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Voykit pocket guide · Canada
Saint-Augustin
Come only if you are already on the Lower North Shore: 1 night, a boat trip to the islands and the bird sanctuary, then move on. No road in.
Saint-Augustin is a village of about 425 people on the Lower North Shore of Quebec, at the mouth of the Saint-Augustin River. There is no road link to the rest of Quebec: you arrive by plane, by the Bella Desgagnés coastal ship or, in winter, by snowmobile on the Route Blanche. That isolation is the point. One night covers the wharf, the river mouth and a boat trip to the islands and the migratory bird sanctuary.
- Country
- Canada
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Avoid
- Nov–Apr (cold, snow, limited transport)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CAD
- Money
- Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $). Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere.
- Daily spend
- Budget CA$120–180 excl. bed · Mid CA$180–280 excl. bed · High CA$280+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Rogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores. Canadian data is expensive — an eSIM is often cheaper.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 911 · Relais Nordik / Bella Desgagnés 1-800-463-0680
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Same as the US.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: CAD 1–2 per drink.; Taxi: 10–15%.; Housekeeping: CAD 3–5 a night.; Guide: 10–20% of the tour price.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).
- Toilets
- Free in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | CA$3–5 |
| Simple meal | CA$18–30 |
| Beer in a bar / can from the store | CA$8–10 / CA$3–5 |
| Boat trip, half day | CA$70–120 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | CA$20–40 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- YIF · Saint-Augustin Airport
- On the west bank of the river at Pakuashipi; in summer a local ferry crosses from the village. Check the current schedule.
Typical fares
- Bella Desgagnés, one leg on the coast
- varies by leg and cabin; book with Relais Nordik (check)
- Local ferry across the river to the airport
- summer only; ask in the village (check)
Get around
The village is small enough to walk. In summer, boats are how you reach the islands, the bird sanctuary and the far bank; in winter, snowmobiles take over. There is no car rental to speak of.
See and do
Known for
- Saint-Augustin Migratory Bird Sanctuary
- The Rigolets inlets
- Bella Desgagnés coastal stop
- Salmon and sea-trout fishing
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| The Rigolets | Local boat from the wharf | Half day |
| Saint-Augustin Migratory Bird Sanctuary | Boat across the bay | 2–4 h |
| Blanc-Sablon | Bella Desgagnés coastal ship, or plane | About 108 km by sea; several hoursAbout 67 mi by sea; several hours |
| Bonne-Espérance | Coastal ship or plane | Several hours |
Sleep
- Village centre
- Riverview Inn and Auberge Leo's Boarding House are the known beds; both are small, so book ahead.
- Pakuashipi side
- Innu community west of the river; the airport is here. Cross by local ferry in summer.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjourbon-ZHOOR |
| Thank you | Mercimair-SEE |
| How much is it? | Combien ça coûte ?kom-BYEN sa KOOT |
| Where is the wharf? | Où est le quai ?oo ay luh kay |
| Can I pay by card? | Puis-je payer par carte ?pweezh pay-YAY par kart |
| I need help | J'ai besoin d'aidezhay buh-ZWAN ded |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; 'Bonjour' first in Québec; avoid: Assuming everyone speaks English
- Queues: Line up and wait your turn; avoid: Pushing in
- Apologising: 'Sorry' is politeness, not admission of fault; avoid: Loud confrontation
- Canada vs US: Treat Canada as its own country; avoid: Calling Canadians American
- Indigenous culture: Buy from Indigenous-owned businesses and ask before photos at ceremonies; avoid: Wearing headdresses as costume
Scams and watch-outs
- No road connection to the rest of Quebec: plan the plane or the ship, and a backup date.
- Cell coverage exists in the village but is thin outside it; carry a satellite messenger if you go far.
- Weather cancels flights and boat calls; build a spare day into any onward booking.
- Fuel, food and pharmacy choice is limited: bring what you need.
Very low crime; the real risks are weather, distance and cold water. Tell someone your plan before any boat or snowmobile trip, and do not travel the Route Blanche alone.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Saint-Augustin yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Saint-Augustin Migratory Bird Sanctuary
- The Rigolets inlets
- Bella Desgagnés coastal stop
- Salmon and sea-trout fishing
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Tourisme Québec — Côte-Nord: www.quebecmaritime.ca/en
- Relais Nordik — Bella Desgagnés coastal service: www.traversiers.com/fr/nos-traverses/desserte-maritime-de-lile-danticosti-et-de-la-basse-cote-nord
- Wikivoyage: Saint-Augustin, revision 5309200 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5309200
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Saint-Augustin
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaît
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Relais Nordik / Bella Desgagnés1-800-463-0680
No consulate here; the nearest consular help is in Québec City or Montréal. US citizens: US Consulate General in Montréal or Québec City (check).
English is widely spoken in Saint-Augustin; French is the official language of Quebec.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/saint-augustin). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.