Sharing is caring!

Is there anything better than traveling in the off-season? To us, it’s truly the best time to go explore places, especially those that have become quite popular like the Magdalen Islands. When we decided to explore the Îles de la Madeleine during the low season we knew what we were getting into.

We knew that the crowds had left, the locals would be more relaxed and open to conversation, and we would have all the beautiful sights to ourselves. Sure, traveling during the off-season also means that some activities, shops, and restaurants are closed, but that’s a small price to pay.

We were lucky to get quite a few recommendations from friends who have lived on the Magdalen Islands, others who had been recently, and from the tourism board itself. So without further ado, here is our full guide to the Îles de la Madeleine during the off-season. We’ve included a ton of information about the Islands, the best activities and landmarks, where to stay, where to eat, and so much more.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For more information, please see our disclaimer here. We take all the efforts necessary to ensure the information included in this post is accurate, correct and current, sometimes, things just change! Travel information like opening hours, business operations and prices may change. If you find anything in this post that is incorrect or outdated, please let me know in the comments so I can update it for other readers. Cheers!

Where are the Magdalen Islands located?

The archipelago of the Îles de la Madeleine is located in the heart of the St-Lawrence Gulf, about 105 km from Prince Edward Island and 95 km from Nova Scotia. When looking from above, the islands seem to form a croissant. They’re made of rolling green hills, dunes, and beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see. Visiting the Magdalen Islands is like being transported to a different country. They often say it’s like the Ireland of Quebec. These jewels of Islands are like nowhere else in the province.

There are about a dozen islands that make up the Îles de la Madeleine archipelago, with six that are connected by long sand dunes that you can explore while you’re here. They cover about 88 km. The six main islands are l’Île de la Grande Entrée, la Grosse Île, l’Île de la Pointe aux Loups, l’Île du Havre aux Maisons, l’Île au Cap aux Meules and l’Île du Havre Aubert. In the distance, you can see the Île d’Entrée (Entry Island) which has about 60 inhabitants and Île Brion, which is uninhabited.

There are also a bunch of other little islands, but they’re mainly (we mean only) inhabited by birds, and even carry their names, like le Rocher aux Oiseaux, l’Île aux Goélands, and others.

How to get to les Îles de la Madeleine

There are a few ways to get to the islands. Here are the main ones:

1. Getting to the Magdalen Islands by plane

If you’re traveling to the Magdalen Islands during the off-season, you can fly with Pascan. They have been offering flights to the islands for the last 20 years. They depart from Montreal (Saint-Hubert), Quebec City, Bonaventure, and Gaspé. During the summer season, Air Canada offers flights to the Islands.

Flight times vary from one to four hours, depending on your departure city. If you choose to go in the high season, you’ll want to book your flights ahead of time to ensure your dates are available.

2. Getting to the Îles de la Madeleine by ferry

There is a ferry that leaves every other day, or every day (depending on the season) from Souris, PEI. This ferry is offered by CTMA Traversier. It carries cars, trucks, and other cargo and takes about 5 hours to reach its destination.

This is how we came onto the Islands with our car. We’re a big fan of road trips, so the 13-hour drive from Montreal was not a big deal for us. Plus, the ferry is quite new and comfortable, offering different seating options, 2 restaurants, lounges, outdoor spaces, and even private cabins (which are currently unavailable due to COVID). If sea-sickness is not an issue, this is a great way to get to the Islands. If you do tend to get sea-sick, we recommend taking a pill as the boat does sway quite a bit.

3. Getting to the Îles de la Madeleine by cruise

There was a week-long cruise that was available from Montreal to the Îles de la Madeleine, but unfortunately, due to the pandemic, it was canceled for the 2021 season. It allowed you to discover the St-Lawrence river and the archipelago and even included a stop in Gaspésie. During the summer, it even proposes different themed routes, like Food, Arts and Culture, and Biking.

The 19 best things to do in the Îles de la Madeleine

We’ll start off by saying that regardless of what you’re into, there are still a ton of things to do on the Magdalen Islands, even during the off-season. Sure, some restaurants and attractions are closed, but honestly, it barely affected the things we wanted to do. The pace is slower (Island time is real here), the crowds have dwindled, and the weather is great!

