Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

1) Type of race

2) Airline info to Saint Pierre

3) Ferry to Saint-Pierre, Miquelon & Fortune NFLD

4) Nautical charts Info

5) Pricing and Currency

6) Business hours and ATM

7) Cell Phones and dialing info

8) French Customs and Immigration

9) Re-entry to Canada & hot line for American travelers

10) Personal Exemptions for Canadians

11) Travel Insurance

12) Emergency services while in St Pierre

13) Accommodations in St Pierre

14) Internet Access

15) Time Zone for St Pierre

16) Voltage

17) Weather and clothing while in ST Pierre

 

Type Of Race – ISAF Category 2- read the Notice of Race for details regarding vessel and crew requirements.

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Air Saint-Pierre ( Air Saint Pierre offers a 20% discount for all racers and there families)
BP 4225
F97500 Saint Pierre & Miquelon
Dial from Canada or the USA:
Toll Free 1 (877) 277-7765
Phone : 011 (508) 41 00 00
Fax : 011 (508) 41-00-02
www.airsaintpierre.com

Air Saint-Pierre has connecting flights to the following cities:

Ferry to Saint-Pierre, Miquelon & Fortune NFLD.    SPM EXPRESS - The Atlantic Jet

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Nautical Charts

CAUTION! Those who are using Navigation software programs on computers should take note that may of the charts are not accurate and can be as much as a half mile out.

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Pricing and Currency

Currency and Banking - The official currency in Saint-Pierre & Miquelon is the Euro (€). Banking establishments will provide currency exchange services, however Canadian (CDN) and American dollars (USD) are accepted by most merchants involved in the tourism trade. Major credit cards and travelers cheques are commonly accepted. Debit cards may be used in some but not all businesses in Saint-Pierre,

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ATMs - Automated Teller Machines are available in banks and several businesses in Saint-Pierre, one ATM is available at the Banque des îles in Miquelon.

Business Hours - Most businesses are open Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Most shops are closed Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Displayed prices include taxes

All businesses and Government offices will be closed on Bastille Day - 14 July

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Cell Phone Access - SPM Telecom provides GSM cell phone coverage for their own cell phones. In some areas of the Island, Canadian (Aliant) cell phone reception is available.

    • Information: 12
    • Phone rates: 0800 and 0810 (local rates)
  • When calling from Saint-Pierre et Miquelon
    • International calls: 00 + country code + number
    • ie: calling Halifax 00-01-902-444-1234
  • When calling Saint-Pierre et Miquelon
    • Country code: +508
    • From Canada and the USA, dial 011 (508) 41 XX-XX

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French Customs and Immigration

Immigration and Visas - Although part of the European Union, Saint-Pierre & Miquelon has its own Immigration procedures and regulations. Upon arrival in St-Pierre et Miquelon, tourists are required to have the following documents:
French Customs and Immigration shall meet all vessels at the dock upon completion of the race. Crew are asked to stay on boat unless other advised, till clearance as been completed.
Citizen from the European Union You must provide a passport, which will be necessary during transit via Canada.
Canadian Citizens
Must have a valid passport for entry to St Pierre and Re entry into Canada.
US Citizens The new passport-card IS NOT VALID ID for entry to Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. The passport card is a wallet-size card that can only be used for land and sea travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. American citizens must have a valid passport.
Other citizenships
Americans and citizens from other countries must carry a valid passport.
Other nationalities must provide a valid passport and in some cases a visa will be required.
Visas are only required if Canadian, American or EU Citizens stay for more than 30 days.
Traveling With Children
Make sure that any children either have their own passport or photo ID. Be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact local authorities for more information.
If you have any further questions concerning entry please contact local ST Pierre authorities for more information.
Tél. (508) 41-15-55
Fax : (508) 41-24-79

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Re-entering Canada:

Canadian Consulate in Ottawa   613-996-8885
Hot Line for American Travelers   888-407-4747 :

