by islands are in the Gulf of St Lawrence, Canada and are actually part
of the Province of Quebec even though they are just (5 hrs on a ferry)
north of Prince Edward Island (PEI). A series of islands connected to
one another (except for one), they offer an incredible variety of
landscapes and many, many, lagoons to sail in addition to the ocean
all around. It is definitely a pristine spot.
The windsurfing is spectacular, lots of access points (they have a map
of all the spots at the tourist information welcome center). The
lagoons are pretty shallow and large (not as large as Pamlico sound
but certainly larger than what one finds in NJ) and there is no boat
traffic.
You can also fly there (did not check the rental situation as I drove
w/ boards), and there is sailing late in the season even though it is
quite far north (maritime climate). I was there the first week of
October and had some very nice conditions (4.2-6.5m + 4/3 wetsuit)
pretty much all week. It is also an incredible spot for kitesurfing
(yes, guilty).
http://quebecweb.com/tourisme/ilemadeleine/introang.html
http://www.tourismeilesdelamadeleine.com/magdalen-islands/activites_a...
A long haul from the NYC area, but definitely worth it for a week. I
hear it is invaded by Quebecois in the summer - and I understand why.
Jean-Marie