Whales of Quebec - An unforgettable experience

A world-class whale-watching destination

A 1 245 km²marine area

13 different species of whale

Bonjour Beauty

As a place to see whales in their natural habitat, the St. Lawrence River is unique in the world. With stunning landscapes, 13 species of whale, an enormous marine park and thrilling cruises, it’s the ideal destination for a truly unforgettable experience: an encounter with the giants of the sea. Come say Bonjour to them: You might get a friendly fin wave back!

Charlevoix

The region’s powerful, magnetic attraction began 400 million years ago with an epic meteorite impact that sculpted one of the most beautiful and unique landscapes in Quebec.

It also left behind a particular magnetism and energy where visitors stop, breathe and reawaken their senses.

A reconnection worth experiencing.

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Côte-Nord

Come to the Côte-Nord and witness the whales’ awesome feats as they hunt for food. With its endless beaches, delightful Gourmet Tourist Trail, unique attractions and fascinating marine interpretation centres, this still-undiscovered region of Québec offers limitless vistas of spectacular natural splendour. It’s an adventure from start to finish!

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Cote Nord map

Côte-Nord

Package

Tour + accommodation

Make the most of the Côte-Nord with our “Cruises and Accommodation” packages. Meet the largest mammals on Earth on a boat or zodiac excursion on the Côte-Nord. Take advantage of your stay to discover the attractions, activities and sheer vastness of this region!

From
$99 person per night

Whale-watching aboard a Zodiac

Zodiac

Whale-watching aboard a Zodiac

From Tadoussac, escape to the great outdoors in the heart of the best whale watching site in the world! Aboard a Zodiac, meet the giants of the sea during a unique 2 to 2½-hour expedition.

Set out for a cruise in the heart of the Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park from only $74.99, a 40% savings!

From

$74.99per person

Whale-watching boat cruise

Cruise

Whale-watching boat cruise

Aboard the safe AML Grand Fleuve specially designed for observation, meet up to 13 species of whale and marine mammals in the heart of the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, from only $74.98!

Up to 3 daily departures from Tadoussac.

From

$74.99per person

Whale-watching cruise & Helico tour

Helicopter

Whale-watching cruise & Helico tour

Aboard a boat or a Zodiac, meet the whales in the heart of the Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park and escape into the air aboard a GoHélico helicopter, from only $67.99!

Fly over the forest and the majestic Saguenay Fjord!

From

$67.99per person

Essipit Cruises

Cruise

Essipit Cruises

With its six stalwart crafts, Essipit Cruises introduces you to a whole new aspect of the sea. Launching from the wharf at Les Bergeronnes, some 24 km east of Tadoussac, you’ll enjoy a two-hour excursion helmed by a captain/naturalist, to a place where whales frolic against a breathtaking backdrop. Unmissable!

Whale-watching boat cruise

Cruise

Whale-watching boat cruise

Les Écumeurs du Saint-Laurent invite you to discover the fascinating world of whales aboard one of their inflatable boats, accompanied by a whale-loving captain.

Marine Mammal Interpretation Center

Indoor

Marine Mammal Interpretation Center

At the Marine Mammal Interpretation Center, you’ll get up close and personal with a 13-metre-long sperm whale, view baleen belonging to the right whale Piper, touch a narwhal tooth, and explore the enthralling music of the whales. Discover the largest collection of whale skeletons in Canada! Naturalists will be happy to answer your questions. And if you keep your eyes peeled, you might even get lucky and spot a beluga swimming a stone’s throw away!

Québec by the Sea

Québec by the Sea

Côte-Nord shares an asset with Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie and the Îles de la Madeleine: the sea. You can discover the rich maritime heritage of these regions via a multitude of road trip routes on both sides of the St. Lawrence. What to see: 13 species of whales, 10 national parks, islands, beaches, lighthouses and much more.

Parks Canada

Parks Canada

At the Cap-de-Bon-Désir Interpretation and Observation Centre and the Marine Environment Discovery Centre, let yourself be surprised by the whales, seals and birds that come to feed near you. Ideal spots for picnics, you can also explore the seabed through interpretation and diving activities.

Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay

Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay

Bordering both shores of the Saguenay Fjord, the park welcomes lovers of the great outdoors and adventure in two very distinct sectors. With your family, discover the belugas and the beauty of the fjord from the shore of the Baie Sainte-Marguerite. Meet up at Baie-Éternité for hiking, water sports and via ferrata. Camping, discovery activities and more.

Charlevoix

Package

Tour + accommodation

Meet the most magnificent creatures on the planet, the whales!
 With the exceptional view from the boat, you’ll enjoy a fascinating cruise in the heart of the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. The package also includes accommodations and a full breakfast.

From
$99person per night

Whale-watching aboard a Zodiac

Zodiac

Whale-watching aboard a Zodiac

From Charlevoix, set out aboard a Zodiac for an encounter with 13 species of whales and marine mammals during this incredible 2 or 2½-hour adventure in the world’s best observation site!

Escape to the great outdoors in the Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park from only $74.99, a 40% savings!

From

$74.99per person

Whale-watching boat cruise

Cruise

Whale-watching boat cruise

Choose the safety, the unparalleled comfort, and the exceptional panoramic view of the AML Grand Fleuve and experience a unique encounter with the whales in the heart of the Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park, from only $74.98!

Up to 3 daily departures from Charlevoix.

From

$74.99per person

Parks Canada

Parks Canada

Discover the Pointe-Noire Interpretation and Observation Centre! Nestled in the cliff, it offers spectacular views of the Saguenay Fjord and Tadoussac Bay, and where you can watch belugas and minke whales. Visit the other two Parks Canada sites in the North Shore region.

On the way to the whales

Itinerary

Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

The Saguenay Fjord impresses with its steep cliffs, its dark waters and its majestic landscapes. Discover its exceptional wildlife environment and the marine species that abound it. Travel the Route du Fjord from village to village and enjoy the multitude of activities, gourmet stops and cozy stopovers.

Itinerary

Québec

Why not combine a whale watching excursion with a visit to Québec City? Old Québec, a UNESCO World Heritage treasure, is safe and ideal for walking. Be amazed by the European charm of the only walled city north of Mexico and enjoy local food in renowned restaurants with sunny terraces.

Itinerary

Montréal

Montréal is a big, busy, exhilarating city, with so much to see and do. Discover it through long bike rides, picnics at the park, street art hunts, adventures on the water and visits to the museum. Top off your visit to Montréal with a trip to see the whales.

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	Baie-Ste- Catherine	Tadoussac	Saguenay
Toronto	1021 km	1029 km	1018 km
Ottawa	654 km	661 km	651 km
Montréal	468 km	475 km	465 km
Québec	208 km	215 km	211 km

In the footsteps of giants

The regions abound with sites on land and on sea where you can come up close to some of the biggest mammals in the world.

Search Options

Legend

Cruises
Observation points
Parks
Ferries

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Linking places. Connecting people!

Société des traversiers du Québec

The Société des Traversiers du Québec invites you to discover the St. Lawrence Estuary through its gateways to the Côte-Nord, Charlevoix and Bas-Saint-Laurent. Our ferry crossings provide more than a passage from one region to another: they’re also the perfect opportunity to soak up the beauty of the St. Lawrence, where the river meets the sea!

Matane Ferry
Tadoussac Ferry

The whales
of Québec

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The Saguenay – St. Lawrence Marine Park is:

One of the best whale-watching sites in the world.
A 1245 km²marine protected area
13 different species of whale.

Discover the species

ST. LAWRENCE BELUGA

This declining population is the only year-round resident of the St. Lawrence River. The beluga is known for its social skills and vocalizations. Its nickname is the “canary of the sea”.

Presence: frequent
Endangered species

Credit images: C. Soucy/©Parks Canada

MINKE WHALE

Solitary, it is often seen near the shore. It is one of the most dynamic whales and a formidable hunter. You might see it even jump out of the water

Presence: frequent

Credit images: C. Soucy/©Parks Canada

FIN WHALE

You will hear its breath before you see it. Fast and long, it surfaces, revealing its dark back. Rather solitary, it joins others for eating.

