The Whale Route

The St. Lawrence River is THE party spot for migrating whales. A dozen species of whales, including the minke whale, fin whale and blue whale congregate off the shore during the summer season. The St. Lawrence is an exceptional habitat for a wide variety of mammals, fish and shore birds, blanketed in an equally diversified flora. 

Whales are visible from the water as well as from land. At Cap-de-Bon-Désir, eager naturalists can identify whales that swim past just several metres from the shore. With the help of divers, they present many seabed specimens from the estuary. 

The Whale Route follows the north shore of the St. Lawrence estuary and gulf for nearly 900 km (560 mi.). It links the towns of Tadoussac and Natashquan on the North Shore, passing through the regions of Manicouagan (310 km/193 mi.) and Duplessis (570 km/354 mi.), on Highway 138.
This same route leads to boating excursions, to various observation sites, two interpretive centers and museums that retell the history of the river and its inhabitants.

You can come face to face with these sea giants on a solo or group outing. Travelling by catamaran, inflatable raft or sea kayak, guides track the whales’ wake while maintaining a safe distance from these powerful mammals. 

Did you know...

The Whale Route is one of six tourism routes in Québec. These groomed trails marked by blue information panels crisscross regions with highly diversified attractions: the King’s Road, the New France Route, the Navigators’ Route, the Wine Route and the St. Lawrence Route.