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.
- 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.
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.
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.
- 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, 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, 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 →
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.)
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°C16°F
−19°C−2°F
12 rd
Feb
−8°C18°F
−18°C0°F
10 rd
Mar
−2°C28°F
−12°C10°F
11 rd
Apr
4°C39°F
−5°C23°F
11 rd
May
11°C52°F
1°C34°F
12 rd
Jun
16°C61°F
6°C43°F
12 rd
Jul
20°C68°F
10°C50°F
13 rd
Aug
19°C66°F
10°C50°F
12 rd
Sep
14°C57°F
6°C43°F
12 rd
Oct
8°C46°F
1°C34°F
13 rd
Nov
2°C36°F
−5°C23°F
13 rd
Dec
−5°C23°F
−14°C7°F
13 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
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 & 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 west on Route 138Drive or cycle about 3.1 mi 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 & 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 west along Route 138; camping and a grocery, quieter.Separate sector about 3.1 mi 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.
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
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
NatashquanNatashquan
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 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 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