This kayak trip destination is excerpted from “The East Coast’s Best 5 Places to Paddle” in Adventure Kayak magazine.
Magdalene Islands, Quebec
Perhaps the most unexplored sea kayaking destination in the Canadian Maritimes, the Magdalene Islands are smack dab in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The cluster of nine islands sits between Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. After many miles on the road and tired of windshield time, we loaded our kayaks with five days’ of food and gear and walked onto the ferry. We disappeared into the French-speaking archipelago under human power. With long dunes separating most of the islands and many secluded beaches, this is Quebec’s sandbox. The shoreline is dominated by red sandstone carved by thousands of years of consistent wind. Hundred of caves, tunnels and arches are peppered along the coast and the quaint fishing villages make re-supplying easy.
Find more information about this area at Tourism Magdalene Islands, www.tourismeilesdelamadeleine.com.
Outfitters: Gros Cap Camping, www.parcdegroscap.ca
This article originally appeared in Adventure Kayak, Early Summer 2009. Download our free iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch App or Android App or read it here.
