Major city · Canada
Natashquan
Go for 1–2 nights only if you are already driving Route 138 east or riding the Bella Desgagnés; otherwise the 14-hour drive from Montréal is not worth it.
Natashquan is a village of about 280 people at the end of Route 138, on Quebec's Lower North Shore. It is known as the birthplace of singer Gilles Vigneault, for its cod-fishing heritage site Les Galets, and for a wooden boardwalk along the bay. There is no through road east of here: beyond Kegaska the coast is served by boat and plane only. Come for one or two nights as part of a North Shore drive, not as a destination on its own.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (cold, snow, many services closed)
- Airport
- YNA
- 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 Natashquan911 ▾
- 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 Natashquan, 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 distance, weather and isolation.
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.
- AirportYNA Natashquan Airport (Adjacent to the village; small public airport run by the township.
- Getting aroundRoute 138 is the main street; everything in the village is within about 2 km (1.2 mi), so you can walk the centre, the boardwalk and Les Galets.Route 138 is the main street; everything in the village is within about 1.2 mi (2 km), so you can walk the centre, the boardwalk and Les Galets.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or snack in the villageC$3–7 (≈ US$3–6)
- BeerCraft beer at Brasserie La MoucheC$7–10 (≈ US$6–8)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Le Bord du Cap)check current seasonC$5 (≈ US$4) per adult, free under 12
- Budget bedCampground pitch (municipal or Nutshimit), a night, per personC$25 (≈ US$19)
- Mid-range bedGîte or B&B room, a night, per roomC$140 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedGîte or B&B room, a night, per roomC$200 (≈ US$150)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$150 (≈ US$110) · High C$260 (≈ US$190)
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
- YNA Natashquan Airport (Adjacent to the village; small public airport run by the township. Schedules change by season: check with the airline.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
Feb
Avoid
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
Mar
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Apr
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
May
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Jun
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jul
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Oct
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Nov
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Dec
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jan (−19°C (−2°F)−2°F (−19°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Natashquan: 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
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
−19°C (−2°F)−2°F (−19°C)
12 rd
Feb
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
10 rd
Mar
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
11 rd
Apr
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
11 rd
May
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
12 rd
Jun
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
13 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Sep
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Oct
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
13 rd
Nov
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
13 rd
Dec
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°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 is the main street; everything in the village is within about 2 km, so you can walk the centre, the boardwalk and Les Galets. A car is needed for Pointe-Parent, the campground and the trailheads. There is one gas station (Harnois, 28 chemin d'en Haut, open day and night) with an EV charger.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Pointe-Parent Innu reserve
goDoor to door: About 15 min by car
Drive or cycle about 5 km (3.1 mi) west on Route 138Drive or cycle about 3.1 mi (5 km) west on Route 138
Cultural activities and a grocery; check what is open before going.
Aguanish
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Route 138 west by car
Sandy river-mouth beaches; beach and wild camping are popular here.
Kegaska
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Route 138 east, the last connected village
The road stops here; beyond is boat-and-plane country.
Havre-Saint-Pierre
overnightDoor to door: About 3.5 h
Route 138 west by car
Too far for a day return; sleep there and use it as a base for Mingan.
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.
Village centre (chemin d'en Haut)
Walkable to the tourist office, museums, boardwalk and the supermarket; best if you have no car.
Rue du Pré / bay side
Auberge and gîtes with water views, a few minutes' drive or a 15–20 min walk from the centre.
Pointe-Parent (Innu reserve)
Separate sector about 5 km (3.1 mi) west along Route 138; camping and a grocery, quieter.Separate sector about 3.1 mi (5 km) west along Route 138; camping and a grocery, quieter.
Municipal campground
By the sea at 184 chemin d'en Haut; 38 sites in two sectors. Book ahead in July–August.
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$140–230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- C$230 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Gîte or B&B room1 × 2 nights × C$140 | C$280 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × C$150 | C$600 |
| Harnois fuel, one tank1 × C$90 · check | C$90 |
| Bella Desgagnés, Havre-Saint-Pierre → Natashquan, one way2 × C$150 · check; cabin extra | C$300 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$132 |
| Trip total≈ C$363 per person per day, bed included | C$1,452≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; long-distance travel to get here excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or snack in the village | C$3–7 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Bistro or restaurant main | C$18–35 (≈ US$14–30) |
| Craft beer at Brasserie La Mouche | C$7–10 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Supermarket basics for a picnic, per person | C$12–20 (≈ US$9–15) |
| Museum entry (Le Bord du Cap)check current season | C$5 (≈ US$4) per adult, free under 12 |
| Campground pitch, per night | C$25–50 (≈ US$19–40) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Route 138 ends here: east of Kegaska there is no road, only the Bella Desgagnés ship and small planes.
- Distances are huge — Havre-Saint-Pierre is about 3.5 h west, Sept-Îles about 7 h, Montréal about 14 h.
- Cell coverage exists in the village but is patchy on the road and trails; download maps before you drive.
- Many lodgings and restaurants are seasonal and close outside June–September; confirm before booking.
- Fuel up here before heading further along the coast.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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NatashquanNatashquan
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates here; the nearest are in Québec City or Montréal. US citizens: US Consulate General, Montréal (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Harnois fuel, Natashquan: open day and night, 28 chemin d'en Haut (check)
- Bella Desgagnés, Havre-Saint-Pierre → Natashquan: about C$150 (≈ US$110) per person one way, cabin extra (check)
- Air Liaison / Air Labrador to YNA: small planes, seasonal schedules — check with the airline
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa koot)
- Où est la promenade ? — Where is the boardwalk? (oo ay la prom-NAD)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par kart)
- Je ne parle pas français — I don't speak French (zhuh nuh parl pah fran-SAY)
French is the main language; a few words go a long way. Innu-aimun is spoken in Pointe-Parent.
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 Natashquan. 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, many services closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares