< >

Quiet moment under the morning light

1/8

Cycling in the stunning landscapes of the archipelago

2/8

Freshness from the sea to your plate

3/8

Hiking on the Big Hill, Entry Island

4/8

Cliffs of the Dune du Sud beach

5/8

Artists and craftsmen open the doors of their workshop

6/8

Wonderful playground for wind and sliding sports

7/8

The "buttes pelées" at sunset, Havre-aux-Maisons

8/8

Kayak and Water Trail

Presentation

In the heart of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the Îles de la Madeleine Water Trail is an unmarked navigable waterway designed for use by small, shallow-draft craft, especially sea kayaks. It is a network of launch sites, lodging services and tourist businesses. Along the Water Trail, you travel from island to island, choosing your itinerary according to wind direction.

The Îles de la Madeleine Water Trail presents a personal challenge that can be taken up as part of a group, in a guided tour led by a professional guide.. Birding, relaxing on beaches, exploring hidden coves, visiting coastal attractions and fishing ports are some of the activities that paddlers will enjoy.

The Water Trail maps were officially unveiled in June 2008 during an activity day at the Marina Les Plaisanciers du Havre on the La Grave historical site. The seven maps, created by the Centre intégré de développement touristique des Îles de la Madeleine (CIDTIM), in close collaboration with the Municipalité des Îles-de-la-Madeleine, the Municipalité de Grosse-Île, Attention Fragiles and the Comité ZIP des Îles-de-la-Madeleine, show the locations of 31 authorized launch sites. Used in combination with marine charts, the Water Trail maps provide essential information for anyone who wants to plan a safe trip around the archipelago. They suggest possible circuits with information on navigation, distances between launch sites, specific local conditions and services available to travellers along the suggested routes.

This project fits into the objectives of the overall policy for tourism development in the Municipalité des Îles de la Madeleine. Based on the concept of responsable tourism, this mapped, unmarked trail was designed to promote good relations between users and shoreline property owners. Kayakers are invited to discover - or rediscover! - the Islands' littoral zone, where they will be as far removed from the ordinary as it is possible to be anywhere in Québec's coastal regions.

You may download the Îles de la Madeleine Water Trail logo for use in other applications. You can also download banners to promote the Water Trail on your website.