Île-aux-Marins

Island Small inhabited islet near Saint-Pierre, French territory

A small island in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon with preserved fishermen’s houses, a maritime museum and a lighthouse; visitors explore the village and seasonal boat links to St Pierre.

Main image

Île-aux-Marins is a small island in the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, belonging to the French overseas collectivity. It contains the remains of a former fishing community and is preserved as a historic site with restored buildings and a cemetery.

A compact cluster of traditional houses, a maritime cemetery and a lighthouse, all of which illustrate the island’s former role in the local fishing economy. The island is now a day-visit destination for visitors based on Saint-Pierre.

The island was settled and inhabited for centuries as part of the Saint Pierre and Miquelon community but was depopulated in the mid-20th century as residents moved to Saint-Pierre. The remaining buildings have been preserved for their cultural and historical value.

Île-aux-Marins lies a short distance off the main town of Saint-Pierre and is reached by local boat services; it sits in the North Atlantic close to the coast of Newfoundland but remains administratively part of the Saint Pierre and Miquelon territory.

  • Access and current status: The island was inhabited historically but has been largely uninhabited in recent decades and is visited from Saint-Pierre by short boat trips for sightseeing and heritage walks.

What to See #

  • Historic village and cemetery: A small former fishing village with preserved wooden houses and a cemetery that document the island's past population; the settlement is maintained as a historic site with interpretive signage.
  • Lighthouse and maritime features: A lighthouse and maritime markers that served Saint-Pierre harbour and helped guide local fishing and transport vessels; these features are visible landmarks on the island's shoreline.
Île-aux-Marins
Île-aux-Marins, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon (short boat crossing from Saint-Pierre)
46.7871, -56.1485

How to Get to Île-aux-Marins #

Regular small boat services connect Île-aux-Marins with Saint-Pierre (the crossing is short). Departures depend on tide and season; check local schedules at the Saint-Pierre harbour office.

Tips for Visiting Île-aux-Marins #

  • Take the short ferry or water taxi from Saint-Pierre (schedule varies seasonally) and plan for brief visits - the island is small and most sights are clustered.
  • Visit the Musée de l'Île-aux-Marins for the fishing village reconstructions and local photographs.
  • Bring a light windbreaker; the exposed promontories can be windy even on warm days.

Best Time to Visit Île-aux-Marins #

Summer months are best for comfortable sailing and museum hours; shoulder seasons offer quieter visits but more unpredictable weather.

Summer
June-September · 10-20°C
Best time for boat trips and outdoor exploring; warmer water temperatures and festival activity in Saint-Pierre.
Shoulder seasons
May, October · 5-15°C
Fewer tourists, but variable weather - suitable for short visits from Saint-Pierre.

Weather & Climate near Île-aux-Marins #

Climate

Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -7°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1306 mm/year), wettest in October, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
19°
Warmest Month
-7°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-6°

Weather

109 mm
Rainfall
9.1 m/s
Wind
Breezy

February

February is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -7°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-7° -1°

Weather

92 mm
Rainfall
8.5 m/s
Wind
Breezy

March

March is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-4°

Weather

100 mm
Rainfall
7.9 m/s
Wind
Breezy

April

April is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
6.8 m/s
Wind
Breezy

May

May is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°

Weather

96 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
12° 18°

Weather

93 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm).

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
14° 19°

Weather

101 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (127 mm).

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
10° 16°

Weather

127 mm
Rainfall
5.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (139 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°

Weather

139 mm
Rainfall
7.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy

November

November is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (132 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

132 mm
Rainfall
7.9 m/s
Wind
Breezy

December

December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-3°

Weather

111 mm
Rainfall
8.8 m/s
Wind
Breezy

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