft can even move on land.

In McLaren Bay are a series of islands and marshes that are known as Labyrinth Bay, formed by glacier movement 5,000 years ago. The wetlands themselves are a result of a dam down river along the Ottawa. “Although farmers lost green space along the river to pasture their cattle,” explained Mr Alain, “life of all types sprung up in the wetlands.”

To book a ticket, reserve on the Bayou-Outaouais website or call 819 209-1045.