Top Things to Do in the Magdalen Islands in the Winter

One of Canada’s best kept secrets is a wind-swept archipelago of islands that forms the shape of a hook. Nestled in the heart of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, it’s one of those places that looks like specks of dust on the map but is where adventure, heart-warming hospitality, proud heritage, seafood delights, and culinary surprises awaits.

It’s called the Magdalen Islands.

While locals that are in-the-know visit in the summer, the colder months are a magical time of the year where fluffy snow, perfect light, cute wildlife, and intertwine. This is your guide to the best things to do in the Magdalen Islands in the winter time. Before we’re done, you’re going to start planning your trip here because it’s easier than you think!

About The Magdalen Islands

First and foremost, the Magdalen Islands is part of the Province of Quebec and belongs to a region called Quebec maritime. That said, if you look at the map, the archipelago is closer to Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland than it is to the Gaspé peninsula of Quebec. 

While we’ll be referring to the islands as the Magdalen Islands, the French name is Îles de la Madeleine or simply Les Îles. For the purposes of this guide, we’ll use its English name for consistency.

This is an archipelago of 8 major islands, 6 of which are connected together by sand dunes.  The Magdelen Islnads is blessed with sweeping crescent beaches, soaring red-cliffs, rolling green hills, and colourful palette of houses.

Long before explorers like Jacques Cartier and Samuel de Champlain came, the indigenous Mi’kmaq Nation lived here where they named the island “Menagoesenog” which means “islands swept by turf”.

The history of the islands is fascinating.  It’s a tale of French-speaking Acadians coming to the island to hunt for walruses, survivors of at least 400 shipwrecks around the islands, and the back and forth ownership between the British colony in Newfoundland to being finally becoming part of Quebec in 1774.

Today, you’ll find 13,000 or so inhabitants on the islands, also called Madelinots. 

The local community are a seafaring community that are renowned for their hospitality, and proud of their Acadian heritage.

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