Presence: frequent
Species of special concern

Credit images: C. Soucy/©Parks Canada

HUMPBACK WHALE

Graceful, it reveals its tail during dives. It is also known for its acrobatic jumps. Once endangered, today’s population is growing.

Presence: frequent

Credit images: C. Soucy/©Parks Canada

HARBOUR PORPOISE

As the smallest cetacean in the St. Lawrence River, it is noticeable given it often swims in small groups. Its breath can be heard in calm weather.

Presence: frequent

Credit images: C. Soucy/©Parks Canada

BLUE WHALE

The blue whale is the largest animal on the planet, and one of the most widely travelled. Only about a dozen are found at the marine park.

Presence: occasional
Endangered species

Credit images: C. Soucy/©Parks Canada

ATLANTIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN

They live in pods. Dynamic and exuberant, we see them jumping, in turn, in the wake of boats.

Presence: rare

Credit images: C. Soucy/©Parks Canada

WHITE-BEAKED DOLPHIN

They are fast, and you will see their grey and white sides as they leap out of the water in alternating directions. They live in pods.

Presence: rare

Credit images: C. Soucy/©Parks Canada

RIGHT WHALE

This slow-moving species has a powerful “V” shaped breath. Long hunted, the 400 survivors must now deal with the risks of collisions and entanglements.

Presence: rare
Endangered species

Credit images: C. Soucy/©Parks Canada

SPERM WHALE

The “Moby Dick” of the oceans. Deep sea diver, it hunts fish and squid. After taking a deep breath at the surface, it sometimes spends two hours underwater before returning for another breath.

Presence: rare

Credit images: C. Soucy/©Parks Canada

LONG-FINNED PILOT WHALE

The few observers who have crossed its path have pointed out its imposing fin on its back. It lives in pods of 10, 20, and even 100.

Presence: rare

Credit images: C. Soucy/©Parks Canada

KILLER WHALE

You may know it as the “orca.” A strategic hunter and a group hunter, it adapts its manoeuvres to the prey it is pursuing: marine mammals, fish, birds and squid.

Presence: rare
Species of special concern

Credit images: C. Soucy/©Parks Canada

NORTHERN BOTTLENOSE WHALE

Never heard of it? This large diver is rare—fewer than 200 individuals live off Nova Scotia—and it prefers deep water up to 1,500 m.

Presence: rare
Endangered species

Credit images: C. Soucy/©Parks Canada

Eco-responsible observation

Proud members of the Alliance Éco-Baleine

Working together to offer respectful and sustainable whale-watching tours is the commitment of the members of the Eco-Whale Alliance. To be true guardians of the whales, you need to have the right tools and the best practices. With the Marine Park and the GREMM, tour operators and their employees are supervised and trained to offer you a more than enriching experience! Choose a PROUD MEMBER!

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QUÉBEC ADVENTURE OUTDOOR

Aventure Écotourisme Québec

Reconnect with nature and discover a host of outdoor activities in Quebec’s different regions that will live up to all your expectations. Whatever your level of outdoorsmanship, adventure of the highest quality standards is within reach of all. In a kayak, on a hike, on a bike or any other way, explore your possibilities for the perfect outdoor experience.

Route des baleines

The Côte-Nord is synonymous with whales. Every year these huge mammals show up at and own the north shore of the Saint Lawrence. Route 138—the Whale Route—is aptly named because 13 species of whale and marine mammal can be seen from the Côte-Nord coast—among them, the largest mammal on the face of the earth: the great blue whale.

Route du Fleuve

On the St. Lawrence Route, turn your windows down and your favourite driving playlist up as you pass through 78 km of pure beauty along the St. Lawrence River. From Baie-Saint-Paul to La Malbaie and through Les Éboulements and Saint-Irénée and Isle-aux-Coudres, smell the intoxicating perfumes of the ocean where endless skies of blues and light merge on one of North America’s most beautiful panoramic roads.

Route du Fjord

Take the time to marvel at the Saguenay Fjord by travelling the Route du Fjord. Admire its breathtaking scenery, the species that frequent its waters and discover the activities that surround it. This inland and coastal route will allow you to visit some of the most beautiful villages in Quebec. You will feel it, a very special energy emanates from here!

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