If you want to catch the tail end of some of the excursions, they close around September 15-25. We went in the middle of this timeframe and got to experience a good mix of the seasons.

It’s important to note that the weather changes quite a bit on the islands, and activities are affected by the winds, so you should stay flexible with your plans. Some activities might get canceled if the weather is bad, and this is true regardless of the season.

1. Take a boat excursion to Entry Island

Entry Island is a 7 km² island located in the Archipelago. Excursion en Mer offers a great excursion to the island. You can choose to do the boat ride, which lasts about 5h30min and gives you 3h30 on Entry Island. Or you can go on a zodiac, which is about 5 hours long but allows you 2h30 on the island. The latter does take time to go around the island and explore the cliffs.

When you get on the island, a gentleman will come up to the dock with his pickup truck. If you’re not in the mood to walk, you can pay him a few dollars and he will drive you around.

While on Entry Island, you can climb up the Big Hill – it’s the highest peak of the archipelago. You can walk around the town – although, with 60 inhabitants, you’ll have a lot of free time on your hands.

You can explore the hills and cliffs, walk along the beaches. Talk to some of the locals and just chill out. You can also get friendly with some of the cows – They love a good cuddle and rub-down.

Make sure to dress warmly, as the boat ride does get chilly because of the strong winds. Use sunscreen, regardless of the weather – you can burn, even in cloudy weather. Pack a lunch because there’s not much on Entry Island. There is a little dépanneur and a tiny restaurant. Some people on the excursion ended up getting snacks there, and they even got their hands on the only lobster roll that is sold on Entry Island.

2. Get up for sunrise on the Magdalen Islands, even if the weather isn’t cooperating

Regardless of if you’re an early bird or not, and if the weather is nice or not, get up for sunrise while you’re on the Îles de la Madeleine. Even moody and foggy mornings make for amazing sunrises on the islands.

Our favorite places to catch sunrise were at the Phare du Cap Alright or the beach there, the Dune du Sud beach, the Butte Ronde (accessible by the parking of the Cap Alright beach), and the Butte des Montants (located on the Chemin the Montants). The Butte des vents is also a good spot, but it’s so windy up there, that we don’t really recommend it.

3. Grab some beers at the local microbrewery, À l’abri de la tempête

We absolutely love a good microbrew, especially when the beers are made with respect for the land. That’s why we adored the beers from À l’Abri de la tempête. It’s located on Île du Cap-aux-Meules. This brewery uses seaweed, fruits, and aromatics sourced from the Magdalen Islands. They might even use seawater… but they can’t confirm or deny it. You’ll just have to try for yourself!

You can find the brews sold at grocery stores, or you can purchase them directly at the brewery. The vibe at the microbrewery is really fun and relaxed. The perfect place for happy hour, especially if the weather cooperates and you can enjoy it from their terrasse. They also offer a few different dishes that you can enjoy while you’re there.

4. Try the ciders at Verger Poméloi

If you love trying different ciders, we highly recommend you stop by the Verger Poméloi on Île du Havre Aubert. This family-owned artisanal cidery is eco-friendly and takes care of growing their own fruits, harvesting them, and turning them into their delicious drinks. During the summer months, they do offer a limited snack menu, along with their cider tastings, but not in the off-season.

We came into Verger Poméloi for their cider tasting, expecting to stay there for no more than 30 minutes. We met Élie, one of the owners while we were there. We got caught up in deep conversation with him and ended up spending over an hour chatting. He told us about their products and their family story that ended with them opening Verger Poméloi. This is one of the great things about visiting the Îles de la Madeleine during the off-season. You get to experience more intimate encounters with locals.

While at Verger Poméloi, you can try the ciders individually, or get the 6-drink tasting. Obviously, we opted for the latter. We got to taste their 2 gins and 4 different ciders. They also have a small boutique where they sell their products, and you can also freely walk around their orchard. You just have to enquire at the boutique.

5. Discover the Magdalen Islands on your electric Fatbike at Éco-Vélo des Îles

While we were on the Îles de la Madeleine, we got to try electric-assisted fat bikes from Éco-Vélo des Îles. This was our first time trying fat bikes and electric-assisted bikes. With the landscape of the Islands and the wind, we promise you that these were sent from heaven!

We (aka Carine) were a bit apprehensive about trying these bikes at first, but the staff at Éco-Vélo put us at ease and explained how to use the electric-powered bikes. After a quick introduction to the bikes and their functions, we hit the road. Driving around the hills was an absolute breeze – so much fun! These fat bikes make it easy to get around the islands and explore the beaches. We got to cover a lot more ground with electric assistance than we would have alone.

Riding on the beaches was fun and hilarious. It was a bit harder than expected, especially on loose sand, but much easier on sand that had been wet. You can’t ride these bikes in the water (they should not get wet, because the saltwater corrodes the bikes much faster) so you do have a bit of a balancing act to do.

Overall, we had such a great morning riding our fat bikes. We got to explore a few more of the beautiful beaches on the Magdalen Islands and had such a great time getting around.

6. Check out the artisans on the Havre-aux-Maisons island

One of our favorite things to do when we travel is to try out the different artisan foods available all around. While on the Magdalen Islands, we discovered that one of the islands, Havre-aux-Maisons, had a bunch of local producers that create all sorts of delicious things from locally sourced ingredients.

Unfortunately, our timing coincided with their change of schedule, going from their summer openings to their limited fall hours. This meant that we didn’t get to try out most of these artisans. But speaking with other friends and locals, we highly recommend you check these places out.

• Fromagerie de Pied-de-vent – Derek got to try their cheeses on the pizza he got from Pizza d’la Pointe (he loved it). The Fromagerie de Pied-De-Vent has been open since 1998 and create a variety of beautiful cheeses that are available in many of the Islands’ best restaurants. You can purchase their cheeses in store, and if you reserve, you can even tour their facilities.
• Fumoir d’Antan – Open since 1942, Fumoir d’Antan is a family-owned smokehouse that has been producing smoked and marinated goods passed down from father to son. Here, you can go on a self-guided tour of the facilities, or join one of the organized tours. You can also buy their products in store or try a few of the meals they serve.
• Les Cultures du Large – A unique company, Les Cultures du Large specializes in raising mussels and oysters in high seas. They are the only North American company to use this method. You can purchase your products directly from them, or you can even join them on their expeditions and catch your own food.
• Miel en mer – We were disappointed we didn’t have a chance to visit Miel en Mer. This company creates organic honey, mead, beeswax products (candles, wraps, etc.) and honey-covered cranberries thanks to their 150 bee colonies located on the islands. They also offer workshops to create your own beeswax products and tours of their facilities.
• Le Barbocheux – This was the only place that was open while we were touring the island. Le Barbocheux make wines and liqueurs from locally-sourced organic berries and fruits. They have a little boutique where you can purchase their bagosse, Port-type wines, sparkling wine and digestifs. You can try them all (for about $4, at the time of writing) to see which you like.

The best way to ensure you can get the most of the Magdalen Islands during the off-season, and be able to visit these places is to call ahead of time and reserve your visit. Although most of these places don’t have regular hours during the low season, you can still visit them.

7. Catch an epic sunset on the Magdalen Islands

We spoke about checking out the sunrises on the Magdalen Islands, but the sunsets are just as epic! The best places to see sunsets are on the western coast of the islands because… that’s where the sun sets. Pretty simple! If you have some time (and bug spray), we highly recommend catching the sunsets on the many beaches of the islands. We can’t, however, stress this enough – make sure you’re wearing bug spray. The mosquitoes on the Magdalen Islands are vicious! They have the ability to ruin a perfect sunset, so be prepared!

Some of the great places to catch sunsets are Phare du Borgot or Butte du vent. Beware of the Butte (mound) as it gets very windy, but you do get a 360 view of the islands. Other great places include the Belvedere staircase where you can see the sunset behind the island and Anse aux baleiniers. All of these places are located on Cap-Aux-Meules.

8. Visit the Magdalen’s Islands most renown church, St-Pierre-de-Lavernière church

We’re really not big on visiting churches… well unless we’re in Armenia, where most of the landmarks are churches! But this church was a must when visiting the Îles de la Madeleine.

The church of Saint-Pierre-de-La Vernière is a Catholic church built from 1872 to 1881 and considerably enlarged from 1900 to 1903. It’s located on the edge of the road, in a large open area. The church dominates the landscape and overlooks the Gulf of St. Lawrence, on the island of Cap-aux-Meules.

This church is considered to be a special one to the Islanders. It has a few rare characteristics: a sacristy forming an ambulatory as well as a chapel turret located in the axis of the nave. These elements, as well as its imposing size, distinguish it from more modest temples. This church is one of the largest wooden churches in Quebec. What’s more, it is rumored that the church was built with the wood of shipwrecks.

9. Check out the best beaches, some of the greatest in Quebec

You may think that the end of September is too late for a dip in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, but you’d be wrong if you were on the Magdalen Islands! This is when the water is warmest, and a perfect time to go for a dip. It’s also the perfect season to have beautiful beaches all to yourself!

The Îles de la Madeleine offer a ton of beaches to explore and relax on. If you do choose to hang out here, make sure you dress in layers (the winds change quickly) and bring bug spray (especially if you’re there around dusk or dawn). You’ll be surprised to find beautiful white sand beaches sprinkled all through the island.

Some of the nices beaches we visited were Plage de la Martinique, Anse aux baleiniers which also has a playground for kids, and Plage du Corfu.

10. Check out the historic area of La Côte

Located on Cap-Aux-Meules, La Côte is a public park and a meeting place for Madelinots (people from the Magdalen Islands). It’s a fishing port that has been fixed up and become a hot spot for visitors.

Here, you can discover a bunch of little restaurants, shops, and boutiques, as well as walk the boardwalk. You can also see the locals bustle about their day going fishing and returning with their catch. Make sure you stop and admire the Fishermen statue that is located here. It’s a homage to the hard-working fishermen who contribute massively to the well-being of the islands.

11. Admire the cliffs from the water with Le Pluvier

If there is one outing we loved more than anything else on these Islands, it was exploring the cliffs from the waters with Le Pluvier. We were lucky enough to get on the last boat ride of the season, and by some miracle, the weather cleared up and we had the perfect sun during our ride.

Réjean, the Captain of Le Pluvier is an experienced one who will get you up-close and personal with the cliffs. He knows all the secret sites and best caves and grottoes to get into. During this 2-3 hour ride, he takes you from the La Côte site to various cliffs and caves along the coast in the direction of Fatima. You’ll be able to see the Islands like never before!

Check out Le Pluvier on the tourism website or his FB page.

12. Do a tour of the lighthouses on the Magdalen islands

There’s something so magical about exploring lighthouses, especially on these beautiful islands. There are a ton of them to explore… well, actually, there are 6 in the archipelago, 2 of which are on Îles aux Oiseaux and Brion, which are tough to get to! We were even told that you can purchase the lighthouses for $1, which is giving us some really fun ideas!

These lighthouses are a true testimony to the history of navigation in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and to the lifestyle that came with it when living or exploring the Islands. These lighthouses are considered to be aids to navigation and a reference point for fishermen and boaters alike.

The first lighthouses were built in the early 1870s, to improve navigation safety in the Gulf of the St. Lawrence and to help prevent shipwrecks. Considering that between 500 and 1000 shipwrecks were recorded through the years in the vicinity of the archipelago, they represent something much more symbolic to Madelinots.

The nicest lighthouses we explored on the Îles de la Madeleine are:

• Cap Alright, where you can catch a beautiful sunrise. This lighthouse was built in 1928, making it the last one built on the archipelago. It’s also the smallest lighthouse on the Îles de la Madeleine, with a height is 8.3 meters. The design of the lighthouse is quite particular but widely used in Canada. It’s valued for its simplicity and low construction costs.
• Anse-à-la-cabane is the oldest lighthouse of the archipelago that is still in service. It was built in 1870 and 1871. It’s one of the last lighthouses that was built using this shape. At 17.1 meters high, it’s also the tallest lighthouse on the Magdalen Islands. Today, the lighthouse is located on private property, but we weren’t aware of it when visiting as there was a visitor parking available. So if you head this way, admire the lighthouse from a distance to not bother the owners.
• Borgot lighthouse is the perfect place to catch a sunset. The first Borgot lighthouse was actually built in 1874, on Cape Hérissé, at Étang-du-Nord, and it underwent a restoration in 1913. It was demolished in 1967 and replaced by a metal tower, which was also replaced by the current structure in 1987, making it the most recent of the lighthouses on les Îles.

13. Discover the historic site of La Grave

La Grave is the most important attraction on Havre-Aubert Island. It’s a unique historical site that has kept its traditional character and architecture. La Grave extends over and around its pebble beach, making it a beautiful place to discover by the water.

The Magdalen Islands’ first settlement first came to La Grave where they also started the archipelago’s fishery. The relics are still there to discover. You can choose to tour the site using the new Audioguide Circuit which is available year-round at the Musée de la Mer. And best of all, you can do this all on foot. On the site of La Grave, you will find a bunch of restaurants, cafés, shops, museums, marina, theatre, and different events.

In the summer, the streets here must be bustling, but in the low season, you get to explore the shops, museums, and cafes at a leisurely pace, having most places to yourself.

14. Drive the scenic routes on the Magdalen Islands

Driving around the Islands was one of our favorite things to do. Did we mention we love road trips!? If you do too, you’re in luck! The views on the islands are breathtaking. We would pull over every few kilometers because we came upon some amazing landscape. Luckily, it takes roughly 2 hours to get from one end of the islands to the other, so you can easily spend a full day driving around and pulling over to admire the view.

While on Havre-aux-Maisons Island, we recommend this scenic route to get your fill of the typical Îles de la Madeleine views. Take the Chemin de la Pointe-Basse. You will get a fine example of the traditional Madelinot way of life: a plateau slightly inclined towards the sea, dotted with houses of all colors. You will see beautiful homes with traditional Madelinot architecture. Then, continue on Chemin de la Pointe-Basse, all the way to the end. You will then take the chemin des Échoueries. Stop to admire the Cape Alright lighthouse from where you will have a spectacular view of the gray cliffs and the entire Plaisance Bay with the silhouette of Entry Island off the coast, in the distance.

Take the Chemin des Montants, after having gone around the Butte Ronde, you will get a glimpse of the gentle tranquility of the small valley inhabited by a few homes. Here, you will see one of the most beautiful panoramas of Havre-aux-Maisons. A little further, before going down the road towards the Dune du Sud, take a look to your left. In the distance, you will see the Sillons, geological formations left by the dune in its incessant movement due to the sea and the wind. A little further on, by the Dune du Sud path, you will gain access to one of the most beautiful beaches, the Dune du Sud beach. One side of this beach is sheltered by red cliffs sculpted by the sea where one can explore holes and caves at low tide. This is also a great place to catch a sunrise!

15. Climb up a butte (a mound) to admire the view of the Îles de la Madeleine

The Îles de la Madeleine landscape is unique in Québec. Green rolling hills, bright reddish cliffs, plains, valleys and beaches. One of the most impressive things you can do while here is to climb up one of the buttes, or mounds, and admire the view around. On clear days, you get quite a vantage point! On foggy days, the mood (and mound) are kind of magical.

Here are some of the best mounds to climb:

• Les Demoiselles – While on Havre-Aubert, make sure you climb up these mounds. They give you quite a view of the island you’re on. One of them has a cross on it.
• Butte Ronde – After admiring sunrise at the Cape Alright lighthouse, or to catch sunrise, climb up this mound. You will see a beautiful view of Havre-aux-Maisons.
• Chemin des Montants (or Butte à Antoine) – Located off the Chemin des Montants, there is a trail that goes up this mound on private property. The owner is nice enough to allow access to this site for pedestrians, so treat the land with respect while you are there. You will get a beautiful view of Havre-Aux-Maisons.
• Butte du Vent – Located on Cap-aux-Meules, the Butte du Vent is the only mound that gives you 360 views of the Islands. To access it, you have to take Chemin Cormier from Chemin de l’Église. we do warn you though, it gets crazy windy up there.

16. Go on a hike on the Magdalen Islands

We’ve said it before, the landscape of the Magdalen Islands is beautiful! Luckily, there are quite a few hiking trails around the islands that you can take to discover this hidden gem.

Most hikes are dog-friendly, which is great. Although the hikes aren’t very long (the longest being about 5 km), they allow you to see a different side of the Îles de la Madeleine. You can also choose to walk the beaches, the longest hike being the Sandy Hook beach to the end of the bank, which is a 3-hour trek there and back.

There is also the Sentier entre Vents et Marées. This is a 230 km hike that was created by people who walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain. It crosses all the islands of the archipelago and is marked with signs like the image above. Best of all, this hike grows a little longer every year. You can choose to hike the full trail (which will take you over a week) or walk certain parts of it. The level of difficulty of this trail ranges from intermediate to difficult and there are some stops in various villages.

If you make it to Entry Island, the Ivan Quinn trail up the Big Hill is a must. It’s the tallest mound and viewpoint on all of the Magdalen Islands.

There is one thing to keep in mind when hiking, especially if you are on the cliffside. The cliffs are very fragile and can crumble easily. When you’re hiking, make sure you stay a minimum of 3 meters from the edge of cliffs. You don’t want to fall into those choppy waters.

17. Discover Île Boudreau while on the Îles de la Madeleine

Île Boudreau is a beautiful island located on the Southern tip of the Grande Entrée Island. There is a short 2km trail called the Chemin des Iris, that takes you to the spectacular viewpoint. The hike is short but it has so many beautiful views of the cliffs, surrounding beaches and more.

Although this may seem like a bit of a detour, it’s well worth it. Just make sure you stay on the trail and respect the signs. A few parts of the trail are being regenerated, so it’s important to follow the rules.

18. Learn some wind sports like kite surfing or windsurfing

Because the Islands get quite windy, especially in the fall, they are the perfect place to learn wind sports or water sports. While we were there, we saw a ton of people kite surfing, windsurfing and surfing. The weather and waters are quite perfect for that.

If you want to learn any of these sports, there are a few schools that offer courses. You may need to stay a bit longer (a week or more) to learn these sports, but seeing avid fans enjoy their sport convinced us that it was well worth it!

19. Check out all the arts, artists and artisans on the Islands

High season or low season, there are a ton of artists and artisans to discover on the islands. From glass blowing, jewelry-making, painting and much more, there is something for every taste and budget on the Magdalen Islands.

In fact, there is a Arts Circuit you can follow to discover 13 different artisans. Our favorite discoveries on the circuit were À Marée Basse, a beautiful boutique full of seashells, paintings, books and other works of art inspired by the sea. We also loved Atelier Côtier, a lovely shop and exploration lab that is also inspired by the sand, the sea and everything that has to do with the Magdalen Islands. These stores are both located in La Grave.

20. Eat to your heart’s content!

Obviously, when you’re in the seafood capital of Quebec, and on land that grows so many delicious things, you have to eat. Everything! Check out the best restaurants we tried while we were on the Magdalen Islands.

The best restaurants in the Îles de la Madeleine

Regardless of what you’re into, there are a ton of restaurant options on the Îles de la Madeleine. Of course, the most prevalent food is seafood here. It’s no surprise, considering the islands are where most of the lobster and shellfish come from in Quebec.

Here is the list of the best restaurants we tried (and loved) while on the Magdalen Islands:

Gourmande de nature, a great place to try local delecacies

A fabulous restaurant and culinary boutique where they use mainly local fare for their meals. Located on Îles du Cap-aux-Meules, and set in a cozy and beautifully simple décor, this restaurant may be our favorite from our trip to the islands. It’s also one of the few places that offer vegan options, so double win!

Most of their menu is fixed, but they always have new offerings that change daily. We really recommend listening to what the staff suggests – they did not steer us wrong! Derek had the scallop ceviche and the shrimp poke bowl. He loved both! Carine had the vegan croquettes (made with chickpeas) and the vegan burger. Both dishes were succulent! 

We also treated ourselves to dessert – their sorbets are simply delicious (the berry one is so fresh) and the brownie is dense and decadent. We highly recommend a stop here.

Pizza d’la pointe for the best pizza on the Magdalen Islands

If you’re looking for the best pizza on the islands, stop looking. It’s here! Located on the tip of Île du Havre aux Maisons, this quaint little place has delicious pizza. There aren’t a ton of places to sit, and they don’t take reservations, so you might want to get there earlier during the high season.

We’d love to say that the staff was nice, but they weren’t that great. Plus, any place that gives you packets of ketchup in their restaurant, instead of bottles, get points knocked off for us – not only is it terrible for the environment, but it shows a type of stinginess (and environmental unconsciousness) we’re not fans of.

Regardless, we did quite enjoy their pizza – cooked in a wood-burning oven and enjoyed in the restaurant, or as takeout. You can also order their frozen pizzas and enjoy them at home. Derek devoured his bacon pizza and Carine chose a veggie pizza without cheese. We also shared a side of a mix of sweet potatoes and regular french fries. They were so delicious; we didn’t even need ketchup! If you love seafood, their Pizza du Pêcheur is what they are known for.

B&J Casse Croûte, for a quick snack

This family-owned restaurant has been on the islands for the last 45 years. The service is slow but worth the wait. It’s also a great place to grab a quick (and dirty) snack while exploring the Grosse Île, or the Île de la Grande Entrée.

Auberge La Salicorne, for a beautiful view and delicious food

This hotel and campground has a wonderful restaurant that has a beautiful view of Île Boudreau. We stopped here for lunch on our way back from exploring Île Boudreau, and absolutely loved our meals, the staff, and the view.

Derek had a delicious lobster roll, a must when you’re on the Islands. The staff was also very accommodating and turned their vegetarian Poké Bowl into a vegan one for Carine – it was delicious and filling. If you’re looking for vegan food on the island, make sure you check them out – they also have nachos they can make vegan, and a vegan platter with hummus, veggies, and nuts.

We also tried the Madelinot lemonade, thinking it was a specialty here… but it’s not. We fell for their marketing trick! It was still quite delicious and refreshing after the hike we had done.

Cafe de La Grave, for a quick coffee and snacks

As we walked into the Café de La Grave, after exploring all the shops and boutiques around, we ran into a lady walking out with a batch of cakes. She assured us that they have the best carrot cake she’s ever had. Obviously, Derek had to give it a try – the verdict… she was right! It was exquisite!

While there, we also had a coffee and a vegan chai latte. Both were wonderful. But beyond the delicious fare, it’s the ambiance and vibe at the Café de La Grave that make this place so special. The staff was beyond sweet, the decor is lovely, and the vibes are amazing when there is live entertainment.

We highly recommend you stop by here for a quick treat or a meal (as they do have a full meal menu). Even in the low season, this café was full. We recommend you make reservations if you are planning to eat here.

Restaurants we wished we tried, but didn’t have a chance:

We wanted to include these two notable restaurants as they came highly recommended to us. We’re not great at planning things ahead of time, so we ended up missing the season for these.

Bistro Plongée Alpha

This little shack on the docks is known for its seafood, and especially, its dinner conference with Mario Cyr. He’s a renowned underwater photographer and conservationist. We really wanted to go to the conference, but dates get booked up really quickly. If you are passionate about the seas, the environment and nature, we highly recommend you book your dinner conference here.

Le Millerand

This restaurant came highly recommended by locals and friends alike. They offer locally caught delicacies – most of their dishes are very seafood forward. For a higher-end meal, make sure you reserve ahead of time as they do have limited availabilities in the low season.

When is the best season to explore the Îles de la Madeleine?

There are four distinct seasons on the Magdalen Islands. But they vary quite a bit from the continental weather we get back on the mainland. Depending on what you want to do, any time of year is good to visit the islands.

The waters around the islands temper the weather quite a bit, and there is always something happening on the Islands.

Winters (December to March) are mild with very few freezing days. From the end of February and early March, you can observe seals that come up on the shores. You can even spot the white baby seals.

The spring (April to June) is cooler than on the mainland. If you love fresh seafood, the best time to visit is starting in mid-May, all the way until mid-July. That’s when the catch is at its freshest. As for the lobster, you’re in luck because most of the best Quebec lobster is caught in the Îles de la Madeleine. So if you’re looking to get your fill, head there in May and June. Spring is also the best time for hiking, bird-watching, and checking out the flowers in bloom.

The summers (July to September) are warm but without scorching heatwaves. If you’re looking to go for a dip in the waters surrounding the islands, the end of August and September are the best times to visit. Temperatures in the lagunes and bays reach anywhere between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius. The end of August is also the best time for wind sports, like kitesurfing, kiting, sailing, and more.  

Finally, fall (October and November) is warm, almost an extension of summer. These days are best for long walks on the beaches, catching epic sunrises, either with the fall glow, or moody fog. Either way, we highly recommend getting up for at least one morning.

As for the wind, well… it’s always there on the Îles de la Madeleine. It does tend to get windier in the winter, but even during our visit at the end of September, we could feel a strong wind throughout the day. That means rapidly changing weather (sometimes, it’s sunny on one island, and pouring rain on the other). It also means you should dress in layers.

Where to stay on the Îles de la Madeleine

There is a great variety of accommodations to choose from on the islands. There’s something for every type of traveler and budget. You can find campgrounds for tents, RVs and trailers, hotels, youth hostels, and even homes you can rent from locals.

There are also a few areas to choose from for your stay. As we mentioned, there are quite a few islands in the Archipelago, you have quite a bit of choice.

We chose to stay in a home in Fatima, on Cap-aux-Meules. We decided to rent a home because we wanted access to a full kitchen. Traveling when vegan is quite a challenge, with an added layer when you’re on islands, especially these ones, where the seafood is so prevalent in their menu.

Fatima ended up being a good choice because it was quite centrally located. We were about a 15-minute drive from the epic sunrise and sunset spots. We were also very close to all the activities we wanted to do. The furthest we drove was about 1 hour to get to Île Boudreau, which is the southernmost tip of the archipelago.

If you’re looking to be a bit more remote, the other islands have a great offering, but Cap-aux-Meules is the one with the most amenities (restaurants, grocery stores, activities, and more).

There you have it! We hope our guide to the Magdalen Islands will help you make the most of your time there. Just to recap, here are the best things to do in the Îles de la Madeline:

1. Take a boat excursion to Entry Island
2. Get up for sunrise on the Magdalen Islands
3. Grab some beers at the local microbrewery, À l’abri de la tempête
4. Try the ciders at Verger Poméloi
5. Discover the Magdalen Islands on your electric Fatbike at Éco-Vélo des Îles
6. Check out the artisans on the Havre-aux-Maisons island
7. Catch an epic sunset on the Magdalen Islands
8. Visit the Magdalen’s Islands most renown church, St-Pierre-de-Lavernière church
9. Check out the best beaches, some of the greatest in Quebec
10. Check out the historic area of La Côte
11. Admire the cliffs from the water with Le Pluvier
12. Do a tour of the lighthouses on the Magdalen islands
13. Discover the historic site of La Grave
14. Drive the scenic routes on the Magdalen Islands
15. Climb up a butte (a mound) to admire the view of the Îles de la Madeleine
16. Go on a hike on the Magdalen Islands
17. Discover Île Boudreau while on the Îles de la Madeleine
18. Learn some wind sports like kite surfing or windsurfing
19. Check out all the arts, artists and artisans on the Islands
20. Eat to your heart’s content

We hope that this comprehensive guide will help you make the best of your time at the Magdalen Islands. It’s a beautiful place that’s really worth exploring. And don’t worry if you don’t have the time to check everything off the list. The best thing about being on the Islands is that time becomes relative and everything is worth savoring slowly. So relax and enjoy!

Also, don’t be afraid to visit the Îles de la Madeleine during the low seasons. Sure, some things may close down, but there is still so much to do and explore. Especially since most of the best things are in the great outdoors anyway. So relax, and make the best of your time on these beautiful Islands.

Disclaimer: This article was written as part of a collaboration with Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine. All views and opinions expressed are those of the authors.

---

We put a lot of time and effort into the content we create. Please like, comment and share, every action on your part helps us out tremendously and is very much appreciated.

You can also help us by pinning it for others to find.

---