Does breathing in the salty sea air of the Îles de la Madeleine while enjoying your favourite outdoor activities sound appealing? Whether you’re into soft adventures or an adrenaline junkie, there’s something for everyone on the archipelago!

Biking around the Islands

Does biking around the Islands sound like pure madness? On the contrary, it’s pure joy! If you’re worried about the wind, don’t panic: there are several loop itineraries you can explore in either direction depending on which way the wind is blowing. Give yourself about a week to ride across the entire archipelago by bike on the Route Verte bike route, which follows the main road, Route 199, as well as on less busy streets and lanes in villages. Need further encouragement? Read this blog post to inspire you!

For a hassle-free biking experience, rent a bike on the Islands. You’ll have many options: vintage bikes, fatbikes, road bikes and even electric-assist bikes. (Repair services are also available on the archipelago.)

Sea excursions

If you’re feeling called by the clear waters of the majestic Gulf of St. Lawrence, you’ll find several companies offering boat or Zodiac excursions to admire the beauty of the archipelago from a different angle. And for a really authentic island experience, you can also participate in a memorable sea-fishing excursion. There’s nothing like grilling fresh fish to make you feel like you’re really on vacation in a maritime region!

A sea excursion is also an opportunity to observe seals in their natural environment. What’s more, you’ll have a unique view of the archipelago’s red sandstone caves, some of which are only accessible via the sea. Several companies offer guided sea kayaking trips to explore these caves. One of these is Auberge La Salicorne, which also gives you the opportunity to explore the caves in a wetsuit, an excursion that can be relaxing or an adrenaline rush, depending on Mother Nature’s mood!

Finally, if you’re not drawn to the open sea but would still like to try out various water sports, the archipelago’s many lagoons offer a calm and safe environment to do so. For example, they’re ideal places to go stand-up paddle boarding (SUP).

Find out more about all the sea activities available on the Islands.

Wind sports

The shallow waters of lagoons are also great for kitesurfing, whether you’re a beginner or experienced. Many companies offer group or private lessons to help you progress. Another wind sport you can try is kite buggying, an exciting and increasingly popular beach activity. A kite buggy is a light, single-seated vehicle with three wheels powered by a traction kite, which you can ride on the archipelago’s long beaches. If you’re feeling a bit unsure of your driving skills, professionals can teach you the basics during specialized courses.

Hiking

Finally, what could be more accessible and beneficial than hiking? As you walk, you’ll have plenty of time to admire the colourful landscapes of the Islands. Increasingly popular, the Sentiers Entre Vents et Marées network of trails, which was inspired by the Camino de Santiago, offer you the opportunity to explore the entire archipelago on foot in several stages. Even though this video is in French only, it’ll give you a glimpse of what this amazing experience is like!

During your hike, you can take the time to admire the Islands’ distinctive flora and catch glimpses of many birds in flight. If your curiosity is piqued and you’d like to learn more about local plants and how the landscape has evolved over time, Auberge La Salicorne offers guided nature hikes in the magnificent Pointe-de-l’Est National Wildlife Area, a protected natural area that’s a must-see when you visit the archipelago.

As you can see, there are many ways to enjoy the great outdoors in the Îles de la Madeleine. Whatever land, sea or wind sport you choose, the beauty and uniqueness of the archipelago will never cease to amaze you. So come and discover what the Islands have to offer during your next vacation!