Neptune the world of silence Search?  | Questions?  |  Version française
Diving in Quebec - Magdalen Islands
Dive site characteristics
Types Sea dive Shipwreck dive Deep dive Drift dive Cliff dive Night dive
Conditions Visibility more or less reduced Thermocline or cold water Strong current
Interests Seals or other pinnipeds Sea stars Sea shells
Services Parking Boat ramp Swimming
Planification Rescue in case of emergency Weather conditionsRoad conditionsRoad map
Diving notes

Behavior to have: respect the environment and the fauna. Take note of the number of Search and Rescue Center of Quebec, click on the read cross icon

The wrecks are mostly destroyed (few remains no more) or covered by sand (during storms). Shipwreck dive sites have been reported from differents sources. The list is not exhaustive, nor precise, but it is mostly indicative.

The dives are done from a boat (except otherwise). When the winds get very strong, there are strong water currents as well. You must know that the islands are a well renown windsurf area. Get informed about water conditions to the local dive operator. The dives are done in sea water, watch your buoyancy. Raise the weight on your weight belt accordingly. A 7.5mm thick neoprene wet suit is mandatory. A dry suit may be more suitable depending of your comfort habits. Water temperature is around 4°C (40°F) (depending on season and water currents).

It is important to note that if you do your dive from the shore, a dive flag is mandatory as well as knowing the presence of strong water currents at some place (get informed!). It is important to know that you may encounter lobsters which may have claws as large as a man’s hand...watch your fingers. Watch your buoyancy otherwise you may sting yourself on urchins. Seals on their side like sometimes to play with you... Take note that in case of emergency, the cell phone cannot be used on all the dive sites, please ask and test (phone someone before diving).

Entry points

Note: directions are accurate as possible. It is recommended to go with someone who knows the site.

 Site  Depth   Characteristics 

TideWeather To display on Google map, click on .

 1-Berwindlea
9-11m  The remains of a 2960 tons of a ship wrecked on October 23, 1935 can be seen. There are located on the Corps Mort East side.
 2-Le Gros Cap
4-15m  Between the Cap Noir and the Gros Cap but nearer.
 3-Île aux Goélands
3-10m  Between the wharf and and Île-aux-Goéland are the ruins of an old steamship wrecked about 1920′s.
 4-Corfu Island
1-6m  The site is marked by the rests of the hull on the beach. The remains of the vessel (was belonging to Aristotle Onasis) are those of a boat wrecked in 1963.
 5-Pointe aux Loups
6-30′  Many wrecks can be found along the Dune du Nord. On the East side, the remains of the S.S. Nettleworth which sank in 1910, is is now at 24-30’ depth. On the West side, the reamins of the S.S. Belon (150’ in length) can been like the boiler.
 6-Les Cavernes
6-42′  The caverns are located on the West side of Grosse-Île near the Rochers du Dauphin at about 3km offshore. A dive lamp is advised. Currents are variables. The remains of some wrecks can be seen.
 7-Cap Noddy
9-15m  The remains of many wrecks (dating from the middle up to the end of the 19th century and from the very beginning of the 20th century) can be found on the South-West side of Cape Noddy at Brion Island.
 8-Chelatros
2-4m  The remains of a wreck can be found. The ship sank on november 3 1941 on the North side of the Brion Island in the Grande Anse. The propeller is just below the Cap Clair. Currents are variable. A large boat is necessary. In case of severe weather a refuge can be used on the island.
 9-S.S. Loradore
5-30m  The remains of a wreck who sank on august 13, 1955. The wreck is 61m long. It is located on the South-West side of the Rochers aux Oiseaux (Birds Rocks) which itself is located at 25km Nort-East of Magdalane Islands. Currents are variable from the open sea. A large boat is needed.
10-Old Harry
18-54′  The buoy and the reef of Pointe Old Harry, located à Île de Grande-Entrée offers a large variety of marine fauna. Currents are variable and mostly comes from the East. The buoy is located 1km South-East from the point. It seems possible to divers to ear underwater the song of the whales.
11-Les Colombines
12-54′  The Columbines Shoal are located South at 2km from Île de Grande-Entrée parallel to the shore for about 3km.
12-Petrel
6-18′  The wreck of Petrel is located near the West point of Grande-Entrée on the South side of the North-East end of Dune du Sud (South Dune). The wreck is visible from the surface is the wreck of El Amigo (a sister ship of Jacques Cousteau’s Calypso). It can only be only be reached by boat. The area is largely frequented by fishermen and surfers, a dive flag is advised.
13-Electo
36-60′  The wreck of Electro is located South of Île de Grande-Entrée at about 8km. It is a wooden coal boat which sank in 1934. The wreck is marked Wk(1934) on marine maps. The currents are variables. It is advised to go by a nice and calm day.
14-Île Shag
18-36′  Mollusks harvesting can be praticed at about 1km on the North side of the island.
15-Pierre d’Eglis
12-30′  There is a large marine fauna in the area. It is located on the South side of Havre aux Maisons between the Anse à Damase and the buoy Y12. Currents are variables.
16-Récif aux perles
18-54′  At 6.5km Northeast of La Cormorandière Rocks, near buoy Y16, it offers a good concentration of marine life.
17-S.S. Tigress
18-60′  Near the Cormorandière Rock directly offshore from the cavern, lies the remains of an old steamship believed to be the S.S. Tigress wrecked in 1874.
18-Cap Blanc
6-54′  Located below the high cliffs of Cap Blanc, between 2 prominent rocks "The old man" and "The old woman" there are a number of shipwrecks like Dune du Sable, Maria, River Pride, Elisabeth (or True Blue). The clear waters are ideal for photography.
19-Simcoe
  Up to now the steamship has not been located yet. It should be located on the South side of the Île d’Entrée at about 5-6km. The boat wreck on December 7, 1917. Research have to be don. Please take note, it is located on the route of the ferry crossing.
Road directions
Approximative travel time : 18:00 - 20:00 hrs

Don’t get into trouble, make a reservation for the ferry in summer. Bring your C-card with you.

From Montreal, take highway 20 going East toward Quebec city. Follow up to Rivière-du-Loup where the road becomes road 132. Follow up to Ste-Flavie. From there, follow the 132 up to Matapédia. Cross the bridge to New-Brunswick et take road 11 toward Bathurst, next with the 8 up to Miramichi et again the 11 up to Shediac. From there, join Cape Tourmentine by the road 15 and 16. Cross the Confederation Bridge (toll fee) up to Borden, Prince Edward Island. Follow road 1 up to Charlottetown and road 2 up to Souris. Take the ferry in order to get to Cap-aux-Meules.

Alternative route. Take the ferry directly from Montreal (places are limited) toward Cap-aux-Meules (see CTMA).

For tourist infos consult: Magdalen Island Tourism or Magdalen Island.COM.

Diver’s services
 Services   Address        Phone        Description 
Centre nautique de l'Istorlet 100 ch. de l'Istorlet,
Havre-Aubert
418 937-5266 charter
Le repère du plongeur 18 Allée Léo Leblanc,
Île du Cap aux Meules
418 986-3962 air, rentals, repair, charter
Groupe C.T.M.A. 313, chemin du Quai,
Cap-aux-Meules
418 986-3278 ferry crossing services

© Copyright 1999-2008, Michel Robitaille. All rights reserved.