Secrets of the St. Lawrence

Îles de la Madeleine (PDF; 71 KB)

Another magnificent part of the St Lawrence are the Îles de la Madeleine, which lie right in the middle of the Gulf, 40 nautical miles off the nearest shore.

The islands are swept by winds from every direction. Their sheltered lagoons, where the wind blows freely, are a windsurfer's paradise.

Shoals are to be found everywhere around the islands, and form a crescent from Pointe de l'Est to Rochers aux Oiseaux, with Île Brion in the middle. They produce high seas.

Watch out for winds in the Eastern part of the section. They may herald a storm that will bring a strong Northwesterly wind.

As the summer progresses, the Northwesterly wind will produce higher and higher seas along the North Shore because of the fetch and the wind's strength.

Even if the tidal currents are less than one knot, remember that they will be stronger around points and at the mouth of lagoons.

In spring and summer, humid air from the warmer waters to the South and Southwest of the islands brings fog.

134. Northwest side, particularly Pointe Hérissée area

Winds Southwesterly
Wind strengthens. Convergence effect.

135. Northeast side

Winds Northeasterly
Breaking waves produced by numerous reefs and shoals.

Navigation becomes very difficult.

136. Pointe de l'Est

Winds Northwesterly, Northerly and Northeasterly, at ebb tide
High, breaking seas, particularly off point. Produced by crossing of 2 Westerly currents from both sides of point.

137. Île Brion and Rocher(s) aux Oiseaux

Winds from any direction
Corner effect.

Winds Northeasterly
Heavy, cross seas Southwest of Rochers aux Oiseaux

138. La Perle (reef)

Even when winds 15 knots, from any direction
Breaking waves.

139. Île d'Entrée

Winds from any direction
Corner effect.

140. La Passe

Winds Southerly and Southeasterly
Breaking seas, especially at ebb tide. Shoals between Dune Sandy Hook and Île d'Entrée.

141. Southwest side

Winds Northeasterly
Cross seas. Refraction effect in lee of all islands.

Seas may become very confused.

142. Le Corps-Mort

Winds from any direction
Corner effect.