Belle Isle, Strait of

Channel between Newfoundland and Labrador in northeast Canada. It forms an entrance to the Gulf of St Lawrence from the Atlantic Ocean. The channel is about 130 km/81 mi long and 16–30 km/10–19 mi wide. During the winter months it is often blocked with ice. Its strong currents include part of the southward Labrador Current, which brings icebergs south from the Labrador Sea. It takes its name from Belle Isle, to the northeast.