⚠️ Timetables, opening hours, prices and access conditions may change without notice, for reasons beyond our control (season, weather, decisions by operators, venues or local authorities). Before every trip, check the information with the relevant authorities and service providers. Entry requirements and local rules (reserves, quotas) are subject to the same caveat.
In the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Magdalen Islands form a Québec archipelago of about a dozen islands. Six of them are linked by long sand dunes and by Route 199. Red sandstone cliffs, brightly painted houses, fishing harbours and lagoons shape the landscape. You arrive by plane from Montréal or Québec City, or by ferry from Prince Edward Island.
Dunes, cliffs and lagoons
The six linked islands run from south-west to north-east: Havre-Aubert, Cap-aux-Meules, Havre-aux-Maisons, Pointe-aux-Loups, Grosse-Île and Grande-Entrée. Between them, ribbons of dunes enclose wide lagoons. The red sandstone cliffs, carved into caves and arches by the sea, can be explored on foot, by kayak or by boat.
Entry Island, inhabited but not linked by road, is reached by a small ferry or on a boat trip from Cap-aux-Meules. Offshore, Brion Island is an ecological reserve home to seabirds and seals. Beaches are numerous and very long; the open sea stays cool, but the shallow lagoons warm up in summer.
An Acadian culture shaped by the sea
Most Madelinots are French-speaking and of Acadian descent. Grosse-Île and Entry Island are home to English-speaking communities of Scottish and Irish origin. Lobster, crab and scallop fishing still sets the rhythm of harbour life, from Grande-Entrée to L'Étang-du-Nord, and it shows on the plate.
In Havre-Aubert, the La Grave heritage site gathers old fishing buildings, the Musée de la Mer, craft workshops and cafés. In Havre-aux-Maisons, a herring smokehouse and an artisan cheese dairy, both ÉCONOMUSÉE workshops, show skills handed down from one generation to the next.
Planning your stay on the islands
High season runs from late June to late August: book lodging, car and ferry early. June and September are quieter, with many services still open. Many restaurants and activities close from autumn to spring. In late February and early March, trips to see harp seal pups on the ice are sometimes offered.
On the islands, a car remains the easiest way to travel along Route 199, which links the six connected islands. Cycling suits fit riders, as the wind is often strong. Pack warm layers and a windproof jacket, even in July: the sea moderates temperatures and evenings are cool.
Essentials & your questions
| Getting there | Fly to YGR airport via Montréal or Québec City (Air Canada, PAL Airlines, Pascan), or take the CTMA ferry from Souris (PEI), about 5 hours. |
|---|---|
| Best season | Late June to early September; June and September are quieter. |
| Currency | Canadian dollar (CAD). |
| Language | French; English on Grosse-Île and Entry Island. |
| Entry requirements | Valid passport plus an eTA (electronic travel authorization, CAD 7, valid 5 years) required to fly to Canada. No visa needed for tourist stays of up to 6 months. |
Do you need a car on the Magdalen Islands?
It is the most practical option: the linked islands stretch along Route 199. Rental agencies operate in Cap-aux-Meules and at the airport; book early in summer.
How do you get there from Europe?
Fly to Montréal or Québec City, then take a regional flight to YGR airport. Alternatively, travel to Souris on Prince Edward Island and board the CTMA ferry.
Can you see seals?
Yes. In summer, zodiac trips head out to watch seals in the lagoons. Harp seal pups are born on the pack ice around late February and early March.
Photo: luvmycrows, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons