FAQ - Magdalen Islands for vacation and tourism in the Gulf of the St-Lawrence in Quebec, Canada

You have been visiting the site and you have some questions to ask about www.tourismeilesdelamadeleine.com ; that is perfectly normal. We recommend you look at the section below. If you do not find the answer to your question here, please do not hesitate to contact us.

01 -	How can I get a copy of the official tourist guide for the region ?
02 -	Where are the Îles de la Madeleine?
03 -	How do I get to the Îles de la Madeleine and how much will the trip cost?
04 -	Is it easy to get from one island to another in the archipelago?
05 -	What is the population of the Îles de la Madeleine?
06 -	What is the main economic activity on the Islands?
07 -	Can I swim in the sea around the Islands ? What is the temperature of the water ?
08 -	What is the climate like in the Islands ?
09 -	How do you get to the Islands by car ?
10 -	What times of year are best for bird watching ?

If you cannot find an answer to your questions, send us a query and we will be delighted to supply you with any information you require !

01 -	How can I get a copy of the official tourist guide for the region ?
	Here's how to get a copy of the official Tourist Guide: If you are in Canada or the United States, call Tourisme Québec at 1-877-BONJOUR (266-5687) or visit the web site at www.bonjourquebec.com If you are in Quebec, go to an Infotouriste Centre or any regional tourist information office. Or, if you prefer, fill out an order form on line in the section entitled: Order your free copy of the tourist guide
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02 -	Where are the Îles de la Madeleine?
	The Îles de la Madeleine are part of the Province of Quebec, in Canada. They lie off the east coast, right in the middle of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean: 215 km from the Gaspé Peninsula, 105 km from Prince Edward Island and 95 km from Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. The Îles de la Madeleine are a group of about twelve islands. For more information, see the ?Discover the Archipelago?. Or the ?Maps and Coordinates? section.
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03 -	How do I get to the Îles de la Madeleine and how much will the trip cost?
	You can get to the islands either by boat or by plane. By Boat: You take the ferry from Souris, a small village on the north shore of Prince Edward Island. The boat is a car ferry which takes five hours to make the trip to the Islands. The average cost of a return trip for two adults in a standard-size car in 2008 is $340 in the high season. It is also possible to take a cruise ship from Montreal which makes one stop in Chandler, in the Gaspé Peninsula. This is a two-day trip. By plane: Air Canada Jazz have flights to the Islands. Daily flights depart from Montreal, Quebec, Gaspé. The Islands' airport is located on Havre-aux-Maisons Island, and its international code is YGR. Prices vary greatly, depending on your departure point. For more information, talk to your travel agent or visit the ?How to get to the Islands? section.
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04 -	Is it easy to get from one island to another in the archipelago?
	Yes. One of the principal characteristics of the Magdalen Archipelago is the long dunes linking the islands. These extensive sand dunes (magnificent beaches, by the way) provided a foundation for the construction of route 199, which runs from one end of the island chain to the other. That means you can drive, bike or hike the 65 km between one extremity of the Islands and the other. Only one of the inhabited islands, Entry Island, is not linked to the others by the road. To get to Entry Island, you must take a boat excursion or the regular ferry. For more information, see the section entitled ?Maps and Coordinates?.
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05 -	What is the population of the Îles de la Madeleine?
	On January 1st 2002, the 7 municipalities on the Islands were amalgamated to create the Municipalité des Îles de la Madeleine. In 2001, the population was 13 295. For more information, see the section entitled "Discover the Islands".
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06 -	What is the main economic activity on the Islands?
	The commercial fishery (lobster, crab, scallops, mussels, groundfish) is the most important industry on the Islands. Tourism comes second, followed by the salt mine in Grosse-Île, which is also a major employer. For more information, see the section entitled ?Discover the Archipelago?.
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07 -	Can I swim in the sea around the Islands ? What is the temperature of the water ?
	The Magdalen Archipelago is blessed with a mild maritime climate. At the end of August and in September, the water in the lagoons and bays around the Islands reaches temperatures up to 18 and 21 degrees Celsius. The Gulf Stream, the low tides and the fact that the Islands are surrounded by shallows all help keep the water warmer. Water in swimming areas is warmer here than along the shores of the Saint Lawrence or even along North Carolina (USA), and swimming is still a pleasure as late as the end of September ! For more information, see the section entitled Beaches and Swimming
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08 -	What is the climate like in the Islands ?
	Because it is a maritime region, surrounded by water, there is quite a difference between the climate in the Islands and the climate on the mainland. All seasons are more temperate.
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09 -	How do you get to the Islands by car ?
	See the section 'Getting to the Islands', under the heading, 'Car'.
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10 -	What times of year are best for bird watching ?
	The Magdalen archipelago is on the migration route for several species of birds. The best time for observation of migrating birds is in May and June or September and October.