| Here is some more info
on the Blanc Sablon - Natasquan ferry that was posted on
http://www.labradorstraits.net/forum in June 2001:
From Natashquan down to
Blanc Sablon... assuming the boat's on schedule, you leave
Natashquan on a Thursday morning and get into Blanc Sablon late
on a Friday night.
On the way up, you'd leave Blanc Sablon Friday night/very early
Saturday, and get into Natashquan Sunday middayish.
Here's contact info for Relais-Nordik, the company that operates
the service. I don't know the tariff for a vehicle offhand,
having never had occasion to take one:
Telephone : 418-723-8787
Telephone #2 : 418-692-5000
Toll-free number : 1-800-463-0680 (418)
Fax : 418-722-9307
Circuit or destination : Route des Navigateurs
E-Mail : robin.kelleher@relais.nordik.desgagnes.com
Your vehicle is loaded into a container and handled like
containerized freight.
The boat is no luxury ship, but it's a fascinating trip. Well,
the drive down to Natashquan itself is very interesting. If you
have the time, I'd recommend going out to the islands in
Sept-Isles, taking in some activities in the Mingan Islands
National Park (Havre-St-Pierre), and taking at least a quick
stroll around the villages, esp. Magpie, Sheldrake,
Baie-Johann-Beetz, and Natashquan. Beautiful spots.
From the boat it's a bit of hike into La Romaine, and you really
need a ride for Tête-à-la-Baleine, but Kegaska, Harrington
Harbour, and part of Tabatiere are easily accessible on foot.
Your best chance to visit Harrington is on the way up.
St. Augustine is way across the bay from the dock, but the entry
into and out of the port through the "rigolets" is
unforgettable.
All the people involved in the public operations of the boat are
fully bilingual (pursers, stewards, reservations, etc.) In the
peak season a lot of the tourists are French (as in from France)
or Quebecois.
And another message
posted in the same forum on April 2003:
I just called Relais
Nordik regarding prices and availability for the summer of 2003.
**I know your message was posted in September, but just in case
it's useful to anyone, here are details:
From Natashquan to Blanc-Sablon, the price to ferry a light
vehicle (less than 1133kg) is $256.22 taxes included.
Places are limited to 12 vehicles. 6 get in at Rimouski, and 6
more in Havre St-Pierre and/or Natashquan. So you'd better book
ahead of time. Some weeks were already complete! I asked about
August, and most weeks had 3 places left at most.
Then there's a passenger fee since you spend the night on the
boat. The passenger fee for the cheapest cabins (shared 4-bed
cabin) is:
$191,87 per person tx incl. (meals included)
$130.58 per person tx incl. (meals NOT included)
Pretty reasonable considering you travel about 1000km, over 36
hours or so.
PS: I tried to look up this information online, but no
schedules/prices are available to my knowledge. So you really
have to call. The phone number still works: 1-800-463-0680 and
the folks are friendly and helpful.
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