You may be able to be pre cleared by using the Canadian Customs CANPASS system Call 1-888-226-7277 This would allow to proceed directly to any Canadian port upon exit from St Pierre. If unavailable the easiest way to re-enter would be Via Fortune bay Approx 20 NM from St Pierre. Phone #:709-832-2000    Fax #:709-832-1187
If returning directly to Nova Scotia you may clear customs in Sydney,  Baddeck (Cape Breton), or Halifax
The Fortune bay Customs office is to the port side of the bay as you enter. There is ample marina space for dockage near the end of the bay. Note! Pay attention to the navigational marks when docking ensures you stay a far as possible to the port side of the Bay . Fortune has small stores for re-provisioning but major provisioning is better in Grand Bank which is 6 NM to the east.

Canadian law requires that you declare all food, plants and animals and related products that you bring into Canada. Failure to declare could lead to

  • confiscation of products
  • fines of up to $400 per undeclared item
  • prosecution

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What are the Personal Exemptions for Canadians?

Travel outside Canada for 24 hour or more
The personal exemption for Canadians traveling outside of Canada for 24 hours or more is CDN$50 worth of goods without paying duties or taxes (excluding tobacco and alcohol). If the value of the goods exceeds CDN$50, the individual cannot claim the exemption and must pay taxes and duties where applicable on the full value.
Travel outside Canada for 48 hours or more
The personal exemption is CDN$200 worth of goods without paying duties or taxes (including some tobacco products and alcoholic beverages).
Travel outside Canada for seven days or more
The personal exemption is CDN$750 worth of goods without paying duties or taxes (including some tobacco products and alcoholic beverages). The calculation of travel days does not include the date in which the traveler left Canada but it does include the return date.

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Travel Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before traveling to St Pierre & Miquelon.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.

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Emergency services - Emergency phone numbers using the European phone system

  • Medical emergencies: 15
  • Police: 17
  • Fire Department: 18

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 Accommodations

ST Pierre & Miquelon have a variety  of accommodations,  please follow the link below for more information.
http://www.st-pierre-et-miquelon.com/english/ourester.php

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Internet Access

The Saint Pierre Yacht Club has wireless internet which should be assessable within 500 feet of the club house

There are no cyber cafés in Saint-Pierre. Note that some of the Hotels do have wireless internet
IE: Bernard Dodeman Bed &Breakfast :
15 rue Paul Bert B.P. 544 Saint-Pierre
F97500 Saint-Pierre et Miquelon

If you want to use a modem connection, make sure you have a phone plug adaptor for French phone outlets.

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Time Zone - Saint-Pierre & Miquelon time zone is (UTC-3). Saint-Pierre & Miquelon is 4 hours behind Paris and 1 hours ahead of Halifax Nova Scotia.

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Voltage - Electrical outlets in Saint-Pierre & Miquelon are 220 Volts, 50 Hz and the physical sockets are Standard French. Canadian and American appliances will only work with adaptors and voltage converters. Some B & B's still have 110V outlets.

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Weather - The weather is maritime and changeable, from moments of brilliant sunshine to thick fog, to showers.

  • Summer days range from cool to hot with a normal temperature of 16° C (61° F).
  • The normal annual rainfall is above 1000 mm and the normal annual snowfall is 300 cm.
  • In June and early July, fog is common and should be expected, whereas August and September are sunny, warm and sometimes windy. We can promise no scorching heat waves!
  • Winter snowfalls and snow storms are spectacular and worth witnessing because of the forces involved. The bravest photographers will be rewarded with out-of-this world scenery

Clothing - One must prepare for any eventuality since the weather can be quite unpredictable. A waterproof rain jacket is highly recommended and a warm sweater, as well as a warm hat, especially when voyaging out to sea. Rubber boots or waterproof hiking boots are a must along the hiking trails.


But don’t forget your shorts!

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