The Îles de la Madeleine are located right in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, more than 200 km (124 mi) from Gaspésie’s shores. What a great reason to go on a cruise! The archipelago is made up of a dozen islands spread out as far as the eye can see, between sandy dunes and salty water. The islands get their colour from the green valleys, multicoloured houses, beaches of golden sand, red cliffs and an infinite variety of ocean blues. All of this is accentuated by the local colour of the Madelinots’ accent, the warmth of their welcome and delights from the sea. The spirit of celebration also lives on well, as illustrated by the ever popular Sand Castle Contest! This region is a true paradise for sailing, gliding and wind sports, not to mention fishing and swimming. It is also a dream location for ornithology and perfect for walks and biking. During the winter, you can observe beautiful whitecoats (baby seals) in a land of ice and snow.