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Region

Le Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent

Go only if you accept boat or plane between villages — Route 138 ends at Kegaska. Otherwise skip and stay west.

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Open North Shore Plan a trip

Key facts · Canada

Best months
Jun–Aug
Visa
Depends on your passport
Currency
Canadian dollar (CAD, $)
Language
English and French
Plugs
A · B · 120 V
Time zone
Six zones: UTC−3:30 to UTC−8
Month by month hereIn detail ↓
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
  • Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
  • Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.

Le Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent (the Lower North Shore, formerly Basse-Côte-Nord) is a 375 km stretch of Gulf coast where the road stops. Kegaska is the eastern end of Route 138; beyond it, villages from La Romaine to Vieux-Fort are reached by supply ship, plane or snowmobile. Blanc-Sablon and Bonne-Espérance are the exceptions — you can drive in from Labrador. Come for whales, seabirds, berry picking, fishing and village life, not for sightseeing on a schedule. Plan 4–7 nights if you commit, and treat the boat timetable as the itinerary.

Sleep

Which bed, for how many nights, and what to do from it

Where to sleep

6 places in this region

Sleep base

Day trip

Night sequences

4 nights
Blanc-Sablon 2 + Bonne-Espérance 2, by car from Labrador
7 nights
Blanc-Sablon 2 + supply ship west along the coast with village stops + fly out from a coastal airstrip
  • Villages without road access have limited food, fuel and medical services — arrive with supplies and a plan.
  • Fog and wind delay boats and small aircraft; build a spare day into any connection.
  • Summer insects are heavy near bogs and forest; rain gear matters more than a rain jacket alone.

Day-trips door to door

ToFromDoor-to-door p50Last returnNote
Bonne-EspéranceBlanc-Sablon45 minunknownDrive on Route 138; check road conditions after rain.
Saint-AugustinBlanc-Sablon minunknownNo road; boat or plane only — check the current schedule.
Gros-MécatinaBlanc-Sablon minunknownSupply-ship stop; landing depends on sea and tide.

Bags between cities

There is no luggage forwarding here. Carry everything you need; on boat legs, pack so you can move your own bags at each landing.

When and how

Months, arrival and passes

Seasons at a glance

From each city's month table

Pick a month to see where to go.

CountryJFMAMJJASOND
Blanc-Sablon
Bonne-Espérance
Saint-Augustin
Gros-Mécatina
Côte-Nord-du-Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent
Canada (country-wide)
Go: the good monthsFair: workable, mixedPoor: heat, rain or hazeAvoid: storms, floods, closuresno data yet

Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.

Climate strip

Month by month
ZoneJFMAMJJASOND
Gulf coastBlanc-Sablon to Kegaska shorelinecoldcoldcoldokokbestbestbestokokcoldcold
best: dry, mildok: workable
Gulf coast
Short cool summer; July–August are the warmest and busiest weeks. Fog is common. Winter brings snow, storms and snowmobile-only travel between villages.

Aurora is possible on clear dark nights from late summer onward; the coast is far enough north to see it without a special trip.

Get in

Door-to-door p50, 2026 estimate
FromToHowp50Note
MontréalKegaskaRoute 138 east, about 1,300 km~15 h non-stopRoute 138 ends at Kegaska; there is no road link onward to the central coast villages.
LabradorBlanc-SablonRoute 510 becomes Route 138 at the Quebec bordercheckThe only road entry into the region; it reaches Blanc-Sablon and Bonne-Espérance.
NewfoundlandBlanc-SablonFerry across the Strait of Belle IslecheckSeasonal; book ahead in summer and check weather cancellations.
Sept-Îles / Havre-Saint-PierreLower North Shore villagesSupply ship along the coastcheckThe main way to reach roadless villages; sailings are infrequent and schedules change.
Regional airportsCoastal airstripsSmall scheduled aircraftcheckWeather-dependent; baggage limits are strict.

Eat and move on

Regional food

Where and when it works
DishWhereTiming / trap
Seafood from the wharfBlanc-Sablon, Bonne-EspéranceCod, crab and shrimp are the local staples; kitchen hours are short and seasonal — check before counting on a meal.
Wild berriesCoastal barrens and bogsBlueberries, raspberries and crowberries in late summer; pick only where it is allowed.
Village canteens and convenience storesRoadless communitiesStock is limited and resupplied by ship; bring basics and cash.

Go next

North Shore

planned

Route 138 west

The road-linked half of the Côte-Nord, with services and parks.

Labrador

Route 138/510 north

Continue to the Strait of Belle Isle and the Labrador coast.

Minganie

planned

Route 138 west

Long sandy beaches and the monoliths near Havre-Saint-Pierre.

Manicouagan

Route 138 west

Gateway region with Baie-Comeau and the Manic dams.

Gaspé Peninsula

Long drive around the gulf via Route 132 and 138

A separate trip; do not combine it with the Lower North Shore in one week.

Open North Shore Up to Canada

Deep dive

Photos, reading and every source

Sources