Major city · Canada
Blanc-Sablon
Go for 1–2 nights as a ferry or flight stop between Québec's Lower North Shore and Labrador; skip as a standalone destination.
Blanc-Sablon is the easternmost municipality of Québec, on the Strait of Belle Isle next to the Labrador border. It is a transport hinge, not a sightseeing base: the airport at Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon (YBX) and the ferry across to Newfoundland and Labrador are why most travellers stop. The draw is the coast itself — icebergs drifting south in late spring, whales and dolphins offshore, and a string of tiny villages along Route 138. One or two nights covers it; a car or a booked transfer is needed to see anything beyond the villages.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (cold, snow, limited services)
- Airport
- YBX
- Nights
- 1–2
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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Blanc-Sablon911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Blanc-Sablon, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are weather, distance and thin services.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYBX Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon Airport (About 3.7 km (2.3 mi) north of the village; regional flights to other Lower North Shore communities…YBX Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon Airport (About 2.3 mi (3.7 km) north of the village; regional flights to other Lower North Shore communities…
- Getting aroundRoute 138 runs about 72 km (45 mi) through the municipality between the Labrador border and Vieux-Fort.Route 138 runs about 45 mi (72 km) through the municipality between the Labrador border and Vieux-Fort.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$2–4 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, short village hopcheckC$10–20 (≈ US$8–15)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$15–30 (≈ US$11–25)
- Budget bedHostel or gîte bed, a night, per personC$45 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomC$170 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomC$260 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$280 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YBX Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon Airport (About 3.7 km (2.3 mi) north of the village; regional flights to other Lower North Shore communities, Sept-Îles and Labrador.)YBX Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon Airport (About 2.3 mi (3.7 km) north of the village; regional flights to other Lower North Shore communities, Sept-Îles and Labrador.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
Feb
Avoid
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
Mar
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Apr
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
May
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Jun
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jul
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Sep
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Oct
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Nov
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Dec
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)), coolest Jan (−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Feb (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Blanc-Sablon: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
12 rd
Feb
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
11 rd
Mar
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
12 rd
Apr
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
12 rd
May
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
13 rd
Jun
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
14 rd
Aug
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Sep
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
Oct
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
14 rd
Nov
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
13 rd
Dec
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Route 138 runs about 72 km through the municipality between the Labrador border and Vieux-Fort. There is no town bus: walk within a village, otherwise drive, take a taxi or join a tour. Fuel at the service station and at the Dépanneur Roger Jones.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bonne-Espérance and Vieux-Fort
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Route 138 west, about 30–40 min by car
Coastal hamlets, shoreline views and icebergs in late spring.
Gros-Mécatina (La Tabatière)
overnightDoor to door: Half a day or more
Ferry or plane along the Lower North Shore
No road link; go only if you are already travelling the coast.
Saint-Augustin
overnightDoor to door: Several hours
Ferry or plane
Village on the Lower North Shore, reached by the maritime service.
Petit-Mécatina
cautionDoor to door: Half a day or more
Boat or plane
Remote and seasonal; check access before planning.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon
Largest of the three villages and the one with the airport; most motels and services are here.
Blanc-Sablon village
On the bay, closest to the ferry landing and the waterfront.
Brador
About 7 km (4.3 mi) west of Lourdes; quiet, few services, one café.About 4.3 mi (7 km) west of Lourdes; quiet, few services, one café.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$150–230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- C$250 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or inn double room1 × 2 nights × C$170 | C$340 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × C$160 | C$640 |
| Car rental, one day1 × C$90 · check | C$90 |
| Taxi, airport to village1 × C$25 · check | C$25 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$20 | C$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$114 |
| Trip total≈ C$312 per person per day, bed included | C$1,249≈ US$950 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; flights and ferry fares excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Casse-croûte meal (burger, fries, drink) | C$15–25 (≈ US$11–19) |
| Restaurant main, seafood | C$25–40 (≈ US$19–30) |
| Grocery run for two, one day | C$40–70 (≈ US$30–55) |
| Taxi, short village hopcheck | C$10–20 (≈ US$8–15) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$15–30 (≈ US$11–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Services are thin outside summer: confirm motel, café and tour opening before you book.
- Route 138 does not connect to the rest of Québec's road network here — reaching the North Shore by road means going through Labrador.
- Weather on the Strait of Belle Isle changes fast; fog and wind can delay ferries and small aircraft.
- Fuel and grocery prices run above big-city Québec levels; fill up when you can.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Blanc-SablonBlanc-Sablon
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies here; US consulate general in Montréal or Québec City, other countries in Ottawa (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi, YBX airport to Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon: about C$20–30 (≈ US$15–25), 5–10 min (check)
- Ferry Blanc-Sablon to Sainte-Barbe, Newfoundland: about 1 h 45 min; fare and schedule vary by season (check)
- Car rental, one day: from about C$90 (≈ US$70) (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mer-SEE)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT)
- Où est le traversier ? — Where is the ferry? (oo ay luh tra-ver-SYAY)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par KART)
- J'ai besoin d'aide — I need help (zhay buh-ZWAN ded)
English and French are both spoken; French is the majority language in Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Blanc-Sablon. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Apr (cold, snow, limited services) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YBX: flight arrivals, taxi or shuttle fallback, and an overnight rung for missed connections.
- Ferry-day fixture: crossing times, check-in cutoff and a plan B when the Strait of Belle Isle is fogged in.
- Village walking clusters with rescue anchors: Lourdes, Blanc-Sablon waterfront, Brador.
- Place pages for the tourist information centre, Sheffer Museum and Middle Bay centre with verified seasonal hours.