Live wind
Water & wetsuit
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About this spot
The Magdalen Islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence are a chain of islands joined by long sand dunes, enclosing large shallow lagoons. Because the lagoons and open beaches face every direction, there is somewhere to ride in almost any wind, and it is one of the windiest places in eastern Canada, with the best season from about June to October.
The Havre-aux-Maisons lagoon and others are shallow and flat — standing depth far out — and several schools teach here, making it a strong place to learn. The open Gulf beaches give waves for experienced riders.
The water is cool for most of the season, the ferry or flight takes planning, and some dune and lagoon areas are protected for birds. Ask a local school which lagoon fits the day's wind.
3-day forecast
Speed / gusts in knots. Colour = rideability for this spot. Bottom row = recommended kite size for your weight — not recommended outside this spot's 12–28 kn range.
Conditions
- Water
- flat, choppy, waves
- Depth
- Standing depth across large parts of the lagoons; open Gulf beaches deeper
- Seabed
- sand, seagrass patches
- Skill
- beginner, intermediate, expert
- Beginners
- Beginner friendly
- Wind range
- 12 kn – 28 kn
Access & parking
Ferry from Souris (Prince Edward Island) or a flight to Îles-de-la-Madeleine airport (YGR). Launches vary by lagoon and wind direction.
Parking: Parking at beach and lagoon access points across the islands.
Amenities
- Several kite schools with lessons and rental
- Guesthouses, campgrounds and restaurants on the islands
Needs local verification: Compiled in October 2026 from independent spot guides and the general descriptions of the local windsports society and schools. Launch access, membership or day-pass fees, seasonal openings and which school teaches where change from year to year, so everything here needs confirming on site and the coordinates are approximate, not verified launch points. Lessons at Squamish were not confirmed as suitable for first-timers, so it is marked intermediate and up. No verified live webcam was found, so the camera links open Windy's webcam search instead of a local feed.
Local hazards
- Cool water for most of the season
- Protected dune and bird areas — follow local closures
- Choose the lagoon to suit the wind — offshore directions differ by spot