The closest the train will get you to the Magdalen Islands is VIA’s Ocean to Moncton, New Brunswick.....where you can rent a car......or just drive up from New England.
The Magdalen Islands....or Iles de la Madeleine are an archipelago of six main islands linked by dunes and sand bars....stretching 80 km in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The islands are a part of Quebec but the inhabitants are mostly Acadian (same ancestry as Louisiana’s Cajuns)......and the culture, food and scenery make for a great trip!
The drive from Moncton NB to Souris PEI (sounds like Surry) will take about 3 hrs.....where you’ll catch the C.T.M.A. (Cooperative de Transports Maritime et Aerien) Ferry over to the Magdalens. The ‘Madeleine’ was originally built in Ireland in 1981 for the Dublin<>Liverpool run and had a couple of operators and name changes before coming to C.T.M.A. in 1997.
The Islands are a scenic gem with green fields against red sandstone cliffs of interesting shapes along with miles of white sand beaches stretching across the dunes. Water temperatures reach the 70s in late August.....especially in the lagoons along the sandbars.
Posted by ghCBNS (Member # 3093) on :
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Posted by ghCBNS (Member # 3093) on :
Here’s the ‘Madeliene’ arriving from Prince Edward Island.....and heading back on the 8pm crossing.
Posted by ghCBNS (Member # 3093) on :
Air Canada Express (Jazz) can also get you to YGR on Ile du Havre-aux- Maison from Montreal, Quebec City and Gaspe with Dash-8s.
Posted by Moderator (Member # 2933) on :
Thanks so much for the report, ghCBNS I really enjoyed your photos.
Posted by MontanaJim (Member # 2323) on :
They appear to use quite a large ferry for the trip. Looks almost like an ocean liner to me!
